\ 


THE 


J 


hronicles  of  Baltimore; 


BEING  A 


COMPLETE   HISTORY 


OF 


"Baltimore  Town"  and  Baltimore  City 


FROM  THE 


ARLIEST   PERIOD   TO  THE   PRESENT  TIME. 


BY 

COL.  J.  THOMAS  SCHARF, 

MEMBER  OF  THE  MARYLAND  HIST^ORICAL  SOCIETY,  ETC  ,  ETC. 


BALTIMORE^ 

TURNBULL    BROTHEES. 

1874. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1874,  by 

THOMAS     G.    SCHARF, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington. 


i 


RECOMMENDATIONS 

AS  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE  BALTIMORE  NEWSPAPER   PRESS. 


Baltimore  Sun— *' In  Its  comprehensiveness,  minuteness  of  detail  and  thorough- 
ness of  execution,  to  eclipse  all  that  have  preceded  it." 

Baltimore  Cazettc— "The  first  complete  and  exbanstlve  history  of  the  city  of 
Baltimore  ever  written." 

Baltimore  American—"  His  exhaastive  researches  leave  but  little  for  the  writers 
who  come  after  him  to  do,  except  to  copy  that  which  he  has  gleaned  from  ancient 
manuscripts." 

German  Correspondent— ** A  diligent  and  trustworthy  compilation  of  /acts  laid 
down  in  chronological  order." 

Baltimorean—"  It  will  be,  by  large  odds,  the  most  perfect,  thorough  and  complete 
history  of  the  city  ever  published.  No  Baltimorean,  or  son  or  daughter  of  a  Balti- 
morean,  will  content  themselves  without  a  book  which  promises  to  be  so  valuable." 

Saturday  NigfU— ''The  MSS.  convinces  us  that  it  will  be  a  most  valuable  contri- 
bution to  our  local  literature,  and  covering  as  It  does  the  whole  grounl,  it  will  be 
indispensable  as  a  text-book  and  for  reference." 

Sunday  Telegram—^  The  work  will  be  elaborate  and  truthful  in  every  particular." 

Baltimore  Bulletin— '* A  more  complete  and  thorough  work  than  any  at  present 
in  the  possession  of  the  public." 

livening  News—**1\,  contains  an  immense  amount  of  information  to  be  had  in 
no  other  work,  nor  in  any  dozen  of  books  relating  to  Baltimore.  Indeed  nothing 
of  value  has  been  overlooked,  down  to  the  most  minute  details,  which  are  such  as 
to  render  the  labors  of  any  succeeding  historian  of  little  avail  for  half  a  century  to 
come.'' 


345669 


PREFACE. 


It  has  been  the  chief  aim  of  the  author  and  compiler  of  this 
volume  to  furnish  such  a  contribution  in  connection  with  the  history 
of  the  city  of  Baltimore,  by  grouping  the  written  and  unwritten, 
the  scattered  and  fragmentary  facts  bearing  upon  the  city's  rise  and 
progress,  as  would  afford,  as  a  whole,  a  more  complete  book  upon 
this  subject  than  any  in  possession  of  the  public.  While  we  have 
histories,  annals,  sketches,  and  writings  upon  Baltimore  of  recog- 
nized excellence  and  general  accuracy,  it  is  nevertheless  true  that 
very  much  of  interest  and  importance  has  been  left  unrecorded ; 
and  these  gaps  we  have  sought  to  fill  up. 

The  only  plan  in  the  work  that  has  been  followed  has  been  to 
chronicle  events  through  the  years  in  their  order;  beginning  with 
the  earliest  in  which  any  knowledge  on  the  subject  is  embraced, 
and  running  on  down  to  the  present.  We  have  been  most  par- 
ticular with  dates,  facts,  and  figures,  and  at  great  pains  to  be 
strictly  correct,  never  setting  down  a  doubtful  item. 

The  amount  of  information  and  its  variety  massed  between  the 
covers  of  the  book  might  entitle  it  to  be  regarded  as  a  very  ency- 
clopaedia of  its  kind.  Little  or  nothing  that  relates  to  Baltimore 
has  been  ov^erlooked,  and  neither  time,  money,  nor  labor  has  been 
spared  in  the  preparation  of  the  work.  Every  possible  and  avail- 
able source  has  been  sought  and  used  in  the  collection  of  material ; 
and  the  house  of  history,  if  we  may  so  speak,  has  been  literally 
ransacked  in  the  unremitting  search  for  all,  and  whatever,  to  the 
minutest  niatter,  would  throw  light  upon  the  subject.  An  idea 
may  be  formed  of  the  extent  and  character  of  the  researches  made 


VI  PREFACE. 

when  we  mention  some  of  the  books,  authorities,  and  other  matter 
gone  over.  For  example,  all  the  newspapers,  from  the  first  edi- 
tions ever  published  in  Baltimore  to  the  last ;  all  pamphlets  pub- 
lished relating  to  Baltimore;  all  the  laws  of  Maryland  and  the 
Colonial  Government;  NiW  Register;  Metropolitan  Magazine; 
Griffith's  Annals;  Lossing's  Field-Book  of  the  Revolution,  War 
of  1812,  and  Civil  War  and  Historical  Record;  Sparks's  Wash- 
ington ;  Baltimore,  Historical  and  Biographical ;  Kennedy's  Life 
of  Wirt;  Tuckerman's  Life  of  Kennedy;  CoggeshalFs  American 
Privateers;  Bosman's,  McMahon's,  and  McSherry's  Histories  of 
Maryland  ;  Memoirs  of  Commodore  Barney ;  Dunlap's  History  of 
American  Theatres  ;  Kilty's  Landholder's  Assistant ;  Holmes'  and 
Chalmers'  Annals  of  America;  Memoir  of  R.  B.  Taney;  Smith's 
Virginia;  Botta's  American  Revolution  ;  Marshall's  Washington  ; 
Annals  of  Annapolis;  Rebellion  Record;  Custis's  Life  of  Wash- 
ington ;  American  Biography ;  American  Archives ;  State  Archives ; 
different  histories  of  religious  denominations  in  Baltimore;  Green's 
Maryland  Gazette ;  Conventions  of  Maryland ;  Journals  of  the 
Senate  and  House  of  Delegates  of  Maryland  ;  directories  published 
in  Baltimore  since  1796;  old  and  rare  books  out  of  print;  old 
maps;  early  surveys;  many  valuable  private  letters  and  manu- 
scripts obtained  from  friends ;  Land  Office  records ;  Congressional 
Library,  etc.,  etc.,  etc. 

We  will  here  make  our  acknowledgments  to  Messrs.  R.  A. 
Reed  and  J.  P.  Des  Forges,  antiquarian  booksellers,  for  the  loan 
of  valuable  unpublished  letters,  rare  books,  etc.,  that  must  other- 
wise have  escaped  us.  We  have  also  been  assisted  materially  by 
Messrs.  Osmond  Tiffany  and  William  Jefferson  Buchanan.  Ex- 
tracts from  authorities  used  have  been  liberally  made,  and  much 
original  and  interesting  matter  quoted. 

Many  old  and  valuable  letters  of  eminent  men,  never  before 
published,  have  been  preserved  in  the  book.  Brief  biographical 
notices,  also,  of  prominent  citizens  of  the  past  have  a  place,  as  well 
as  many  pleasing  reminiscences  and  incidents  in  connection  with 
the  customs  and  habits  of  the  people  of  Baltimore  in  the  olden 
time.      The  ancient  style  of  dress  is  fully  described,   with  the 


P  E  E  F  A  0  E  .  vii 

I  ftishion  of  our  ancestral  dames  flaunting  its  absurdities  no  less 
glaring  than  of  to-day.  The  churches  and  their  histories  have  a 
place.  The  time  of  formation  of  societies  of  different  kinds  and 
for  various  purposes  is  noted  and  their  histories  given.  The  rise 
of  canals  and  railroads,  with  the  account  of  their  rude  commence- 
ment and  their  subsequent  wonderful  expansion  and  the  changes 
they  have  wrought  since  the  days  of  post-roads  and  Conestoga 
wagons,  is  given ;  also  notices  of  the  public  schools  from  their 
first  estal)lL«hment;  records  of  riots,  fires,  meetings,  and  proces- 
sions. The  four  revolutions  or  wars,  and  the  part  Baltimore  bore 
in  them  — 1776,  1812,  1846,  and  1861. 

A  history  of  the  newspapers  of  Baltimore,  portraying  the  rise 
and  development  of  the  mighty  agency  of  the  press,  in  our  midst, 
has  its  appropriate  space  allotted  it,  together  with  such  other 
matters,  statistical,  oommercial,  industrial,  mechanical,  professional, 
political,  religious,  private,  and  public,  as  makes  the  entire  collec- 
tion a  book  indeed  of  large  instruction,  of  great  use  for  ready 
reference  as  a  repository  of  valuable  knowledge  not  otherwhere  to 
be  obtained,  and  partly  of  almost  romantic  interest. 

Whatever  of  profit  and  pleasure  shall  be  drawn  from  its  pages 
by  the  reader,  it  cannot  exceed  tliat  profit  and  pleasure  experienced 
by  the  author  in  his  researches,  amid  the  labors  and  ditiiculties  of 
his  undertaking.  For  with  him  his  work  has  been  a  labor  of  love, 
of  pride,  of  sympathy,  of  ambition,  and  one  which  he  hopes  will 
be  received  as  a  laudable,  and  he  trusts  not  altogether  unsuccessful 
effort,  by  such  in  particular  as,  like  himself,  are  "  native  here  and 
to  the  manor  born."  The  preparation  of  such  a  book  was  felt  by 
him  to  have  become  a  public  necessity  and  a  benefaction,  nothing 
of  a  similar  character  having  been  placed  before  the  public  since 
1829,  when  Griffith's  "Annals  of  Baltimore"  was  published, — a 
work  regarded  as  authentic  as  far  as  it  goes,  but  which  does  not 
embrace  in  an  entirety  the  subject  of  which  it  treats. 

The  "  Chronicles  of  Baltimore  "  embraces,  in  substance,  all,  and 
very  much  more  that  has  been  omitted  in  the  "Annals,"  going 
back  to  the  earliest  beginnings,  taking  up  the  story  where  Griffith 
stops,  and  continuing  it  to  tlie  present  day.     In  the  volume  are 


Vlll  PREFACE. 

collected  and  preserved  historical  materials,  obtained  from  widely 
separated  sources,  from  private  libraries  and  individuals,  from 
musty  records  on  the  brink  of  decay,  from  odd  places  and  unex- 
plored corners,  which  by  the  accident  of  fire  or  flood  or  time's  hard 
touches,  might  otherwise  have  been  forever  lost  to  us. 

The  book,  the  author  feels,  will  commend  itself  to  the  people 
of  Baltimore  chiefly  on  account  of  the  immense,  unusual,  and 
various  information  to  be  found  within  its  pages,  and  because  of 
the  pleasing  minor  matters  with  which  it  abounds  as  well.  The 
map  upon  the  wall,  the  directory  upon  the  desk,  the  bible  upon 
the  table,  the  tools  upon  the  bench,  express,  in  their  places,  that 
appropriateness  and  utility  which  we  would  bespeak  for  the 
"Chronicles  of' Baltimore"  in  the  place  which  may  be  given  it  as 
a  household  need  and  addition,  in  the  libraries,  the  business 
offices,  and  homes  of  the  city. 

J.  Thomas  Scharf. 

Bai^timobe,  April,  1874. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 


We  enter  upon  our  arduous  yet  inspiring  labor  in  gathering 
together  the  "  Chronicles  of  Baltimore,"  with  a  feeling  akin  to  that 
lofty  spirit  of  enterprise  which  animates  the  navigator  and  ex- 
plorer of  new  and  unknown  regions  of  the  earth. 

Pressing  forward  with  eager  hope  and  expectation,  he  sees  the 
realm  of  discovery  still  apparently  receding  before  him,  yet  con- 
tinually rewarding  his  research  and  curiosity  by  the  most  valuable 
results ;  and  he  at  length  returns  from  the  scene  of  his  achieve- 
ments with  the  records  of  his  enterprise,  anxious  in  his  narrative 
that  no  historic  foot-print  may  be  lost.  In  the  inexhaustible  field 
of  the  old  are  mines  of  as  deep  interest  and  reward  as  are  in  the 
new ;  and  it  would  be  difficult  lo  find  in  the  history  of  America  any 
page  which  offers  a  more  varied  attraction  than  that  which  treats 
of  Baltimore,  not  alone  to  her  own  fond  people,  but  to  any  people. 
He  who  will  go  over  the  track  of  her  career,  will  seek  her  in  com- 
pany with  those  who  first  pressed  her  virgin  soil  with  their  feet 
ere  she  had  risen  from  the  wilderness,  follow  her  as  she  has  grown, 
and  behold  her  as  she  is,  cannot  fail  to  be  pleasantly  and  instruc- 
tively impressed.  Let  us  approach  her  with  those  who  were  the 
first  to  approach  her,  and  stand  with  them,  and  see  with  them 
the  then  tangled,  wild,  unbroken  site  in  the  forest,  now  the  proud, 
busy,  palatial  city.  Let  us  make  this  approach  through  the  quaint, 
yet  clear  and  touching  recital  of  Captain  John  Smith,  who  in  his 
History  of  Virginia  records  the  following,  which  we  reprint  in  the 
original  text : — 

THE     SIXT    VOYAGE.      1606. 

TO  ANOTHER  PART  OF  VIRGINIA, 

iVHERE   NOW   ARE    PLANTED    OUR    ENGLISH   COLONIES    WHOM    GOD 
INCREASE   AND   PRESEliUE: 

DISCOVERED   AND    DBSCRIBED 

By  CAPTAINE  lOHN  SMITH, 

Sometimes  Governour  of  the  Countrey^ 

"  By  these  former  relations  you  may  see  what  inconveniences 
till  crossed  those  good  intents,  and  how  great  a  matter  it  was  all 


Z  CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

this  time  to  finde  but  a  Harbour,  although  there  be  so  many.  But 
this  Virginia  is  a  Country  in  America  betweene  the  degrees  of  34. 
and  45.  of  the  North  latitude.  The  bounds  thereof  on  the  East 
side  are  the  great  Ocean:  on  the  South  lyeth  Florida:  on  the 
North  nova  Francia :  as  for  the  West  thereof,  the  limits  are 
vnknowne.  Of  all  this  Country  we  purpose  not  to  speake,  but  onely 
of  that  part  which  was  planted  by  the  English  men  in  the  yeare  of 
our  Lord,  1606.  And  this  is  vnder  the  degrees  37.  38.  and  39.  The 
temperature  of  this  Country  doth  agree  well  with  English  consti- 
tutions, being  once  seasoned  to  the  Country.  Which  appeared  by 
this,  that  though  by  many  occasions  our  people  fell  sicke;  yet  did 
they  recover  by  very  small  meanes,  and  continued  in  health,  though 
there  were  other  great  causes,  not  onely  to  haue  made  them  sicke, 
but  even  to  end  their  dayes,  &c. 

"  The  Sommer  is  hot  as  in  Spaine ;  the  Winter  cold  as  in  France 
or  England.  The  heat  of  sommer  is  in  lune,  luly,  and  August,  but 
commonly  the  coole  Breeses  asswage  the  vehemency  of  the  heat. 
The  chiefe  of  winter  is  halfe  December,  lanuary,  February,  and  halfe 
March.  The  colde  is  extreame  sharpe,  but  here  the  Proverbe  is 
true,  that  no  extreame  long  continueth. 

"  In  the  yeare  1607.  was  an  extr.aordinary  frost  in  most  of 
Europe,  and  this  frost  was  found  as  extreame  in  Virginia.  But  the 
next  yeare  for  8.  or  10.  dayes  of  ill  weather,  other  14  dayes  would 
be  as  Sommer. 

"The  windes  here  are  variable,  but  the  like  thunder  and  light- 
ning to  purifie  the  ayre,  I  haue  seldome  either  seene  or  heard  in 
Europe.  From  the  Southwest  came  the  greatest  gusts  with  thun- 
der and  heat.  The  Northwest  winde  is  commonly  coole  and  bring- 
eth  faire  weather  with  it.  From  the  North  is  the  greatest  cold, 
and  from  the  East  and  Southeast  as  from  the  Barmudas,  fogs  and 
raines. 

"  Sometimes  there  are  great  droughts,  other  times  much  raine, 
yet  great  necessitie  of  neither,  by  reason  we  see  not  but  that  all 
the  raritie  of  needful  fruits  in  Europe,  may  be  there  in  great  plen- 
tie,  by  the  industrie  of  men,  as  appeareth  by  those  we  there 
Planted. 

"  There  is  but  one  entrance  by  Sea  into  this  Country,  and  that 
is  at  the  mouth  of  a  very  goodly  Bay,  18.  or  20.  myles  broad.  The 
cape  on  the  South  is  called  Cape  Henry,  in  honour  of  our  most 
noble  Prince.  The  land  white  hilly  sands  like  vnto  the  Downes, 
and  all  along  the  shores  great  plentie  of  Pines  and  Firres. 

"The  North  Cape  is  called  Cape  Charles,  in  honour  of  the 
worthy  Duke  of  Yorke.  The  Isles  before  it.  Smith's  Isles,  by  th« 
name  of  the  discover.  Within  is  a  country  that  may  haue  the 
prerogatiue  over  the  most  pleasant  places  knowne,  for  large  and 
pleasant  navigable  Kivers,  heaven  and  earth  never  agreed  better 
to  frame  a  place  for  mans  habitation ;  were  it  fully  manured  and 
inhabited   by  industrious    people.      Here    are    mountaines,   hils, 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  6 

plaines,  valleyes,  rivers,  and  brookes,  all  running  most  pleasantly 
into  a  faire  Bay,  compassed  but  for  the  mouth,  with  fruitfull  and 
delightsome  land.  In  the  Bay  and  rivers  are  many  Isles  both 
great  and  small,  some  woody,  some  plaine,  most  of  them  low  and 
not  inhabited.  This  bay  lyeth  North  and  South,  in  which  the 
water  floweth  neare  200.  myles,  and  hath  a  channell  for  140  myles  of 
depth  betwixt  6  and  15  fadome,  holding  a  breadth  for  the  most 
part  10  or  14  myles.  From  the  head  of  the  Bay  to  the  Northwest, 
the  land  is  mountanous,  and  so  in  a  manner  from  thence  by  a 
Southwest  line ;  so  that  the  more  Southward,  the  farther  off  from 
the  Bay  are  those  mountaines.  From  which  fall  certaine  brookes 
which  after  come  to  fiue  principall  navigable  rivers.  These  run 
from  the  Northwest  into  the  Southeast,  and  so  into  the  West  side 
of  the  Bay,  where  the  fall  of  every  Eiver  is  within  20  or  15  myles 
one  of  the  other. 

"  The  mountaines  are  of  divers  natures:  for  at  the  head  of  the 
Bay  the  rockes  are  of  a  composition  like  Mill  stones.  Some  of 
Marble,  &c.  And  many  peeces  like  Christall  we  found,  as  throwne 
downe  by  water  from  those  mountaines.  For  in  Winter  they  are 
covered  with  much  snow,  and  when  it  dissolveth  the  waters  fall 
with  such  violence,  that  it  causeth  great  inundations  in  some  nar- 
row valleys,  which  is  scarce  perceived  being  once  in  the  rivers. 
These  waters  wash  from  the  rocks  such  ghstering  tinctures,  that 
the  ground  in  some  places  seemeth  as  guilded,  where  both  the  rocks 
and  the  earth  are  so  splendent  to  behold  that  better  iudgements  then 
ours  might  haue  heene  perswaded,  they  contained  more  then  probabili- 
ties. The  vesture  of  the  earth  in  most  places  doth  manifestly 
proue  the  nature  of  the  soylo  to  be  lusty  and  very  rich.  The 
colour  of  the  earth  we  found  in  diverse  places,  resembleth  bole 
Armoniac,  terra  a  sigillata,  and  Lemnia,  Fullers  earth,  Marie,  and 
divers  and  other  such  appearances.  But  generally  for  the  most 
part  it  is  a  blacke  sandy  mould,  in  some'places  a  fat  slimy  clay,  in 
other  places  a  very  barren  gravell.  But  the  best  ground  is  knowne 
by  the  vesture  it  beareth,  as  by  the  greatnesse  of  trees,  or  abun 
dance  of  weeds,  &c. 

"  The  Country  is  not  mountanous,  nor  yet  low,  but  Buch  pleas- 
ant plaine  hils,  and  fertile  valleyes,  one  prettily  crossing  another, 
and  watered  so  conveniently  with  fresh  brookes  and  springs,  no 
lesse  commodious,  then  delightsome.  By  the  rivers  are  many, 
plaine  marshes,  containing  some  20  some  100.  some  200  Acres,, 
some  more,  some  lesse.  Other  plaines  there  are  few,  but  onely. 
where  the  Salvages  inhabit:  but  all  overgrowne  with  trees  and. 
weeds,  being  a  plaine  wildernesse  as  God  first  made  it. 

"On  the  west  side  of  the  Bay,  we  sayd  were  5.  faire  and  de- 
lightfuU  navigable  rivers.  The  first  of  those,  and  the  next  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Bay  hath  his  course  from  the  West  Northwest..  It 
is  called  Powhatan,  according  to  the  name  of  a  principall  countrey 
that  lyeth  vpon  it.     The  mouth  of  this  river  is  neare  three  myles 


4  CHEONICLES    OF   BALTIMORE. 

in  breadth,  yet  doe  the  shoules  force  the  Channell  so  neare  the  land, 
that  a  Sarce  will  overshoot  it  at  point  blancke.  It  is  navigable  150 
myles,  the  shouldes  and  soundings  are  here  needlesse  to  be  expressed. 
It  falleth  from  Eockes  farre  west  in  a  Country  inhabited  by  a 
nation  they  call  Monacans.  But  where  it  commeth  into  our  dis- 
covery it  is  Powhatan.  In  the  farthest  place  that  w^as  diligently 
observed,  are  falles,  rockes,  shoules,  &c.,  which  makes  it  past  navi- 
gation any  higher.  Thence  in  the  running  downeward,  the  river  is 
enriched  with  many  goodly  brookes,  which  are  maintained  by  an 
infinit  number  of  small  rundles  and  pleasant  springs,  that  disperse 
themselues  for  the  best  service,  as  do  the  veines  of  a  mans  body. 
From  the  South  there  fals  into  it:  First,  the  pleasant  river  of 
Apamatuck.  Next  more  to  the  East  are  two  small  rivers  of  Qui- 
yougheohanocke.  A  little  farther  is  a  Bay  wherein  falleth  3  or  4 
prettie  brookes  and  crcekes  that  halfe  intrench  the  Inhabitants  of 
Warraskoyac,  then  the  river  of  Nandsamund.  and  lastly-  the  brooke 
of  Chisapeack.  From  the  North  side  is  the  river  of  Chickahamania, 
the  backe  river  of  lames  Towne;  another  by  the  Cedar  Isle,  where 
we  liued  ten  weekes  vpon  Oysters,  then  a  convenient  harbour  for 
Fisher  boats  at  Kecoughtan,  that  so  turneth  it  selfe  into  Bayes  and 
Creckes,  it  makes  that  place  very  pleasant  to  inhabit;  their  corne- 
fields  being  girded  therein  in  a  manner  as  Peninsulaes.  The  most 
of  these  rivers  are  inhabited  by  severall  nations,  or  rather  families, 
of  the  name  of  the  rivers.  They  haue  also  over  those  some  Gov- 
ernour,  as  their  King,  which  they  call  Werowances.  In  a  Peninsula 
on  the  North  side  of  this  river  are  the  English  Planted  in  a  place 
by  them  called  lames  Towne,  in  honour  of  the  Kings  most  excel- 
lent Maiestie. 

"The  first  and  next  the  rivers  mouth  are  the  Kecoughtans,  who 
besides  their  women  and  children,  haue  not  past  20.  fighting  men. 
The  Paspaheghes  (on  whose  land  is  seated  lames  Towne,  some  40. 
myles  from  the  Bay)  haue  not  past  40.  The  river  called  Chickaha- 
mania neare  2^0.  The  Weanocks  WO.  The  Arrowhatocks  SO.  The 
place  called  Powhatan,  some  40.  On  the  South  side  this  river  the 
Appamatucks  haue  sixtie  fighting  men.  The  Quiyougcoha nocks  25. 
The  Nandsamunds  200.  The  Chesapeacks  100.  Of  this  last  place 
the  Bay  beareth  the  name.  In  all  these  places  is  a  severall  com- 
mander, which  they  call  Werowance,  except  the  Chickahamanians, 
who  are  governed  by  the  Priests  and  their  Assistants,  or  their 
Elders  called  Caw-cawwassoughes.  In  sommer  no  place  affordeth 
more  plentie  of  Sturgeon,  nor  in  winter  more  abundance  of  foule, 
especially  in  the  time  of  frost.  I  tooke  once  52  Sturgeons  at  a 
draught,  at  another  68.  From  the  later  end  of  May  till  the  end 
of  lune  are  taken  few,  but  yong  Sturgeons  of  two  foot,  or  a  yard 
long.  From  thence  till  the  midst  of  September,  them  of  two  or 
three  j^ards  long  and  few  others.  And  in  4  or  5  houres,  with  one 
Net  were  ordinarily  taken  7  or  8 :  often  more,  scldome  lesse.  In 
the  small  rivers  all  the  yeare  there  is  good  plentie  of  small  fish, 
BO  that  with  hookes  those  that  would  take  paines  had  sufficient. 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  5 

'•Fourteene  myles  Northward  from  the  river  Powhatan^  is  the 
river  Pamrrvnkee,  which  is  navigable  60  or  70  myles,  but  with  Catches 
and  small  Barkes  30  or  40  myles  farther.  At  the  ordinary  flowino-  of 
the  salt  water,  it  divideth  it  selfe  into  two  gallant  branches.  On 
the  South  side  inhabit  the  people  of  Youghtanund,  who  haue  about 
60  men  for  warres.  On  the  North  branch  Mattapament,  who  haue 
30  men.  Where  this  river  is  divided  the  Country  is  called  Pamavn- 
kee  and  nourisheth  neare  300  able  men.  About  25.  myles  lower  on 
the  North  side  of  this  river  is  Werawocomoco,  where  their  great 
King  inhabited  when  I  was  delivered  him  prisoner;  yet  there  are 
not  past  40  able  men.  Ten  or  twelue  myles  lower,  on  the  South 
side  of  this  river,  is  Chiskiack,  which  hath  some  40  or  50  men. 
These,  as  also  Apamatuck,  Irrohatock,  and  Powhatan,  are  their  great 
Kings  chiefe  alliance,  and  inhabitants.     The  rest  his  Conquests. 

"  Before  we  come  to  the  third  river  that  falleth  from  the  moun- 
taines,  there  is  another  river  (some  30  myles  navigable)  that  commeth 
from  the  Inland,  called  Payankatanke,  the  Inhabitants  are  about  50 
or  60  serviceable  men. 

"  The  third  navigable  river  is  called  Toppahanock.  ( This  is  navig- 
able some  130  myles).  At  the  top  of  it  inhabit  the  people  called 
Mannahoacks  amongst  the  mountaines,  but  they  are  aboue  the 
place  we  described.  Ypon  this  river  on  the  North ^  side  are  the 
people  Cuttatawomen,  with  30  fighting  men.  Higher  are  the  Mor- 
aughtacunds,  with.  80.  Beyond  them.  Rapahanock  with.  100.  Far 
aboue  is  another  Cuttatawomen  with  20.  On  the  South  is  the  pleas- 
ant seat  of  Nantaughtacund  having  150  men.  This  river  also  as  the 
two  former,  is  replenished  with  fish  and  foule. 

"  The  fourth  river  is  called  Patawomeke,  6  or  7  myles  in  breadth. 
It  is  navigable  140  myles,  and  fed  as  the  rest  with  many  sweet  rivers 
and  springs,  which  fall  from  the  bordering  hils.  These  hils  many 
of  them  are  planted,  and  yeeld  no  lesse  plentie  and  varietie  of 
fruit,  then  the  river  exceedeth  with  abundance  of  fish.  It  is  in- 
habited on  both  sides.  First  on  the  South  side  at  the  very  en- 
trance is  Wighcocomoco  and  hath  some  130  men,  beyond  them  Seka- 
cawone  with  30.  The  Onawmanient  with  100.  And  the  Patawo- 
mekes  more  then  200.  Here  doth  the  river  divide  itselfe  into  3  or 
4  convenient  branches.  The  greatest  of  the  least  is  called  Qui- 
yough,  trending  Northwest,  but  the  river  it  selfe  turneth  Northeast, 
and  is  still  a  navigable  streame.  On  the  Westerne  side  of  this 
bought  is  Tauxenent  with  40  men.  On  the  North  of  this  river  is 
Secowocomoco  with  40.  Somewhat  further  Potapaco  with  20.  In 
the  East  part  is  Pamacaeack  with  60.  Aftei-  Moyowance  with  100. 
And  lastly,  Nocotchtanke  with  80.  The  river  aboue  this  place 
maketh  his  passage  downe  a  low  pleasant  valley  overshaddo^yed  in 
many  places  with  high  rocky  mountaines ;  from  whecne  distill  in- 
numerable sweet  and  pleasant  springs. 

"  The  fift  river  is  called  Pawtuxunt,  of  a  lesse  proportion  then 
rest ;  but  the  channell  is  16  fadome  deepe  in  some  places.     Here 


b  CHRONICLES    OF   BALTIMOEE. 

are  infinit  skills  of  divers  kindes  offish  more  then  elswhere.  Ypon 
this  river  dwell  the  people  called  Acquintanacksuak,  Pawtuxunt,  and 
Mattapanient.  Two  hundred  men  was  the  greatest  strength  that 
could  be  there  perceived.  But  they  inhabit  together,  and  not  so 
dispersed  as  the  rest.  These  of  all  other  we  found  most  civill  to 
giue  intertainement. 

"  Thirtie  leagues  Northward  is  a  river  not  inhabited,  yet  navig- 
able ;  for  the  red  clay  resembling  bole  Armoniack  we  called  it 
BOLUS.  At  the  end  of  the  Bay  where  it  is  6  or  7  myles  in 
breadth,  it  divides  it  selfe  into  4.  branches,  the  best  commeth  North- 
west from  among  the  mountaines,  but  though  Canows  may  goe  a 
dayes  iourney  or  two  vp  it,  we  could  not  get  two  myles  vp  it 
with  our  boat  for  rockes.  Tpon  it  is  seated  the  Sasquesahanocks, 
neare  it  North  and  by  West  runneth  a  creeke  a  myle  and  a  halfe : 
at  the  head  whereof  the  Eble  left  vs  on  shore,  where  we  found 
many  trees  cut  with  hatchets.  The  next  tyde  keeping  the  shore 
to  seeke  for  some  Salvages ;  (for  witjain  thirtie  leagues  sayling,  we 
saw  not  any,  being  a  barren  Country,)  we  went  vp  another  small 
river  like  a  creeke  6  or  7  myle.  From  thence  returning  we  met  7 
Canowes  of  the  Massowomeks,  with  whom  we  had  conference  by 
signes,  for  we  vnderstood  one  another  scarce  a  word :  the  next  day 
we  discovered  the  small  river  and  people  of  Tockwhogh  trending 
Eastward. 

"  Having  lost  our  Grrapnell  among  the  rocks  of  Sasquesahanocks, 
we  were  then  neare  200  myles  from  home,  and  our  Barge  about 
two  tuns,  and  had  in  it  but  twelve  men  to  performe  this  Discovery, 
wherein  we  lay  about  12  weekes  vpon  those  great  waters  in  those 
vnknowne  Countries,  having  nothing  but  a  little  meale,  oatemeale 
and  water  to  feed  vs,  and  scarce  halfe  sufficient  of  that  for  halfe 
that  time,  but  what  provision  we  got  among  the  Salvages,  and  such 
rootes  and  fish  as  we  caught  bj^  accident,  and  Gods  direction ;  nor  had 
we  a  Mariner  nor  any  had  skill  to  trim  the  sayles  but  two  saylers 
and  my  selfe,  the  rest  being  Gentlemen,  or  them  were  as  ignorant 
in  such  toyle  and  labour.  Yet  necessitie  in  a  short  time  by  good 
words  and  examples  made  them  doe  that  that  caused  them  ever 
after  to  feare  no  colours.  What  I  did  with  this  small  meanes  I 
leaue  to  the  Eeader  to  iudge,  and  the  Mappe  I  made  of  the  Country, 
which  is  but  a  small  matter  in  regard  of  the  magnitude  thereof. 
But  to  proceed,  60  of  those  Sasquesahanocks  came  to  vs  with  skins, 
Bowes,  Arrows,  Targets,  Beads,  Swords,  and  Tobacco  pipes  for 
presents.  Such  great  and  well  proportioned  men  are  seldome  seene, 
for  they  seemed  like  Giants  to  the  English,  yea  and  to  the  neigh- 
bours, yet  seemed  of  an  honest  and  simple  disposition,  wMth  much 
adoe  restrained  from  adoring  vs  as  Gods.  Those  are  the  strangest 
people  of  all  those  Countries,  both  in  language  and  attire ;  for 
their  language  it  may  well  beseeme  their  proportions,  sounding 
from  them,  as  a  voyce  in  a  vault.  Their  attire  is  the  skinnes  of 
Beares,  and  Woolues,  some  haue  Cassacks  made  of  Beares  heads 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  7 

and  skinnes,  that  a  mans  head  goes  through  the  skinnes  neck,  and 
the  eares  of  the  Beare  fastened  to  his  shoulders,  the  nose  and  teeth 
hanging  downe  his  breast,  another  Beares  face  split  behind  him, 
and  at  the  end  of  the  nose  hung  a  Pawe,  thehalfe  sleeues  comming 
to  the  elbowes  were  the  neckes  of  Beares,  and  the  armes  through 
the  mouth  with  pawes  hanging  at  their  noses.  One  had  the  head 
of  a  Wolfe  hanging  in  a  chain  for  a  Jewell,  his  Tobacco  pipe  three 
quarters  of  a  yard  long,  prettily  earned  with  a  Bird,  a  Deere,  or 
some  such  devise  at  the  great  end,  sufficient  to  beat  out  ones 
braines :  with  Bowes,  Arrowes,  and  clubs,  sutable  to  their  great- 
nesse.  These  are  scarce  knowne  to  Powhatan.  They  can  make 
neare  600  able  men,  and  are  pallisadoed  in  their  Townes  to  defend 
them  from  the  Massawomekes  their  mortall  enemies.  Fiue  of  their 
chiefe  Werowances  came  aboord  vs  and  crossed  the  Bay  in  their 
Barge.  The  picture  of  the  greatest  of  them  is  signified  in  the 
Mappe.  The  calfe  of  whose  leg  was  three  quarters  of  a  yard 
about,  and  all  the  rest  of  his  limbes  so  answerable  to  that  propor- 
tion, that  he  seemed  the  goodliest  man  we  ever  beheld.  His  hayre, 
the  one  side  was  long,  the  other  shore  close  with  a  ridge  over  his 
crowne  like  a  cocks  combe.  His  arrowes  were  fiue  quarters  long, 
headed  with  the  splinters  of  a  white  christall-like  stone,  in  forme 
of  a  heart,  an  inch  broad,  and  an  inch  and  a  halfe  or  more  long. 
These  he  wore  in  a  "Woolues  skinne  at  his  backe  for  his  Quiver,  his 
bow  in  the  one  hand  and  his  clubbe  in  the  other,  as  is  described. 

"  On  the  East  side  of  the  Bay,  is  the  river  Tockwhogh,  and  vpon 
it  a  people  that  can  make  100  men,  seated  some  seaven  myles 
within  the  river :  where  they  haue  a  Fort  very  well  pallisadoed 
and  mantelled  with  barkes  of  trees.  Next  them  is  Ozinies  with 
sixty  men.  More  to  the  South  of  that  East  side  of  the  Bay,  the 
river  Rapahanock,  neere  vnto  which  is  the  river  Kuscarawaock. 
Ypon  which  is  seated  a  people  with  200  men.  After  that,  is  the 
river  Tants  Wighcocomico,  and  on  it  a  people  with  100  men.  The 
people  of  those  rivers  are  of  little  stature,  of  another  language 
from  the  rest,  and  very  rude.  But  they  on  the  river  Acohanock  with 
40  men,  and  they  of  Accomack  80  men  doth  equalize  any  of  the 
Territories  of  Powhatan,  and  speake  his  languge,  who  over  all 
those  doth  rule  as  King. 

"Southward  we  went  to  some  parts  of  Chawonock  and  the 
Mangoags  to  search  for  them  left  by  Mr.  White.  Amongst  those 
people  are  thus  many  severall  Nations  of  sundry  Languages,  that 
environ  Powhatans  Territories.  The  Chawonockes,  the  Mangoags, 
the  Monacans,  the  Mannahokes,  the  Masawomekes,  the  Powhatans,  the 
Sasquesahanocks,  the  Atquanachukes,  the  Tockwoghes,  and  the  JS^us- 
carawaokes.  All  those  not  any  one  vnderstandeth  another  but  by 
Interpreters.  Their  severall  habitations  are  more  plainly  described 
by  this  annexed  Mappe,  which  will  present  to  the  eye,  the  way  of 
the  mountaines,  and  current  of  the  rivers,  with  their  severall 
turnings,  bayes,  shoules,  Isles,  Inlets,  and  creekes,  the  breadth  of 


8  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

the  waters,  the  distances  of  places,  and  such  like.  In  which  Mappe 
obserue  this,  that  as  far  as  you  see  the  little  Crosses  on  rivers, 
mountaines,  or  other  places  haue  beene  discovered ;  the  rest  was 
bad  by  information  of  the  Savages,  and  are  set  downe  according 
to  their  instructions. 

"Thus  haue  I  walkt  a  wayless  way,  with  vncouth  pace, 
Which  yet  no  Christian  man  did  ever  trace: 
But  yet  I  know  this  not  affects  the  minde, 
Which  eares  doth  heare;  as  that  which  eyes  doe  finde." 

In  the  foregoing  account,  the  "annexed  Mappe,"  of  which 
Captain  Smith  speaks,  showing  "  the  way  of  the  mountains,  and 
current  of  the  rivers,  with  their  severall  turnings,  bayes,  shoules, 
Isles,  Inlets,  and  creeks,  the  breadth  of  the  waters,  the  distance  of 
places,  and  such  like,"  presents  to  the  eye  almost  a  fac-simile  of 
modern  maps  representing  the  same  section,  the  only  material 
distinguishing  difference  between  them  being  in  the  Indian  names, 
which  have,  of  course,  been  superseded  by  English  ones.  Its  accu- 
racy, as  compared  with  the  maps  of  the  present  day,  is  wonderful ; 
and  upon  it  may  be,  not  traced,  but  immediately  fixed  on  by  the 
familiar  eye,  the  locale  which  has  since  become  Baltimore  on  the 
Patapsco  —  a  river  marked  on  the  "  Mappe  "  as  the  "  Bolus  "  river, 
and  so  called  by  Captain  Smith  because  of  "  the  red  clay  resem- 
bling Bole  armoniack."  This  red  clay,  or  "  bole,"  after  which 
Captain  Smith  named  this  river  Bolus,  was  a  covering  for  exten- 
sive mines  of  iron  ore  since  discovered  and  worked  extensively  on 
the  Patapsco  (the  old  Bolus),  the  first  of  which  mines  were 
owned  and  worked  by  Mr.  John  Moale,  at  "  Moale's  Point,"  that 
"point"  where  it  was  sought  to  establish  Baltimore  town,  but 
where  the  town  was  not  established,  through  the  hostility  of  Mr. 
Moale,  who  refused  to  sell  his  land,  and  who  preferred  and  had  a 
greater  interest  in  his  ores  than  in  a  prospective  town. 

Concurrent  authorities  fix  upon  the  Bolus  and  the  Patapsco  as 
one  and  the  same  river,  either  in  words  or  by  inference.  Bozman 
says  "  the  Patapsco  is  the  Bolus  river  of  Smith." 

Lossing  says  of  Smith  : — "He  went  up  the  Potomac  to  the 
falls  above  Washington  city.  He  also  entered  the  Patapsco,  and 
ate  maize  upon  the  site  of  Baltimore.  These  long  voyages  were 
made  in  an  open  boat,  propelled  by  oars  and  paddles.  It  was  one 
of  the  most  wonderful  of  exploring  expeditions,  considered  in  all  its 
aspects,  recorded  b}^  the  pen  of  history.  Smith  constructed  a  map 
of  his  discoveries,  and  every  subsequent  survey  of  the  region 
attests  its  wonderful  accuracy." 

That  Captain  John  Smith  was  the  first  white  man  whose  eye 
rested  upon  the  site  of  Baltimore,  there  can  be,  hardly,  a  reasonable 
doubt.  It  was  as  far  back  as  1606,  as  appears,  that  he  penetrated 
the  Patapsco  ;  and  when  he  had  turned  away  from  the  head-waters 
he  had  sought,  a  long  time  intervened  before  the  coming  of  any 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  9 

other  of  the  European  race  to  the  Patapsco  again.  It  is  not  im- 
probable that  the  next  white  man  who  penetrated  to  this  river,  and 
who  mayhap  also  stood  and  ate  maize  upon  the  site  of  the  present 
city,  was  Lord  Baltimore  himself,  in  1628,  of  whom,  in  this  con- 
nection, the  historian  Bozman  says:  —  "  Whether  Lord  Baltimore 
personally,  at  the  time  of  his  visit  to  Virginia,  explored  that  tract 
of  country  now  denominated  Maryland,  of  which  he  afterwards 
procured  a  grant,  we  are  not  positively  informed.  But  as  the 
obtaining  a  more  complete  knowledge  of  the  country  bordering  on 
the  Chesapeake,  than  he  could  otherwise  possibly  have  from  report, 
must  have  been  the  principal  object  of  his  visit,  we  cannot  but 
suppose  that  he  must  at  this  time,  notwithstanding  the  discourage- 
ment of  his  pursuits  by  the  Virginians,  have  made  the  tour  by 
water  of  the  principal  parts  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay." 

Nothing  is  positively  known  of  the  presence  of  any  others  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Baltimore  up  to  the  year  1659,  although  it  is 
not  unlikely  that  some  had  pushed  up  and  settled  about  the  head 
waters  of  the  Patapsco,  following  in  the  track  of  Captain  John 
Smith's  and  Lord  Baltimore's  visit. 

1659.  Baltimore  County  was  established  in  this  year.  Its  limits 
were  then  far  more  extensive  than  at  present,  embracing  not  only 
all  of  Harford  and  Carroll  Counties,  but  large  portions  of  Anne 
Arundel,  Howard,  and  Frederick.  At  that  time  the  population  of 
all  Maryland  was  only  twelve  thousand,  and  that  of  the  newly 
erected  county  was  probably  less  than  one-sixth  of  that  number. 

On  the  28th,  29th  and  *30th  of  July,  patents  for  land  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Baltimore  were  issued  to  Eobert  Gorsuch  for 
500  acres,  Hugh  Kensey  400  acres,  Eichard  Gorsuch  500  acres, 
Thomas  Humphreys  300  acres,  John  Jones  200  acres,  Thomas 
Powell  300  acres,  Howell  Powell  300  acres,  William  Ball  420  acres, 
and  AValter  Dickinson  420  acres.  Captain  Thomas  Howell,  Cap- 
tain Thomas  Stockett,  and  Messrs.  Henry  Stockett  and  John 
Taylor,  styled  Commissioners  of  the  County,  took  up  patents,  and 
on  the  20th  of  July,  1661,  held  a  court  at  the  house  of  Captain 
Howell,  the  presiding  Commissioner,  Mr.  John  Collett  being 
their  clerk. 

On  the  20th  day  of  October,  Mr.  Walter  Dickinson  sold  all  his 
land  to  Mr.  Abraham  Clarke,  a  ship-wright.  Mr.  Clark  also  pur 
chased  of  Mr.  John  Collett,  on  the  2d  of  March,  1662,  200  acres, 
and  of  Eichard  Gorsuch  300  acres,  and  on  the  7th  of  March,  1662, 
Mr.  Clarke  sold  all  his  lands  to  Thomas  Muntross. 

1661.  The  next  settler  who  took  up  ground  was  Charles  Gor- 
such, said  to  be  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  who  patented 
fifty  acres  of  land  on  the  24th  of  February,  1661,  which  is  after- 
wards known  as  "  Whetstone  Point,"  lying  between  the  branches 
of  the  Patapsco  Eiver,  and  at  whose  extremity  Fort  McHenry  now 
stands  —  Mr.  Gorsuch  yielding  and  paying  the  rent  of  £1  sterling 
per  annum  in  equal  half-yearly  instalments  at  Saint  Mary's. 


10  CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

Mr.  Gorsuch  vacating,  a  patent  was  granted  for  the  same  land, 
on  the  2d  of  June,  1702,  to  Mr.  James  Carroll,  who  called  it 
"  Whetstone,"  he  paying  two  shillings  rent  per  annum. 

On  the  15th  of  June,  Mr.  Peter  Carroll  surveyed  for  Mr.  David 
Jones,  380  acres  of  land  on  the  line  of  what  is  now  called  Jones 
Falls,  at  a  .rent  of  fifteen  shillings  two  and  one-half  pence  per 
year,  which  was  called  "  Jones  Eange."  Mr.  David  Jones  gave  his 
name  to  the  stream  which  is  so  often  mentioned,  and  by  its 
repeated  overflows,  of  such  troublesome  interest  to  Baltimoreans 
of  the  present  day.  Jones  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  actual 
settler,  having  his  residence  on  the  north  side  of  his  "  Falls  "  on 
Jones  street,  which  by  the  sacrilegious  interference  of  the  minis- 
ters of  the  law  has  been  changed  into  Front  street.  We  say  sac- 
rilegious, because  the  ancient  landmarks  and  names  of  towns, 
cities,  &c.,  should  be  preserved  and  cherished  reverentially  as  are 
family  heir-looms.  Mr.  Jones  built  his  residence  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  intersection  of  French  street,  near  what  was  known 
as  "  Finn's  Bridge." 

On  the  8th  of  February  a  warrant  was  issued  to  the  Surveyor 
General  to  lay  out  200  acres  of  land  for  Alexander  Mountenay, 
which  was  afterwards  called  "  Mountenay's  Neck."  Mr.  Alex- 
ander Mountenay  did  not,  however,  receive  a  patent  for  his  lauds 
until  the  30th  of  June,  1663.  The  patent  states  that  Lawrencen 
Porter  assigned  200  acres  to  Mr.  Mountenay,  at  the  rent  of  4 
shillings  sterling,  &c.,  per  annum ;  but  we  can  find  but  one  entry 
where  L.  Porter  demands  100  acres  for  transporting  himself 
and  servant  in  1661.  There  is  another  entry  on  the  Land 
Records  where  Margaret  Kinsey  assigns  50  acres,  Robert  Ball 
100  acres,  and  Wm.  Like  50  acres,  to  Alex.  Mountenay  in  1661, 
which  is  no  doubt  the  correct  entry.  "  Mountenay's  Neck," 
which  lay  on  each  side  of  Harford  run,  was  re-surveyed  the  27th 
of  April,  1737,  for  Wm.  Fell  as  Escheat  Land.  The  run  in  ques- 
tion is  now  bound  in  by  long  straight  walls,  or  tunneled  over, 
through  which  in  drier  times  it  trickles  in  a  meagre  rivulet,  or 
after  heavy  rains  dashes  with  a  swollen  and  turbid  tide,  to  contri- 
bute its  portion  of  alluvion  to  supply  labor  to  the  ponderous  ''  mud 
machines"  to  which  the  harbor  or  basin  of  Baltimore  owes  its 
continuing  existence.  In  olden  days,  Harford  run  meandered 
lazily  along  the  broad  low  lands  until  it  silently  entered  the 
iPatapsco ;  extending  now  to  the  right,  now  to  the  left,  now  hid 
among  the  rushes  on  its  banks,  now  lost  to  view  as  it  spread  into 
some  widening  of  the  marsh,  and  then  reappearing,  slowly  creeping 
onward  to  its  destination.  Insignificant  as  it  was,  it  possessed 
charms  for  Mr.  Alexander  Mountenay,  the  ancient  patentee  ;  and  as 
if  acquiring  dignity  in  the  course  of  years,  it  now,  with  its  con- 
fines, is  the  boundary  between  "  Old  Town  "  and  "  Fell's  Point." 

On. the  Ist  of  May  an  Act  was  passed  by  the  General  Assembly 
"  that  all  vessels  whatsoever,  not  properly  belonging  to  this  Pro- 


CHKONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  11 

vince,  having  a  deck  flush  fore  and  aft,  coming  in,  and  trading 
within  this  Province,  shall  pay,  for  port  duties,  or  anchorage,  half 
a  pound  of  powder,  and  three  pounds  of  shot,  or  so  much  in  value, 
for  every  ton  of  burden,  to  the  Lord  Proprietary,  and  his  Heirs." 

1668.  The  next  land  taken  up  was  "  Cole's  Harbor,"  on  which 
the  town  of  Baltimore  was  originally  laid  out,  containing  about 
550  acres,  and  divided  into  nearly  two  equal  parts  by  the  current 
of  "  Jones  Falls." 

On  the  13th  of  January,  Thomas  Cole  received  a  warrant  for 
300  acres  of  land,  which  he  soon  after  revoked,  but  renewed  it  again 
on  the  8th  of  June.  He  also  received  on  the  8th  of  June  200  acres 
more  by  assignment  from  Geo.  Yates,  and  50  acres  more  by  assign- 
ment from  John  Blomfield,  the  assignee  of  Eoger  Sheekie,  for  his 
the  said  Sheekie's  transporting  himself  into  Maryland  in  the  year 
1649.  Geo.  Yates  received  his  land  from  John  Collitt  the  8th  of 
Feb.,  1668,  and  John  Collitt  received  the  same  from  Major  Samuel 
Goldsmith,  who  claimed  five  rights  of  50  acres  each,  for  transport- 
ing Eobert  Parker,  Nicholas  Banks,  Thomas  Pickerall,  Edward 
Jackson,  and  Elizabeth  Hopkins, — all  excepting  50  acres  which 
were  laid  out  for  John  Deering,  were  transferred  to  Yates  as  afore- 
said. "  Cole's  Harbor  "  was  surveyed  for  Thomas  Cole,  Aug.  28th, 
1668,  and  was  patented  to  him  Sept.  4th :  "  To  be  held  in  fee  and 
common  soceage,  by  fealty  only,  for  all  manner  of  services ;  yield- 
ing and  paying  therefor  yearly  unto  us  our  heirs,  at  our  receipt 
at  St.  Maries,  at  the  two  most  usual  feasts  in  the  year  (viz)  at 
the  feast  of  the  Annunciation  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  and  at 
the  feast  of  St.  Michael  the  archangel,  by  even  and  equal  portions 
the  rent  of  eleven  shillings  sterling  in  silver,  or  gold,  and  for  a  fine 
upon  every  alienation  of  the  said  land  or  any  part  or  parcel 
thereof,  one  whole  year's  rent  in  silver  or  gold,  or  the  full  value 
thereof,  &c.,  &c." 

"  Cole's  Harbor  "  was  for  a  long  time  ample  space  for  the  acconj- 
modation  of  Baltimore ;  and  until,  like  a  sturdy  boy  outgrowing 
his  first  g.arments,  it  required  larger  limits,  and  embraced  within 
its  expansion  Hap  Hazard,  Spicer's  Inheritance,  Chatsworth, 
Welsh  Adventure,  Bond's  Pleasant  Hill,  Eidgely's  Delight,  Lunn's 
Lot,  Mount  Eoyall,  Timber  Neck,  David's  Fancy,  Salisbury  Plains, 
Haile's  Folly,  Gay's  Neglect,  Darly  Hall,  Hanson's  Wood  Lot, 
Cole's  Addition,  Gallow  Barrow,  Eoger's  Inspection,  Carter's  De- 
light, Kemp's  Addition,  Parker's  Haven,  Mountenay's  Neck,  Upton 
Court,  AYhetstone  Point,  Georgia,  Diligence,  Fell's  Point,  Elizabeth, 
Inspection  and  Portland.  All  of  these  lands  or  farms,  by  various 
names  and  titles,  subsequently  fell  within  the  growing  limits  of 
Baltimore.  "  Cole's  Harbor,"  after  being  patented  to  Cole,  Sep- 
tember 4th,  1668,  was  re-surveyed  February  17th,  1698,  and  found 
to  contain  only  510  acres,  which  were  patented  to  James  Todd, 
June  1st,  1700,  as  "  Todd's  Eange,"  at  the  rent  of  ten  shillings  and 
two  and  a  half  pence  per  year.    ^ 


12  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

On  the  20th  of  June,  1668,  Mr.  John  Howard  patented  "  Timber 
Neck,"  comprising  200  acres,  jnelding  and  paying  therefor  yearly 
the  rent  of  four  shillings  sterling  in  silver  or  gold.  "  Timber 
Neck"  lay  between  the  middle  and  north  branches  of  the  Pa- 
tapsco,  being  that  part  of  the  city  now  occupied  by  Howard, 
Eutaw  and  Paca  streets.  Other  parties  followed  Gorsuch,  Mounte- 
nay,  &c.,  and  year  after  year  the  cultivation  of  this  part  of  Balti- 
more County  went  on  increasing. 

The  most  striking  feature  upon  the  face  of  society  was  these 
plantations.  Upon  them  were  held  some  of  our  earliest  courts 
and  councils.  Hardly  a  home  or  a  tenement  was  not  approached 
by  water.  And  our  governors,  privy-councillors,  and  county  court 
judges,  were,  all  of  them,  planters.  The  principal  planters  were 
also  the  merchants,  who  traded  with  London  and  the  other  great 
ports  of  England.  And  the  large  plantations,  with  their  group  of 
storehouses  and  other  buildings,  assumed  the  appearance  and 
performed  the  office  of  little' towns. 

The  currency  of  the  province  presents  a  good  key  to  the  state 
of  society.  In  some  contracts,  none  was  required.  There  was 
simply  a  barter  or  an  exchange  of  one  commodity  for  another. 
In  commercial  transactions,  a  little  English  or  European  coin  was 
occasionally  used.  In  the  trade  with  the  Indians,  for  beaver  skins 
and  other  valuable  articles,  the  peake  and  the  roanoke  obtained  a 
free  circulation,  and  a  good  deal  ot  this  kind  of  currency  was  held 
by  the  colonists.  There  was  also  a  provincial  coin  consisting  of 
silver,  and  issued  by  the  Proprietary,  of  various  denominations 
(as  groats,  sixpences,  and  shillings),  having  upon  one  side  his 
lordship's  arms,  with  the  motto  Crescite  et  3fultiplicamini,  upon 
the  other  his  image,  with  the  circumscription  Coecilius  Dominus 
Terr  ce- Mar  ice,  &c. ;  being  equal  in  fineness  to  English  sterling,  and 
of  the  same  standard,  though  somewhat  less  iil  weight.  Speci- 
mens of  this  curious  money  are  preserved  in  the  Maryland  Histori- 
cal Society;  but  very  little  of  which,  there  is  reason  to  believe, 
was  ever  coined  —  tobacco  being  the  most  common  currency  of 
the  province ;  and  one  pound  of  it,  in  1650,  worth  about  three 
pence  of  English  money. 

Our  ancestors,  about  this  time,  generally  sat  upon  stools  and 
forms,  the  latter  a  sort  of  bench,  and  sometimes,  if  not  always, 
attached  to  the  wall.  They  dined  without  forks,  but  made  a  free 
use  of  the  napkin;  and  paid  especial  attention  to  the  furniture  of 
their  bed-chambers.  The  walls,  also,  of  their  principal  rooms 
were  wainscotted,  specimens  of  which  are  still  preserved  at  some 
of  the  old  family-seats  in  Maryland.  And  they  kept  a  great  deal 
of  rich  and  massive  silver  plate,  upon  which  were  carved  the 
arms  of  their  own  ancestry.  Tea  and  coffee  they  rarely  if  ever 
tasted;  sugar  they  sometimes  had  ;  but  freely  did  they  drink  both 
cider  and  sack.  And  there  is  frequent  mention  of  the  silver  sack- 
cup.     Strong  punch  and  sack,  it  would  seem,  were  their  favorite 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  13 

drinks.  They  had,  also,  every  variety  of  fruit,  both  for  the  winter 
as  well  as  for  the  summer.  They  delighted  in  pears  and  apricots, 
in  figs  and  pomegranates,  in  peaches  and  apples,  and  the  most 
luscious  melons.  The  wild  strawberry  and  grape-vine  grew,  also, 
in  the  richest  profusion.  The  air  and  the  forest  abounded  in  game ; 
the  rivers  and  bays  in  fish.  Our  ancestors  feasted  upon  the  best 
oysters  of  America ;  and  dined,  we  may  suppose,  upon  the  can- 
vas-back, the  most  delicious  duck  in  the  world.  Providence 
was  '•  not  content  with  food  to  nourish  man."  All  nature  then 
was  ••music  to  the  ear,"  or  "  beauty  to  the  eye."  The  feathered 
songsters  of  the  forest  were  constantly  heard.  And  so  fascinated 
were  our  forefathers  with  a  bird  they  had  never  seen  before  their 
arrival,  that  they  gave  it  the  name  of  Baltimore  —  its  colors  (black 
and  yellow)  corresponding  with  those  upon  the  escutcheon  of  the 
Calverts.  The  eagle  also,  which  still  lingers,  was  then  more  fre- 
quently seen,  in  all  his  proudest  majesty. 

Tobacco  was  the  great  product  of  the  province.  In  all  the 
parts  of  Maryland  at  that  time  colonized,  was  it  cultivated.  And 
it  is  said  upon  good  authority,  that  "  a  hundred  sail  of  ships,"  a 
year,  from  the  West  Indies  and  from  England,  traded  in  this 
article  —  the  source  also  of  a  very  large  revenue  to  the  English 
crown,  at  "his  lordship's  vast  expense,  industry,  and  hazard." 
Indian  corn  (or  "  mayz,")  was  also  cultivated  at  an  early  period. 
From  the  Indian  also  did  we  obtain  the  sweet  potato.  The  w^ord 
itself  is  derived  from  them.  So  also  are  pone  hominy^  po  coson^ 
and  many  others. 

No  regular  post  was  established;  and  it  is  doubtful  if  we  had 
any  printing-press  before  the  year  1689  in  the  province.  Gentle- 
men travelled  on  horseback  by  land,  or  in  canoes  or  other  small 
boats  by  water.  ,  Ferries  over  the  rivers  and  other  large  streams 
were  erected  by  the  government,  and  kept  by  the  most  respectable 
colonists  —  the  duties  in  most  cases,  however,  being  performed  by 
their  deputies.  Letters  were  sent  by  private  hand,  and  dispatches 
from  the  government  by  a  special  messenger.  The  practice  of 
partaking  of  ardent  spirits  and  other  refreshments  at  funerals 
was  brought  by  our  earliest  ancestors  from  their  own  fatherland, 
and  generally,  if  not  universally  observed.  The  sums  expended  in 
"hot  waters"  and  other  drinks  upon  such  occasions  were  surpris- 
ingly large. 

The  costume,  during  the  reign  of  Charles  I.,  bore  the  marks  of 
the  strong  military  spirit  of  that  age,  and  was  the  most  striking 
and  picturesque  ever  worn  in  England.  We  have  also,  here  and 
there,  a  glimpse  of  it  upon  the  records  of  this  province.  The 
inventory  of  Thomas  Egerton,  a  cavalier,  may  illusti-ate  a  part  of 
it.  There  w^e  have  the  falchion  and  the  rapier;  the  cloth  coat 
lined  with  plush,  and  the  embroidered  belt;  the  gold  hat-band, 
and  the  feather;  the  pair  of  shoes,  and  the  silk  stockings;  the 
pair,  also,  of  cuffs,  and  the  silk  garters.     The  signet-ring  is  also 


14  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

mentioned,  one  of  the  articles  of  a  gentleman  at  that  period. 
And  we  find  that  leather  breeches,  and  stockings  of  the  same 
material,  were  frequen.tly  worn.  The  collar  was  succeeded  by  the 
cravat,  it  w^ould  seem  about  the  time  of  the  Protestant  Eevolution. 
Buif  coats  were  also  worn  a«  early  as  1650.  The  cocked  hat  w^as 
probably  not  introduced  before  the  year  1700. 

Finger-rings  were  worn  by  almost  all  the  early  landed  gentry 
of  Maryland,  and  they  were  the  favorite  tokens  of  regard  and 
remembrance  given  in  their  wills.  The  number  bequeathed  during 
the  first  hundred  years  after  the  settlement  at  St.  Mary's  would 
seem  incredible  to  any  one  who  is  not  familiar  with  our  early 
testamentary  records. 

Mr.  Macaulay  says  that  many  English  gentlemen  and  lords  of 
manors,  as  late  as  1685,  had  hardly  "  learned  enough  to  sign  "  a 
mittimus.  The  accuracy  of  his  picture  has  been  doubted ;  but  so 
far  as  it  regards  the  education  of  many  of  the  early  gentry  of 
Maryland,  nothing  could  be  more  faithfully  drawn.  That  many 
gentlemen  could  not  write  their  names  is  evident;  they  repeat- 
edly made  their  marks.  Cases  from  the  records  could  be  cited. 
We  have  instances  in  which  the  servant  writes  his  name  and 
the  master  makes  his  mark.  One,  if  not  several,  of  the  earliest 
udges  of  the  provincial  court  came  within  this  same  category. 
The  fact,  indeed,  suggests  a  very  important  inference,  and  can  only 
be  accounted  for  upon  the  true  historical  hypothesis.  In  the  past 
we  see  the  military,  in  the  present  the  commercial  spirit  of 
society. 

1683.  In  1663  an  Act  was  passed  by  the  General  Assembly,  "for 
seating  of  lands  in  Baltimore  County,"  which  was  rejected  by  the 
Proprietary.  But  on  the  6th  of  November,  1683,  an  Act  was 
passed  establishing  towns,  ports,  and  places  of  trade  in  "  Baltimore 
County  on  Patapsco,  near  Humphrey's  Creek,"  and  on  "  Bush 
Eiver  on  the  town  land,  near  the  Court  House."  By  this  Act,  "  all 
ships  and  vessels,  trading  into  this  province,  shall  unlade,  and  put 
on  shore,  and  sell,  barter  and  trafl&c  away  all  goods,  &c.,  imported 
into  this  province.  And  all  tobacco,  goods,  &c.,  of  the  growth, 
production  or  manufacture  of  this  province,  intended  to  be  sold 
here,  or  exported,  shall  be  for  that  intent  brought  to  the  said 
ports  and  places."  The  commerce  of  the  bay  and  river  was  grow- 
ing, and  as  the  most  convenient  converging  point  at  that  time  for 
all  sections  bordering  on  or  communicating  with  the  great  streams, 
"  North  Point "  was  agreed  on  as  the  common  resort  and  anchor- 
age of  vessels  for  loading  and  distribution. 

1696.  On  the  13th  of  January,  1695,  Charles  Carroll  surveyed 
1000  acres  of  land  "  lying  in  Baltimore  County  on  the  north  side 
of  Patapsco  river  in  the  woods  upon  Jones'  Falls,  and  on  the  west 
side  of  the  said  Falls,"  which  was  called  "  Ely  O.  Carroll."  On 
the  10th  of  February,  1696,  this  land  was  patented ;  500  acres  to 
Daniel  Carroll  and  500  to  Charles  Carroll,  at  the  yearly  rent  of 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  ]5 

two  pounds  per  annum  for  the  whole  —  this  land  being  "Colo's 
Harbor,"  with  further  additions. 

1702.  On  the  25th  of  March  an  Act  was  passed  for  the  "  estab- 
lishment of  religious  worship  in  this  province,  according  to  the 
Church  of  England ;  and  for  the  maintainance  of  ministers."  By 
this  act  the  Episcopal  Church  was  established  by  law  throughout  the 
State,  and  a  tax  or  assessment  of  forty  pounds  of  tobacco  per  poll 
was  successively  levied  upon  every  taxable  person  within  each 
parish,  for  the  maintenance  of  the  minister,  who  was  appointed  by 
the  Governor  or  Commander-in-Chief. 

1704.  On  the  3d  of  October  an  Act  was  passed  "  prohibiting 
the  importation  of  bread,  beer,  flour,  malt,  wheat,  or  other  English  or 
Indian  grain  or  meal,  horses,  mares,  colts  or  fillies,  or  tobacco  from 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  territories  there  belonging."  At  the  same 
time  an  Act  was  passed  "  requiring  the  masters  of  ships  and  vessels 
to  publish  the  rates  of  their  freight,  before  they  take  any  tobacco 
on  board."  By  this  Act  "  every  Master  and  Commander  of  a  ship 
or  vessel,  before  he  take  any  tobacco  on  boai'd  his  said  ship  or 
vessel,  publish  in  writing,  by  a  note  under  his  hand,  which  he 
shall  cause  to  be  affixed  on  the  Court-house  door  of  the  County 
where  his  said  ship  shall  ride  at  Anchor,  at  what  rate  he  will  receive 
tobacco  upon  freight  per  ton,  on  board  his  said  ship  for  that 
intended  voyage ;  which  note  the  Clerk  of  the  County  shall  enter 
upon  record," 

On  the  3d  of  October  of  this  year  it  was  "  thought  convenient, 
and  very  much  for  the  benefit  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  province, 
that  roads  and  paths  be  marked."  It  was  enacted,  therefore,  that 
all  public  and  main  roads  be  hereafter  cleared  and  grubbed,  fit  for 
travelling  twenty  feet  wide,  and  that  the  roads  that  led  to  any 
County  Court-house  shall  have  two  notches  on  the  trees  on  both 
sides  of  the  roads,  and  another  notch  a  distance  above  the  other 
two ;  and  any  road  that  leads  to  any  church  shall  be  marked  into 
the  entrance  of  the  same,  and  at  the  leaving  any  other  road,  with 
a  slip  cut  down  the  face  of  the  tree,  near  the  ground.  This  cer- 
tainly shows  how  much  of  the  country  then  settled  was  a  wild 
wood,  and  at  the  same  time  the  primitive  guide-marks  along  the 
public  roads  and  paths  leading  to  court-houses,  and  also  to  the 
places  of  public  worship. 

Ii06.  On  the  19th  of  April  an  Act  was  passed  creating  "Whet- 
stone Point "  a  town, —  the  original  favorite  among  locators  of  land 
in  this  vicinity. 

Speaking  about  this  period,  Beverly,  in  his  history  of  Virginia, 
says :  — "  At  the  mouth  of  their  rivers,  and  all  along  upon  the  Sea 
and  Bay,  and  near  many  of  their  creeks  and  swamps,  grows  Myrtle, 
bearing  a  berry  of  which  they  make  a  hard,  brittle  wax,  of  a  curi- 
ous green  color,  which  by  refining  becomes  almost  transparent. 
Of  this  they  make  candles,  which  are  never  greasie  to  the  touch, 
nor  melt  with  lying  in  the  hottest  weather ;  neither  does  the  snuff 


16  CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

of  these  ever  offend  the  smell,  like  that  of  a  tallow  candle ;  but 
instead  of  being  disagreeable,  if  an  accident  puts  a  candle  out,  it 
yields  a  pleasant  fragrancy  to  all  that  are  in  the  room  ;  insomuch, 
that  nice  people  often  put  them  out,  on  purpose  to  have  the  incense 
of  the  expiring  snuff.  The  method  of  managing  these  berries  is 
by  boiling  them  in  water,  till  they  come  to  be  entirely  dissolved, 
except  the  stone  or  seed  in  the  middle,  which  amounts  in  quantity 
to  about  half  the  bulk  of  the  berry;  the  bigest  of  which  is  some- 
thing less  than  a  corn  of  pepper." 

1708.  On  the  17th  of  December  an  Act  was  revived  "  imposing 
three  pence  per  gallon  on  rum  and  wine,  brandy  and  spirits,  and 
twenty  shillings  per  poll  for  negroes,  for  raising  a  supply  to  defray 
the  public  charge  of  this  Province,  and  twenty  shillings  per  poll  on 
Irish  servants,  to  prevent  the  importing  too  great  a  number  of 
Irish  Papists  into  this  Province." 

1711.  In  this  year  we  find  Mr.  Charles  Carroll  selling  thirty-one 
acres  of  his  portion  of  "  Cole's  Harbor  "  with  a  mill-seat,  to  Mr. 
Jonathan  Hanson,  millwright,  who  erected  a  mill,  of  which  the 
remains  were  standing  a  short  time  since,  in  the  old  building  near 
the  northwest  intersection  of  Bath  and  Holliday  streets. 

1713.  On  the  14th  of  November  an  Act  was  passed  "for  the 
more  speedy  conveying  public  letters  and  packets  of  this  Province 
and  defraying  the  charge  thereof;  and  to  prevent  the  abuses  of 
breaking  open,  and  concealing  any  letters  whatsoever."  By  this 
Act  the  sheriff  of  each  county  was  authorised  to  convey  all  public 
letters  to  the  sheriff  of  the  next  county,  and  so  on  to  the  place  of 
destination  —  the  sheriff  of  Baltimore  county  to  receive  for  his 
services  six  hundred  pounds  of  tobacco  annually. 

1715.  On  the  3d  of  June  an  Act  was  passed  authorising  "that 
for  the  future  there  shall  be  held  four  courts  in  the  year,  viz. :  for 
Baltimore  County,  the  first  Tuesday  in  March,  June,  August,  and 
November." 

1717.  On  the  8th  of  June  an  Act  was  passed  "for  laying  an 
additional  duty  of  twenty  shillings  current  money  per  poll  on  all 
Irish  servants,  being  Papists,  to  prevent  the  growth  of  Poper}^  by 
the  importation  of  too  great  number  of  them  into  this  Province; 
and  also  the  additional  duty  of  twenty  shillings  current  money 
per  poll  on  all  negroes,  for  raising  a  fund  for  the  use  of  Public 
Schools  within  the  several  counties  of  this  Province."  By  this  Act 
"  all  masters  of  ships  and  vessels,  or  others,  importing  Irish  ser- 
vants, being  Papists,  into  this  Province,  by  land  or  by  water,  at 
the  time  of  their  entry,  shall  pay  unto  the  Naval  officer  for  the 
time  being,  belonging  to  such  port  or  place,  where  they  make 
their  entry,  the  additional  sum  of  twenty  shillings  current  money, 
over  and  above  the  twenty  shillings  sterling  per  poll  imposed  by  a 
former  Act  of  Assembly  of  this  Province,  for  every  Irish  servant 
BO  imported,  on  penalty  and  forfeiture  of  five  pounds  current 
money  for  every  servant  that  shall  be  by  him  or  them  concealed 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE.  17 

at  the  time  of  his  or  their  entry  as  aforesaid,  one-half  thereof  to 
be  appropriated  for  defraying  the  public  charge  of  this  Province, 
the  other  half  to  the  informer,  or  to  him  or  them  that  shall  sue 
for  the  same,  to  be  recovered  in  his  Lordship's  name,  in  any  court 
of  record  within  this  Province,  that  shall  hav6  jurisdiction  of  the 
same,  by  action  of  debt,  bill,  plaint  or  information,  wherein  no 
ession,  protection  or  wager  of  law  to  be  allowed."  It  is  further 
•'  enacted,  that  the  Naval  Officers  of  the  time  being,  belonging  to 
the  several  and  respective  Districts  within  this  Province,  be,  and 
are  hereby  authorized,  impowered  and  required  to  administer  to 
every  such  Irish  servant,  except  children  under  the  age  of  fourteen 
years,  (to  be  adjudged  at  the  discretion  of  the  Naval  Officer)  so 
imported  as  aforesaid,  the  several  oaths  appointed  by  the  Act  of 
Assembly,  and  cause  them  to  subscribe  the  Oath  of  Abjuration 
and  the  test,  and  all  and  every  such  servants  that  shall  refuse  to 
take  the  Oaths,  and  sign  the  Oaths  and  test  as  aforesaid  (except 
before  excepted),  shall  be  and  are  hereby  deemed  and  declared 
Papists,  for  whom  the  owner  or  importer  shall  be  obliged  to  pay 
the  additional  duty  as  aforesaid." 

1723.  On  the  26th  of  October,  an  Act  was  passed  "  to  punish 
blasphemers,  swearers,  drunkards,  and  sabath-breakers."  By  this 
Act  it  was  imposed,  "  That  if  any  person  shall  hereafter,  within  this 
Province,  willingly,  maliciously,  and  advisedly,  by  writing  or 
speaking,  blaspheme  or  curse  Grod,  or  deny  our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ  to  be  the  Son  of  God,  or  shall  deny  the  Holy  Trinity  —  the 
Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  or  the  Godhead  of  any  of  the  Three 
Persons,  or  the  Unity  of  the  Godhead,  or  shall  utter  any  profane 
words  concerning  the  Holy  Trinity,  or  any  the  Persons  thereof, 
and  shall  be  thereof  convict  by  verdict,  or  confession,  shall,  for 
the  first  oifence  be  bored  through  the  tongue,  and  fined  twenty 
pounds  sterling  to  the  Lord  Proprietor,  to  be  applied  to  the  use 
of  the  County  where  the  offence  shall  be  committed,  to  be  levied 
on  the  offender's  body,  goods  and  chattels,  lands  or  tenements ; 
and  in  case  the  said  fine  cannot  be  levied,  the  offender  to  suffer 
six  months  imprisonment  without  bail  or  mainprizes;  and  that 
for  the  second  offence,  the  offender  being  thereof  convict,  as 
aforesaid,  shall  be  stigmatized  by  burning  in  the  forehead  with  the 
letter  B,  and  fined  forty  pounds  sterling  to  the  Lord  Proprietor,  to 
be  applied  and  levied  as  aforesaid,  and  in  case  the  same  cannot  be 
levied,  the  offender  shall  suffer  twelve  months  imprisonment  with- 
out bail  or  mainprize,  and  that  for  the  third  offence,  the  offender 
being  convict  as  aforesaid,  shall  suffer  death  without  the  benefit 
of  clergy."  Profane  swearers  were  fined  two  shillings  and  six 
pence  for  the  first  oath  or  curse,  and  five  shillings  for  every  oath 
or  curse  after  the  first.  Drunkards  to  be  fined  five  shillings  lor 
every  offence.  In  case  of  the  non-payment  of  fines  by  drunkards 
and  swearers,  they  were  to  be  fined  or  whipped  not  over  thirty- 
nine  lashes,  or  be  placed  in  the  stocks  over  three  hours.  Sabbath- 
2 


18  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

breaking  was  punishable  by  a  fine  of  200  pounds  of  tobacco. 
House-keepers  selling  strong  liquor  on  Sunday,  punishable  by  a 
fine  of  2000  pounds  of  tobacco.  This  act  to  be  read  by  every 
minister  in  his  parish  church  four  times  a  year,  on  forfeiture  of 
1000  pounds  of  tobacco. 

In  this  year  there  were  but  five  ships  in  the  Patapsco  up  for 
freight  for  London,  to  which  place  the  trade  was  then  carried  on 
extensively,  but  one  of  which  ships  was  said  to  lie  in  the  North- 
ern Branch.  There  were  persons  living  in  the  last  twenty  years 
who  have  seen  as  many  vessels  of  burthen  anchored  at  the  same 
time,  at  the  point  between  the  south  and  middle  branches  of  the 
Patapsco,  as  in  the  north  branch  on  which  our  city  was  finally 
established.  The  ships  which  traded  with  the  surrounding  country 
never  at  this  time  ascended   the  Patapsco,  but  lying  at   anchor 

f    off  North  Point,   received  their   cargoes   from   the  rivers  which 

I    emptied  into  the  bay  in  the  vicinity. 

\  1726.  Mr.  Edward  Fell,  a  Quaker  from  Lancashire,  England, 

who  had  settled  east  of  Jones  Falls,  took  out  an  escheat  warrant, 
and  employed  Eichard  Gist  to  survey  "  Cole's  Harbor,"  or  "  Todd's 
Eange,"  and  in  the  succeeding  year  purchased  the  rights  in  it  of 
John  Grorsuch,  son  of  Charles.  But  this  stirred  the  sons  of  Charles 
Carroll,  then  lately  dead,  who  entered  a  caveat,  and  prevented  the 
new  grant  sought  for  by  the  enterprising  land-hunter  from  Lan- 
cashire. Gist's  return  of  the  survey  is  interesting  as  showing 
that,  in  1726,  the  sole  improvements  in  that  part  of  modern  Balti- 
more were  three  dwellings,  a  mill,  tobacco-houses  and  orchards, 
and  that  the  land  was  about  "  one-half  cleared  and  of  middling 
quality." 

1728.  On  the  24th  of  October,  an  Act  was  passed  "  to  encourage 
the  destroying  of  wolves,  crows,  and  squirrels."  By  this  Act 
every  taxable  person  was  required  to  produce  annually  to  the 
Justice  of  the  Peace  where  they  resided,  three  squirrels'  scalps  or 
crows'  heads,  under  a  forfeiture  of  two  pounds  of  tobacco  by  exe- 
cution, for  every  such  scalp,  &c.,  not  produced.  Two  pounds  of 
tobacco  were  also  allowed  in  the  county  levy  for  every  such  scalp, 
&c.,  produced  over  and  above  the  three  required  by  law;  200 
pounds  of  tobacco  were  also  allowed  in  the  payment  of  taxes  for 
every  wolf's  head. 

1729.  As  yet  no  designation  had  been  given  to  the  significant 
settlement,  which  had  groped  its  way  and  fixed  itself  amid  the 
creeks  and  marshes  and  under  the  hills  of  the  northwestern 
branch  of  the  Patapsco.  To  the  point  between  the  south  and 
middle  branches,  the  main  road  from  the  west  and  through  the 
country  generally  was  directed,  passing  south  of  Gwynn's  Falls, 
at  the  mouth  of  which  once  stood  "Tasker  &  Car,roirs  Furnace  of 
the  "Baltimore  Company."  This  point,  the  terminus  of  such  a 
road,  and  with  such  an  anchorage  for  commerce,  was,  of  course, 
one  of  vast  importance  in  "  seating  counties  "  and  establishing  a 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  19 

future  metropolis.  And  at  last,  when  the  head  of  tide  began  to 
attract  attention  as  the  proper  site  for  a  fair  and  promising  town, 
it  was  upon  the  southern,  and  not  the  northwestern  branch  it  was 
proposed  to  be  placed.  Fortunately  for  the  owners  of  "  Cole's 
Harbor,"  and  for  us  of  the  present  day,  "  Moale's  Point" — which 
looks  in  on  Spring  Gardens  —  the  intended  and  designated  site  of 
the  new  city,  was  the  property  of  a  Mr.  John  Moale,  a  merchant 
from  Devonshire,  in  England,  who  set  prodigious  store  by  certain 
iron  mines  which  he  believed  to  be  situated  on  his  territory,  and 
when  he  got  wind  of  the  attempt  about  to  be  made  to  put  a  town 
upon  his  property,  he  posted  off  to  Annapolis,  which  by  this  time 
had  become  the  seat  of  government,  and  taking  his  place  in  the 
Legislature,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  defeated  the  plan,  much 
to  his  own  satisfaction,  no  doubt,  but  whether  equally  to  the  satis- 
faction of  his  heirs  is  a  point  which  admits  of  question.  Excluded 
from  the  level  land,  those  persons  interested  in  forming  a  new 
town,  were  obliged  from  sheer  necessity,  which  in  this  instance 
forced  them  to  their  true  interests,  to  seek  the  site  of  Baltimore 
under  the  hills  and  amid  the  marshes  of  the  northwestern  branch 
of  the  river;  and  accordingly,  on  Monday  morning,  July  14th, 
1729,  the  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Baltimore  was  read  in  the 
Upper  House  of  Assembly,  "  praying  that  a  bill  may  be  brought 
in  for  the  building  of  a  Town,  on  the  North  side  of  Patapsco  river, 
upon  the  land  supposed  to  belong  to  Messrs.  Charles  and  Daniel 
Carroll."  On  Friday  morning,  July  25th,  the  bill  was  read  a  sec- 
ond time  and  ordered  to  be  endorsed  thus,  "  the  name  of  the  land 
being  inserted,  and  a  saving  clause  as  usual  in  bills  of  the  like 
nature  to  be  added."  It  was  then  sent  to  the  Lower  House  by 
Colonel  Tilghman,  signed,  &c.,  by  order  of  John  Eoss,  clerk.  On 
July  14th,  Colonel  Ward,  from  the  Upper  House,  delivered  to  the 
Speaker  of  the  Lower  House  "  the  petition  of  several  the  inhabit- 
ants in  and  about  Patapsco  river  and  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Baltimore  County  "  endorsed  thus,  "  By  the  Upper  House  of  Assem- 
bly, 14th  July,  1729,  read  and  recommended  to  the  consideration 
of  the  Lower  House  of  Assembly,"  with  this  further  endorsement:: 
"We  the  subscribers  proprietors  of  the  land  mentioned  in  the* 
within  petition,  do  consent  there  may  an  act  pass  as  prayed  in  the 
usual  terms.  "  Charles  Carroll, 

"  Daniel  Carroll." 
On  the  second  day  it  was  ordered  that  leave  be  given  to  bring  in  a 
bill  as  prayed.  On  Saturday,  July  26th,  the  bill  was  passed  for 
engrossing.  On  the  30th  the  bill  was  finally  passed.  On  the  8th 
of  August  the  Lower  House  assembled  in  the  Upper  House,  where 
the  laws  passed  during  the  session  were  signed  and  received  the 
assent  of  the  Eight  Honorable  the  Lord  Proprietary,  &c.,  of  which 
the  following  is  a  copy  of  the  law  relating  to  Baltimore: — "At  a 
session  of  Assembly  begun  and  held  at  the  City  of  Annapolis,  in 
the  County  of  Ann-xlrundel,  for  the  Province  of  Maryland,  on  the 


20  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

10th  Day  of  July,  in  the  15th  Year  of  the  Dominion  of  the  Right 
Honourable  Charles,  absolute  Lord  and  Proprietary  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  Maryland  and  Avalon,  Lord  Baron  of  Baltimore,  &c.,  and 
ended  the  8th  of  August,  Anno  Domini  1729,  was  enacted  the 
following  law :  '  Benedict  Leonard  Calvert,  Esq.,  G-overnor.  Passed 
Aug.  8th,  1729  : —  An  Act  for  erecting  a  Town  on  the  North  side 
of  Patapsco,  in  Baltimore  County,  and  for  laying  out  in  Lots,  Sixty 
Acres  of  Land,  in  and  about  the  place  where  one  John  Fleming 
now  lives.'  "  By  this  Act  Major  Thomas  Tolley,  William  Hamil- 
ton, William  Buckner,  Dr.  George  Walker,  Richard  Gist,  Dr. 
G-eorge  Buchanan  and  Colonel  William  Hammond  were  appointed 
commissioners  to  lay  oif  the  town.  They  were  all  justices  of  the 
county,  excepting  Doctor  Walker,  and  as  such,  generally  deputy 
commissaries ;  some  of  them  were  delegates  before  or  after.  Mr. 
G-ist,  then  deputy  surveyor  of  the  western  shore,  was  the  son  of 
Mr.  Christopher  Gist,  or  Guest,  as  in  some  records,  who  had  settled 
on  the  south  side  of  the  Patapsco  as  early  as  1682,  and  died  before 
the  river  became  the  bounds  of  the  county ;  Dr.  Buchanan,  who 
came  from  Scotland,  purchased  lands  and  practised  medicine  in 
the  county  from  the  year  1723 ;  Colonel  Hammond  was,  from  all 
accounts,  the  son  of  Mr.  John  Hammond,  who  settled  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Patapsco,  upon  lands  for  which  he  paid  forty  shillings 
sterling  per  acre,  as  early  as  1695 ;  Mr.  Hamilton  purchased  lands 
in  the  county,  as  appears  by  the  records,  in  1710 ;  Doctor  Walker, 
with  a  brother  James,  had  practised  medicine  in  Anne  Arundel 
county  some  years,  but  came  to  reside  in  Baltimore  county  about 
the  year  1715,  and  was  the  proprietor  of  that  well-known  seat 
and  tract  of  land  on  the  west  side  of  the  town  called  Chatsworth, 
which  is  occupied  at  present  by  Daniel  B.  Banks,  on  Franklin 
street;  Mr.  Buckner  had  not  apparently  been  long  settled  in  the 
country,  but  in  1726  became  purchaser  of  several  tracts  of  land  in 
Patapsco  Neck.  John  Flemming,  who  has  thus  travelled  down  to 
posterity  by  Act  of  Assembly,  and  to  whose  memory  a  great  city 
may  now  be  almost  deemed  a  monument,  was  a  tenant  of  Mr. 
Carroll's;  and  the  antiquarian  who  revels  in  the  occupation  of 
deciphering  the  almost  illegible  remnants  of  the  past,  may  deposit 
himself  on  the  east  side  of  South  Charles  street  at  the  intersection 
of  Lombard,  and  'repeating,  as  he  may  do  with  perfect  security, 
''  here  was  once  the  homestead  of  John  Flemming,"  enjoy  at  his 
ease  the  associations  that  the  occasion  may  give  rise  to.  The 
Commissioners  of  Baltimore  Town  were  appointed  for  life,  and 
were  authorised  to  fill  their  own  vacancies ;  also  empowered  "  to  pur- 
chase (by  agreement,  or  valuation  of  a  jury)  sixty  acres  of  land, 
on  the  tract  whereon  John  Flemming  now  lives,  commonly  known 
by  the  name  of  '  Cole's  Harbor ; '  and  to  lay  out  the  same  in  the 
most  convenient  manner  into  sixty  equal  lots,  to  be  erected  into  a 
town.  The  land  being  laid  out,  surveyed,  marked,  staked  out  and 
divided  into  convenient  streets,  lanes,  &c.,  and  the  lots  marked, 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  21 

numbered,  &c.,  the  owner  of  the  land  to  have  the  first  choice  for 
one  lot,  after  which  the  remaining  lots  to  be  taken  up  by  others,  none 
to  take  up  more  than  one  lot  during  the  first  four  months,  nor  any 
but  the  inhabitants  of  the  county  within  six  months  after  laying 
out ;  after  which  vacant  lots  may  be  taken  up  by  any  other  persons. 
The  takers-up'of  lots  to  pay  the  owner  of  the  land  the  valuation 
of  the  sixty  acres,  proportionably  to  their  lots,  which  shall  give 
such  purchasers,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  an  absolute  estate,  in  fee 
simple,  in  said  lots ;  they  complying  with  the  requisites  in  this 
Act  mentioned.  The  surveyor  to  return  a  plat  of  the  town  to  the 
County  Clerk,  to  be  by  him  kept  among  the  county  records.  In 
case  the  taker-up  of  any  lot  or  lots  neglect  to  build  thereon  within 
eighteen  months,  a  house  that  shall  cover  400  square  feet,  then 
may  any  other  person  enter  upon  such  lot  or  lots  so  not  built 
upon,  paying  the  Commissioners,  or  person  by  them  thereunto 
appointed,  the  sum  first  set  and  assessed  upon  such  lot,  for  the  use 
and  benefit  of  the  town ;  provided,  such  second  taker-up  do  build 
and  finish,  within  eighteen  months  after  such  his  entry  made,  such 
house  as  in  this  Act  is  before  limited  and  appointed  be  built  by  the 
first  taker-up;  which  house  so  built,  shall  give  as  good  estate  to  such 
second  taker-up  as  is  by  this  Act  settled  upon  the  first  taker-up 
and  builder.  If  any  lots  remain  untaken  after  seven  years  from 
the  date  of  this  Act,  then  shall  the  owner  of  the  land  (after  such 
time  has  expired)  be  possessed  and  interested  in  such  lots,  as  in 
his  first  and  former  estate.  The  town  to  be  called  Baltimore 
Town ;  the  Commissioners  to  employ  a  sufiicient  clerk  to  make 
true  and  impartial  entries  of  their  proceedings,  upon  oath, 
which  entries  shall  be  made  up  into  a  well  bound  book,  and 
lodged  with  the  clerk  of  Baltimore  county  court,  for  the  inspection 
of  any  person,  saving  to  the  Crown,  the  Lord  Proprietor,  all  bodies 
politic  and  corporate,  and  all  others  not  mentioned  in  this  Act  their 
several  rights."  On  the  first  of  December,  Messrs.  Bichard  Gist, 
"William  Hamilton,  Doctors  Buchanan  and  Walker,  agreed  with 
Mr.  Charles  Carroll,  acting  for  himself  and  brother  Daniel,  about 
the  price  and  purchase  of  the  sixty  acres  of  land,  to  be  erected 
into  a  town  called  Baltimore  Town,  in  honor  of  the  Lord  Proprie- 
tary, who  in  his  turn  had  borrowed  his  from  a  town  of  the  same 
name,  which  stands  on  a  promontory  in  the  sea,  in  the  County  of 
Cork,  Ireland,  at  the  rate  of  forty  shillings  per  acre  in  current 
money  of  Maryland,  or  tobacco,  to  be  paid  into  the  hands  of  the 
Sheriif  of  the  County,  at  the  rate  of  one  penny  per  pound,  this 
to  be  paid  by  each  "  taker-up  "  of  lots. 

1730.  On  the  12th  of  January,  the  commissioners,  assisted  by 
Philip  Jones,  the  county  surveyor,  laid  off.  the  town,  commencing 
at  a  point  near  the  northwest  corner  of  what  is  now  called  Pratt 
and  Light  streets  and  running  thence  northwesterly,  along  or  near 
Uhler's  alley,  towards  what"  was  then  called  a  "  great  eastern 
road  "  and  '-a  great  gully  "  or  drain  at  or  near  Sharp  street,  thence 


22  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

across  the  present  Baltimore  street,  east  of  the  gully  northeasterly 
with  the  same  road,  afterwards  called  the  Church  road,  and  now 
McClellan's  alley,  to  the  precipice  which  overhung  the  falls  at  or 
near  the  southwest  corner  of  St.  Paul  and  Saratoga  streets,  then 
with  the  bank  of  Jones  Falls  (which  then  swept  up  to  the  last 
named  corner)  southwardly  and  eastwardly  various  courses,  unto 
the  low  grounds  which  lay  ten  perches  west  of  Gay  street,  including 
the  African  Bethel  church  lot,  then  due  south  along  the  margin  of 
those  low  grounds  to  the  bank  on  the  north  side  of  the  river, 
which  then  came  up  to  near  the  present  Custom  House  and  Post 
OflSce  building,  and  thence  by  that  bank  various  courses,  nearly  as 
Lombard  street  runs,  westwardly  and  southwardly  to  the  first 
mentioned  point,  making  thus  by  its  original  bounds  the  form  of 
an  ancient  lyre.  The  town  was  divided  by  Long  street,  now  called 
Baltimore  street,  running  132f  perches  from  east  to  west  and  four 
perches  wide,  intersected  at  right  angles  by  Calvert  street,  then 
not  named,  66}  perches  from  the  hill  near  the  falls  north,  to  the 
riverside  south,  also  four  perches  wide,  and  by  Forrest  street, 
afterwards  called  Charles  street,  89 i  perches  in  the  same  course, 
and  three  perches  wide.  There  were  also  nine  lanes  of  the 
width  of  one  perch  each,  since  widened  and  called  South,  Second, 
Light,  Hanover,  East,  Belvedere,  Lovely,  St.  Paul's  and  German 
streets.  The  lots,  containing  about  one  acre  each  and  num- 
bered from  one  to  sixty,  commencing  on  the  north  side  of  Long 
(Baltimore)  street  and  running  westward,  returned  eastward  on 
the  south  side.  On  the  14th  of  January,  and  on  several  of  the 
following  days,  the  office  was  open  for  takers-up,  and  it  appears 
that  the  proprietor,  Mr.  Carroll,  chose  jSTo.  49,  which  was  the  east 
side  of  Calvert  street  next  the  river  bank,  Mr.  Gist  taking  the  lot 
on  the  opposite  side  of  Calvert  street.  Other  lots  were  taken  by 
Messrs.  Walker,  Jones,  Jackson,  Hammond,  Price,  Buckner,  Sheri- 
dine,  Powell,  Eidgely,  Trotten,  JSTorth,  Hewitt,  Gorsuch  and  Harris, 
all  inhabitants  of  the  vicinity;  some  did  not  improve  in  time,  and 
their  lots  were  taken  by  new  settlers  in  succession,  but  some  lots 
fell  to  the  original  proprietor,  not  being  taken  up  within  seven 
years.  Thus  the  first  "Baltimore  Town"  was  laid  out  and  dis- 
posed of,  but  it  was  as  we  see  a  small  affair  of  sixty  rough  acres, 
comprised  within  the  westernmost  basin  of  the  Patapsco  on  the 
south,  the  chalk  hills  of  Charles  and  Saratoga  streets  on  the  north, 
the  deep  drain  and  gully  which  swept  down  about  the  present 
course  of  Liberty  street  and  McClellan's  alley  on  the  west,  and  on 
the  east  of  the  big  swamp,  which  bordering  Jones  Falls,  ran  up 
by  its  western  flank  as  far  on  the  present  Frederick  street  as  vSara- 
toga  or  Bath  streets.  Jones  Falls,  the  absolute  easternmost  limit, 
swept  round  in  a, deep,  horse-shoe  bend,  a  couple  of  squares  above 
our  Gay  street  bridge,  the  course  of  the  horse-shoe  penetrating  as 
far  as  the  corner  of  Calvert  and  Lexington  streets,  and  thence 
going  northeastwardly  along  the  line  of  Calvert  street.     From  the 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  23 

small  quantity  of  ground  originally  taken  for  the  town,  and  from 
the  difficulty  of  extending  the  town  in  any  direction,  as  it  was 
surrounded  by  hills,  water-courses  or  marshes,  it  is  evident  that 
the  commissioners  did  not  anticipate  either  its  present  commerce 
or  population.  The  expense  of  extending  streets,  of  building 
bridges,  and  of  levelling  hills  and  filling  marshes,  to  which  their 
successors  have  been  subjected,  and  which  unfortunately  increases 
that  of  preserving  the  harbor  as  improvements  increase  and  soil  is 
loosened,  have  been  obstacles  scarcely  felt  in  other  American  cities, 
requiring  immense  capitals  of  themselves,  against  which  nothing 
but  the  great  local  advantages  for  internal  and  external  trade 
would  have  enabled  the  citizens  to  contend.  The  situation  rela- 
tive to  other  parts  of  the  country,  however,  afforded  the  most  direct 
communication ;  the  proximity  of  better  soil,  the  great  security 
presented  by  the  harbor,  the  abundance  of  stone,  lime,  iron  and 
timber,  and  the  proximity  of  seats  for  water-works,  all  contributing 
to  make  the  first  part  of  the  town  the  centre  around  which  addi- 
tions have  been  nearly  equally  made,  affords  some  proof  of  the 
commissioners'  judgment  and  foresight.  It  is  to  be  noticed  also, 
that  the  lots  toward  the  river  were  all  taken  within  the  first  three 
days,  and  not  one  of  those  on  Baltimore  street,  except  that  on  the 
north  side,  next  adjoining  the  great  public  road,  now  McClellan's 
alley. 

It  appears  that  Koger  Mathews  was  presiding  justice  at  this 
time,  and  Thomas  Sheridine  sheriff,  but  the  latter  was  succeeded 
the  same  year  by  John  Hall. 

During  this  year  a  ship-carpenter,  William  Fell,  brother  of  Ed- 
ward, who  settled  east  of  Jones  Falls  in  1726,  bought  the  tract  of 
land  called  Copus's  Harbor,  and  built  a  mansion  there,  on  the 
present  site  of  Lancaster  street,  so  that  the  subsequent  improve- 
ments and  disposition  of  the  property  have  resulted  in  what  still 
bears  the  name  of  "  Fell's  Point." 

The  situation  of  the  town  at  this  time  was  unhealthy,  and  would 
continue  to  be  so  until  a  large  marsh  was  reclaimed.  The  alluvion 
of  the  falls,  spreading  from  the  shore  from  Harford  run  to  South 
street,"  already  limited  the  channel  of  the  river  on  the  north  side 
of  it,  and  formed  some  islands  which  continued  to  be  overflowed 
b}^  high  tides,  until  the  islands  and  shoals  were  made  fast  land,  as 
they  now  are.  Certainly  the  commissioners  were  not  regardless 
of  the  navigation,  or  they  would  not  have  located  the  town  by  the 
water ;  yet  the  exterior  lines  nowhere  reached  the  shore,  and  one 
street  only,  Calvert  street,  appeared  to  communicate  with  it,  for 
between  the  east  end  of  Baltimore  street  and  the  falls,  there  was  a 
marsh,  and  on  the  south,  Charles  street  terminated  at  Uhler's 
spring  branch,  or  rather  a  precipice  which  stood  on  the  south  side 
of  it,  as  did  the  north  end  of  Calvert  street,  at  a  greater  precipice, 
where,  indeed  other  commissioners  closed  the  street  by  erecting 
the  Court-house,  w-hich  stood  on  a  bluff'  overhanging  tha  falls, 
precisely  where  the  Battle  Monument  now  stands. 


24  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

The  zeal  of  the  founders  of  our  city  furnishes  evidence  this  year, 
in  the  passage  of  an  Act  by  the  Assembly  on  the  16th  of  June,  for 
the  erection  of  a  parish  church  in  Baltimore,  which,  being  the  first 
church  erected  in  the  town,  w^e  will  endeavor  to  give  a  brief  his- 
tory of  the  same  from  the  first  knowledge  we  have  of  it,  down  to 
the  present  time.  In  January,  1675,  Mr.  Jeremiah  Eaton  in  his 
will  devised  to  the  first  Protestant  minister  who  should  reside  in 
Baltimore  County,  and  his  successors,  "  Stokely  Manner,"  contain- 
ing 550  acres.  IJp  to  this  time  there  had  been  no  resident  Pro- 
testant, in  other  words  Church  of  England,  minister  in  the  county. 
This  Manor  was  about  two  miles  south  from  Abington,  as  it  is 
now  called,  and  four  or  five  miles  northeast  from  Joppa,  and  six  or 
seven  miles  from  the  bay. 

It  is  not  pj-obable  that  as  yet  there  was  a  population  of  more 
than  one  thousand  in  the  whole  county,  which  extended  from 
below  the  Patapsco  river  to  the  north  line  of  the  Province,  a  dis- 
tance in  a  direct  line  from  north  to  south  of  more  than  forty  miles, 
and  a  considerable  proportion  of  it  was  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Patapsco.  The  rest,  save  on  the  Spesutiae  and  Bush  river  neigh- 
borhood, were  scattered  widely  distant  from  each  other  on  the 
rivers  and  inlets  along  the  bay.  Little  land  could  ^  as  yet  have 
been  brought  under  cultivation,  and  a  house  of  unhewed  timbers 
from  the  wild  forest,  aiforded  the  most  comfortable  dwelling  pos- 
sessed by  any  one.  The  original  terms  for  seating  lands  in  this 
country  indeed  had  materially,  hindered  the  increase  of  popula- 
tion. Not  only  had  the  time  fixed  for  the  emigrants  sailing  from 
England  been  too  short  as  well  as  unseasonable,  but  each  one  was 
obliged  to  keep  three  servants,  above  three  years  old,  upon  his 
plantation,  which  many  were  not  able  to  do.  Besides  all  this, 
through  this  vast  region  of  wild  forests  lay  the  great  war-path  of 
the  "  Sasquesahanocks  "  and  more  northern  Indians,  in  their  too 
frequent  forays  on  the  Piscataway  nations  on  the  Patuxent.  Of 
these  a  few  were  sometimes  killed  in  their  passing  through  by  the 
settlers,  and  revenge  was  not  long  delayed ;  and  when  even  not 
prompted  by  revenge,  the  lives  and  property  of  the  settlers  were 
alike  a  prey  to  their  savage  depredations.  It  is  not  long  after  this 
date  that  we  have  a  petition,  quite  illustrative,  to  the  General  As- 
sembly, from  Thomas  Hawkins  of  this  county,  asking  for  relief, 
in  which  he  states  that  the  Indians  had  lately  broken  into  his  house 
with  violence  and  spoiled  him  of  all  his  goods,  so  that  he  had  not 
a  bed  left  him  to  lie  on  or  a  spoon  left  to  eat  his  victuals  with.  It 
may  not  be  out  of  place  to  mention  here  some  account  of  the 
Indian  tribes  which  inhabited  Baltimore  County,  and  the  sur- 
rounding country.  Captain  John  Smith,  in  his  history,  speaking 
of  the  habits  and  customs  of  the  Indians,  says : 

"When  they  need  Walnuts  they  break  them  between  two 
stones,  yet  some  parts  of  the  shels  will  cleave  to  the  fruit.  Then 
doe  they  dry  them  againe  upon  a  Mat  over  a  hurdle.     After  they 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  25 

put  it  into  a  morter  of  wood,  and  beat  it  very  small.  That  done, 
the}^  mix  it  with  water,  that  the  shels  may  sinke  to  the  bottome. 
This  water  will  be  coloured  as  milke,  which  they  call  Pawcohiccora, 
and  keepe  it  for  their  use.  Of  their  Chesnuts  and  Chechinquamins 
boyled,  they  make  both  broath  and  bread  for  their  chiefe  men,  or  at 
their  greatest  feasts.  They  divide  the  year  into  five  seasons. 
Their  winter  some  call  Popanoio,  the  spring  Cattapeuk,  the  sommer 
Cohattayough,  the  earing  of  their  Corne  Nepinough,  the  harvest 
and  fall  of  leafe  Taquitock.  From  September  untill  the  midst  of 
November  are  the  chiefe  feasts  and  sacrifice.  Then  haue  they 
plentie  of  fruits  as  well  planted  as  naturall,  as  corne,  greene  and 
ripe,  fish,  fowle,  and  wilde  beasts  exceeding  fat.  The  greatest 
labour  they  take,  is  in  planting  their  corne,  for  the  Country  natu- 
rally is  overgrowne  with  wood.  To  prepare  the -ground  they 
bruise  the  barke  of  the  trees  neare  the  root,  then  doe  they  scortch 
the  roots  with  fire  that  they  grow  no  more.  The  next  yeare  with 
a  crooked  peece  of  wood  they  beat  up  the  weeds  by  the  rootes,  and 
in  that  mould  they  plant  their  Corne.  There  manner  is  this: 
They  make  a  hole  in  the  earth  with  a  sticke,  and  into  it  they  put 
foure  graines  of  wheate  and  two  of  beanes.  These  holes  they 
make  foure  foote  one  from  another.  Their  women  and  children 
do  continually  keepe  it  with  weeding,  and  when  it  is  growne  middle 
high  they  hill  it  about  like  a  hop-yard.  Their  corne  they  rost  in 
the  eare  greene,  and  bruising  it  in  morter  of  wood  with  a  Polt,  lap 
it  in  rowles  in  the  leaues  of  their  corne,  and  so  boyle  it  for  a 
daintie.  As  small  as  the  proportion  of  ground  that  hath  yet 
beene  discovered,  is  in  comparison  of  that  yet  vnknowne ;  the 
people  differ  very  much  in  stature,  especially  in  language,  as 
before  is  expressed.  Some  being  very  great,  as  the  Sasquesahanocks ; 
others  very  little,  as  the  Wighcocom'ocoes :  but  generally  browne 
when  they  are  of  any  age,  but  they  are  borne  white.  Their  hayre 
is  generally  blacke,  but  few  haue  any  beards.  The  men  weare  halfe 
their  beards  shaven,  the  other  halfe  long ;  for  Barbers  they  vse 
their  women,  who  with  two  shels  will  grate  away  the  hayre  of  any 
fashions,  agreeable  to  their  yeares,  but  ever  some  part  remaineth 
long.  They  are  very  strong,  of  an  able  body  and  full  of  agilitie, 
able  to  endure  to  lie  in  the  woods  vnder  a  tree  by  the  fire  ki  the 
worst  of  winter,  or  in  the  weedes  and  grasse  in  ambuscado  in  the 
sommer.  Some  are  of  disposition  feareful,  some  bold,  most  caute- 
lous,  all  savage.  They  are  soone  moued  to  anger,  and  so  malicious 
that  they  seldome  forget  an  iniury.  For  their  apparell  they  are 
sometimes  covered  with  the  skinnes  of  wilde  beasts,  which  in 
winter  are  dressed  with  the  hayre,  but  in  sommer  without.  The 
better  sort  vse  large  mantels  of  Deare  skins,  not  much  differing  in 
fashion  from  the  Irish  mantels,  some  imbrodered  with  white 
beads,  some  with  Copper,  other  painted  after  their  manner.  But 
the  common  sort  haue  scarce  to  cover  their  nakednesse,  but  with 
grasse,  the  leaues  of  trees,  or  such  like.     Their  women,  some  haaie 


26  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

their  legs,  hands,  breasts  and  face  cunningly  imbrodered  with 
divers  workes,  as  beasts,  serpents,  artificially  wrought  into  their 
flesh  with  black  spots.  In  each  eare  commonly  they  haue  3 
great  holes,  whereat  they  hang  chaines,  bracelets,  or  copper. 
Some  of  their  men  weare  in  those  holes,  a  small  green e  and  yellow 
coloured  snake,  neare  halfe  a  yard  in  length,  which  craw^ling  and 
lapping  her  selfe  about  his  necke  oftentimes  familiarly  would  kisse 
his  lips.  Others  weare  a  dead  Eat  tyed  by  the  taile.  Some  on 
their  heads  weare  the  wing  of  a  bird,  or  some  large  feather  with  a 
-Rattell,  Those  Eattels  are  somew^hat  like  the  chape  of  a  Eapier, 
but  lesse,  which  they  take  from  the  taile  of  a  snake.  Many  haue 
the  whole  skinne  of  a  Hawke  or  some  strange  foule,  stuffed  with 
the  wings  abroad.  Others  a  broad  peece  of  Copper,  and  some  the 
hand  of  theif  enemy  dryed.  Their  heads  and  shoulders  are  painted 
red  wdth  the  roote  Pocone  brayed  to  powder,  mixed  with  oyle,  this 
they  hold  in  summer  to  preserve  them  from  the  heate,  and  in  winter 
from  the  cold.  Many  other  formes  of  paintings  they  vse,  but  he 
is  the  most  gallant  that  is  the  most  monstrous  to  behold." 

In  closing  his  description  he  says :  "  So  then  here  is  a  place,  a  nurse 
for  souldiers,  a  practise  for  mariners,  a  trade  for  marchants,  a  reward 
for  the  good,  and  that  which  is  most  of  all,  a  businesse  (most  accep- 
table to  God)  to  bring  such  poore  Infidels  to  the  knowledge  of  God 
and  his  holy  Gospell." 

Under  all  these  circumstances,  it  is  not  wonderful  that  the  early 
settlers  of  this  country  had  not  as  yet  been  able  to  have  the  services 
of  a  minister ;  and  it  was  a  noble  Christian  act  for  Mr.  Eaton  to 
provide  as  he  did  for  the  support  of  a  resident  minister,  for  this 
scattered,  struggling,  destitute  people.  The  Eev.  John  Yeo,  who 
removed  to  this  county  from  Calvert  about  1682,  is  the  first  Church 
of  England  clergyman,  or  any  other  of  whom  we  have  any  mention, 
in  Baltimore  County.  Mr.  Eaton  having  made  the  provision 
which  w^e  have  mentioned,  it  may  have  been  some  inducement  to 
Mr.  Yeo  to  remove  to  this  county.  The  places  for  holding  public 
worship  were  o-cnerally  private  dwellings  ;  for  we  have  found  no 
hint  that  there  were  any  other  than  such  in  the  county,  save  St. 
George's,  which  was  simply  a  log-building.  St.  Paul's  Parish  w^ere 
accustomed  to  assemble  for  public  worship  in  Patapsco  Neck,  the 
neck  of  land  between  Back  Creek  and  the  Patapsco  river,  east 
from  the  city  of  Baltimore.  Their  place  of  assembling  at  that 
time,  was  probably  from  six  to  eight  miles  from  the  present  city 
limits.  Mr.  Yeo  w^as  spared  to  minister  here  only  a  few  brief 
years.  He  died  in  1686,  leaving  a  married  daughter,  and  a  son  John, 
if  no  other  children,  to  which  son  the  Court  gave  his  property,  and 
made  Miles  Gibson  his  administrator. 

Within  three  years  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Yeo,  on  the  first  of 
August,  1689,  occurred  what  is  called  the  Protestant  revolution  in 
Maryland.  On  that  day  the  government  of  the  Province  was  seized 
by  the  Protestants,  without  bloodshed,  which  put  an  end  here  to 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  27 

the  Eoman  Catholic  rule  and  domination.  The  government 
passed  into  the  hands  of  a  Protestant  Convention  of  the  Colonies, 
and  Lord  Baltimore's  officers  were  deposed.  After  its  continuance 
for  two  years  and  a  half,  the  government  of  the  Province  was  taken 
in  charge  by  King  William  and  Queen  Mary,  and  early  in  the 
spring  of  1692  Gov.  Copley  arrived  as  their  Slajesties'  Governor. 
In  this  government  no  Eoman  Catholic  was  permitted  to  hold 
office. 

By  the  Act  establishing  the  Church  of  England  in  the  Province, 
passed  on  the  9th  of  June,  1692,  every  taxable  inhabitant  (and  such 
were  all  male  persons,  and  female  slaves,  female  *nulattoes  born  of 
white  persons,  and  free  negro  women),  of  the  age  of  sixteen,  w^ere 
obliged  to  pay  40  pounds  of  tobacco  annually  to  the  support  of  the 
parish  minister.  Patapsco  Hundred,  or  St.  Paul's  Parish,  in  the 
returns  of  the  year  1694  to  the  County  Court,  contained  231  taxable 
inhabitants,  equal  to  8240  pounds  of  tobacco,  or  $226  less  than  one 
dollar  tax  to  each  inhabitant.  Under  the  Act  of  1692,  the  several 
parishes  having  been  determined  or  defined,  the  freeholders  of  each 
parish  were  then  directed  to  meet  by  the  -appointment  of  the 
County  Justices,  and  make  a  choice  of  .six  vestry-men.  Such  an 
appointment  having  been  made,  the  freeholders  of  Patapsco  Parish, 
us  it  was  then  called,  now  known  as  St.  Paul's,  accordingly  met  and 
elected  a  vestry.  But  of  that  meeting  we  find  no  record.  That 
they  however  did  so  meet  and  make  then  an  election,  the  following 
entry,  found  in  the  records  of  the  Baltimore  County  Court  for 
1693,  folio  126,  fully  proves.     It  is  this  : 

"  We,  the  Vestrymen  for  Patapsco  Hundred,  met  together  at  the 
house  of  Maj.  John  Thomas,"  when  it  was  determined  "that  at 
Pettetes  old  field  was  the  most  convenient  place  to  erect  a  church, 
and  also  appointed  John  Gay  to  be  clerk  of  the  Vestry,  Mr.  Wat- 
kings  being  absent.  And  at  another  meeting  at  Master  Demondidies, 
did  confirm  the  above  mentioned  proceedings.  Mr.  Watkings  also 
absent.  George  Ashman,  Nicholas  Corban,  John.  Terry,  Eichard 
Sampson,  Francis  Watkings,  Eichard  Cromwell."  This  record  thus 
tells  of  two  vestry  meetings,  of  what  was  done  at,  and  who  the 
vestry-men  were.  Such  were  the  beginnings  at  the  organization 
of  this  parish  one  hundred  and  seventy -nine  years  ago. 

General  Tobias  Stansbury,  who  died  in  1849,  aged  92  years,  said 
that  the  old  St.  Paul's  Church  stood  aboutthirty  or  forty  rods  west  of 
Avhere  the  Sollers  Point  road  leaves  the  North  Point  road  on  the 
left  side  as  you  go  east.  It  was  built  of  brick.  In  1765  it  was 
then  in  ruins!^  and  the  bones  of  the  dead  buried  there  were  removed 
to  Baltimore  town.  The  plough  has  not  left  a  trace  of  the  old 
building  on  the  spot  where  it  stood. 

In  1702  St.  Paul's  was  made  a  missionary  parish,  mainly  under 
the  ministry  of  Eev.  Wm.  Tibbs,  who  does  not  appear  to  have  been  a 
faithful  rector.  After  several  unsuccessful  attempts  to  build  a  new 
church,  the  parish  at  last  succeeded,  and  about  1702  built,  as  is 

\ 


28  CHRONICLES    OF   BALTIMOBE. 

supposed,  the  one  mentioned  by  Gen.  Stansbury.  On  the  2d  of 
January  1728,  Mr.  Thomas  Sheredine  and  Mr.  Eichard  Gist  having 
been  appointed  a  committee  by  the  vestry  to  purchase  a  site  for 
the  building  of  a  new  church,  purchased  two  acres  of  land  of  Mr. 
Moses  Edwards,  on  the  old  York  road  near  AValsh's  tan-yard.  The 
vestry  afterwards,  on  the  8th  of  July,  1729,  decided  to.  build  at  Mr. 
Edward  Fells',  who  lived  east  of  Jones  Falls. 

On  the  16th  of  June,  1730,  an  Act  was  passed  by  the  General 
Assembly  "  for  the  Building  a  Church  in  Baltimore  County,  and  in 
a  Town  called  Baltimore  Town,  in  St.  Paul's  Parish."  Bacon  says  : 
"  The  Act  of  1727  having  impowered  the  Yestry-men  and  Church 
wardens  to  purchase  one  or  more  acres  of  land,  and  thereon  to  build 
a  Parish  Church ;  in  pursuance  whereof,  land  was  purchased  but 
not  built  on  ;  and  the  same  being  very  \  inconvenient,  the  present 
Act  impowers  the  Yestry-men  and  Church-wardens  to  purchase  a 
Lot  in  Baltimore-Town  and  to  cause  a  Church  to  be  built  thereon  ; 
which  shall  be  the  Parish  Church  of  the  said  Parish,  and  be  called 
St.  Pauls  Church,  and  directs,  that  the  Tobacco  to  be  raised  by  the 
afore  recited  Act,  be  applied  to  the  Building  a  Church  in  the  Town 
as  aforesaid."  Under  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  on  the  first  of  July, 
1730,  the  vestry  having  abandoned  the  idea  of  building  at  Mr.  Fells', 
as  they  had  previously  determined,  on  the  lot  purchased  on  the  old 
York  road,  agreed  with  Doctor  George  Walker  for  lot  No.  19  on 
the  town  plat,  to  build  the  church  on.  This  lot  was  the  most 
elevated  point  on  the  plat,  and  it  is  on  the  northwest  corner  of 
that  lot  that  the  present  St.  Paul's  now  stands  —  on  the  corner  of 
Saratoga  and  Charles  streets.  The  lot  then  extended  south  below 
Lexington  street,  and  eastward  to  St.  Paul's  street. 

On  the  28th  of  July,  1730,  the  vestry  again  met,  and  agreed  with 
Thomas  Hartwell  to  build  the  walls  of  the  new  church,  which  were 
to  be  50  feet  by  23  feet  in  the  clear,  and  18  feet  high  from  the  floor 
to  the  ceiling,  for  £40;  the  vestry  to  haul  the  bricks,  lime  and  sand. 
They  also  agreed  with  Charles  Wells  to  make  100,000  bricks,  to  be 
delivered  at  or  upon  the  last  day  of  October,  and  May  then  suc- 
ceeding, for  £90  currency.  On  the  3d  of  November  the  vestry 
agreed  with  Mr.  John  Moale  and  Mr.  William  Hammond  to  get  the 
rafters,  six  window-frames,  two  for  each  side,  and  one  for  each  end, 
and  two  d^or-frames,  one  for  the  southeast  side,  and  the  other  for 
the  end,  for'£59  5s.  currency,  or  tobacco  at  105  per  hundred  at  the 
same  amount.  On  the  2d  of  February  1731,  the  vestry  agreed 
with  Mr.  Hammond  to  build  a  vestrj^-house  in  Baltimore  Town,  16 
feet  by  12,  in  height  7^  feet,  for  which  they  were  to  pay  £6.  They 
also  agreed  with  Mr.  Charles  Ridgely  to  draw  the  brick  for  £10, 
and  Mr.  JcJnas  Tlobinson  to  furnish  1500  bushels  of  lime,  at  the 
place  where  the  church  was  to  be  built,  for6d.  currency  per  bushel. 
On  the  9th  of  April  Mr.  Hartwell  failed  in  his  contract,  and  the 
vestry  agreed  with  Mr.  John  Babcock  to  build  the  walls  of  the 
church  for  £50  currency.     On  the  11th  of  October  1732,  Rev.  Wni. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  29 

Tibbs  died.  He  was  succeeded  by  Eev.  Joseph  Hooper.  Owing  to 
the  failures  in  fulfilling  contracts  and  other  delays,  the  church  was 
not  completed  until  1739,  a  period  of  eight  years  from  the  time 
work  was  first  commenced.  Mr.  Hooper  died  July  12th,  1739,  and 
was  buried  an  the  church.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Eev.  Benedict 
Bourdillon,  July  29th,  1739.  He  died  January  5th,  1745,  greatly 
lamented.  On  the  11th  of  February  1745,  Eev.  Thomas  Chase  was 
appointed  rector  by  Gov.  Bladen.  At  the  meeting  of  the  vestry 
on  the  30th  of  June,  1753,  they  ordered  that  the  middle  portion  of 
the  front  gallery  be  taken  down.  This  was  done  in  order  to  place 
the  organ  there,  which  had '  been  purchased  by  subscription  from 
Mr.  Adam  Lynn,  to  put  in  its  place.  At  this  period  the  church 
also  had  a  bell.  On  the  first  of  Juno  the  vestry  ordered  a  brick 
wall  to  be  built  around  the  church.  After  an  eventful  and  useful 
ministry  of  thirty-four  years.  Dr.  Chase,  father  of  Samuel  Chase, 
one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  &c.,  &c.,  died 
on  the  4th  of  April  1779,  and  was  succeeded  by  Eev.  Wm.  West, 
D.  D.,  who  became  rector  June  7,  1779. 

On  the  Ist  of  November  1779,  the  vestry  resolved  to  build  a 
new  church ;  and  on  the  25th  of  April  1780,  the  corner-stone  was  laid 
with  religious  services  by  Eev.  Wm.  West.  This  church  was 
erected  wdth  the  assistance  of  money  raised  by  lottery,  which 
realised  $33,443  currency.  It  w^as  finished  May  10th,  1784,  when 
the  pews,  83  in  number,  were  distributed  "  by  ballot."  The  church 
was  opened  May  30th  at  Whitsuntide.  The  Eev.  Mr.  West  preached 
from  Psalm  cxxii.  1 :  "  I  was  glad  when  they  said  unto  me,  Let  us 
go  into  the  house  of  the  Lord."  This  new  edifice  stood  a  little 
at  the  south  of  the  centre  of  the  square,  and  just  in  front  of  the 
old  one.  Its  appearance  was  similar  to  St.  Peter's  which  lately 
stood  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Sharp  and  Gprman  streets,  except 
that  it  was  not  quite  so  large.  At  the  east  end  there  was  an 
immense  window  of  common  glass,  which  during  the  morning 
service  would  have  poured  an  intolerable  light  into  the  church  but 
for  the  protection  of  a  green  baize  curtain.  It  had  three  large 
doors,  more  imposing  than  any  belonging  to  the  structure  to  which 
it  has  just  been  compared.  One  was  at  the  west  end,  and  was 
seldom  entirely  opened,  but  access  was  given  to  the  church  through 
a  sort  of  wicket  cut  in  one  side.  The  other  two  doors  were  on  the 
south  side  ;  one  of  them  was  closed  and  plastered  on  the  inside,  but 
on  the  outside  it  appeared  as  a  door.  This  was  the  eastern  one  of 
the  two  ;   the  western  was  the  principal  entrance. 

The  church  stood  on  very  high  ground,  surrounded  on  three 
sides  by  the  graveyard.  On  the  south  side  was  a  terrace,  paved 
with  imported  brick  and  shaded  by  sycamore  trees.  From  the 
terrace  to  the  two  south  doors  it  was  reached  by  flights  of  rough 
stone  steps,  three  or  four  steps  each,  and  the  ground  descended  to 
New  Church  street,  now  called  Lexington,  by  three  or  four  of 
what  gardeners  call  falls.     At  Lexington  street  was  a   fence,  the 


30  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

gate  of  which  was  about  halfway  between  the  present  doors 
of  Mr.  Hodges  and  Prof  Hall.  The  interior  appearance  of  the 
church  was  very  heavy.  The  galleries  were  solid  wainscotting 
and  supported  by  large  solid  pillars.  The  galleries  were  reached  by 
two  very  massive  flights  of  stairs.  The  pews  were  the  old-fashioned 
s(|iuire  boxes,  very  high.  In  the  original  jjlan  of  the  church  there 
w  ore  five  aisles.  There  was  no  vestry-room ;  the  minister  put  on  his 
robe  behind  a  red  stiif  curtain  suspended  from  an  iron  rod.  The 
bell  remained  in  the  tower  built  in  the  time  of  the  former  church. 
The  organ  was  placed  in  the  west  gallery,  in  front  of  which 
was  a  desk,  from  which  the  clerk  made  the  response.  There  was 
no  choir,  and  the  organ  was  generally  so  much  out  of  repair  as  to 
be  useless  until  the  present  century. 

In  April  1785,  it  appears  from  the  records  of  this  date,  that  the  com- 
munion furniture  consisted  of  one  silver  plate,  two  napkins,  one  table 
cloth,  one  pewter  basin,  and  one  green  cloth  cover  for  the  com- 
munion tabic,  in  the  same  year  the  old  church  was  used  for  a 
school-house  by  Eev.  Wm.  Nixon.  In  November  1786,  the  old 
church,  excepting  the  bell-tower,  was  ordered  to  be  torn  down,  and 
the  brick  to  be  used  in  a  wall  to  be  placed  around  the  church  lot. 
In  1791  a  new  parsonage  was  finished,  on  ground  donated  by  John 
Eager  Howard,  at  the  head  of  Liberty  street,  where  the  rector  now 
resides.  The  house  which  had  been  heretofore  occupied  as  a  par- 
sonage, and  in  which  Dr.  West  resided,  was  on  the  northwest  corner 
of  the  intersection  of  Charles  and  Lexington  streets,  nearly  opposite 
the  church.  It  was  a  one-story  frame  building  with  a  '•  hip  roof," 
and  was  painted  red,  had  a  yard  in  front  ornamented  with  trees 
and  shrubbery.  There  was  then  no  house  between  the  parsonage 
and  one  on  the  south  side  of  Baltimore  street. 

On  the  22d  of  June,  1783,  the  first  Convention  of  the  Diocese 
met,  and  adopted  a  constitution  adapted  to  the  new  state  of  afl:airs, 
resulting  from  the  independence  of  the  United  States,  and  the 
separation  of  state  and  church  affairs.  Dr.  West  died  March  30tli, 
1791.  June  17th,  Eev.  Joseph  G.  J.  Bend,  D.  D.,  was  elected  rector, 
whose  ministry  was  signalised  by  a  violent  controversy  with  a  Eev. 
Mr.  Ealph.  Eev.  John  Ireland  was  made  associate  rector,  December 
8th,  1796,  and  removed  October  17th,  1801.  On  the  10th  of  June, 
1797,  the  church  was  consecrated  by  Bishop  Claggett.  On  the  8th 
of  April,  1802,  Eev.  Elijah  Eattoone  was  then  elected  associate.  He 
was  succeeded  by  Eev.  James  Whitehead,  March  24,  1806,  who  died 
August  24,  1808;  and  he  by  Eev.  Frederick  Beasley,  D.  D.,  August 
7, 1807.  Upon  the  death  of  Eev.  Dr.  Bend,  November  25th,  1812, 
Eev.  Dr.  James  Kemp  was  elected  rector  —  a  man  of  high  literary 
and  scientific  culture,  and  an  author  of  much  repute.  He  died  sud- 
denly, from  injuries  received  by  the  upsetting  of  a  stage-coach, 
October  28th,  1827.  Eev.  William  Wyatt  was  elected  May  3d, 
.1814,  as  associate  rector,  and  afterwards,  November,  1827,  rector; 
and  after  a  most  useful  and  distinguished  ministry  of  50  years,  died 
universally  lamented,  June  24th,  1864. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BA.LT1M0EE.  31 

On  the  4th  day  of  May,  1814,  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  St. 
Paul's  Church,  was  laid,  with  appropriate  ceremonies,  Eev.  Dr. 
Kemp  delivering  the  address.  This  church  was  situated  where  the 
present  one  now  stands.  It  Avas  a  spacious  and  noble  edifice,  of  the 
Grecian  Doric  order,  126  feet  in  length  by  84  feet  in  breadth.  The 
portico  was  supported  by  four  fluted  marble  columns,  and  the  steeple 
was  considered  the  handsomest  in  the  United  States.  The  church 
was  finished  in  1817,  E.  C.  Long  architect,  and  cost  $126,140.  On 
Saturday  morning,  April  29th,  1854,  shortly  after  one  o'clock  A.  M., 
the  stately  edifice  of  St.  Paul's  was  discovered  to  be  in  flames.  The 
rain  was  falling  heavily,  but  upon  forcing  the  doors,  it  was  per- 
ceived that  the  flames  had  gained  great  headway  in  a  room  in  the 
back  part  of  the  building,  immediately  over  the  altar,  and  in  that 
place  most  certain  to  ensure  the  complete  destruction  of  the  build- 
ing. At  about  this  stage  of  the  fire.  Dr.  Colburn,  the  Secretary 
of  the  Episcopal  Convention,  residing  directly  opposite,  assisted  by 
others,  succeeded,  after  great  exertions  and  no  little  danger,  in  re- 
moving from  the  church  the  iron  safe  containing  the  records  and 
other  valuable  papers  of  the  Diocese  of  Maryland.  The  firemen 
labored  hard  to  arrest  the  progress  of  the  flames,  but  this  was  im- 
possible, in  consequence  of  the  elevated  position  of  the  building 
and  the  scarcity  of  water.  The  fire  gaining  increased  power,  soon 
swept  through  the  building,  forced  through  the  roof,  and  illumined 
the  darkness  of  night  by  its  glare.  Its  towering  torch  gained 
access  to  the  beautiful  steeple,  and  then  the  terribly  grand  spec- 
tacle was  complete.  The  bell  fell  from  its  airy  perch,  and  the 
crashing  timbers  throughout  sent  a  chill  to  the  heart  of  many  a 
silent  witness  of  the  picture ;  the  ^re  had  subdued  its  victim,  and 
the  raging  element  ceased. 

The  rebuilding  of  St.  Paul's  was  at  once  entered  on,  without 
the  indecision  of  an  hour  on  the  part  of  the  vestry  or  the  congre- 
gation, and  being  finished,  was  dedicated .  by  Bishop  Whittingham 
on  the  10th  of  Januarj^,  1856,  assisted  by  the  Eev.  Drs.  Wyatt, 
Johns,  and  Balch,  and  Eev.  Messrs.  Crane,  Eankin,  Leakin,  String- 
fellow,  Thos.  J.  Wyatt,  C.  C.  Adams,  McFarland,  Piggot,  Eeed, 
Eich,  Schroed^r,  Bausman,  Cox,  Swope,  Spoon,  Tuttle,  Harrison, 
and  Allen.  The  building  is  Norman  Gothic,  designed  by  Mr.  Up- 
john of  New  York.  The  walls  of  the  previous  building  remain 
entire,  with  the  addition  of  a  new  front,  bringing  the  church  much 
nearer  to  the  street  than  it  was  before.  The  bell-tower  if  finished 
would  be  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  high,  but  in  view  of  the  west- 
ward and  northward  march  of  the  population,  including  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church,  it  may  never  be  completed ;  the  sacred  edifice 
itself  being  perhaps  destined  to  give  place  to  other  buildings. 

1731.  The  county  town  of  Joppa  being  afflicted  by  small-pox, 
the  Legislature  suspended  the  sessions  of  the  court,  which  made  it 
very  dangerous  for  the  magistrates  and  people  to  meet  from  June 
court  till  first  Tuesday  in  November,  a  circumstance  the^more  un- 


32  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 


\ 


fortunate  for  the  place,  as  Baltimore  was  then  preparing  to  become 
its  rival. 

1732.  On  the  8th  day  of  August  the  Assembly  passed  "An  Act 
for  erecting  a  Town  on  a  creek,  divided  on  the  East  from  the 
Town  lately  laid  out  in  Baltimore  County,  called  Baltimore  Town, 
on  the  land  whereon  Edward  Fell  keeps  store."  (Samuel  Ogle,  Esq., 
Governor.)  By  this  Act  Major  Thomas  Sheridine,  Capt.  Eobert 
North,  and  Messrs.  Thomas  Todd,  John  Cockey  and  John  Boring 
were  appointed  Commissioners,  who  also  appointed  Doctor  Walker 
their  clerk.  They  were  empowered  to  purchase  by  agreement  with 
the  owner,  or  in  case  of  such  owner's  refusal,  &c.,  by  valuation  of 
a  jur}^  —  (a  common  custom  at  the  present  day,  when  an  indi- 
vidual's land  is  taken  for  public  purposes,  on  his  being  paid  what 
twelve  of  his  neighbors,  who  have  no  property  similarly  situated, 
think  that  he  ought  to  be  satisfied  with)  —  ten  acres  of  land  out  of 
the  said  tract  lying  most  convenient  to  the  water,  and  to  lay  out 
the  same  into  twenty  lots,  &c.,  to  be  numbered  from  one  to  twenty 
for  better  distinction  thereof,  &c.,  &c.,  &c.  The  town  to  be 
called  Jonas  Town,  but  afterwards  Jones's  Town,  in  compli- 
ment to  one  of  the  former  owners  of  the  land.  The  new  town 
was  laid  off  on  Wednesday,  November  22d,  1732,  in  twenty  lots, 
valued  at  150  pounds  of  tobacco  each,  on  that  part  of  "  Cole's 
Harbor  "  which  was  first  improved,  east  of  the  Falls,  and  where 
Edward  Fell  kept  store,  belonging,  it  is  said  in  the  return  of  the 
jury,  to  the  orphan  children  of  Kichard  Colgate.  The  conditions 
of  settlement  were  similar  to  those  of  Baltimore  Town,  except 
that  the  possessors  of  lots  in  this  town  were  to  pay  the  Proprie- 
tary one  penny  sterling  per  lot'  annually.  Major  Sheridine  had 
taken  up  land  in  the  county  as  early  as  1721,  and  in  1734  purchased 
the  Kigsbury  lands  at  the  head  of  Back  river,  where  the  furnace 
was  afterwards  erected,  and  General  Smith  built  a  mill.  Capt. 
North,  who  took  the  lot  No.  10  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Balti- 
more and  Calvert  Streets,  and  upon  the  laying  out  of  Jones's  Town, 
had  visited  the  Patapsco  and  carried  freights  in  the  ship  Content, 
which  he  commanded,  as  early  as  1723.  Mr.  Thomas  Todd  was 
the  son  and  heir  of  Capt.  Thomas  Todd,  who  removed  from  Yir- 

finia  and  purchased  the  land  at  North  Point  in  1664,  which  had 
een  first  taken  up  by  Messrs.  William  Batten  and  Thomas  Thomas. 
Mr.  John  Cockey  piirchased  lands  near  Patapsco  in  1728 ;  the  year 
after,  his  brother  Thomas  settled  in  the  Limestone  Yalley,  on  the 
York  Koad.  Mr.  Boring  was  a  merchant,  whose  father  had 
bought  several  tracts  of  land  on  Patapsco  Neck  as  early  as  1679. 
Jones's  Town  consisted  of  three  streets,  or  one  street  with  courses 
corresponding  with  the  meanders  of  the  bank  of  the  Falls,  from 
a  great  gully  at  Pitt  Street  to  the  ford  at  the  intersection  of 
the  old  road  where  French  Street  commences,  and  which  was 
afterwards  called  Front,  Short,  and  Jones  Streets ;  on  the  last  of 
which,  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Bridge,  or  Gay  Street  as  since 
called,  and  the  only  cross  street,  stood  Mr.  Fell's  store. 


CHKONIOLES  OF  BALTIMOEE.  33 

Improvements  were  soon  made  on  the  east  side  of  the  Falls,  by 
which,  and  from  the  early  settlement  of  Cole,  Grorsuch,  or  Jones,  it 
obtained  the  name  which  it  now  bears  of  "  Old  Town."  The  com- 
munication with  Baltimore  Town  being  obstructed  by  the  passage 
of  the  Falls,  was  so  inconvenient  by  the  ford  that  a  bridge  was 
soon  erected  where  Gay  Street  bridge  now  stands,  by  the  respec- 
tive inhabitants  of  the  towns. 

Edward  Hall  was  presiding  Justice  in  1732,  and  Sheriff  in  1734, 
when  Col.  William  Hamilton  was  presiding  Justice. 

1735.  On  the  23d  of  April  the  Assembly  passed  an  Act  to  prevent 
the  injuring  of  harbors  within  this  Province.  By  this  Act  masters 
of  vessels  and  others  were  prohibited,  under  a  penalty  of  £50 
currency,  from  casting  ballast  into  the  bay  above  Cedar  Point,  nor 
into  any  river,  creek  or  harbor  below  high-water  mark,  nor  to  un- 
load ballast  but  between  the  rising  and  setting  of  the  sun. 

1736.  John  Stokes,  Clerk  of  the  county,  died,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  his  son,  Humphrey  W.  Stokes.  Col.  William  Hammond 
was  Sheriff,  and  Richard  Gist  presiding  Justice. 

1738.  In  this  year  Col.  Nicholas  Eidgely  was  Sheriff.  Mr; 
Edward  Fell  died,  leaving  a  daughter,  or  daughters,  in  England, 
but  bestowed  his  property  here  on  his  brother's  son  Edward. 

1739.  On  the  29th  of  August  Captain  Michael  Willson,  of  the 
good  ship  Farad  and  Gaily ^  published  according  to  law  that  he  was 
up  for  freight;  and  it  appears  from  the  records  that  he  received 
one  hogshead  of  leaf  tobacco,  shipped  by  Avarila  Day,  and  con- 
signed to  Messrs.  Delmitt  and  Heathwat  of  London,  at  the  rate  of 
£7  sterling  per  ton.  This  is  the  first  vessel  we  find  in  the  records 
of  Baltimore  County  published  according  to  law  for  freight. 

1740.  Mr.  John  Moale  died,  bequeathing  his  lands  near  Balti- 
more to  his  two  surviving  sons,  John  and  Richard. 

1741.  Thos.  Brereton  was  clerk  of  the  county.  On  the  19th 
day  of  February,  for  the  sum  of  40  pounds  sterling  money  of 
Great  Britain,  Mr.  Jonathan  Hanson  sold  to  Mr.  Edward  Fottrell 
all  of  his  the  said  Hanson's  right,  title  and*  interest  in  the  lands 
lying  upon  Jones  Falls,  being  part  of  the  tract  called  "  Cole's 
Harbor,"  containing  by  estimation  about  30  acres,  and  also  all  of 
his  interest  and  property  of  and  into  20  acres  of  land  lying  on 
both  sides  of  Jones  Falls :  the  latter  being  taken  by  Jonathan 
Hanson  and  George  Walker  in  1735  by  virtue  of  the  law  for  ap- 
propriating mill-seats.  Walker  also  sold  his  interest  this  year  to 
Fottrell  for  120  pounds  paper  money  of  the  Province.  Mr. 
Edward  Fottrell  was  a  gentleman  from  Ireland,  and  imported  the 
materials  and  erected  the  first  brick  house  with  freestone  corners, 
and  the  first  which  was  two  stories  without  a  "hip-roof"  in  the 
town.  It  stood  near  the  northwest  corner  of  Calvert  and  Fayette 
streets,  on  or  near  the  lot  at  present  occupied  by  Reverdy  John- 
son's mansion,  opposite  Barnum's  Hotel,  and  was  the  dwelling 
house  of  Mr.  Fottrell.     He  returned  to  Ireland  before  the  Revolu- 

3 


34  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

tion,  when  his  property  was  confiscated  and  sold.  Our  worthy- 
forefathers  did  not,  at  this  period,  arrive  at  the  stature  of  so  high 
a  fact  as  to  believe  that  there  was  earth  in  Maryland  which  could 
be  made  into  a  brick,  much  less  that  they  were  daily  walking  over 
a  soil  which  was  destined  to  be  fashioned  into  the  material  of  a 
beautiful  city,  whose  architectural  renown  should  be  in  some  de- 
gree connected  with  the  unrivalled  excellence  of  its  brick. 

1742.  Mr.  Thomas  Harrison,  merchant,  arrived  from  England, 
and  built  a  house  near  the  northeast  corner  of  South  and  Lombard 
streets,  buying  the  lots  nearest  the  water  on  each  side  of  South 
street. 

On  the  29th  of  October  St.  Thomas's  Parish  was  taken  from  St. 
Paul's,  and  the  new  parish  church  of  that  name  was  erected  about 
ten  miles  northwest  of  the  town. 

Major  Thomas  Sheredine  was  presiding  Justice,  and  John 
Ridgely  sheriff. 

On  the  20th  of  January,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Groor  shipped  on  board 
the  ship  SwaUj  Capt.  Joseph  Tuck,  four  hogsheads  of  Maryland 
leaf  tobacco,  consigned  to  Jonathan  Toward,  of  London,  at  the 
rate  of  nine  pounds  sterling  per  ton. 

1744.  On  the  22d  of  August,  John  Boyley  shipped  on  board  the 
Elizabeth^  Capt.  David  Frazer,  4  hogsheads  Maryland  leaf  tobacco, 
consigned  to  Joseph  Adams,  London,  at  the  rate  of  nine  pounds 
sterling  per  ton. 

1745.  The  Assembly  of  Maryland,  on  the  28th  of  September, 
passed  a  supplementary  and  additional  Act  to  the  Act  entitled,  "An 
Act  for  erecting  a  town  on  the  north  side  of  Patapsco,  in  Balti- 
more County,  and  for  laying  out  in  lots  sixty  acres  of  land  in  and 
about  the  place  where  John  Flemming  now  lives ;  and  to  an  Act 
entitled,  An  Act  for  erecting  a  town  on  a  creek  divided  on  the  east 
from  the  town  lately  laid  out  in  Baltimore  County,  called  Balti- 
more Town,  on  the  land  whereon  Edward  Fell  keeps  store." 
(Thomas  Bladen,  Esq.,  Governor.)  "  On  the  joint  petition  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Baltinu)re  and  Jones's  Town,  in  the  County  of  Bal- 
timore, it  is  herein  enacted  : 

"Ist.  That  the  same  Towns,  now  called  Baltimore  and  Jones's 
Town,  be  incorporated  into  one  entire  Town,  and  for  the  future 
called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Baltimore  Town  and  by  no 
other  name. 

"  2d.  The  bridge  built  by  the  inhabitants  on  the  branch  that 
divided  the  said  Towns,  shall  for  the  future  be  deemed  a  public 
bridge,  and  repaired  and  kept,  &c.,  at  the  charge  of  Baltimore 
County. 

"3d.  Certain  Commissioners  (Maj.  Thomas  Sheridine,  Doctor 
G.  Buchanan,  Capt.  Robert  North,  Colonel  William  Hammond, 
Capt.  Darby  Lux,  and  Messrs.  Thomas  Harrison  and  William  Fell), 
seven  in  number,  appointed  to  see  the  present  and  former  acts, 
relating  to  the  Towns  before  mentioned,  put  in  execution,  and 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  35 

cause  them  to  be  carefully  surveyed  by  their  outlines,  therein  in- 
cluding the  branch  over  which  the  bridge  is  built ;  and  shall  from 
time  to  time  (for  preventing  disputes),  cause  all  the  lots  taken  up 
and  improved,  or  that  shall  hereafter  be  taken  up,  &c.,  to  be  reg- 
ularly surveyed,  substantially  and  fairly  bounded,  and  numbered. 

"4th.  On  the  death,  removal,  or  declining  to  act,  of  any  com- 
missioner, the  major  part  of  the  remaining  commissioners  shall 
appoint  another  to  serve  in  the  stead  of  such  commissioner 
dying,  &c. 

"  5th.  Disputes  about  the  bounds  of  lots  shall  be  fully  deter- 
mined bj^  a  majority  of  the  said  commissioners;  and  to  prevent 
partiality  herein,  the  commissioners,  or  a  major  part,  shall  meet 
at  least  once  a  year,  and  see  that  a  boundary  to  each  lot  be  kept 
up  and  preserved,  in  manner  before  prescribed ;  and  cause  other 
sufficient  boundaries  to  be  fixed  in  the  room  of  any  missing  or 
decayed. 

"  6th.  The  commissioners  have  power  to  employ  a  clerk  (Wil- 
liam Lux,  son  of  Darby  Lux,  was  appointed  in  place  of  Doctor 
Walker,  who  died  in  1743,)  who  shall  be  under  oath  fairly  and 
honestly  to  enter  in  a  book,  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose,  ail  the 
proceedings  of  the  said  commissioners  relating  to  the  town ;  m 
which  book,  among  other  things,  shall  be  kept  a  fair  plat  of  th-e 
said  town,  describing  every  lot  by  its  right  number,  and  who  the 
taker-up  was,  or  shall  be ;  and  to  prevent  corruption,  all  or  any  of 
said  commissioners,  and  their  successors,  shall  have  recourse  to 
the  clerk's  book  as  frequently  as  they  please  without  fee  or 
reward. 

"7th.  The  commissioners  are  impowered  to  levy,  assess,  and 
take  by  way  of  distress,  if  needful,  from  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town,  by  even  and  equal  proportion,  the  sum  of  3  pounds  yearly, 
to  be  paid  to  their  clerk ;  and  also  have  power  to  place  and  displace 
their  clerk  as  often  as  they  shall  think  tit, 

"8th.  The  commissioners  for  the  time  being,  may,  by  due 
course  of  law,  or  any  other  legal  manner,  in  the  name  of  the  said 
commissioners,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  take,  demand  and 
recover  any  money  which  shall  be  found  due  to  the  first  commis- 
sioners nominated  for  the  said  towns,  from  any  takers-up  of  lota 
by  virtue  of  the  original  laws  for  laying  out  the  same;  which 
money  they  shall  apply  to  the  uses  intended  by  the  said  original 
Acts,  and  in  no  other  manner. 

"  9th.  All  after  purchasers  of  lots,  whether  before  or  after  the 
making  of  this  Act,  shall  be  deemed  to  be  within  the  said  town, 
provided  their  lots  shall  be  within  the  outlines  thereof;  and  shall 
have  as  good  estate  in  their  lots  as  if  taken  up,  improved  and  paid 
for  under  the  original  laws  erecting  the  said  town. 

"  10th.  All  improvements,  of  what  kind  soever,  either  wharf, 
houses,  or  other  buildings,  that  have  or  shall  be  made  out  of  the 
water,  or  where  it  usually  flows,  shall  (as  an  encouragement  to 


36  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

such  improvers)  be  forever  deemed  the  right,  title  and  inheritance 
of  such  improvers,  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever. 

"11th.  None  shall  keep  or  raise  any  swine,  geese,  or  sheep, 
within  the  said  town,  unless  they  .be  well  inclosed  within  some  lot 
or  pen. 

"  12th.  All  takers-up  of  lots,  therein  directed,  shall  have  a  sure 
indefeasible  estate  of  inheritance,  in  fee  simple,  in  the  lots  by  them 
taken  up;  any  law,  custom,  &c.,  notwithstanding." 

Of  the  Commissioners,  Capt.  Lux  commanded  a  ship  in  the 
London  trade  as  early  as  1733  and  1743,  purchased  the  lots  num- 
ber 43  and  44  on  the  west  side  of  Light  street,  where  he  resided 
and  transacted  much  business. 

On  the  28th  of  September  the  Assemby  passed  a  law  for  the 
"prevention  of  frauds  and  abuses,  frequently  practiced  by  greedy 
avaricious  traders  in  pork,  beef,  tar,  turpentine,  and  pitch,  who  for 
their  own  private  lucre  and  gain,  not  only  make  and  set  up  badly 
made  and  hooped  small  barrels,  but  slightly  pack  and  deceitfully 
fill  the  same,  to  the  great,  prejudice  of  the  trade  of  this  Province 
in  the  commodities  and  merchandise,  &c.,  &c." 

On  the  27th  of  November,  Mr.  Charles  Eidgely  shipped  on  board 
the  Three  Friends,  Capt.  David  Livingston,  six  hogsheads  of  Mary-- 
land  leaf  tobacco,  consigned  to  Messrs.  Williams  &  Eothlitt,  Lon- 
don, at  the  rate  of  12  pounds  sterling  per  ton  freight,  and  5  pounds 
on  each  hogshead  for  insurance. 

1746.  Mr.  Wm.  Fell  dying  during  this  year,  he  was  succeeded 
by  Mr.  Alexander  Lawson  as  one  of  the  town  Commissioners. 

On  the  2d  of  December,  Jacob  Gupon  shipped  on  board  the 
Frederick,  Capt.  James  Hall,  10  hogsheads  of  Maryland  leaf  tobacco, 
consigned  to  William  Black,  London,  at  the  rate  of  12  pounds  per 
ton,  and  5  pounds  per  hogshead  insurance, 

1747.  The  communication  by  the  bridge,  which  brought  the 
great  eastern  road  from  the  ford  directly  through  both  parts  of 
the  town,  gave  value  to  the  intermediate  grounds,  and  the  whole 
land  and  marsh,  containing  twenty-eight  acres  in  all,  was  purchased 
of  Mr.  Carroll  by  Mr.  Harrison  in  1747,  for  160  pounds  sterling ; 
and  on  the  11th  of  July  the  Assembly  passed  "An  Act  for  the 
enlargement  of  Baltimore  Town,  in  Baltimore  County,  &c.  (Samuel 
Ogle,  Esq.,  Governor.)  The  inhabitants  of  Baltimore  Town,  in 
Baltimore  County,  petitioned  to  the  General  Assembly  that  there 
is  between  what  was  formerly  called  Jones's  Town  and  Baltimore 
Town,  a  parcel  of  land  of  about  eighteen  acres  which  is  not  in- 
cluded in  what  was  called  Jones's  Town,  nor  in  Baltimore  Town, 
which,  by  means  of  a  bridge  which  is  already  built,  reduce  the  said 
places  into  one,  w4iich  would  be  an  encouragement  to  people  to 
build  and  improve,  and  they  beg  that  the  same  may  be  laid  out  in 
lots,  and  made  part  of  Baltimore  Town."  The  Act  was  passed,  by 
which  Gay  and  Frederick  and  part  of  Water  and  Second  streets 
were  laid  off,  with  eighteen  acres  of  ground.     This  addition,  prin- 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  37 

cipally  on  the  west  side  of  the  Falls,  contained  all  the  fast  land  be- 
tween the  eastern  limits  of  the  first  town  and  the  Falls.  Takers- 
up  of  lots  were  to  agree  with  and  pay  the  owners  of  the  grounds, 
as  for  the  former  addition.  The  Commissioners  were  authorised 
to  open  and  widen  streets  or  alleys,  with  the  consent  of  the  pro- 
prietors, and  remove  nuisances,  and  also  to  hold  two  annual  fairs, 
the  first  Thursday  of  May  and  October,  with  privileges  from  civil 
process  during  the  fairs.  Housekeepers  were  subject  to  a  fine  of 
10  shillings  if  they  did  not  "keep  a  ladder  high  enough  to  extend 
to  the  top  of  the  roof  of  such  house,  or  if  their  chimnies  blazed  out 
at  top." 

During  this  year  the  shipping  interests  of  Baltimore  and 
vicinity  showed  a  wonderful  increase  from  one  vessel  a  year  to 
seven.     The  following  is  a  copy  of  one  of  the  advertisements  : 

"  I  herewith  publish  the  freight  of  the  ship  Baltihiore  now  at 
anchor  in  Patapsco  river,  burthen  450  tons  or  thereabouts,  carry- 
ing twenty  guns,  six  pounders,  and  forty  hands,  at  the  rate  of 
twelve  pounds  sterling  per  ton,  with  insurance  at  five  pounds  ster- 
ling per  hogshead,  the  freighter  consigning  their  tobacco  to  Stephen 
Theod.  Jansson,  Esq.,  merchant  in  London.  In  witness  whereof 
I  have  set  my  hand  and  seal  this  26th  of  June,  1748. 

"John  Anter."     [seal.] 

Captain  Antho  Beck,  of  the  Francis  and  Elizabeth,  publishes 
that  she  "  mounts  ten  guns ;  as  good  as  can  be  made  of  wood,  and 
the  best  sailing  ship  in  Maryland ;  takes  in  tobacco  for  Mr.  John 
Philpott  &  Co.,  at  £14  sterling  per  ton,  and  shall  be  glad  to  see  my 
friends  on  board  the  said  ship  at  any  time  they  please." 

Often  at  this  period  when  vessels  were  up  for  freights,  they 
would  be  compelled  to  wait  three  and  four  months  until  they  could 
get  a  cargo.  We  find  from  the  records  that  Captain  Darby  Lux 
paid  for  some  time,  three  pounds  sterling  per  day  demurrage,  "the 
tobacco  not  being  ready  and  collected  for  that  purpose."  Mr. 
John  Toward,  merchant  in  London,  writing  to  Captain  John 
Jackson,  says,  "Capt.  Lux  will  supply  you  witb  rum  to  treat  my 
friends  when  they  come  on  board,  and  Mr.  Blackburn  will  supply 
you  with  a  good  parcel  of  your  north  country  ale,  which  may  be 
the  means  of  getting  dispatched  a  month  earlier." 

1748.  Messrs.  Leonard  and  Daniel  Barnetz,  from  York,  Pa., 
erected  a  brewery  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Han- 
over streets,  now  replaced  by  stores.  These  gentlemen,  if  not  the 
first,  were  among  the  first  of  the  Germans,  or  the  descendants  of 
G-ermans,  whose  successive  emigration  from  that  Province,  with 
capital  and  industry  employed  here,  contributed  so  essentially  to 
aid  the  original  settlers. 

Capt.  Darby  Lux  was  elected  a  delegate  in  the  place  of  Col. 
Hall.     Talbot  Eisteau  was  clerk  of  the  county  at  this  time. 

During  the  year  there  were  fifteen  vessels  published  according 
to  law,  up  for  freight  in  the  rivers  running  into  the  Patapsco,  all 
bound  for  London. 


38  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

1749.  Mr.  Thomas  Sheredine  and  Thomas  Sleigh  bought  of  Mr. 
Hurst  and  of  Eichard  Colgate's  sons,  John  and  Thomas,  their 
several  rights  to  the  residue  of  Cole's  Harbor  and  Mountenay's 
Neck,  east  of  the  Falls,  and  High  street  from  Plowman  to  French 
street,  with  lots  on  each  side,  including  eighteen  acres  of  ground, 
which  is  added  to  the  town. 

1750.  On  the  2d  of  June,  the  General  Assembly,  in  pursuance 
of  a  petition  from  the  inhabitants  of  that  portion  of  Baltiniore 
County,  caused  about  25  acres  of  land,  on  the  north  and  east  sides 
of  Baltimore  Town,  formerly  called  Jonas's  Town,  to  be  surveyed 
and  laid  out  into  lots  and  streets,  and  to  be  declared  to  all  intents 
and  purposes  a  part  of  Baltimore  Town. 

A  house  for  the  inspection  of  tobacco  was  erected  on  the  west 
Bide  of  Charles  street,  and  near  the  head  of  the  inlet  into  which 
XJbler's  spring  emptied,  and  a  public  wharf  commenced  at  the 
south  end  of  Calvert  street,  a  long  time  called  the  "  County 
Wharf"  Messrs.  Lawson,  Hammond,  and  Lux,  three  of  the  com- 
missioners, entered  notices  of  their  intention  to  improve  into  the 
water,  and  did  actually  erect  houses  on  the  bank  near  the  shore, 
the  first  of  wood,  on  the  east,  and  the  last  of  brick,  on  the  west 
side  of  Light  street,  near  the  w^est  end  of  Bank  street  (Mercer), 
and  the  other  further  east,  near  South  street. 

Our  annals  about  this  date  are  embellished  with  an  exploit  of 
some  unction,  in  an  historical  fact  pleasantly  demonstrative  of  the 
vivacity  and  of  the  picturesque  imagination  of  the  founders  of  our 
city.  For  what  reason  connected  with  our  position  in  reference 
to  foes  either  foreign  or  domestic,  we  have  never  been  able  to  find 
out ;  but  there  was  a  vague  and  latent  opinion  in  Baltimore  for 
several  years,  that  the  inhabitants  were  dangerously  exposed  to 
the  incursions  of  an  enemy.  We  have  on  one  occasion  at  least  — 
just  after  Braddock's  defeat  —  the  tradition  of  a  panic  which  drove 
the  country  people  into  the  town,  and  the  town's-people  into  the 
boats  of  the  harbor  —  suddenly  and  strangely  apprehensive  of 
mischief  that  never  came.  This  peculiarity  of  opinion  or  temper, 
or  whatever  it  might  have  been,  suggested,  at  an  early  period,  to 
the  inhabitants  the  policy  of  building  a  defensive  fortification.  So 
our  people  went  to  work  and  raised  a  subscription,  and  having 
provided  the  funds,  straightway  —  under  the  direction  of  what 
militar}-  engineer  we  know  not,  for  history  has  not  preserved  his 
name  —  but  what  we  suppose  was  intended  to  be  considered  and 
regarded  as  a  fence  or  wall  of  defence  around  the  whole  inland 
border  of  the  town ;  thus  showing  very  clearly  that  the  enemy 
against  whom  this  provision  was  made,  was  not  of  the  maritime 
or  salt-water  kind.  In  this  formidable  wall,  which,  it  is  to  be  noted, 
was  not  pierced  for  cannon,  there  were  two  great  gates  to  admit 
the  friendly  traveller,  or  to  be  shut  in  the  face  of  the  unfriendly 
one.  The  first  of  these  gates  was  at  the  west  end  of  Baltimore 
street,  and  was  placed  somewhere  very  near  the  present  intersec- 


CHEONICLES    OF    BALTIMOEE.  39 

tion  of  McClellan's  alley.  The  second  gate  for  carriages  opened  into 
the  upper  part  of  North  Gay  street,  not  far,  we"  conjecture,  from 
the  stone  house  at  the  corner  of  Front  street.  Between  these  two 
great  portals  a  smaller  gate,  for  the  use  of  foot-passengers  —  a 
postern,  it  may  be  called — was  cut  through  the  fence  near  the 
head  of  Charles  street,  that  is  to  say  about  the  intersection  of 
Saratoga.  This  line  of  fortification  never  had  its  virtue  put  to  the 
trial  by  any  attack  from  abroad,  but  like  some  of  the  most  distin- 
guished martyrs  of  history,  it  sank  before  privy  sedition  at  home. 
It  was  not  more  than  three  or  four  years  after  its  erection  when 
a  severe  winter  came  on,  and  the  wall,  by  a  great  and  indeed  fatal 
mistake,  being  made  of  w^ood  of  a  very  combustible  kind,  and 
not  being  put  together  with  so  much  skill  as  the  engineer  ought 
to  have  employed  in  so  weighty  a  matter  —  this  whole  bulwark 
was,  by  very  secret  and  gradual  assaults,  pulled  to  pieces,  and 
stolen  away  for  " kindling."  A  second  winter  finished  it;  and  it 
thus  fell  a  sacrifice  to  the  rigors  of  the  climate  and  the  fireside  com- 
forts of  the  inhabitants.  Not  a  vestige  of  a  decayed  post  or  rusty 
nail  belonging  to  this  ancient  fortification  of  the  only  "walled 
town  "  in  the  United  States  remains.  Lloyd  Buchanan  was  em- 
ployed by  the  commissioners  to  prosecute  the  needy  inhabitants, 
but  found  they  had  not  sufficient  legal  authority. 

In  this  year  Doctor  Buchanan  died,  leaving,  besides  the  son 
Lloyd,  Archibald,  who  was  a  merchant,  Andrew,  George,  and  Wil- 
liam, noticed  hereafter. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  original  subscription-paper,  now 
in  the  possession  of  the  Maryland  Historical  Society,  to  keep  the 
fence  in  repair : 

"  Maryland,  Baltimore  Town,  January  28fA,  1748. 
"Whereas,  there  is  an  Act  of  Assembly  which  prohibits  all  the 
inhabitants  of  Baltimore  Town  from  keeping  or  raising  hogs  or 
geese  in  the  said  town,  we  the  subscribers  do  hereby  agree  and 
oblige  ourselves  to  pay  to  the  clerk  of  said  town  the  sums  affixed 
against  our  respective  names  towards  keeping  up,  repairing,  and 
making  good  the  fence  of  the  said  town,  and  supporting  a  person 
to  keep  it  in  good  order  — 


£     8.     d. 

Robert  North  gives 10  00  00 

Wm.  Hammond    "  10  00  00 

Thos.  Cliase  "  10  00  00 

R.  Chase  "  10  00  00 

Nicholas  Rogers  "   00  10  00 

JohnShephard      "  00    5  00 

Hannah  Hughes    "  00  10  00 

John  Frasher        "     00    5  00 

James  Perkins      "  00    5  00 

Nich.  Hartway      "  00    5  00 

Capt.  Darby  Lux  "  1  00  00 

Chris.  Cytmire      "  00    5  00 

Thomas  Harrison  " 1  00  00 


£      B.     (L 

Darby  Lux       gives 10  00  00 

Wm.  Rogers  " 10  00  00 

Wil.  Lyon  "   10  00  00 

Brian  Phil  pot,  Jr.,"  00  10  00 

John  Ensor,  Jr.,    "  00    5  00 

Abraham  Pamer   "  00    2    6 

Joseph  England    "  00    5  00 

Henry  Johnson     " 00    2    6 

Wm.  Ferguson      " 00    3  00 

Dr.  Geo.  Buchanan" 00  10  00 

Wm.  Rogers  "  1  00  00 

Edward  Dogan      " 00  10  00 

Capt.  Chas.  Ridgely  gives. .  00  10  00 


40  CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMOKE. 

Dr.  Buchanan  was  succeeded  in  the  Board  of  Commissioners 
by  Mr.  Brian  Philpot,  an  English  merchant  then  lately  arrived, 
and  in  the  Assembly,  by  Wm.  Smith,  Esq.,  of  the  northern  part  of 
the  county.  Thomas  Franklin,  Esq.,  was  presiding  Justice,  and 
80  continued  more  than  twenty  years,  during  which  time  the  fol- 
lowing gentlemen  were  appointed  to  the  office  of  sheriff,  viz : 
Messrs.  Eoger  Boyce,  in  1750-,  William  Young,  1754;  Charles 
Christie,  1756;  Aquilla  Hall,  1761;  Eobert  Adair,  1765;  Daniel 
Chaimier,  1768;  and  John  E.  Holliday,  1770. 

The  precise  date  of  the  origin  of  the  First  German  Eeformed 
Congregation  in  this  city  is  not  known.  There  is,  however, 
good  reason  to  believe  that  it  was  established  in  or  about  the  year 
1750.  An  old  German  manuscript^  found  a  few  years  since  among 
the  archives  of  this  church,  states,  among  other  things,  that  "  in 
the  year  1756  or  1757,  the  congregation  purchased  a  lot  on  which 
to  erect  a  church,  of  Mr.  Croxall  for  nine  pounds,  besides  making 
him  a  present.  .  .  .  After  this  the  congregation  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  superintend  the  building  of  a  church,  which  consisted  of 
Andrew  Steiger,  Frederick  Meyer,  Jacob  Kuhbord,  John  Soller, 
Valentine  Loersh  and  Conrad  Smith.  These  men  made  prepara- 
tion to  build,  and  with  the  means  they  had  they  built  the  best 
church  they  could.     We  then  called  the  Eev.  John  Christian  Faber 

to  become  our  pastor,  and  we  all  in  peace  and  love." At 

that  early  period,  one  hundred  and  seventeen  years  ago,  they 
called  a  settled  pastor,  and  were  numerous  and  strong  enough  to 
give  him  a  support,  besides  undertaking  to  build  a  house  of  wor- 
ship. Previous  to  the  year  1756,  the  congregation  was  occasionally 
visited  by  several  German  Eeformed  ministers,  among  whom  was 
Eev.  Mr.  Lachey.  With  these  statements  before  us  it  is  perfectly 
safe  to  presume,  we  think,  that  if  the  congregation  in  1756-57  felt 
themselves  numerous  and  strong  enough  to  build  a  church  and 
support  a  stated  minister,  they  must  have  been  in  existence  some 
six  or  eight  years  before,  at  least,  for  under  the  circumstances  they 
must  have  increased  in  numbers  rather  slowly.  But  there  are 
other  facts  to  sustain  the  statement.  In  the  early  records  of  the 
first  Lutheran  congregation  in  this  city,  on  Gay  street,  we  find  "  up 
to  the  year  1758,  both  Lutherans  and  German  Eeformed  wor- 
shipped together,  and  great  friendship  and  harmony  prevailed.  In 
that  year  they  resolved  to  erect  a  house  of  worship  in  common,  as 
each  party  was  too  weak  to  build  alone ;  and  it  was  at  the  same 
time  determined  that  a  past6r  should  be  called  by  either  church, 
as  might  best  suit."  Previous  to  this  time  they  were  occasionally 
visited  by  ministers  of  both  Churches.  Although  the  Eeformed 
account  makes  no  mention  of  the  two  denominations  worshipping 
together  up  to  a  certain  period,  yet  there  can  scarcely  be  a  doubt 
of  the  fact,  as  stated  by  the  Lutheran  records.  It  was  usual  in  the 
beginning  (and  even  now  in. very  many  instances)  for  the  Luth- 
eran and  Eeformed  to  worship  together  in  the  same  place,  but 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  41 

maintaining  for  the  most  part  separate  organizations.  The  first 
church  building  owned  by  the  German  Eeformed  Congregation 
was  built,  as  it  would  seem,  about  1756-58.  It  was  located  on 
North  Charles  street,  nearly  opposite  to  and  north  of  the  present 
St.  Paul's  Episcopal  Church.  A  deceased  membej.'  of  this  congre- 
gation for  more  than  forty  years,  and  who,  when  a  boy,  used  to 
w^orship  with  his  parents  in  the  old  church  on  Charles  street,  once 
wrote  to  a  friend  as  follows :  "  Our  first  church  was  located  up 
•North  Charles  street,  and  was  .approached  with  difficulty,  espe- 
cially by  the  aged  and  infirm,  on  account  of  the  steep  hill  of  sand 
they  were  obliged  to  climb  every  Sabbath  in  order  to  reach  their 
humble  place  of  worship.  At  that  time  we  had  no  cushioned 
seats,  no  carpeted  aisles,  no  sweet-toned  organ  to  aid  in  the  mu- 
sical exercises  —  no,  not  even  a  stove  to  warm  the  body.  The  cold 
northwest  wind  would  pierce  through  the  tender  weather-board- 
ing, and  almost  blow  the  light  fabric  off."  The  first  regular  pastor 
of  this  congregation  was  the  Rev.  John  Christian  Faber.  In  one  of 
the  old  church  books  belonging  to  the  congregation,  the  following 
is  the  first  record  made : 

*  "  Baltimore,  January  25,  1769. 
"The  first  minister  of  this  congregation  was  John  Christian 
Faber,  born  in  Mosback  on  the  Neckar,  in  the  Pfaltz,  in-  Europe. 
His  father  was  a  preacher  at  Grimmeldingen  on  the  river  Haardt. 
May  the  blessing  of  God  attend  this  enterprise,  and  may  the  church 
increase  and  flourish." 

Mr.  Faber  was  pastor  of  this  church  about  fourteen  years. 
Towards  the  close  of  his  ministry  he  met  with  great  opposition 
from  a  portion  of  his  congregation,  who  charged  him,  it  is  said, 
with  coldness  and  languor  in  his  ministrations.  They  wished  him 
to  give  place  to  a  warm-hearted  younger  preacher,  a  Eev.  Mr. 
Swope,  who  had  recently  come  from  Germany.  In  this  they  did 
not  succeed.  Mr.  Faber  continued  in  his  place,  and  the  conse- 
quence was  a  division  of  the  congregation  in  the  year  1770.  The 
opposition  members  withdrew,  built  a  Second  Eeformed  church, 
and  elected  Mr.  Swope  as  their  pastor.  After  a  few  years  Mr. 
Swope  either  resigned  or  died,  we  do  not  know  which,  and  in  1774 
the  Rev.  Philip  William  Otterbine,  who  came  from  Germany  in 
1752  with  the  Eev.  Mr.  Slatter  and  others,  and  who  had  served 
the  congregation  at  Lancaster,  Tolpehocken,  Frederick,  York,  al- 
ternately, for  twenty  years  with  great  acceptance  and  success, 
took  charge  of  the  new  congregation,  and  remained  its  pastor  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  November  11,  1813.  The  old  church 
blamed  Mr.  Otterbine  and  Swope  for  the  division  that  took  place 
in  the  congregation.  Under  Mr.  Otterbine's  long  administration 
the  German  Eeformed  congregation  in  Conwa}^  street,  between 
Hanover  and  Sharp  streets,  erected  three  different  houses  of  wor- 
ship.    The  first  soon  became  too  small  for  his  rapidly  increasing 


42  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

congregation,  so  the  second  and  then  the  present  fine  church  edi- 
fice on  Conway  street  was  erected,  where  he  officiated  till  the  year 
of  his  death.  In  one  of  the  old  church  books  we  have  the  fol- 
lowing entry  ;  "  After  Mr.  Faber  had  been  here  many  years,  and 
had  seen  much  trouble,  he  left,  and  was  succeeded  by  Eev.  George 
Wallauer,  who  held  the  same  faith.  The  next  minister  was  the 
Eev.  Charles  Boehme,  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod. 
After  some  time  Mr.  Boehme  got  into  trouble,  and  at  a  meeting  of 
the  Eev.  Synod  held  at  Eeading,  Pa.,  in  1782,  he  was  dismissed 
from  the  ministry.  At  the  same  time  liberty  was  given  to  call 
another  minister,  and  they  called  the  Rev.  Nicholas  Pomp,  who  de- 
livered his  first  sermon  on  the  first  Sunday  in  SeptemlDer,  1783. 
At  this  period  Jacob  Coberts,  Frederick  Meyer,  Jacob  Meyer,  and 
Henry  Zorah  were  the  elders  of  the  church ;  and  Philip  Crusius, 
Andrew  Granget,  and  Philip  Miller  the  deacons."  Mr.  Wallauer 
during  our  struggle  for  independence  left  his  congregation  and 
joined  the  British  army,  but  in  what  capacity  is  not  known. 

It  was  under  the  administration  of  the  Eev.  Mr.  Pomp  that  the 
congregation  resolved  to  build  a  new  and  larger  church,  and  to 
locate  it  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Front  streets. 
They  purchased  the  lot,  which  was  60  by  115  feet,  in  1784  for  £125, 
and  built  the  church  in  1785,  the  estimated  cost  of  which  was 
£4000.  It  was  resolved  that  the  thousand  pounds  which  they  had 
at  interest  should  be  taken  towards  erecting  the  new  church,  and 
that  every  member  of  the  church  should  give  from  his  private 
means  to  the  same  object,  according  to  his  ability.  The  sub- 
scription list  was  headed  by  Michael  Diffenderffer  (who  appears 
to  have  been  the  leading  spirit  of  this  congregation  to  the  close  of 
a  long  and  useful  life),  with  the  very  liberal  subscription  of  £150. 
Next  are  Frederick  Meyers  and  Daniel  Diffenderffer  with  each  a 
£100;  then  follow  Peter  Diffenderffer,  Jacob  Mj^ers  and  others, 
with  their  fifty  and  twenty-five  pound  subscriptions,  and  the  rear 
is  brought  up  with  a  good  list  of  names  with  smaller  amounts,  and 
the  sum  total  of  the  whole  is  a  subscription  large  enough  to  en- 
courage them  to  build.  The  number  of  male  members  who  con- 
tributed to  this  object  was  one  hundred,  and  those  who  con- 
tributed to  the  support  of  the  pastor  one  hundred  and  twenty-five. 
But  there  were  some,  for  some  reason  or  other,  who  opposed  the 
building  of  the  new  church,  and  w^ho  gave  the  congregation  a 
great  deal  of  trouble.  Herman  Sticher,  Weinbert  Tschudy, 
Nicholas  Tschudy  and  others,  were  opposed  to  the  new  church  en- 
terprise, but  would  support  it  notwithstanding ;  whilst  others  not 
only  opposed  the  building  of  the  new  church,  but  did  all  they 
could  to  hinder  the  enterprise  from  going  forward.  At  length  the 
minister,  Mr.  Pomp,  was  requested  to  announce  from  the  pulpit 
that  they  could  not  go  on  to  build  in  consequence  of  the  violent 
opposition  which  a  few  persons  made  to  the  movement.  But  a 
little  time  after,  the  congregation,  on  the  26th  of  June,  1785,  again 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE.  43 

resolved  to  go  forward  with  the  new  church.  On  the  first  of  Sep- 
tember, 1785,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  with  appropriate  solem- 
nities. After  the  walls  were  up  the  opposition  created  further  and 
more  serious  difficulties.  Scarcely  w^as  the  church  under  roof  in 
1786,  before  the  gable  end  w^all  on  Jones  Falls  was  swept  away  by 
the  flood,  and  damage  done  to  the  amount  of  more  than  five  hun- 
dred pounds.  On  the  8th  of  May,  1787,  the  Consistory  met  at 
Daniel  Diffenderffer's,  and  made  another  contract  to  put  up  the  in- 
jured walls  and  otherwise  improve  the  church.  On  the  20th  of 
June,  1787,  the  first  service  was  held  in  the  church,  and  the  Eev. 
Mr.  Troldenier  of  York,  and  Hendel  of  Lancaster,  Pa.,  were  pres- 
ent on  the  occasion.  Soon  after  this,  in  view  of  the  difficulties  and 
misfortunes  of  the  congregation,  several  of  the  neighboring  min- 
isters brought  their  congregations  to  the  church  on  different  Sab- 
baths, and  after  they  had  preached,  took  up  collections.  These 
pastors  were  the  Eev.  Mr.  West  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  the  Eev. 
Dr.  Allison  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  the  Eev.  Dr.  Kurtz  of 
the  Lutheran  Church.  The  collections  in  all  amounted  to  sixty- 
three  pounds.  A  year  after  this,  in  consequence  of  much  oppo- 
sition, from  only  two  members,  chiefly  growing  out  of  the  new 
church  building,  Mr.  Pomp  resigned,  and  on  the  15th  of  November, 
1789,  preached  his  farewell  discourse.  The  Eev.  George  Trol- 
denier, a  native  of  Germany,  was  his  successor.  He  was  called 
from  York  to  this  place,  and  on  the  13th  of  October,  1791,  ho 
preached  his  introductory  sermon.  At  this  time  Michael  Diff'en- 
derff'er,  Conrad  Smith,  Nicholas  Tschudy,  and  John  Dargenberg 
were  the  elders ;  and  Peter  Diffenderff'er,  Peter  Ilerr,  John  Hull, 
and  Philip  Heisher,  the  deacons  of  the  church.  In  1788,  the  con- 
gregation petitioned  the  State  Legislature  for  an  Act  of  incorpora- 
tion, and  they  obtained  a  very  liberal  and  most  excellent  charter 
in  December  of  the  same  year. 

In  the  year  1795,  having  become  dissatisfied  with  their  church 
property  for  several  reasons,  and  among  others  for  its  proximity 
to  Jones  Falls,  and  the  frequent  interruptions  in  public  worship 
from  vehicles  passing  over  Philpot's  bridge  (as  our  Baltimore 
street  bridge  was  then  called),  the  congregation  resolved  to  sell 
the  church  lot  and  building,  and  Jacob  Ilofl'man,  Peter  Diff'en- 
derff'er,  George  Decker,  and  others  were  authorised  and  directed 
by  eighty-two  -male  members  to  carry  the  resolutions  into  eff'ect. 
After  some  time  the  committee  succeeded  in  selling  the  property 
(Old  Christ's  Church,  as  it  was  afterwards  called)  to  St.  Paul's  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  the  sale  was  ratified  by  the  congregation  in  Au- 
gust, 1796.  The  ground  which  they  afterwards  selected  as  the  site 
for  the  erection  of  a  new  church  was  situated  on  the  north  side  of 
Second  street,  nearly  in  the  bed  of  HoUiday  street,  as  now  cut 
through.  It  was  nearly  100  feet  front  by  200  feet  deep,  and  was 
purchased  from  a  certain  William  Eussell  as  early  as  June,  1772, 
and  held  in  trust  by  Melchoir  Keener,  Andrew  Stiger,  and  others, 


44  CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

for  the  congregation.  On  the  29th  of  June,  1795,  it  was  conveyed 
by  the  surviving  trustees,  Keener  and  Stiger,  to  Geo.  Decker, 
Peter  Diffenderffcr,  ISTicholas  Tschudy,  and  others  in  trust  for  the 
congregation.  A  few  months  after  the  charter  was  obtained  this 
and  all  other  property  vested  in  trustees  for  their  use,  was  vested 
in  the  elders,  deacons,  and  trustees  of  the  church,  The 
corner-stone  of  this  building  was  laid  on  the  28th  of  April,  1796, 
with  appropriate  solemnities.  The  pastor  of  the  congregation, 
Mr.  Troldenier,  delivered  a  brief  discourse,  from  Eomans  ix.  33. 
Eev.  Mr.  Otterbine  followed  with  a  short  address,  the  Eev.  Dr, 
Kurtz  closed  with  prayer.  When  the  money  received  from  the 
sale  of  the  old  (Christ's)  church,  on  Baltimore  street,  was  all  laid 
out  on  the  new  building,  the  congregation  came  together  and  sub- 
scribed liberally  to  carry  on  the  work.  On  the  24th  of  September, 
1797,  this  church,  which  was  nearly  one  year  and  a  half  in  build- 
ing, was  solemnly  consecrated.  The  pastor,  Eev.  Mr.  Troldenier, 
preached  in  the  morning,  the  Eev.  Dr.  Becker,  of  Lancaster,  Pa., in 
the  afternoon,  and  the  Eev.  Mr.  Otterbine  at  night.  The  dimen- 
sions of  this  church  were  fifty  by  eighty  feet.  The  architect  and 
builder  was  Lewis  Herring,  an  eminent  architect  and  builder  in 
his  day.  The  steeple  was  erected  in  1805,  several  years  after  the 
church  proper  was  completed.  It  was  built  by  George  Eobach,  of 
Lancaster,  Pa.,  a  celebrated  architect,  and  was  nearly  two  hundred 
feet  high.  The  bells,  three  in  number,  weighing  forty-five  hundred 
pounds,  were  cast  in  England,  by  Thomas  Mears,  for  the  use  of  the 
congregation,  at  a  cost  of  $1800,  and  brought  to  Baltimore  by 
Eobert  Gilmor,  Esq.,  shipping  merchant,  free  of  charge.  They 
were  placed  in  the  steeple  in  1805-6.  About  the  same  time  the 
large  clock  was  put  up  by  Mr.  Eberman,  of  Lancaster,  Pa.  The 
organ  was  built  by  John  Geib  and  Son,  in  New  York,  at  a  cost  of 
about  $3000,  and  was  put  in  the  church  in  1809.  Soon  after  the 
church  was  finished,  the  congregation  was  called  to  mourn  over  the 
death  of  their  pastor,  which  occurred  on  the  12th  of  December, 
1800.  He  was  succeeded  in  1802  by  Mr.  John  H.  Dreyer;  four 
years  after  he  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Eev.  Dr.  Chris- 
tian L.  Becker,  of  Lancaster,  Pa.,  about  the  1st  of  July,  1806. 

In  February,  1818,  a  petition  drawn  up  by  Dr.  M.  Diifenderfl'er, 
and  signed  by  him  and  thirty-five  other  members,  was  presented 
to  the  Consistory,  respectfully  soliciting  permission  to  have  Eng- 
lish preaching  in  the  church  on  every  Sabbath  afternoon.  This  sub- 
ject seems  to  have  caused  a  great  deal  of  excitement,  and  gave  the 
pastor  no  little  trouble  and  uneasiness.  On  the  12th  of  July,  1818, 
Dr.  Becker  suddenly  died,  and  his  death,  for  a  time,  put  an  end  to 
further  proceeding's  about  English  preaching.  The  Synod  having 
granted  the  petition  presented  by  a  committee  consisting  of  Peter 
Diffenderffer  and  Jacob  Hofi'man,  they  invited  the  Eev.  Lewis 
Mayer  to  pay  them  a  visit,  and  preach  in  German  and  English. 
On  Sabbath  morning,  Sept.  27,  1818,  Dr.  Mayer  preached  a  dis- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  45 

course  in  the  German  language  to  a  very  large  congregation,  and 
in  the  afternoon  he  preached  another  in  the  English  language 
(which  was  the  first  sermon  ever  delivered  in  this  church  in  Eng- 
lish) to  an  immense  concourse  of  people.  The  excitement  was  in- 
tense. Some  of  the  members,  regarding  English  preaching  as  an 
innovation  that  ought  not  to  be  tolerated,  threatened  violence  to 
the  minister,  and  said  and  did  many  things  which  they  afterwards 
regretted.  On  the  10th  of  February,  1819,  the  Eev.  Albert 
Helffenstein,  Sr.,  then  pastor  of  the  German  Eeformed  Congrega- 
tion of  Carlisle,  Pa.,  was  unanimously  invited  to  the  pastorate  of 
this  church,  and  about  the  1st  of  July  in  the  same  year  he 
preached  his  introductory  discourse.  As  years  rolled  away,  Ger- 
man preaching  became  less  and  less  frequent,  and  in  the  year  1827 
it  was  abandoned  by  the  pastor  altogether.  Mr.  Helffenstein  ten- 
dered his  resignation  to  the  Consistory  in  April,  1835,  which  was 
accepted,  ?lnd  in  September  following  he  preached  his  valedictory 
discourse,  and  immediately  left  with  his  family  for  the  Western 
country  (Ohio).  In  November,  1835,  Eev.  Elias  Heiner,  the  last 
pastor  of  this  church,  received  a  unanimous  .call,  and  on  the  first 
Sabbath  in  January,  1836,  he  delivered  his  introductory  discourse, 
from  Genesis  Iv.  24,  "  See  that  ye  fall  not  out  by  the  way."  On 
the  8th  of  December,  1850,  Mr.  Heiner  delivered  in  the  Second 
Street  church,  a  centenary  sermon  on  the  occasion  of  the  cen- 
tenary celebration.  A  short  time  after  the  close  of  the  late  civil 
war  the  church  was  torn  down,  to  open  Holliday  to  Second  street. 
From  the  statements  we  have  made  in  the  opening  sketch  of 
the  German  Eeformed  denomination  in  this  city,  it  is  reasonable 
to  suppose  that  the  Lutheran  denomination  was  organized  about 
the  same  time  ;  for  we  learn,  as  before  mentioned,  from  the  early 
records  of  the  first  Lutheran  congregation  in  this  city,  that  "  up 
to  the  year  1758,  both  Lutherans  and  German  Eeformed  worshipped 
together,  and  great  friendship  and  harmony  prevailed.  In  that 
year  they  resolved  to  erect  a  house  of  worship  in  common,  as  each 
party  was  too  weak  to  build  alone  ;  and  it  was  at  the  same  time 
determined  that  a  pastor  should  be  called  by  either  Church,  as 
might  best  suit."  Previously  to  this  time  they  were  occasionally 
visited  by  ministers  of  both  Churches  from  Pennsylvania,  &c.  It 
was  usual  in  the  beginning  (and  even  now  in  very  many  instances) 
for  the  Lutheran  and  Eeformed  to  worship  together  in  the  same 
place,  but  maintaining  for  the  most  part  separate  organizations. 
In  1773,  Messrs.  Lindenberger,  Wershler,  Hartwig,  Hoecke,  Eock, 
Grasmuck,  Levely  and  Barnetz,  Dr.  Wiesenthall,  and  others,  Ger- 
man Lutherans,  with  the  aid  of  a  lottery,  erected  a  new  church  on 
the  site  of  the  original  one,  which  was  built  in  1758,  in  Fish  (now 
Saratoga)  street;  the  identical  establishment  now  known  as  the 
African  Bethel  Meeting  House — their  pastor  being  the  Eev.  Mr. 
Gerock,  who  was  the  resident  minister  of  the  Lutheran  congrega- 
tion in  this  city.     He  died  on  the  25th  of  October,  1788,  aged  65 


46  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

'years;  being  some  time  assisted,  he  was  now  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
Daniel  Kurtz.  In  1808,  the  German  Lutherans  disposed  of  the 
church  in  Fish  street,  and  erected  that  on  north  Gay  street,  of 
which  Mr.  George  Eoerback  was  architect.  On  the  30th  of  March, 
1840,  this  church  was  nearly  destroyed  by  fire,  (see  fire  1840). 
Mr.  Kurtz  remained  pastor  for  over  50  years,  and  was  succeeded 
in  the  pastorate  by  Rev.  John  Uhlhorn,  a  brilliant  German  orator, 
who  died  about  1844  in  Bremen,  whither  he  had  gone  on  a  visit. 
The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  Henry  Scheib,  who  still  survives.  Dur- 
ing Mr.  Scheib's  pastorate  the  pastor  and  congregation  dissolved 
their  synodical  connection  with  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  now 
maintain  an  independent  relation. 

Until  1824  this  w^as  the  only  Lutheran  church  in  the  city. 
About  that  time  an  English  Lutheran  congregation  was  estab- 
lished, which  worshipped  in  a  school-house  on  south  How^ard  street, 
near  Pratt.  The  original  corporators  were  John  Reese,  David 
Bixler,  George  Stonebraker,  Joshua  Medtart,  Frederick  Segler, 
Philip  Uhler  and  Andrew  Hack. 

In  1826,  the  church  recently  burned  (see  fire  1873)  was 
erected,  and  in  February,  1828,  Rev.  John  G.  Morris  assumed  the 
pastoral  charge.  He  served  the  congregation  thirty-three  years, 
during  w^hich  the  house  of  worship  was  twice  enlarged,  two  Sun- 
day school-rooms  and  the  parsonage  were  erected.  When  Mr. 
Morris  resigned  his  pastorate  in  1860,  to  take  charge  of  the  Pea- 
body  Institute,  over  100  members  withdrew  and  purchased  the 
Presbyterian  church  on  Eutaw  street,  above  Saratoga.  When 
Mr.  Morris  retired  from  the  Lexington  street  church,  he  was  suc- 
ceeded by  the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  McCron,  who  served  them  nine  or  ten 
years,  when  he  resigned.  Rev.  J.  H.  Barclay  was  then  elected, 
who  is  pastor  at  present.  The  congregation  have  purchased  a  lot 
on  the  corner  of  Lanvale  and  Fremont  streets,  and  are  now 
engaged  in  erecting  a  magnificent  house  of  w^orship. 

1751.  In  this  year  a  subscription  was  set  on  foot  to  build  a 
market-house,  but  the  object  of  it  was  not  efiected  until  ten  years 
after.  It  was  erected  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Gay  and  Balti- 
more streets,  on  ground  leased  by  Messrs.  William  Lyon, 
Nicholas  R.  Gay,  John  Moale  and  Archibald  Buchanan,  a  majority 
of  the  town  commissioners,  from  Mr.  Harrison,  at  eight  pounds 
sterling  per  annum.  It  was  constructed  with  a  large  room  in  the 
second  stor^^,  where  public  assemblies,  dances,  jugglery  now  and 
then,  and  other  matters  of  public  concern  were  held  or  exhibited  ; 
an  early  and  dim  type,  perhaps,  of  greater  market-houses  in  after- 
times.  The  following-  is  a  copy  of  the  original  subscription  list, 
now  in  the  possession  of  the  Maryland  Historical  Society,  which 
shows  how  anxious  the  first  settlers  were  to  improve  the  town : 

"  Whereas,  Several  Acts  of  Assembly  have  been  made  for  the 
Enlargement  and  Encouragement  of  Baltimore  Town,  and  foras- 
much as  the  said  Town  Increases  as  well  in  Inhabitants  as  good 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE.  47 

Buildings  and  Trade,  and  the  Situation  thereof  renders  it  convenient 
for  Navigation  and  Trade,  as  well  with  the  Inhabitants  of  Baltimore 
and  Ann  Arundel  County  s,  as  the  Back  Settlements  of  this  Province 
and  Pennsylvania.  But  no  Provision  hath  yet  been  made  by  Law  or 
otherwise  for  Purchasing  a  Lott  or  Lotts,  whereon  to  Build,  a  Market 
House,  Town  House  and  other  Necessary  Buildings  for  the  Benefit 
of  said  Town,  and  conveniency  of  such  Persons  as  bring  their 
Butchers  Meat,  and  other  Commodities  to  sell  at  Market  in  the 
said  Town. 

"  Wherefore,  for  the  further  Encouragement,  and  Improvement 
of  Baltimore  Town  We  whose  Names  are  hereunto  subscribed  do 
hereby  Promise  and  Oblige  ourselves  our  Executors  and  Adminis- 
trators to  Pay  to  the  Commissioners  of  Baltimore  Town  or  their 
Order  the  Several  Sum  or  Sums  of  Money  to  each  of  our  Names 
affixed  to  be  applied  to  the  Purchasing  a  Lott  or  Lotts  in  said  Town, 
and  Building  thereon  a  Market  House  and  Town  Hall  in  such 
manner  as  the  Commissioners  of  said  Town  shall  direct  and 
appoint  Provided  the  said  Lott  or  Lotts  shall  be  Purchased,  and 
the  Building  began  -within  Two  Years  from  the  date  hereof. 

"  Witness  our  Hands  and  Seals  this  Twenty  third  Day  of  April, 
1751. 


SEAL. 
SEAL. 
SEAL. 


T.  Sheredine,  ten  pounds  . .  [seal.]  10    Wil.  Lyon, 5  pounds  steilingJ^SEAL 

W.  Hammond,  five  pounds.,  [seal.]    5    Thos.  Sleigh,  sterling 

Thomas  Harrison i  r^-^^r  i  ik    Thos.  Chase,  five  pounds  . . 

T.  Fluraford f  L^^^^' J  ^^  I  Jno.J^eudel],  sterling 

Alex.  Lawson,  ten  pounds 

sterling [seal.]  10 

Brian     Philpot,     Jr.,     ten 

pounds  sterling [seal.]  10 

Wm.  Rogers,  cash [seal.]  10 


£ 

5 

10 

5 

5 

Ld.  Buchanan,  five  pounds 

currency [seal.]    5 

Wm.  Lux,  5  pounds  sterl.. .  [seal.]  5 
N.  Kuxton  Gay,  five  pounds 

currency [seal.]    5 


1752.  There  hangs  upon  the  wall  of  the  saloon  of  the  Mary- 
land Historical  Society,  a  rude  and  very  primitive  drawing  in  ink, 
colored  after  a  most  juvenile  fashion,  purporting  to  be  a  true  portrai- 
ture of  Baltimore  Town  in  the  year  1752.  It  is  said  to  be  by  Mr.  John 
Moale,  the  father  of  one  of  our  oldest  and  most  esteemed  families,  and 
the  son  of  that  parliamentarian  who  was  so  successful  in  protecting 
his  iron  mines.  He  was  then  quite  a  youth,  we  should  say,  from 
the  style  of  his  work  ;  rude  and  unartistic  as  it  is,  it  is  a  very 
interesting  memorial.  Some  years  ago  it  was  engraved  by  the 
direction  of  Mr.  Edward  J.  Coale,  with  some  touches  of  improve- 
ment both  in  the  matter  and  manner  of  it  thrown  in  by  Mr. 
Bayley.  We  prefer,  however,  the  original  with  all  its  faults, 
because  they  obviously  show  that  Mr.  Moale  was  not  an  ambitious 
or  an  imaginative  artist,  but  dealt  severely  with  facts  ;  manifestly, 
every  house  is  put  down  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  and  belief, 
as  if  he  were  upon  oath.  It  is  palpably  a  conscientious  production, 
and  we  would  be  willing  almost  to  certify  that  he  counted  every 


48  CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

window,  and  drew  it  with  a  ruler  upon  the  paper*  though  in  a 
shocking  disregard,  we  must  say,  of  the  laws  of  perspective. 
Still  this  picture  of  Baltimore  Town,  taken  in  1752,  is  a  most  ver- 
itable historical  document,  and  is  a  relic  to  be  guarded  —  precious 
as  the  book  of  Sibyl.  These  houses  are  scattered,  with  abundant 
space  for  elbow-room,  over  a  hillside  which  slopes  towards  the 
basin.  The  principal  locality  which  we  recognise  is  Calvert  street, 
and  there  is  a  brick  building  laid  down  which  is  ascertained  to  be 
the  house  that  stood,  until  a  few  years  ago,  at  the  corner  of  Cal- 
vert and  Bank  street  (Mercer),  and  was  at  the  date  of  the  draw- 
ing, Payne's  Tavern.  There  was  a  rival  to  this  tavern  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Calvert  streets,  kept  by  Mr. 
Eogers.  Mr.  Bayley's  improvement  of  the  drawing  is  valuable  for 
some  authentic  insight  it  gives  us  into  the  state  of  navigation  at 
the  epoch.  The  whole  of  our  marine  employed  in  the  foreign 
trade  is  engraved  in  the  picture.  There  lies  the  good  brig  Philip 
and  Charles^  belonging  to  Mr.  Eogers,  and  there  the  trusty  sloop 
The  Baltimore^  belonging  to  Mr.  Lux.  This  is  the  marine  list  of 
the  port,  comprehending  all  the  shipping  that  ventured  beyond  the 
capes  of  the  Chesapeake.  These  are  very  descriptive  statistics : 
two  hundred  inhabitants;  twenty-five  houses,  four  of  them  brick, 
one  of  them  two-storied,  without  a  hip-roof ;  one  church  (St. 
Paul's,)  two  taverns ;  and  then,  for  the  navigation,  one  brig,  one 
sloop,  both  owned  in  the  town.  We  have  some  other  particulars 
to  help  along  this  view  of  Baltimore.  Mr.  James  Gardner  kept  a 
school  at  the  corner  of  South  and  Water  (Lombard)  streets ;  and 
still  he  was  not  sufficient  for  the  literary  need  of  the  town,  for 
we  read,  in  an  advertisement  put  in  the  Maryland  Gazette^  pub- 
lished at  Annapolis,  of  the  27th  of  February,  1752,  that  "  A  school- 
master of  sober  character,  who  understands  teaching  English, 
writing  and  arithmetic,  will  meet  with  good  encouragement  from 
the  inhabitants  of  Baltimore  Town,  if  well  recommended." 

The  population  of  the  county  of  Baltimore  at  this  time  con- 
sisted of  2,692  white  men,  3,115  white  boys,  2,587  white  women, 
2,951  wtite  girls,  595  servant  men,  126  servant  boys,  200  servant 
women,  49  servant  girls,  470  men  convicts,  6  boy  convicts,  87 
women  convicts,  6  girl  convicts — being  571  convicts  in  all,  designed 
for  compulsory  labor  in  the  county,  and  sold  for  certain  terms; 
while  there  were  116  mulatto  slaves,  196  free  mulattoes,  4,027  black 
slaves,  and  8  free  blacks,  making  a  total  population  of  17,238; 
whereof  eleven  thousand  three  hundred  and  forty-five  occupied 
the  position  of  master  or  mistress,  and  four  thousand  eight  hun- 
dred and  ninety-tliree  the  position  of  menials,  affording  a  servant 
for  nearly  every  two.  Servants  in  Maryland  at  this  time  may 
properly  be  classed  as  the  Eedemptioners,  provided  for  by  Lord 
Baltimore  in  his  originial  scheme  of  colonization.  Much  of  the 
early  emigration  to  Maryland  was  thus  effected,  the  emigrant  bind- 
ing himself  to  five  years  in  the  Province  in  consideration  of  his 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  49 

transportation  thither  at  the  cost  of  the  co-contractor.  In  1638 
the  term  of  service  was  reduced  hy  Act  of  Assembly  to  four  years. 
Where  these  agreements  were  made  with  a  merchant,  ship-owner  or 
ship-captain,  these  indentured  servants,  or  "  Eedemptioners,"  were 
sold  at  auction  for  the  term  of  four  years,  and  at  the  end  of  their 
term  they  received  one  whole  year's  provision  of  corn  and  fifty 
acres  of  land.  These  "servants"  therefore  are  not  to  be  confounded 
with  the  negro  slaves  or  the  convicts^  the  latter  of  whom  were  also 
sold  to  labor  for  terms. 

The  following  list  of  well-known  inhabitants  of  Baltimore  town 
in  1752,  is  from  a  paper  in  possession  of  the  late  Joseph  Townsend, 
who  had  it  many  years  before  his  death,  from  one  of  the  early 
settlers,  who  was  cognizant  of  the  facts  stated :  "  Capt.  Lucas, 
Wm.  Eogers,  Nich.  Kogers,  Dr.  Wm.  Lyon,  Thomas  Harrison, 
Alex.  Lawson,  Bryan  Philpot,  Nick  Kuxton  Gay,  James  Gary 
(innkeeper).  Parson  Chase,  Mr.  Paine,  Chris  Carnan,  Dame 
Hughes  (the  only  midwife  among  English  folk),  Chs.  Constable, 
Mr.  Ferguson,  Mr.  Goldsmith,  Mr.  Jno.  Moore,  Mr.  Sheppard 
(tailor).  Bill  Adams  (barber),  Geo.  Strebeck  (only  wagoner, 
drove  a  single  team),  Jake  Keeports  (carpenter),  Conrad  Smith, 
Captain  Dunlop,  Jack  Crosby  (carpenter).  Bob  Lance  (cooper), 
Philip  Littig  (whose  wife  was  accoucheuse  among  the  German 
population),  John  Wood,  Hilt  Stranwitch  (laborer),  Nancy  Low, 
Mr.  Gwinn." 

1753.  On  the  17th  of  November,  the  Assembly  passed  an  Act 
empowering  the  commissioners  of  Baltimore  town  to  make  an  addi- 
tion to  the  town  of  thirty-two  acres  of  ".  Cole's  Harbor,"  which 
Mr.  Joshua  Hill  had  purchased  of  Mr.  Carroll,  being  part  of  the 
tract  which  lay  between  the  town  and  the  lines  of  Lunn's  lot  at 
the  south,  west  and  north  of  the  first  town  ;  commencing  at  the 
same  point  on  the  river,  and  including  the  grounds  between  Me- 
Clellan's  alley  and  Forest's  lane  (Charles  street),  and  ran  to  the 
Falls'  side,  north  of  the  church  and  city  spring,  where  Mr.  John 
Frazier  rented  a  ship-yard  and  resided.  It  was  enacted  at  the 
same  time,  that  no  earth,  sand  or  dirt  was  to  be  thrown  into  or 
put  upon  the  beach  or  shore  of  the  Patapsco  river,  or  any  navig- 
able branch  thereof  below  high-water  mark,  unless  secured  by  stone 
walls,  dove-tailed  log-pens,  &c.,  from  washing  into  the  river,  under 
a  penalty  of  five  pounds  current  money. 

During  the  year  a  lottery  is  advertised  in  the  Maryland  Gazette 
(Annapolis,)  for  the  purpose  of  raising  450  pieces  of  eight,  or  dol- 
lars, towards  building  a  public  wharf;  of  which  lottery  Messrs.. 
John  Stevenson,  Eichard  Chase,  John  Moale,  Charles  Croxall, 
William  Eogers,  Nicholas  Eogers,  John  Eidgely,  N.  E.  Gay,  Wil- 
liam Lux  and  Brian  Philpot  were  managers.  The  drawing  took 
place  in  Annapolis  on  the  30th  of  April,  1754. 

Mr.  George  N.  Myers,  a  Pennsylvania  German,  moved  to  Balti- 
more; and  another,  Mr.  Valentine  Larsh,  built  an  inn  at  the  south- 
4 


50  CHKONICLES   OF   BALTIMOBE. 

west  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Gay  streets;  and  Mr.  Andrew  Steiger, 
butcher,  built  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Charles 
streets.  Mr.  Steiger  in  1756  procured  the  lot  at  the  northeast 
corner  of  Gay  and  Baltimore  streets;  and  in  1759  he  purchased  of 
Dr.  William  Taylor,  the  wooded  marsh  in  the  bend  of  the  Falls, 
and  then  on  the  cast  side  of  the  stream,  which  he  drained  and 
cleared  for  the  pasturage  of  his  cattle. 

1754.  On  Monda}^-  February  4th,  His  Excellency  Governor 
Horatio  Sharpe,  who  had  lately  arrived  in  Maryland,  visited  Balti- 
more town,  where  he  was  received  by  a  company  of  foot  under 
arms,  the  firing  of  cannon,  displaying  of  colors,  and  many  other 
tokens  of  joy  and  respect.  In  the  evening  there  were  dances,  fire- 
works, &c. 

Tuesday  and  Tuesday  night,  July  30th,  Baltimore  was  visited 
with  a  great  freshet,  which  did  immense  damage,  and  the  like  had 
never  been  known  up  to  this  period.  Almost  all  the  bridges  were 
carried  away  in  the  county,  and  "  the  fine  large  bridge  in  Balti- 
more town  was  removed  about  sixty  feet,"  and  the  roads  were  so 
washed  as  to  be  almost  impassable.  There  was  scarcely  a  mill  left 
either  in  Baltimore  or  Kent  county. 
l/'  Mr.  Moale  built  a  brick  store  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Calvert 
street  and  Lovely  lane,  and  a  dwelling  near  the  corner  of  Sharp 
and  German  streets,  in  the  rear  of  where  St.  Peter's  Episcopal 
church  lately  stood.  Conspicuous  among  the  houses  built  this 
year,  and  forming  quite  an  era  in  our  history,  is  the  Mount  Clare 
House,  erected  in  1754  by  Charles  Carroll,  then  usually  called 
Barrister  Carroll.  The  bricks  were  imported  for  this  mansion,  the 
record  somewhat  carefully  informs  us,  as  the}^  had  been,  before 
that,  for  other  houses.  This  fact  stands  in  very  striking  contrast 
with  the  brick-yards  which  now  engross  the  once  beautiful  grounds 
of  Mount  Clare.  This  old  mansion,  which  yet  survives,  is  a  graphic 
monument  of  the  past  time.  Its  aspect  is  solemn  and  scrupulously 
aristocratic,  and  magnificent  too,  in  view  of  the  means  of  that  day. 
One  may  fancy  its  amplitude  and  grave  dignity  of  exterior,  with 
the  old  lions  carved  in  stone  that  stood  rampant  on  the  pillars  of 
the  gateway,  and  there  was  a  fine  terrace  overlooking  the  town. 
It  is  but  a  few  years  since  these  disappeared. 

Doctors  John  and  Henry  Stevenson  arrived  from  Ireland ;  the 
former  conducted  an  extensive  trade  with  that  and  other  countries, 
and  the  latter  entered  into  the  practice  of  medicine,  and  built  his 
house  on  the  hill  near  the  York  road,  rough-cast,  which  is  still  to 
be  seen  there.  This  house,  on  account  of  its  elegance,  was  called 
by  envious  townsmen  of  that  time,  "  Stevenson's  Folly."  It  was 
not  too  elegant  nor  too  costly,  however,  to  be  converted  by  him 
into  a  small-pox  hospital,  supported  at  his  own  expense,  when  the 
town  stood  in  need  of  it — a  noble  act,  worthy,  of  honorable  com- 
memoration now,  of  a  man  whose  genius  was  equal  to  his  gen- 
erosity. 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  51 

Mr.  Sheredine  dying,  was  succeeded  by  Lloyd  Buchanan ;  and 
Mr.  Nicholas  Kuxton  Gay,  who  was  surveyor,  succeeded  CoL  Ham- 
mond, who  had  been  one  of  the  first  commissioners  of  the  town. 

Mr.  John  Sly  came  to  settle  in  Baltimore,  and  erected  a  house 
on  the  north  side  of  south  Gay  street,  and  Mr.  Conrad  Smith 
another  on  the  opposite  side;  and  three  years  afterwards,  Mr.  Jacob 
Keeports  another  one  adjoining.  In  the  meantime,  Frederick  and 
Peter  Myers  arrived. 

John  Paca,  Wm.  Govane,  Lloyd  Buchanan  and  "Walter  ToUey, 
are  elected  delegates ;  but  Mr.  Buchanan  being  appointed  prosecu- 
tor, is  succeeded  by  Wm.  Smith.  Beale  Bordly  is  clerk  of  the 
county. 

1755.  The  savages,  after  Braddock's  defeat  by  the  French  and 
Indians  in  1755,  penetrated  the  country  past  Forts  Frederick  and 
Cumberland,  and  pushed  their  plundering  and  murdering  parties 
to  within  fifty  miles  of  Baltimore,  There  is  no  doubt  the  growth 
of  Baltimore  was  promoted  by  the  continuation  of  the  war,  pre- 
venting the  extension  of  the  settlements  westward,  for  within  a 
year  after  peace  the  town  became  suddenly  the  greatest  mart  of 
trade  in  the  province,  if  not  before  the  war  began, 

1756.  On  the  26th  of  March,  an  Act  was  passed  by  the  General 
Assembly  to  raise  large  supplies  for  His  Majesty's  service  towards 
securing  and  protecting  the  frontiers  of  this  province,  and  engag- 
ing the  friendship  and  assistance  of  the  southern  tribes  of  Indians, 
and  for  repelling  and  removing  His  Majesty's  ambitious  and  per- 
fidious enemies  from  their  unjust  encroachments  on  these  do- 
minions, Charles  Carroll,  Jr.,  was  appointed  one  of  the  commis- 
sioners to  treat  with  the  Indians.  By  this  Act  a  duty  was  laid  on 
all  bachelors  of  twenty-five  years  of  age  and  upwards,  worth  £100 
and  under  £300,  five  shillings  ;  if  worth  £300  or  upwards,  twenty 
shillings;  on  all  freehold  estates  per  100  acres,  one  shilling;  if 
belonging  to  Roman  Catholics,  two  shillings.  Under  this  Act  the 
following  persons,  who  were  bachelors  of  twenty-five  years  and 
upwards,  were  taxed  in  Baltimore  Town  from  1756  to  1762  for  six 
years,  when  the  French  or  Indian  war  terminated :  Thomas  Harri- 
son, John  Moale,  Andrew  Buchanan,  Daniel  Charnier,  Sr.,  James 
Franklin,  Jonathan  Plowman,  John  Shule,  Dr.  John  Stevenson^ 
Edward  Parish,  William  Baxter,  Thomas  Dick,  John  Mercer,  Mark 
Alexander. 

In  this  year  there  is  an  influx  of  inhabitants,  sent  hither  by  an 
event  which  belongs  to  a  most  melancholy  page  of  history,  the- 
expulsion  of  the  Acadian  French  from  Nova  Scotia,  upon  the  Q<m~ 
quest  of  that  province  by  the  British.  You  may  find  their  sto-ry 
sung  in  the  exquisitely  sweet  and  plaintive  story  of  Longfellow'* 
•'Evangeline."  There  is  nothing  in  human  chronicle  more  tender 
or  more  touching  than  the  fate  of  that  little  colony,  of  which  a  Seg- 
ment, like  frightened  birds  driven  by  storm,  lit  down,  wearied  and 
bruised,  at  our  hearthstones.     A  nation  of  simple,  virtuous  ]:M3asanta 


52  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

are  driven  from  the  homes  consecrated  to  them  by  aifections  of 
more  than  a  century,  and  are  thrust  almost  penniless  upon  the 
world.  Not  friendless,  homeless  nor  hopeless,  however,  were  they  in 
Baltimore.  Those  who  came  here  were  received  with  a  ready  and 
generous  hospitality.  They  were  at  first  lodged  in  private  houses, 
and  in  that  building  of  Mr.  Fotterall's  with  the  "free  stone 
corners,"  to  which  we  have  alluded,  which  was  now  empty.- 
Here  they  had  quarters  and  established  their  little  chapel,  and  it 
was  not  long  before  these  frugal  and  industrious  exiles  were  able 
to  construct  some  small  but  comfortable  houses  upon  South 
Charles  street,  near  Lombard,  giving  to  that  quarter  its  desig- 
nation as  "French  Town,"  which  it  preserved  for  a  long  time. 
The  names  of  Guttro,  Blanc,  Gould,  Pashield  and  Berbine,  who 
had  suffered  least  perhaps,  attached  themselves  mostly  to  navi- 
gation, and  the  infirm  picked  oakum. 

1757.  At  the  general  election  in  September,  Mr.  William 
Govane,  Captain  Thomas  C.  Deye,  Doctor  Samuel  Owings  and 
Captain  John  H.  Dorsey,  were  chosen  delegates,  and  again  in  1758. 

1758.  Mr.  Jacob  Myers  took  a  lot  at  the  southeast  corner  of 
Gay  and  Baltimore  streets  and  built  an  inn.  At  this  period  there 
also  arrived  and  settled  on  lots  north  of  Baltimore  street,  Messrs. 
Leveley,  Conrad,  and  Grandchut,  the  last  of  w^hom  erected  a 
brewery  on  North  Frederick  street. 

The  following  items,  taken  from  an  original  bill  for  the  "funeral 
expenses  of  a  gentleman  in  Baltimore  Town,  in  this  year,"  are 
curiously  indicative  of  manners  and  expenses  then  :  Coffin,  £6  16s. ; 
41  yards  crape,  £7  38.  6d. ;  32  yards  black  tiffany,  £4  16s. ;  11  yards 
black  crape,  £1  18s.  6d. ;  5^  yards  broadcloth,  £6  lis.  3d.;  7i 
yards  of  black  shaloon,  19s.  3d. ;  6^  j^ards  linen,  £1  13s. ;  3  yards 
sheeting,  78.  lOd. ;  3  dozen  pairs  men's  black  silk  gloves,  £5  8s. ;  2 
dozen  pairs  women's  do.,  £3  12s. ;  6  pairs  men's  black  gloves  at  3s., 
188. ;  1  pair  women's  do.,  3s. ;  then  there  were  black  silk  hand- 
kerchiefs, 8J  yards  calamanco,  mohair,  buckram,  13J  yards  rib- 
bon;  47^  pounds  loaf  sugar;  14  dozen  eggs;  10  oz.  nutmegs;  1^ 
pounds  allspice ;  20f  gallons  white  wine  at  £4  2s.  6d. ;  12  bottles 
red  wine  ;  lOf  gallons  rum ;  while  10  shillings  additional  were 
paid  for  coffin  furniture,  and  one  pound  sterling  each  to  Dame 
Hannah  Gash  and  Mr.  Ireland  for  attendance ;  and  so  it  seems  our 
forefathers  went  becomingly  and  jovially  to  their  graves  Anno 
Domini  1758,  in  Baltimore  Town. 

1759.  Messrs.  John  Smith  and  William  Buchanan,  from  Car- 
lisle, the  first  a  native  of  Strabane  in  Ireland,  and  the  last  from 
Lancaster  county  in  Pennsylvania,  purchased  of  Mr.  Harrison, 
after  having  been  refused  water  lots  on  terms  which  they  would 
acce])t  by  Messrs.  Moale  and  Fell,  the  lot  fronting  on  Gay  and 
Water  streets  (now  Lombard),  building  besides  the  dwelling 
houses  there  a  short  time  since,  two  wharves  of  pine  cord  wood 
about  one  thousand  feet  long  each,  to  the  channel  of  the  river. 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  53 

Mr.  Jonathan  Plowman,  an  English  merchant,  arrived,  and 
bought  several  acres  of  ground  of  Mr.  Sligh,  adjoining  the  last 
addition  east  of  the  Falls,  and  built  at  the  northeast  corner  of 
York  (Baltimore)  and  High  streets. 

J^760.  Mr.  Philpot  purchased  of  Mr.  Sligh  most  of  the  peninsula 
between  the  Falls  and  Harford  run,  and  built  a  house  at  the  north- 
east corner  of  Baltimore  street  bridge,  which  caused  the  bridge 
afterwards  built  to  be  known  by  his  name. 

1761.  Messrs.  Wm.  Smith  and  James  Sterritt  moved  from  Lancas- 
ter, l:^a.,and  improved,  the  first  in  Calvert  street,  and  the  latter  at  the 
northwest  corner  of  Gay  and  Lombard  streets,  where  he  erected  a 
brewery,  which  was  burned  and  rebuilt,  and  burned  again  soon 
after  the  Revolution.  Mr.  Mark  Alexander,  from  Cecil  County, 
purchases  part  of  the  original  lot  number  one,  on  the  north  side 
of  Baltimore  street,  and  afterwards  the  water  lot  on  the  west  side 
of  Calvert  street,  and  erects  extensive  buildings  at  both  places,  as 
well  as  a  house  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Charles  and  Saratoga 
streets. 

Mr.  Melcher  Keener  arrived  from  Pennsylvania  and  built  in 
North  Gay  street,  and  also  builds  a  wharf  and  warehouse  below 
Hanover  street.  Mr.  Steiger  erected  a  dwelling,  and  Mr.  Lytle 
took  a  lot  at  the  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Hanover  streets  and 
erected  an  inn,  and  Mr.  Amos  Fogg  rented  the  "  White  Horse 
Inn,"  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Front  and  Low  streets. 

Mr.  William  Moore,  w^ho  came  from  Ireland  and  removed  to 
Baltimore  in  1762,  purchased  from  Mr.  Edward  Fell  of  William, 
who  held  a  commission  in  the  provincial  army,  the  mill  property 
(Hanson's).  The  next  year  Mr.  Moore  sold  the  upper  mill-seat  to 
Messrs.  Joseph  Ellicott  and  John  and  Hugh  Burgess,  from  Buck's 
County,  Pa.,  who  built  the  mill  opposite  the  present  jail.  Mr. 
Ellicott  sold  his  interest  to  Burgess  and  went  away,  but  returned 
with  his  brothers  John  and  Andrew,  purchased  the  lands  antl 
erected  the  mills  on  Patapsco  ten  years  after. 

John  Paca,  Thomas  C.  Deye,  John  H.  Dorsey,  and  Corbin  Lee, 
Esqs.,  are  elected  delegates. 

XJ^^i  The  Assembly  passed  an  Act  on  the  24th  of  April,  em- 
powering the  Justices  of  Baltimore  County  Court  to  assess  and 
levy  on  the  taxable  inhabitants  of  St.  Paul's  parish,  in  said  county, 
£600  current  money,  together  with  the  sheriff's  salary  of  5  per 
cent,  for  collection,  at  three  equal  annual  assessments,  in  the  same 
manner,  &c.,  as  the  countj^  charges  are  usually  assessed  and  levied  ; 
and  certain  commissioners  are  appointed  and  empowered  to  pur- 
chase in  fee,  in  the  name  of  the  rector,  vestrymen,  and  church 
wardens  of  said  parish,  two  acres  of  land,  and  thereon  erect  a 
Chapel  of  Ease  to  the  aforesaid  parish,  &c.,  &c.  The  said  chapel, 
when  built,  to  be  deemed  a  Chapel  of  Ease  for  the  said  parish. 
Divine  service  shall  be  performed  therein,  by  the  incumbent  for 
the  time  being,  every  third  Sunday;  and  the  same  Chapel  of  Ease 


\ 


54  CHRONICLES    OF   BALTIMORE. 

to  be  constantly  kept  in  repair  at  the  charge  of  the  parish  of  St. 
Paul's  aforesaid  forever. 

17p3.  Messrs.  Plowman  and  Philpot  laid  out  some  grounds  be- 
tween  the  Falls  and  Hai-ibrd  run,  into  streets  running  northwest 
to  southeast,  and  nearly  parallel  with  the  former  stream,  with 
other  streets  at  right  angles  with  them.  And  Mr.  Fell  laid  off 
part  of  the  tracts  of  land  on  the  east  which  his  father  had  pur- 
chased of  Harris,  Carter,  and  others,  buying  of  Sligh  himself  part 
of  Mountenay^s  Neck,  and  all,  two  years  before,  resurveyed  and 
patented  by  the  name  of  Fell's  Prospect,  with  streets  running 
north,  south,  east,  and  west,  except  on  the  extreme  Point  itself, 
where  he  was  governed  by  the  course  of  the  river ;  which  locations 
were  confirmed  and  the  same  added  to  the  town  by  Act  of  As- 
sembly ten  years  after. 

Messrs.  John  Brown,  Benjamin  Griffith,  and  Samuel  Purvianee 
settled  in  Baltimore,  the  former  from  Jersey,  and,  learning  his 
trade  in  Wilmington,  erected  a  pottery  on  the  east  side  of  Gay 
street ;  and  the  latter,  who  came  from  Donegal  by  way  of  Phila- 
delphia, erected  a  distillery  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Lombard 
and  Commerce  street,  with  a  wharf  Mr.  Griffith  came  from  New 
Castle,  and  having  purchased  Fell's  lot  adjoining  the  bridge, 
.  rebuilt  it  by  contract,  which  was  afterwards  called  by  his  name, 

V  A  new  tobacco  inspection  house  was  erected  on  Mr.  Thomas 
Harrison's  grounds,  near  what  is  now  the  southwest  intersection 
of  Lombard  and  South  streets;  and  a  powder  magazine  on  the 
Falls'  side,  under  the  hill,  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Calvert  and 
Lexington  streets.  A  tobacco  inspector  was  appointed,  with  a 
salary  of  nine  thousand  six  hundred  pounds  of  tobacco  a  year. 

The  following  law,  among  others,  was  enacted  at  this  session 

of  Assembly  :     "  Coroner's  fee  for  viewing  the  body  of  any  person 

or  persons  murdered  or  slain,  or  otherwise  dead  by  misadventure, 

/  to  be  paid  out  of  the  goods  and  chattels  of  the  party  so  dead,  if 

/  there  be ;  otherwise,  to  be  levied  by  the  commissioners  of  the 
county  where  such  accident  shall  happen,  187  pounds  of  tobacco." 
The  justices  of  the  peace,  whose  jurisdiction  out  of  court,  in  re- 
lation to  small  debts,  had  been  first  limited  to  the  sum  of  sixteen 
shillings  and  eightpence,  was  extended  to  fifty  shillings,  and  some 
chancery  jurisdiction  was  extended  to  the  county  courts. 

On  the  5th  of  December  Messrs.  Henry  Stephenson,  William 
Smith,  James  Sterritt,  Mark  Alexander,  John  Brown,  Benjamin 
Griffith,  Robert  Purvianee,  John  Plowman,  and  William  Spear, 
Presbyterians,  leased  two  lots  on  Fayette  street,  in  the  rear  of 
Christ  Church,  on  the  corner  of  Gay  street,  where  they  erect  a 
small  log  meeting-house,  which  two  years  after  was  sold  to  Mr. 
Charles  liidgely  for  £100  and  the  accrued  ground-rent  due  on  said 
lot  from  the  date  of  the  lease.  This  meeting-house  was  used  for 
many  years  afterwards  as  a  carpenter-shop,  and  originally  stood  on 
the  bank  of  a  precipice  overhanging  Jones  Falls,  which,  strange 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  55 

as  the  assertion  may  now  seem,  did  at  one  time  meander,  navi- 
gable for  sea-vessels,  in  this  neighborhood.  In  March,  1765,  feel- 
ing the  disadvantages  of  worshipping  in  so  poor  and  incommodious 
a  building,  they  purchased  80  feet  of  ground  for  £60  Penns}^!- 
vania  cur^:*ency,  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Fayette  and  North 
streets,  from  Mr.  Alexander  Lawson.  The  deed  from  Alexander 
Lawson  to  William  Smith  and  others  is  dated  October  21st,  1765. 
In  1772  this  was  added  to  that  portion  of  the  lot  which  had  been 
leased  from  Alexander  Buchanan,  and  afterwards  purchased  in  fee. 
The  building  was  completed  in  November,  1766,  and  all  the  pews 
rented  except  two.  In  1771  this  building  was  enlarged  oncrthird, 
80  as  to  contain  fifty  pews.  In  1789  the  congregation,  finding  thej 
house  still  too  small  for  them,  met  together,  and  after  some  delib-j 
eration  resolved  to  erect  the  edifice  which  was  lately  torn  down  to| 
give  place  to  the  new  United  States  Court-House.  The  new' 
church  was  made  ready  for  occupancy  in  1791;  at  this  time  it  was 
one  of  the  largest  and  finest  church  edifices  in  this  country.  The 
church  was  elevated  some  twelve  feet  above  the  level  of  the  street, 
and  its  large  portico  and  towers  contributed  to  render  it  one  of 
the  most  conspicuous  buildings  in  the  city.  It  was  continued  in 
use  almost  seventy  years,  and  all  the  other  churches  of  the  sect 
have  grown  out  of  it.  In  1811  an  organ  was  introduced  into  the 
church,  which  at  first  gave  some  dissatisfaction,  but  it  soon  passed 
away,  although  several  valuable  families  left  the  church.  The  old 
parsonage,  which  stood  on  Fayette  street,  east  of  the  church,  was 
removed  for  the  opening  of  North  street,  which  was  previously  an 
alley,  and  a  new  one  erected  on  North  street,  in  the  rear  of  the 
church.  It  is  also  remarkable,  that  in  one  hundred  and  ten 
years  since  the  foundation  of  the  First  Church,  it  has  had  but  four 
pastors,  viz :  Eev.  Patrick  Allison,  D.D.,  from  May,  1763,  till  Aug. 
21st,  1802;  Eev.  James  Inglis,  D.D.,  from  1802  till  Aug.  15th, 
1819  ;  Eev.  William  Nevins,  D.D.,  from  Oct.,  1820,  till  1835 ;  while 
Eev.  John  C.  Backus,  D.D.,  the  present  pastor,  was  settled  in  1836, 
and  has  consequently  occupied  the  pulpit  for  thirty-seven  years. 
The  first  Sabbath-School  of  this  church  was  commenced  in  1815  by 
the  ladies  of  the  church,  and  was  held  for  some  time  in  a  room 
over  the  "  Old  First  Baltimore  Hose  Company  "  house  in  McClel- 
lan's  alley,  and  with  it  was  connected  a  weekly  meeting  for  social 
prayer.  The  first  Sabbath-School  in  the  city  was  introduced  by 
Mrs.  Stephen  Williams,  then  a  member  of  St.  Peter's  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  with  the  assistance  of  the  ladies  of  that  church. 
At  length  the  time  came  when  the  venerable  building  itself  was 
obliged  to  give  place  to  another  structure.  For  many  years  the 
locality  had  been  changing,  offices  and  stores  taking  the  place  of 
dwellings,  and  most  of  the  congregation  had  moved  far  westward. 
In  October,  1853,  it  was  determined  to  erect  another  church  and 
dispose  of  the  old  one,  and  ground  was  accordingly  broken  on  the 
new   lot,   corner   of  Madison  and    Park    streets,   in    July,    1854. 


56  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

The  present  beautiful  structure  of  brown-stone  and  of  pointed 
Gothic  architecture  was  then  erected  and  completed,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  tower,  which  will  now  be  completed  in  a  year  or 
two,  work  upon  it  rapidly  progressing.  The  final  service  in  the 
old  church  was  held  on  the  last  Sabbath  of  September,  1860,  when 
Dr.  Backus  preached  a  historical  discourse  of  very  interesting 
character.  The  old  site  was  purchased  by  the  United  States,  the 
church  was  demolished,  and  in  its  stead  the  United  States  District 
/    Court-House,  of  solid  granite,  was  erected. 

^  Messrs.  William  Lyon,  Nicholas  E.  Gay,  John  Moale,  and  Archi- 
bald Buchanan,  a  majority  of  the  town  commissioners,  leased  the 
lot  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Gay  streets  of  Mr. 
Harrison,  at  £8  per  annum,  for  a  market-house,  which  was  built 
by  the  subscription  of  the  citizens,  with  the  aid  of  the  following 
lottery,  which  is  advertised  in  the  Maryland  Gazette : 

"Baltimore  Town,  July  16th,  1763. 
_>  "  The  following  Scheme  of  Lottery  is  humbly  proposed  to  the 
Public  for  Eaising  the  sum  of  510  Pounds  Current  Money,  to  be 
applied  towards  Completing  the  Market  House  in  Baltimore-Town, 
in  Baltimore  County,  Buying  Two  Fire  Engines,  and  a  Parcel  of 
Leather  Bucketts,  for  the  Use  of  the  said  Town,  Enlarging  the 
present  Public  Wharf,  and  Building  a  New  One." 
The  scheme  contained  — 

1062  prizes,  amounting  to £2490 

1938  blanks  —  sum  raised  .         .        .        .         .         510 


3000  tickets  at  20s.  each     .        .        ,         .         .     £3000 

The  managers  were  Messrs  John  Eidgely,  Brian  Philpot,  John 
Smith,  John  Moale,  Jonathan  Plowman,  Barnabas  Hughes,  James 
Steret,  William  Lux,  Andrew  Buchanan,  William  Aisquith,  Benja- 
min Eogers,  Nicholas  Jones,  Mark  Alexander,  John  Ilartz,  and 
Melchior  Keener,  all  of  said  town. 

1764.  Mr.  William  Spear,  who  came  from  Lancaster,  took  the 
water  lot  near  Gay  street,  and  wharfing  out  about  1000  feet  to  a  small 
island,  erected  a  bakery  there.  Mr.  Eobert  Long,  who,  it  is  said, 
had  persuaded  Mr.  Fell  to  lay  off  that  part  of  the  town,  com- 
menced some  improvements  at  the  corner  of  Ann  and  Thames 
streets,  but  moved  to  the  country  and  left  his  improvements  un- 
finished. Some  lots  were  also  conveyed  to  Mr.  John  Bond  by  Mr. 
Fell,  but  sold  out  by  him.  James  Heath,  Esq.,  was  elected  one  of 
the  delegates  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Dorsej^ 

1765.  Captain  Charles  Eidgely  and  Mr.  Griffith  purchased 
water  lots  of  Mr.  Fell,  west  of  the  public  wharf,  the  latter  building 
a  wharf  and  warehouse,  which  was  the  first  there;  and  Mr.  Ben- 
jamin Nelson,  shipwright,  who  had  moved  from  Charlestown, 
Cecil  county,  established  a  ship-yard  in  Philpot  street ;  three  years 


4 


O    Cr^   ^ 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  57 

after  Mr.  Isaac  Griest,  also  from  Cecil,  took  the  water  lot  east  of 
the  public  wharf.  The  ensuing  year  George  Patton,  who  came 
from  Ireland,  erected  the  wharf  on  the  west  end  of  the  Point,  and 
three  years  after  Mr.  Jesse  Hollingsworth  another  on  the  east, 
the  remainder  of  the  water  lots  being  chiefly  taken  and  improved 
in  the  meantime  by  Messrs.  Purviance,  Wells,  Smith,  Mackie,  and 
Vanbibber.  The  Point  containing  all  the  artisans  and  articles  re- 
quisite for  building  and  fitting  vessels,  was  already  a  rival  of  the 
town.  Mr.  Hollingsworth,  from  Elkton,  and  Mr.  Yanbibber,  from 
Charlestown,  Cecil  county,  joined  by  their  brothers,  afterwards 
moved  from  the  Point  to  the  town,  and  made  other  considerable 
improvements.  The  first  settlers  were  at  great  loss  to  determine 
in  which  part  to  buy,  as  most  likely  to  improve;  and  those  who 
had  sufficient  means  or  enterprise,  generally  took  lots  both  in 
town  and  Point. 

Mr.  Cornelius  Howard,  from  part  of  the  tract  of  land  called 
Lunn's  lot,  then  lately  re-surveyed  by  Mr.  Howard,  added  thirty- 
five  acres  of  it,  including  the  streets  called  Conway  and  Barre,  after 
those  successful  opponents  of  the  Stamp  Act  in  the  British  Parlia- 
ment ;  and  the  dwelling-house  near  the  southeast  intersection  of 
Hanov-er  and  Pratt  streets,  and  running  between  the  west  side  of 
Charles  and  the  east  side  of  Liberty  to  Saratoga  street,  which  ad- 
dition was  confirmed  by  law  the  same  year,  and  Messrs.  Keener, 
Myers,  Yanbibber  and  others  took  water  lots  of  him. 

September  17th,  instructions  from  the  Honorable  the  Lower 
House  of  Assembly  of  the  Province  of  Maryland:  To  William 
Murdock,  Edward  Tilghman,  and  Thomas  Einggold,  Esqs.,  a  com- 
mittee appointed  to  join  the  several  committees  from  the  several 
colonies  in  America,  at  New  York  :  "  Gentlemen,  you  are  to  repair 
immediately  to  the  city  of  New  York,  in  the  province  of  New 
York,  and  there  join  with  the  committee  from  the  houses  of  rep- 
resentatives of  the  other  colonies,  in  a  general  and  united,  loyal 
and  humble  representation  to  his  Majesty  and  the  British  Par- 
liament, of  the  circumstances  and  condition  of  the  British  colonies 
and  plantations,  and  to  pray  relief  from  the  burthens  and  restraints 
lately  laid  on  their  trade  and  commerce,  and  especially  from  the 
taxes  imposed  by  an  act  of  the  last  session  of  Parliament  granting 
and  applying  certain  stamp  duties  and  other  duties  in  the  British 
colonies  and  plantations  in  America,  whereby  they  are  deprived  in 
some  instances,  of  that  invaluable  priviledge  of  Englishmen  and 
British  subjects,  trials  b}^  juries,  that  3^ou  take  care  that  such  rep- 
resentation shall  humbly  and  decently,  but  expressly,  contain  and 
assertion  of  the  rights  of  the  colonies  to  be  exempt  from  all  and 
every  taxations  and  impositions  upon  their  persons  and  properties 
to  which  they  do  consent  in  a  legislative  way,  either  by  them- 
selves or  by  their  representatives,  by  them  free  chosen  and  ap- 
pointed. Signed  by  order  of  the  House,  Eobert  Lloyd,  Speaker." 
This  convention  met,  and  Mr.  Edward  Tilghman,  one  of  the  dele- 


yy 


58  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

gates  from  Maryland,  was  appointed  one  of  the  committee  to  pre- 
I       pare  a  memorial  and  petition  to  the  lords  in  Parliament. 
^  1766i  During  this  year  a  law  was  passed  to  compel  Messrs. 

Hamson,  Lawson,  and  Philpot  to  fill  up  the  marsh  between  Fred- 
erick street  and  the  Falls,  and  nine  commissioners,  viz :  Eobert 
Alexander,  John  Smith,  William  Smith,  Jonathan  Plowman,  Wil- 
liam Spear,  Andrew  Steiger,  Charles  Eidgely,  Jr.,  John  Merryman, 
and  Benjamin  Griffith,  or  five  of  them,  were  appointed  to  lay  it  off 
as  an  addition  to  the  town.  A  law  was  also  passed  prescribing  a 
quarantine,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Governor,  on  all  passenger 
ships  infected  by  diseases,  and  another  relating  to  the  roads  of  the 
coxxutj. 

Within  the  year  Mr.  Edward  Fell  died,  leaving  one  son,  Wil- 
liam, an  infant, 
y  On  the  24th  of  February,  a  large  number  of  the  principal  in- 

habitants of  Baltimore  County,  assembled  in  Baltimore  Town,  and 
organised  themselves,  as  an  association  for  the  maintenance  of 
order,  and  the  protection  of  American  Liberty,  under  the  name  of 
the  Sons  of  Liberty.  Thus  associated,  they  entered  into  a  resolu- 
tion to  meet  at  Annapolis,  on  the  first  of  March  ensuing,  for  the 
purpose  of  compelling  the  officers  there,  to  open  their  offices,  and 
to  transact  business  without  stamped  paper.  This  design  was  im- 
mediately communicated  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  neighboring 
counties,  who  were  invited  to  co-operate  in  it,  by  the  formation  of 
similar  associations.  The  officers,  at  whom  their  resolutions  were 
aimed,  were  afterwards  notified,  in  very  'polite  terms,  of  their  in- 
tended coming,  and  advised  to  be  in  readiness  to  receive  them. 
True  to  their  promise,  on  the  first  of  March,  they  assembled  at 
Annapolis  in  considerable  number ;  the  associators  of  Anne 
Arundel  and  Baltimore  being  personally  present,  and  those  of  Kent 
appearing  by  deputy.  Upon  their  organization,  it  was  resolved, 
that  a  written  application  should  be  preferred,  to  the  Chief  Justice 
of  the  Provincial  Court,  the  Secretary,  the  Commissary  General, 
and  the  Judges  of  the  Land  Office,  requiring  them  to  open  their 
respective  offices  on  the  31st  of  March,  or  earlier,  if  a  majority  of 
the  Supreme  Courts  of  the  northern  governments  should  proceed 
in  their  business  before  that  period ;  and  that  in  the  event  of  their 
acceding  to  this  request,  they  should  receive  a  written  indemnifi- 
cation, signed  by  the  Sons  of  Liberty.  The  replies  which  they 
received,  although  not  direct  refusals,  were  not  entirely  satisfac- 
tory ;  and  the  associators,  after  issuing  invitations  to  the  other 
counties  to  unite  with  them,  by  forming  similar  associations,  ad- 
journed to  meet  again  at  Annapolis,  on  the  day  assigned  to  the 
officers,  for  the  purpose  of  witnessing  the  issue  of  their  application. 
On  the  day  appointed  they  again  assembled,  and  repaired  in  a 
body  to  the  Provincial  Court,  to  present  and  enforce  their  peti- 
tion. It  was  at  first  peremptorily  refused  by  the  Court,  but  the 
Sons   of  Liberty  were  not  now  to   be   denied.     "It  was   again 


CHROKICLES   OF    BALTIMOEE.  59    . 

earnestly  insisted  upon,  and  demanded,  by  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  (says 
the  writer  of  that  day  in  giving  his  account  of  that  transaction), 
with  united  hearts  and  voices; "  and  such  applications,  at  that  period, 
were  too  well  understood  to  be  resisted.  The  Court  yielded,  and 
passed  an  order  in  conformity  to  their  petition,  of  which  an  at- 
tested copy  was  delivered  to  their  associators.  The  other  officers 
immediately  acceded,  without  further  opposition.  Thus  was  con- 
summated, in  Maryland,  the  nullification  of  the  Stamp  Act. 

_1767.  John  Eidgely,  Thomas  C.  Deye,  John  Moale,  and  Eobert 
AdaiV,  Esqs.,  were  elected  delegates.  Mr.  Adair,  who  was  sheriff, 
resided  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Baltimore  and  South  streets, 
which  was  struck  during  the  year  by  lightning,  and  a  Mr.  Eich- 
ardson,  of  Annapolis,  killed. 

Mr.  Eddis,  in  his  letters  from  Annapolis  written  about  this  period, 
to  London,  says:  ''Lands  to  a  very  considerable  extent,  are  taken 
up  by  persons  who,  looking  to  security  foi*  greater  advantages,  are 
content  to  clear  gradually  some  portion  of  their  domains  for  im- 
mediate subsistence.  Not  having  the  means  to  sell,  and  carry 
their  timber  away,  they  make  a  deep  incision  with  an  axe  entirely 
round  each  trunk,  at  the  distance  of  about  four  feet  from  the 
ground,  which  occasions  the  leaves  almost  instantl}^  to  wither,  and 
before  the  total  decay  of  the  tree,  Indian  corn  may  be  cultivated 
to  great  advantage  amidst  the  immense  trunks  that  fill  the  dreary 
forest."  "The  habitations  of  the  planters,  in  this  remote  district 
of  the  province,  are  in  general,  of  a  rude  construction ;  the  timber 
with  which  they  frame  their  dwellings,  seldom  undergoing  the 
operation  of  any  tool  except  the  axe.  An  apartment  to  sleep  in, 
and  another  for  domestic  purposes,  with  a  contiguous  store-house, 
and  conveniences  for  their  live-stock,  at  present  gratify  their  ut- 
most ambition  Their  method  of  living,  perfectly  corresponds  with 
their  exterior  appearance.  Indian  corn,  beaten  in  a  mortar,  and 
afterwards  baked  or  boiled,  forms  a  dish  which  is  the  principal 
subsistence  of  the  indigent  planter,  and  is  even  much  liked  by 
many  persons  of  a  superior  class.  This,  when  properly  prepared, 
is  called  homony,  and  when  salt  beef,  pork,  or  bacon,  is  added,  no 
complaints  are  made  respecting  their  fare." 

1768.  Baltimore,  seventy-seven  years  ago,  was  known  only  as 
"  Baltimore  Town  in  Baltimore  County."     Her  population  having  ^ 
increased  to  about  eighteen  thousand,  she  was  incorporated  as  a  ^ 
city  in  the  year  1796.     But  she  still  remained  a  portion  of  the 
county      It  is  true  she  had  been  allowed  a  distinct  representation^ 
in  the  Legislature  of  the  State;  but  in  almost  every  respect  she"^ 
was  but  Baltimore  City  in  Baltimore  County.     The  same  Court  of 
Oyer  and  Terminer  exercised  criminal  jurisdiction  over  both  ;  and 
Baltimore  County  Court  at  the  same  terms  heard  and  decided  all 
civil   causes,   whether  the  parties   were   residents  of  the   city  or 
county.     There  were  the  same  Sheriff,  Clerk,  and  Jurors.     There 
was  the  same  Kecord  Office,  the  same  Court  House,  Alms  House, 


60  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

and  Jail.  It  seems  to  be  the  general  impression  that  the  first 
Court  House  for  Baltimore  County  was  at  Joppa,  upon  Gunpowder 
river ;  but  this  is  an  error.  It  is  a  singular  fact  that  no  living 
man  can  tell,  with  any  degree  of  certainty,  the  place  where  the 
county  seat  of  Baltimore  County  was  first  located.  The  county 
was  established  in  1659,  and  the  Court  House  was  not  built  at 
Joppa  until  nearly  fifty  years  afterwards.  The  County  Court  held 
its  first  session  at  the  dwelling  of  Captain  Thomas  Howell,  in  the 
year  1661.  Soon  afterwards  a  court  house  was  built  not  at  Joppa, 
on  Gunpowder  river,  but  at  some  point  on  Bush  river,  which 
empties  into  the  Bay  about  four  miles  farther  north.  By  reference 
to  Bacon's  edition  of  the  laws  of  Maryland  it  will  be  found  that  the 
county  seat  was  on  Bush  river  as  late  as  1683,  and  that  a  port  of 
entry  was  established  there  in  that  year.  The  court  house  on  Bush 
river  was  abandoned  at  some  period  between  1683  and  1707,  and  a 
second  one  erected  on  Gunpowder  river,  at  a  place  called  "  Forster's 
Neck."  In  1707,  the  Provincial  Assembly  of  Maryland  passed  an 
Act,  directing  that  the  court  house  at  Forster's  Neck  "  should  be 
deserted,  and  in  lieu  thereof  fifty  acres  of  land  in  a  tract  on  said 
river,  belonging  to  Anne  Felks,  called  '  Taylor's  Choice,'  should 
be  erected  into  a  town,  and  the  Court  House  of  the  said  county 
should  be  built  there."  The  place  designated  for  the  county  seat 
by  this  Act  was  the  same  afterwards  known  as  Joppa.  The  com- 
missioners appointed  for  the  purpose  proceeded  forthwith  to  build 
the  court  house,  and  had  nearly  finished  it  when,  to  the  great  dis- 
appointment of  the  good  people  of  the  county,  the  news  came  across 
the  ocean  that  Her  Royal  Highness  Queen  Anne  had  vetoed  the 
bill !  "What  grave  reasons  influenced  Her  Majesty  to  prefer  that 
the  court-house  of  Baltimore  County  should  not  be  removed  from 
Forster's  Neck  to  Taylor's  Choice,  history  hath  not  disclosed.  At 
all  events,  the  commissioners  discovered  that  they  had  been  pro- 
ceeding under  a  void  Act ;  and  they  found  it  necessary  to  obtain  a 
subsequent  law  to  legalise  what  they  had  done.  This  was  passed 
in  1712,  and  is  entitled  "An  Act  for  settling  Baltimore  County 
Court  at  the  new  house  at  Joppa."  It  recites  the  former  proceed- 
ings of  the  commissioners,  confirms  them,  and  then  declares  "that 
Baltimore  County  Court  shall  be  from  henceforth  held  at  the  said 
court-house,  now  built  at  the  town  of  Joppa,  and  not  elsewhere ; 
and  that  the  same  house  be  to  all  intents,  constructions  and  pur- 
poses, adjudged,  used,  reputed  and  taken  as  the  proper  court-house 
for  Baltimore  County." 

It  appears  that  the  commissioners  for  building  this  court- 
house at  Joppa  were  peculiarly  unfortunate.  The  first  blunder 
was  in  commencing  operations  before  the  Queen  had  approved  the 
bill.  They  made  another  one  equally  serious  in  putting  the  build- 
ing upon  the  land  of  a  minor,  to  which  they  had  acquired  no  legal 
title.  It  was  found  necessary  to  get  an  Act  passed  in  1724  to 
remedy  this  latter  mistake.     This  Act,  as  published  in  Kilty's  edi- 


CHEONICLES    OF   BALTIMOEE.  61 

tion,  states  in  its  preamble,  that  a  court-house  and  prison  had  been 
erected  at  Joppa  at  the  county  expense,  but  that  the  right  of  the 
land  was  in  a  minor,  "  who  could  not  convey,  although  his  father, 
Col.  James  Maxwell,  had  received  full  satisfaction  for  the  same." 
It  then  proceeds  to  declare,  that  the  two  acres  of  land  on  which 
the  court-house  and  prison  were  built  "  shall  be  to  the  use  of  the 
county  forever."  It  further  provides,  that  certain  commissioners 
should,  by  purchase  or  condemnation  by  a  jury,  obtain  twenty 
acres  of  land  at  Joppa,  and  lay  it  out  into  forty  lots  "to  be  erected 
into  a  town."  It  also  directs  that  no  house  to  be  built  in  said 
town  shall  have  any  chimney  unless  of  brick  or  stone,  and  that 
each  house  shall  cover  at  least  four  hundred  feet,  or  about  twenty 
feet  square.  But  the  most  important  provision,  in  this  law,  in  \ 
reference  to  the  commercial  prosperity  of  Joppa,  was  one  which  | 
would  be  regarded  at  this  day  as  rather  a  curious  specimen  of  leg- 
islation. The  last  section  provided  that  every  debtor  who  should 
bring  tobacco  to  Joppa  for  the  purpose  of  paying  a  debt,  should  be 
allowed  a  discount  or  reduction  of  ten  per  cent,  on  the  claim. 
This  was  intended  as  an  inducement  to  draw  trade  to  the  new 
county-seat,  which  was  also  made  a  port  of  entry.  The  result 
proved  that  the  legislators  of  that  day  were  tolerably  good  judges 
of  human  nature.  Tobacco  was  brought  to  Joppa  in  vast  quanti- 
ties ;  and  tradition  informs  us  that  she  soon  became  an  important 
shipping-point,  carrying  on  a  considerable  commerce,  not  onl}^  with 
the  West  Indies,  but  with  Europe.  Her  population  was  never 
large,  but  she  was  one  of  the  most  prosperous  and  important  sea- 
ports of  Maryland,  before  the  first  house  had  been  erected  at  Bal- 
timore. The  courts  were  held  at  Joppa  down  to  this  yoav  (1768). 
Such  had  now  been  the  increase  of  "Baltimore  Town,"  and  the 
inconvenience  to  which  the  inhabitants  were  subjected  in  attend- 
ing court  at  Joppa,  an  Act  was  passed  on  the  22d  of  June  of  this 
year  for  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  to  "  Baltimore  Town." 
From  this  time  may  be  dated  "  the  decline  and  fall "  of  the 
ancient  town  of  Joppa.  No  vestige  of  her  former  glory  now  re- 
mains. The  old  court-house  was  sold,  and  has  long  since  crumbled 
away ;  her  wharves,  at  which  hundreds  of  the  largest  merchant- 
men have  been  laden,  have  disappeared  ;  her  dwellings  have  fallen 
one  by  one,  until  scarcely  their  foundations  can  be  traced.  A  soli- 
tary tenement  of  antique  style  and  venerable  appearance,  standing 
a  short  time  since  on  the  Harford  shore  of  Gunpowder  river,  about 
half  a  mile  north  of  the  railroad  bridge,  is  seen  by  the  traveller 
passing  between  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia.  That  lonely  build- 
ing is  all  that  now  remains  to  mark  the  spot  where  Joppa  once 
stood.  Her  history  has  never  been  written,  and  those  who  could 
have  furnished  the  materials  for  it  have  now  passed  to  the  tomb. 
By  this  time  her  very  existence  would  have  been  totally  forgotten, 
except  for  the  name  of  the  numerous  "  Joppa  roa<ls,"  which  still  exist, 
and  remind  us  that  the  inhabitants  of  every  section  of  Baltimore  and 


y 


^ 


62  CHKONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Harford  counties  were  once  accustomed  to  resort  to  that  important 
county  seat,  to  attend  to  courts  and  pay  their  debts  in  tobacco,  less 
ten  per  cent.,  deducted  according  to  law.  How  diiferent  a  fortune 
was  destined  for  Baltimore,  the  next  and  fourth  county-seat  of 
Baltimore  County!  Of  all  the  chief  commercial  cities  of  the  At- 
lantic coast  she  is  the  youngest,  and,  considering  the  recent  period 
since  she  was  founded,  her  growth  has  been  the  most  rapid  and 
wonderful.  Kew  York,  originally  called  New  Amsterdam,  was 
founded  by  the  Netherlands  as  far  back  as  1614;  Boston  was 
founded  in  1630,  and  Charleston  in  1680;  Philadelphia,  on  the 
arrival  of  Penn  in  1684,  contained  2500  inhabitants ;  New  Orleans 
was  founded  in  1718. 

Messrs.  J.  B.  Bordley,  John  Eidgely,  Jr.,  John  Moale,  Eobert 
Adair,  Eobert  Alexander,  William  Smith  and  Andrew^  Buchanan, 
were  appointed  under  the  Act  of  1768  commissioners  to  build  the 
County  Court  House  and  prison  "  on  the  uppermost  part  of  Cal- 
vert street  next  to  Jones  Falls."  The  Court  House  was  erected  on 
a  bluff  overhanging  the  Falls,  precisely  where  the  "  Battle  Monu- 
ment "  now  stands.  It  was  two  stories  high  and  built  of  brick, 
and  tapered  off  in  the  centre  of  its  roof  with  a  tall  lookout  and 
spire,  terminated  with  "  a  weather  cock  and  the  points  of  the  com- 
pass." The  jail  of  those  days  stood  higher  up  on  the  hills,  about 
the  site  of  the  granite  Eecord  Office ;  while  the  Powder  House  was 
in  the  declivity  east  of  the  Court  House,  and  near  the  original  bed 
of  the  Falls,  at  the  southeast  corner  of  our  square  and  Lexington 
street,  with  a  small  wharf  in  front  of  it,  to  which  boats  from  the 
shipping  came  for  powder  during  the  war.  The  water  was  quite 
deep,  and  the  late  Mr.  Eobert  Gilmor  in  his '"  Eeminiscences  "  as- 
serts "  that  he  learned  to  swim,  and  often  dived  from  the  banks  in 
front  of  this  edifice,"  about  the  present  southeast  corner  of  Lex- 
ington and  Calvert  streets.  Mr.  Gilmor  also  says  that  a  "  man  was 
drowned  not  far  from  this  spot."  The  low  swampy  flat  embraced 
by  the  horse-shoe  curve  of  the  Falls  in  this  neighborhood  was 
called  "  Steiger's  Meadow,"  the  name  it  was  commonly  known  by 
to  a  very  late  period.  The  commissioners  were  directed  to  sell  the 
court  house  and  prison  at  Joppa,  the  courts  being  accommodated 
in  the  meantime  in  the  hall  erected  for  public  assemblies  over  the 
market,  and  the  prisoners  lodged  in  a  log  building,  near  Mr.  Cha- 
mier  the  sheriff's  house  on  the  east  side  of  South  Frederick  street. 
The  subscription  towards  building  the  court  house  amounting  to 
nearly  900  pounds  currency,  chiefly  by  inhabitants  of  the  town,  did 
not  reconcile  the  people  on  the  north  and  east  sides  of  the  county, 
and  the  removal  of  the  records  by  Mr.  Alexander  Lawson  was  at- 
tended with  some  violence  and  outrage.  In  the  grading  of  Calvert 
street  the  bluff  overhanging  the  "  Falls  "  on  which  the  court-house 
stood  was  to.be  cut  away,  but  it  was  very  much  desired  to  save  the 
court-house.  Mr.  Leonard  Harbaugh,  a  zealous  craftsman  of  Bal- 
timore, pondered  over  the  matter,  and  finally  persuaded  himself,  and 


*  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  63 

afterwards  the  Town  Council,  that  he  could  preserve  the  favorite 
building  by  leaving  it  twenty  feet  in  the  air,  after  all  the  adjacent 
earth  w^as  taken  away.  Our  towns-people  thought  this  an  in- 
credible exploit,  the  dream  of  a  bold  projector ;  but  Mr.  Harbaugh 
knew  w^hat  he  was  about,  and  successfully  accomplished,  in  the  face 
of  that  incredulous  world  w^hich  dwelt  upon  the  banks  of  the  Pa- 
tapsco,  this  daring  achievement.  The  old  court-house,  with  its  mag- 
niticent  arch  below,  that  gave  it  something  of  the  air  of  a  house 
perched  upon  a  stool,  the  whipping-post,  pillory  and  stocks  which 
stood  in  front  of  the  arch,  with  a  most  malignant  aspect  of  admo- 
nition addressed  to  the  loafers,  rowdies  and  petty  thieves  of  that 
day.  But  steeple  and  arch  were  both  fated  to  follow  the  common 
fate  of  all  sublunary  creations,  and  on  the  27th  of  January  an  Act 
was  passed  by  the  Legislature  "  to  provide  for  the  erection  of  a 
new  court  house,"  and  in  1809  the  present  court  house  was  finished, 
and  the  old  one  taken  down  with  the  buildings  to  which  they  be- 
longed, and,  except  in  the  page  of  the  annalist,  became  as  things 
that  never  had  been.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  original  sub- 
scription list  for  the  underpinning  of  the  old  court  house  as  before 
mentioned : 

"  Baltimore,  21st  September,  1784. 
"  The  subscribers,  impressed  with  the  many  advantages  which 
w^ould  result  to  Baltimore  Towm  and  the  country  at  large  from 
Calvert  street  in  said  town  being  opened,  which  street  is  at  present 
blocked  up  by  the  court-house,  to  the  great  injury  of  the  town  and 
country,  do,  by  this  instrument  of  writing,  engage  and  bind  them- 
selves to  pay  the  suna  or  sums  annexed  to  their  names,  respectively, 
for  the  purpose  of  underpinning  and  arching  the  said  court-house 
in  Calvert  .street  aforesaid,  so  as  large  and  convenient  passages 
may  be  had  underneath  the  same  to  the  end  that  new  communica- 
tions may  be  opened  with  the  country ;  provided  always,  that  the 
said  subscriptions  shall  not  be  paid  or  demanded  unless  the  Hon- 
ored the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Maryland  shall  authorise 
the  said  undertaking,  and  appoint  fit  and  proper  persons  for  the 
collecting  and  a^^plying  the  same. 

[  John  McHenry 130  00) 

Griffith,  Hall,  and  Lemnion,  in 

case  Calvert  street  is  extended 

eight  hundred  feet  across  their 

meadow,  near  the  mill,  will 

pay 100  00 

J.  E.  Howard,  in  case  the  street 

is  not  extended  so  as  to  run 

through   my  ground   on  the 

west  of  Jones  Falls 50  00 

Engelhard  Zeisser 125  00 

John  McLure 50  00 

John  Boyd 50  00 

Nath'l  Smith 25  00 


Henry  Speck 20  00 

W.  Smith 20  00 

JohnMoale  ....  ■ 40  00 

Peter  Hoffman 15  00 

William  Neill 10  00 

Geo.  Salmon 10  00 

John  Parks  10  00 

Richard  Burland 10  00 

Geo.  Pressman 10  00 

Thos.  E.  and  Sam'l   Hollings- 

worth 20  00 

Caleb  Hall 10  00 

Adam  Fonerden • 7  10 

Aaron  Levering 15  00 


64  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 


Matthew  Pat  ton. 10  00 

Twinnal  &  Geioack  . .  -  10  00 

Hansheweg 10  00 

Andrew  and  Alex.  Robinson, 
in  case  the  said  Calvert  street 
is  not  extended  so  as  to  inter- 
rupt the  carriage  road 10  00 

MichaclAllen 10  00 

Jacob  Brown 11     5 

George  Levely 10  00 

Erasmus  Uhler 10  00 

Wm.  Clemms 10  00 

Elisha  Winters 7  10 


£    s.  i;    8 


Wm.  Wilson 7  10 

Wm.  Baker 7  10 

6  00 

George  McCandless 11     5 

Robl.  Portteus 6  00 

Benjamin  May 10  00 

John  Brown 7  10 

Edward  Kelly 20  00 

Dan'l  Bowly 10  00 

Clem't.  Brooke 10  00 

Jno.  Sterrett  for  Gen'l  Gist 85  00 

ditto                                 ....  15  00 
Henry  Wilson,  paid 3  00 


17g9.  Messrs.  David  Shields,  James  Gox,  Gerard  Hopkins, 
George  Lirideuberger,  John  Deaver  and  others,  aided  by  a  general 
Bubscription,  procured  an  engine  for  the  extinguishment  of  fires, 
which  was  called  "  The  Mechanical  Company."  This  was  the  first 
machine  of  the  kind  in  Baltimore,  and  cost  ninety-nine  pounds,  or 
two  hundred  and  sixty-four  dollars.  This  company  formed  in  this 
city  the  leader  in  a  long  line  of  kindred  associations,  who  devoted 
themselves  to  a  truly  benevolent  object,  with  a  gallantry  amounting 
to  heroism. 

November  14th,  a  meeting  of  the  merchants  and  others,  inhabi- 
tants of  Baltimore  Town  and  county,  associators  for  non-importa- 
tion of  European  goods,  was  held  at  Mr.  Little's,  with  John  Smith 
chairman  ;  the  committee  of  inquiry  having  reported  that  William 
Moore,  Jr.,  had  imported  a  cargo  of  goods  in  the  Lord  Cambden, 
Captain  John  Johnston,  from  London,  of  the  value  of  £900  sterling, 
which  they  were  in  doubt  were  not  within  the  terms  of  the  asso- 
ciation. The  following  question  was  put,  whether  William  Moore, 
Jr.,  had  imported  the  said  cargo  within  the  terms  mentioned  in  the 
agreement  of  the  30th  of  March  last,  to  which  he  was  a  signer  ? 
Upon  which  question,  the  gentlemen  present  were  unanimously  of 
opinion  that  the  said  cargo  was  imported,  contrary  to  that  agree- 
ment. Of  which  determination  William  Moore  being  informed,  he 
alleged,  as  a  justification  of  his  conduct,  that  at  the  time  he  signed 
the  agreement,  he  objected  to  Mr.  John  Merryman,  who  then  had 
the  carriage  thereof,  and  who  is  now  absent  in  London,  that  he 
would  not  sign  unless  he  had  liberty  to  send  off  his  orders  for  fall 

goods,  and  to  import  the  same.  That  some  few  days  afterwards 
[r.  Merryman  informed  him,  that  the  merchants  of  the  town  would 
give  leave  to  send  off  the  orders,  and  receive  the  fall  goods ;  and 
that  in  consequence  of  this  information,  he  signed  the  agreement, 
without  any  such  condition,  written  or  expressed,  in  the  same  op- 

Sosite  to  his  name.     After  which  the  question  was  put,  whether 
Lr.  Morris  should  have  liberty  to  land  and  vend  his  who4e  cargo? 
which  was  determined  in  the  affirmative  by  the  following  vote : 

For  the  Affirmative — Thomas  Ewing,  Alexander  MacMachen,  Ben- 
jamin Rogers,  Jonathan  Hudson,  Murdock  Kennedy,  Henry  Brown, 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  65 

William  Hammond,  Andrew  Buchanan,  John  Deaver,  H.  B.  Gough, 
Jonathan  Plowman,  Eichard  Moale,  Archibald  Buchanan,  Hercules 
Courtenay,  John  Macnabb,  Charles  Rogers,  John  A.  Smith,  Thomas 
Place. 

For  the  Negative. — John  Moale,  Henry  Thompson,  William  Lux 
(E.  R.),  Robert  Christie,  Robert  Alexander,  John  Smith,  William 
Smith,  Alexander  Lawson,  Ebenezer  Mackie,  William  Lux.  The 
committee  of  inquiry  having  also  reported  that  Benjamin  Howard 
had  imported  a  cargo  of  goods,  of  the  value  of  £1700  sterling,  in 
the  Lord  Cambden,  Captain  John  Johnston,  from  London,  which 
they  were  in  doubt  were  not  within  the  terms  of  the  association  of 
the  30th  March,  upon  which  the  following  question  was  put : 
whether  Benjamin  Howard  be  permitted  to  land  and  vend  the  said 
cargo,  he  having  alleged  that  he  never  signed  the  association  of  the 
30th  March,  being  then  an  inhabitant  of  Anne  Arundel  county,  and 
that  he  apprehended  he  was  entitled  to  import  within  the  terms  of 
the  general  association  of  the  22d  June,  to  which  he  was  a  sub- 
scriber, his  orders  for  the  said  cargo  having  been  transmitted  the 
1st  May,  resolved  in  the  affirmative  by  the  following  vote: 

For  the  Affirmative. — Thomas  Ewing,  Alexander  McMachen,  Ben- 
jamin Rogers,  Jonathan  Hudson,  Thomas  Place,  Henry  Thompson, 
Henry  Brown,  William  Hammond,  Andrew  Buchanan.  John  Deaver, 
H,  D.  Gough,  Jonathan  Plowman,  Richard  Moale,  Archibald  Bu- 
chanan, Murdock  Kennedy,  John  Moale,  John  Macnabb,  Charles 
Rogers,  John  A.  Smith,  Hercules  Courtenay. 

For  the  Negative. — John  Smith,  Robert  Christie,  William  Smith, 
Ebenezer  Mackie,  Alexander  Lawson,  William  Lux. 

1770.  In  this  year  a  storm  of  wind  carried  away  a  part  of  the 
roof  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church. 

It  would  doubtless  be  interesting  to  many  of  the  Roman  Catho- 
lics of  the  present  day  to  know  the  history  of  their  respective  con- 
gregations ;  and  it  is  not  less  due  to  the  memory  of  the  Christian 
men  who  planted  the  seed  of  their  religion,  than  it  may  be  prof- 
itable to  the  piety  of  their  children  in  the  faith,  to  record  the 
humble  beginnings,  the  painful  labors,  the  generous  zeal  and  perse- 
vering fidelity  which  led  to  those  respectable  establishments  which 
now  adorn  the  State  by  their  beauty,  while  they  improve  society 
by  their  usefulness.  With  this  view  the  writer  proposes  to  furnish 
some  particulars  of  the  origin  of  the  two  oldest  Catholic  congre- 
gations in  Baltimore,  those  of  the  Cathedral  and  St.  Patrick's.  In 
the  view  of  "  Baltimore  as  it  was  in  1752,"  which  we  have  men- 
tioned before,  a  brick  house  with  stone  corners  is  represented. 
Its  location,  as  well  as  we  can  determine,  is  on  or  near  the  lot  at 
present  occupied  by  Mr.  Reverdy  Johnson's  mansion,  opposite  Bar- 
num's  Hotel,  and  was  the  dwelling  of  Mr.  Edward  Fottroll,  a  gen- 
tleman from  Ireland.  This  building  was  not  designed  or  intended 
for  a  church  ;  but  the  proprietor  having  returned  to  Ireland,  where 
he  died,  left  it  in  an  unfinished  state,  and  it  was  a  waste  and  de- 
5 


66  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

serted  house  when  some  of  the  "  Neutral  French  "  or  Arcadians,  wlio 
had  been  cruelly  expelled  from  Nova  Scotia  by  the  British,  ar- 
riving in  Baltimore  in  the  most  forlorn  condition  in  1756,  took 
refuge  in  this  deserted  house,  occupying  such  rooms  as  were  hab- 
itable. No  Catholic  priest  resided  nearer  than  Daughoregan  (Car- 
roll's) Manor,  about  fifteen  miles  from  Baltimore.  The  priest  who 
was  stationed  at  the  Manor  occasionally  visited  Baltimore  and  cele- 
brated mass.  The  Eev.  Mr.  Ashton,  who  was  at  that  period  the 
residing  priest  of  Carroll  Manor,  visited  Baltimore  once  a  month, 
for  the  purpose  of  giving  the  few  Catholics  of  Baltimore  the  con- 
venience of  attending  divine  service.  On  these  occasions  he  brought 
with  him  the  vestments  and  sacred  vessels  used  in  the  celebration 
of  mass.  A  room  in  the  lower  story  of  Fottrell's  building  was  pre- 
pared for  the  purpose.  A  part  of  this  preparation  consisted  in  first 
expelling  the  hogs  which  habitually  nestled  there.  A  temporary 
altar  of  the  rudest  description  was  erected  each  time.  The  con- 
gregation sometimes  consisted  of  not  more  than  twenty,  and  sel- 
dom exceeded  forty  persons.  These  consisted  principally  of  the 
"  Neutral  French "  and  some  few  Irish  Catholics,  among  whom 
were  Messrs.  Patrick  Bennet,  Eobert  Walsh  and  William  Stenson. 
About  the  year  1770,  the  Catholics  having  increased  in  number,  de- 
termined to  build  a  church.  A  lot  for  the  purpose,  fronting  on 
Saratoga  and  Charles  streets,  was  obtained  from  Mr.  Carroll,  and  on 
the  northwest  side  of  it  a  very  plain  brick  building  was  erected  of 
the  modest  dimensions  of  about  twenty-five  by  thirty  feet,  which 
was  known  as  St.  Peter's  Church.  Mr.  John  McNabb  erected  or 
superintended  the  building  until  the  walls  and  the  roof  were  com- 
pleted. It  is  probable  that  the  church  was  then  used  for  the  pur- 
pose of  worship,  although  in  an  unfinished  state.  Before  its  com- 
pletion the  superintendent  failed  in  business,  owing  a  debt  on  ac- 
count of  the  building  of  two  hundred  pounds  in  Maryland  cur- 
rency,  (about   five   hundred   and   forty   dollars).      The   principal 

creditor,  Mr.  P ,  locked  up  the  church  and  kept  possession  of 

the  key  until  1774  or  1775.  Grifiith,  in  his  "Annals  of  Baltimore," 
says,  "  By  a  ludicrous  suit  against  Ganganelli,  Pope  of  Home,  for 
want  of  other  defendant,  to  recover  the  advances  of  Mr.  McNabb, 
who  became  a  bankrupt,  the  church  was  sometime  closed.  This  was 
at  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution,  and  the  congregation  as- 
sembled in  a  private  house  in  South  Charles  street,  until  possession 
was  recovered."  The  manner  of  re-opening  St.  Peter's  was  some- 
what novel,  and  partook  of  the  spirit  of  the  times.  A  volunteer 
company,  probably  in  1775,  which  was  part  of  a  military  force  or- 
ganised to  repel  the  apprehended  attacks  or  incursions  of  Lord 
Bunmore,  Governor  of  Virginia,  was  in  Baltimore,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  Galbraith.  The  company  was  then  employed  in 
guarding  some  Scotch  malcontents  from  North  Carolina.  On  Sun- 
day morning  some  of  the  soldiers  asked  permission  of  the  captain 
to  go  to  church.    A  majority  of  them  decided  on  going  to  the  Roman 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMOEE.  67 

Catholic  Church,  and  on  learning  that  it  was  closed  and  the  key  in 

the  possession  of  Mr.  P ,  they  marched  in  a  body,  with  their 

captain  at  their  head,  to  the  residence  of  this  gentleman,  and  Cap- 
tain Galbraith  demanded  the  key  of  the  church.     It  so  happened 

that  Mr.  P. had  fallen  under  suspicion  of  being  disaffected  to 

the  cause  of  American  independence,  and,  on  seeing  a  body  of 
soldiers  halted  in  front  of  his  house,  he  apprehended  they  were 
about  to  make  him  prisoner;  but  on  learning  their  object,  he 
readily  delivered  the  key  to  Captain  Galbraith.  The  company 
then  moved  off,  opened  the  church,  and  after  they  had  satisfied 
their  devotion,  the  Catholics  retained  possession  of  the  key  and  the 
church  until  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  after  which  period 
the  sum  of  two  hundred  pounds  was  raised  by  subscription  and 
paid  to  Mr.  P. in  discharge  of  the  debt  due  to  him,  and  he  re- 
linquished all  claim  upon  the  church. 

There  was  no  resident  pastor  at  the  church  before  the  year 
1784.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Phelan,  an  Irish  priest,  passed  rapidly  through 
Baltimore,  celebrated  mass  and  preached  in  English  in  St.  Peter's 
Church,  and  also  preached  in  French  for  the  Acadians,  who  under- 
stood English  imperfectly.  In  the  year  1782  Count  Rochambeau, 
returning  with  his  army  from  Yorktown,  halted  in  Baltimore, 
where  some  of  his  troops  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war.  The 
legion  of  the  Duke  De  Lauzun  encamped  on  the  ground  where  the 
Cathedral  now  stands,  which,  as  well  as  that  around  St.  Peter's,  was 
then  covered  with  forest  trees.  The  chaplains  of  the  French  army 
frequently  celebrated  mass  in  this  place.  On  one  occasion  a  grand 
mass  was  celebrated  with  great  military  pomp  ;  the  celebrant  was 
an  Irish  priest,  chaplain  to  General  Count  Rochambeau.  The 
bands  of  the  French  regiments  accompanied  the  sacred  service  with 
solemn  music,  the  officers  and  soldiers  attended  in  full  uniform,  and 
a  large  concourse  of  the  people  of  the  town  were  present,  so  that 
the  small  church  was  not  only  crowded,  but  the  spacious  yard  in 
front  was  also  filled.  St.  Peter's  remained  in  an  unfinished  state 
until  1783.  In  the  following  year  the  Rev.  Charles  Sewell  came  to 
reside  in  Baltimore,  having  been  appointed  pastor  of  St.  Peter's, 
and  was  the  first  resident  Catholic  priest.  The  congregation  having 
increased  so  much  as  to  make  a  larger  church  necessary,  an  addi- 
tion to  St.  Peter's  was  built,  of  larger  dimensions  than  the  original 
church.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Sewell  was  the  only  pastor  for  two  or  three 
years.  This  respectable  priest  had  very  moderate  abilities  as  an 
orator.  In  the  year  1786  the  Rev.  John  Carroll  was  stationed  at 
St.  Peter's,  and  in  conjunction  with  Mr.  Sewell,  attended  to  the  la- 
borious duties  of  the  mission  as  parish  priest  for  several  years. 
He  preached  his  first  sermon  in  Baltimore  on  the  parable  of  the 
ten  virgins ;  the  classical  purity  of  his  composition,  the  sweetness 
of  his  manner,  and  his  earnest  piety  made  a  deep  impression  upon 
his  audience  ;  and  on  preaching  a  second  time,  he  became  a  decided 
favorite.     His  sermons  were  so  much  admired  that  many  Protes- 


\ 


68  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

tants  attended  them  with  great  satisfaction.  Before  the  Eevolution 
the  Catholics  of  America  were  dependent  on  the  spiritual  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  bishop  (Vicar  Apostolic)  of  the  London  district ;  but 
after  the  Kevolution  there  was  very  little  communication  between 
the  bishop  and  the  Catholics  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  Shortly 
after  the  war  the  clergy  of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  convinced 
of  the  necessity  of  a  superior  on  the  spot,  requested  permission  ot 
the  Holy  See  to  choose  a  superior  from  their  own  bod}'-;  which 
request  having  been  acceded  to,  their  unanimous  suffrages  centred 
in  the  Eev.  John  Carroll,  whose  nomination  was  approved  by  the 
Holy  See,  and  ample  power,  even  that  of  administering  confirma- 
tion, was  immediately  conferred  upon  him. 

In  the  year  1789,  the  earliest  general  meeting  of  the  Eoman 
Catholic  clergy  of  the  United  States  of  which  we  find  any  account, 
was  held  in  Baltimore.  At  that  meeting  it  was  decided  that  the 
sovereign  pontiff  should  be  requested  to  establish  an  Episcopal 
See  in  Baltimore,  and  the  Kev.  Dr.  Carroll  was  recommended  as  a 
suitable  person  for  the  office  of  chief  pastor.  It  became  necessary 
for  Dr.  Carroll  to  go  to  Europe  to  receive  consecration ;  he  accord- 
ingly repaired  to  England,  and  presented  himself  for  that  purpose 
to  the  Rt.  Rev.  Chas.  Walmsley,  bishop  of  Rama,  senior  vicar 
apostolic  of  England.  By  invitation  of  Thomas  Weld,  Esq.,  the 
consecration  of  the  new  bishop  was  performed  during  a  solemn 
high  mass,  in  the  elegant  chapel  of  Lulworth  castle,  on  Sunday, 
the  15th  August,  1790,  and  the  munificence  of  that  gentleman 
omitted  nothing  that  could  possibly  add  dignity  to  so  imposing  a 
ceremony.  It  was  during  his  short  stay  in  England  that  Bishop 
Carroll  met  the  Rev.  Mr.  iSTagot,  who  had  been  sent  by  the  superior 
general  of  the  Sulpitians  from  Paris  to  London,  to  confer  with  him 
upon  the  expediency  of  establishing  a  theological  seminary  in 
America.  The  good  bishop  encouraged  the  pious  design,  and  on 
the  10th  of  July,  1791,  Rev.  Mr.  Nagot,  with  several  priests  of  the 
society,  arrived  in  Baltimore,  and  founded  the  Seminary  of  St. 
Mary's.  During  their  voyage  they  were  accompanied  by  the  cele- 
brated Chateaubriand,  then  a  young  man  on  a  visit  to  America. 
It  may  be  interesting  to  observe  that  at  this  time  the  whole  thir- 
teen original  States  were  included  in  Bishop  Carroll's  diocese. 
There  were  nineteen  priests  in  Maryland  and  five  in  Pennsylvania. 

In  1791  a  diocesan  synod  was  held  by  Bishop  Carroll  in  Balti- 
more, at  which  several  decrees  of  discipline  were  enacted.  This 
synod  was  attended  by  twenty  priests.  Some  time  after  this 
period  a  very  painful  duty  devolved  upon  the  bishop  by  the  mis- 
conduct of  a  German  or  Dutch  priest,  named  John  Baptist  Cousy, 
who,  being  irregular,  was  suspended  by  him.  Cousy  was  refrac- 
tory, and  having  assembled  some  of  his  countrymen,  said  ma^s  in 
an  old  house  formerly  used  as  a  theatre.  Dr.  Carroll  at  length 
resolved  to  excommunicate  him,  and  on  the  appointed  day 
preached  on  the  occasion,  taking  his  text  from  2  Cor.  iii.,  and 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMOEE.  69 

manifested  great  sensibility.  Sentence  of  excommunication  was 
formally  pronounced  against  Cousy,  whose  followers  immediately 
deserted  him.  In  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  year  1800,  the  Eev. 
Leonard  Neale  was  consecrated  bishop  of  Grortyna,  and  coadjutor 
to  the  Rt.  Rqv.  John  Carroll. 

For  many  years  St.  Peter's  was  the  cathedral  church  of  Balti- 
more, but  the  Catholics  became  so  numerous  that  notwithstanding 
the  organization  of  St.  Patrick's  and  St.  John's  congregations,  St. 
Peter's  was  crowded  to  excess  on  Sundays  and  holidays.  Neces- 
sity demanded  the  erection  of  a  larger  church,  and  the  good  bishop 
laid  the  corner-stone  of  the  present  Cathedral  on  the  7tl;i  of  July, 
1806,  In  1808  Episcopal  Sees  were  established  at  Boston,  New 
York,  Philadelphia,  and  Bardstown,  and  Baltimore  was  erected 
into  a  MetropoJitan  Church,  by  which  arrangement  Dr.  Carroll 
was  invested  with  the  dignity  of  archbishop.  On  the  former  site 
of  St.  Peter's  is  erected  Calvert  Hall,  now  a  Catholic  school  for 
boys.  Full  of  years  and  good  works,  the  venerable  Ai*chbishop 
Carroll  surrendered  his  soul  to  his  Maker  on  the  3d  of  December, 
1815,  in  the  eightieth  year  of  his  age. 

The  second  Catholic  church  erected  in  Baltimore  was  St.  Pat- 
rick's. The  original  building  has  disappeared  from  its  site  in 
Apple  alley,  near  Wilks  street.  The  congregation  of  St.  Patrick's 
Church  dates  as  far  back  as  1792.  The  Catholics  who  lived  in  the 
southeastern  part  of  the  city,  known  as  Fell's  Point,  finding  it  very 
inconvenient  to  attend  worship  at  St.  Peter's  Church,  which  was 
at  nearly  two  miles'  distance,  procured  the  necessary  approbation 
of  Bishop  Carroll  for  the  public  exercise  of  divine  service  among 
them,  and  for  this  purpose  rented  an  unplastered  room  in  the  third 
story  of  the  house  which  was  standing  a  few  years  since  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  Fleet  and  Bond  streets.  They  fitted  up  this 
room  as  a  chapel,  and  the  first  mass  was  celebrated  in  it  by  the 
Rt  Eev.  Bishop  Carroll,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  J.  Tessier,  afterwards 
superior  for  many  years  of  St.  Mary's  Seminary.  The  little  con- 
gregation was  committed  to  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Grarnier,  who 
soon  devoted  himself  to  his  charge  with  the  punctuality  and  zeal 
of  the  true  pastor.  They  next  procured  a  room  in  the  second 
story  of  a  house  in  Thames  street,  where  religious  worship  was 
performed  for  two  or  three  years.  In  the  year  1796  the  number 
of  Catholics  on  the  Point  was  so  large  that  they  determined  to 
build  a  church-  A  lot  60  by  100  feet  was  leased  at  a  ground  rent 
of  forty  dollars  per  annum,  and  the  church  erected  on  Apple  alley. 
The  whole  length  of  the  church  was  42  feet,  width  35  feet,  and 
height  of  ceiling  12  feet. 

i77L  Mr.  William  Eddis,  in  a  letter  dated  January  18th,  from 
Annapolis  to  his  friends  in  London,  describes  Baltimore  as  follows  : 
"  This  place,  which  is  named  Baltimore,  in  compliment  to  the  Pro- 
prietary's family,  is  situated  on  the  northern  branch  of  the  river 
Patapsco,  about  thirty  miles  higher  up  the  bay  of  Chesapeake  than 


70  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Annapolis,  and  at  nearly  the  same  distance  by  land.  Within  these 
few  years  some  scattered  cottages  were  only  to  be  found  on  this 
spot,  occupied  by  obscure  storekeepers,  merely  for  the  supply  of 
the  adjacent  plantations.  But  the  peculiar  advantages  it  pos- 
sesses, with  respect  to  the  trade  of  the  frontier  counties  of  Vir- 
ginia, Pennsylvania,  and  Maryland,  so  strongly  impressed  the 
mind  of  Mr.  John  Stevenson,  an  Irish  gentleman  who  had  settled 
in  the  vicinity  in  a  medical  capacity,  that  he  first  conceived  the 
important  project  of  rendering  this  port  the  grand  emporium  of 
Maryland  commerce.  He  accordingly  applied  himself,  with  as- 
siduity, to  the  completion  of  his  plan.  The  neighboring  county 
being  fertile,  well  settled,  and  abounding  in  grain,  Mr.  Stevenson 
contracted  for  considerable  quantities  of  wheat,  he  freighted  ves- 
sels, and  consigned  them  to  a  correspondent  in  his  native  country ; 
the  cargoes  sold  to  great  advantage,  and  returns  were  made 
equally  beneficial.  The  commencement  of  a  trade  so  lucrative  to 
the  first  adventurers,  soon  became  an  object  of  universal  attention. 
Persons  of  a  commercial  and  enterprising  spirit  emigrated  from  all 
quarters  to  this  new  and  promising  scene  of  industry.  Wharfs 
were  constructed ;  elegant  and  convenient  habitations  were  rapidly 
erected ;  marshes  were  drained  ;  spacious  fields  were  occupied  for 
the  purposes  of  general  utility ;  and  within  forty  years  from  its 
first  commencement,  Baltimore  became  not  only  the  most  wealthy 
and  populous  town  in  the  Province,  but  inferior  to  few  on  this 
Continent,  either  in  size,  number  of  inhabitants,  or  the  advantages 
arising  from  a  well-conducted  and  universal  and  commercial  con- 
nection." In  a  note  he  adds:  "Soon  after  the  appointment  of 
Mr.  Eden  to  the  government  of  Marj^land,  Sir  William  Draper 
arrived  in  that  Province  on  a  tour  throughout  the  Continent.  He 
contemplated  the  origin  of  Baltimore,  and  its  rapid  progress,  with 
astonishment,  and  when  introduced  by  the  Governor  to  the 
worthy  founder,  he  elegantly  accosted  him  by  the  appellation  of 
the  American  Eomulus." 

Mr.  Jonathan  Hanson,  son  of  the  gentleman  of  that  name  who 
had  erected  the  third,  fourth  and  fifth  mills  on  the  Falls,  w^as  ap- 
pointed Inspector  of  Flour,  which  continued  to  be  sold  by  weight 
until  after  the  Eevolution. 

Messrs.  Cumberland  Dugan  and  Lemuel  Cravath,  from  Boston, 
the  latter  the  first  New-England  gentleman  who  settled  here, 
traded  largely  hence.  Mr.  Dugan,  who  came  from  Ireland  and 
married  in  Boston,  took  the  lot  on  Water  street  near  Cheapside. 
About  this  time  Mr.  William  Moore  built  a  stone  house  at  the 
southeast  comer  of  South  and  Water  streets.  South  street,  origi- 
nally an  alley  sixteen  and  a  half  feet  broad,  at  the  instance  of  N. 
Kogers'  guardians  was  widened  from  Baltimore  street  to  the  water 
by  the  new  inspection-house. 

Samuel  O wings  and  George  Eisteau,  Esqs.,  were  elected  dele- 
gates in  the  places  of  Messrs.  Eidgely  and  Ad^ir. 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  71 

Among  those  who  arrived  and  carried  on  trade  from  Baltimore 
about  this  period  were  Messrs.  Hercules  Courtenay,  James  Clarke, 
Thos,  Usher,  James  McHenry,  David  Williamson,  David  Stewart, 
Daniel  Carroll,  David  Plunkett,  James  Cheston,  John  Ashburner, 
Matthew  Eidley,  William  Eussell,  Thomas  Eussell,  Jonathan  Hud- 
son, Eobert  Walsh,  Mark  Pringle,  James  Somervel,  Thomas  Place, 
John  Eiddle,  Charles  Garts,  William  Neil,  Johnson  Grildert,  John 
McKim,  George  Woolsey,  James  Calhoun,  William  Aisquith,  Joseph 
Magoffin,  Henry  Schaeffer,  George  Lindenberger,  Barnet  Eichel- 
berger,  Francis  Sanderson,  Eichard  Lemmon,  Jacob  Walsh,  William 
Wilson,  George  Presstman,  Eichardson  Stewart,  Eobert  Steuart, 
Englehart  Yeiser,  Christopher  Hughes,  John  Cornthwait,  and 
William  Smith.  The  practising  physicians  in  and  near  the  town 
were  Doctors  Lyon,  Hultz,  Stenhouse,  Weisenthall,  Pue,  Steven- 
son, Boyd,  Craddock,  Haslet,  Gray,  and  Coulter.  The  members  of 
the  bar  who  resided  here  were  Eobert  Alexander,  Jeremiah  T. 
Chase,  Benjamin  Nicholson,  Thomas  Jones,  George  Chalmers, 
Eobert  Smith  of  W.,  Eobert  Buchanan  of  W.,  W.  Francis  Curtis, 
and  David  McMechin,  Esqs. 

^.772.  In  this  year  the  first  efforts  were  made  in  Baltimore  to 
introduce  the  use  of  umbrellas  as  a  defence  from  the  sun  and  rain. 
They  were  then  scouted  as  a  ridiculous  effeminacy.  On  the  other 
hand, 'the  phj^sicians  recommended  them  to  keep  off  vertigos, 
epilepsies,  sore-eyes,  fevers,  &c.  Finally,  as  the  doctors  were  their 
chief  patrons,  they  were  generally  adopted.  They  were  of  oiled 
linen,  very  coarse  and  clumsy,  with  rattan  sticks,  and  were  imported 
from  India  byway  of  England.  Before  their  time  some  doctors  and 
ministers  used  an  oiled  linen  cape  hooked  around  their  shoulders, 
looking  not  unlike  the  big  coat-capes  now  in  use,  and  then  called  a 
roquelaire.  It  was  only  used  for  severe  storms. 
NJ  1773.  The  importance  of  the  trade  and  intercourse  had  already 
produced  tbe  establishment  of  a  line  of  packets  and  stage-coaches, 
by  the  head  of  Elk,  to  and  from  Philadelphia ;  and  a  coffee-house 
or  hotel  was  opened  at  the  Point.l^ 

Until  this  period  the  hills  on  wnich  the  Cathedral  and  Hospital 
are  erected,  and  the  grounds  west  of  Greene  street,  where  Mr.  Lux 
had  established  a  rope-walk,  and  the  south  shore  of  the  river  from 
Lee  street,  where  Mr.  Thomas  Moore  set  up  the  frame  of  a  vessel, 
to  the  Fort  point,  were  covered  with  forest  trees  or  small  planta- 
tions. The  grounds  between  the  town  and  Point,  called  Philpot's 
Hill,  remained  an  open  common.  The  last  fair  was  held  on  Mr. 
Howard's  grounds,  between  Liberty  and  Greene  streets,  where 
races  were  also  run  before  the  Eevolution.  Most  of  the  timber 
fell  a  prey  to  the  wants  of  necessitous  inhabitants  during  the  cold 
winters  of  1779  and  1783,  and  improvements  did  not  commence, 
even  on  Mr.  Philpot's  grounds,  for  some  years  after. 

In  May,  Charles  Eidgely,  Thomas  C.  Deye,  Aquilla  Hall,  and 
Walter  Tolley,  Esqs.,  were  elected  delegates  to  the  General  As- 


y 


72  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

sembly,  and  the  subversion  of  the  colonial  government  taking  place 
before  the  usual  period  of  issuing  writs  for  an  election,  which  was 
/      three  years,  they  were  the  last  delegates  under  that  government. 
^  Messrs.  Moale  and  Steiger  were  authorised,  at  a  session  in  June, 

to  add  eighteen  acres  of  ground  lying  between  Bridge,  now  Gay 
and  Front  streets.  It  was  not  carried  into  effect  until  eight  years 
after;  but  about  eighty  acres  of  Plowman,  Philpot,  and  Fells'  lands 
were  added  to  the  town  on  the  east. 

The  markets  were  regulated  by  law,  and  the  commissioners  au- 
thorised to  hire  stalls,  appoint  a  clerk,  &c. 

At  this  time  Gay  Street  bridge  was  rebuilt  of  wood,  and  a  new 
one  erected  at  Baltimore  street,  first  of  stone,  which  gave  way  when 
finished,  and  then  of  wood;  and  for  the  first  time  on  Water  street, 
now  Lombard,  another  of  wood.  To  the  two  last  it  was  necessary 
to  raise  causeways  from  Frederick  street  across  the  marsh.  Mr. 
Joseph  Eathel  issued  proposals  for  a  circulating  library,  but  without 
success. 

Antecedent  to  the  erection  of  Alms  Houses  in  the  State   of 

Maryland,  the  County  Courts  had  levied  tobacco  for  the  relief  of 

the  sick  and  infirm  poor,  from  year  to  year,  as  other  county  charges 

/  were  levied.     The  year  before  Baltimore  County  Alms  House  was 

^  authorised  to  be  erected,  240  persons  were  relieved  in  the  county, 

then  including  Harford,  and  the  amounts  levied  averaged  12J0O  lbs. 

of  tobacco   each  —  the  levies  per  poll  on   10,000  taxables  being 

sometimes  in  the  name  of  persons  who  had  the  poor  in  charge,  but 

A    generally  in  the  name  of  the  persons  relieved  at  their  own  houses. 

^  f  I  At  the  session  of  Assembly  in  November  1773,  an  Act  was  passed, 

i  appointing   Charles  Eidgely,  William  Lux,  John  Moale,  William 

1  temith,  and  Samuel  Purviance,  of  Baltimore  Tow^n,  and  Andrew 

I  \Buchanan  and  Harry  Dorsey  Gough,  trustees  for  the  poor  of  Bal- 

ytimore  County,  with  corporate  powers  to  fill  their  own  vacancies, 
and  to  elect  one  new  member  annually  in  the  place  of  the  first-named 
in  succession.  Four  thousand  pounds  in  bills  of  credit,  of  a  larger 
loan  made  to  the  county,  in  common  with  other  counties,  were  di- 
rected to  be  paid  the  trustees,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  "  in 
Fee  or  Quantity "  of  land  in  the  said  county,  not  exceeding  100 
acres,  near  and  convenient  to  Baltimore  Town,  but  not  within  a 
half  a  mile  thereof;  and  to  agree  and  contract  with  a  workman  or 
workmen,  to  undertake,  erect,  build,  and  in  a  workmanlike  manner 
to  complete  and  finish,  on  the  said  land,  when  so  purchased,  good, 
strong,  sufficient  and  convenient  houses,  habitations,  and  dwellings, 
for  the  reception  of  the  poor  of  said  county,  and  of  such  vagrants, 
beggars,  vagabonds,  and  other  offenders,  as  shall  be  committed ; 
and  shall  appropriate  one  part  thereof,  to  be  called  the  Alms  House, 
to  and  for  the  reception  and  lodging  of  the  poor  of  said  county ; 
and  another  part  or  parts  thereof,  to  bo  called  the  Work  House,  to 
and  for  the  reception  and  lodging  of  all  such  vagrants  and  other 
offenders ;  and  also  to  purchase  sufficient  beds,  bedding,  working 


CHKOKICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE.  73 

tools,  kitchen  utensils,  cows,  horses,  and  other  necessaries,  of  which  > 
vouchers  were  to  be  produced  at  Court.  The  people  were  taxed  ^r 
at  the  rate  of  12  pounds  of  tobacco  per  poll  annually  to  repay  the 
loan-office  commissioners,  and  which  in  1775-6  was  levied  by  the 
then  sheriff,  whose  property  on  his  return  to  England  was  confis- 
cated to  the  State  ;  but  the  loan  was  still  standing  against  the 
county,  and  15  pounds  of  tobacco  per  poll  was  authorised  to  be 
levied  by  the  Justices  of  the  County  Court,  as  had  been  provided 
for  individual  poor  before,  "  for  the  use,  benefit  and  charge  of  main- 
taining the  poor,  vagrants,  &c.,  in  the  purchase  of  provisions  and 
other  necessaries  for  use  and  labor ;  in  paying  a  Doctor  for  his 
salary  and  medicines ;  in  providing  men  and  women  servants,  to 
be  under  the  management  and  direction  pf  an  overseer  of  such  alms 
and  work  house,  hereafter  to  be  appointed;  and  in  purchasing 
materials  for  the  use  and  employment  of  the  poor,  and  all  beggars 
&c.,  who  shall  be  able  to  work  and  who  shall  be  committed  by 
virtue  of  the  act."  The  Trustees  were  directed  to  meet  "on  the 
first  Monday  of  May  yearly,  and  at  all  such  other  times  as  they 
shall  judge  necessary,  at  the  Alms  and  Work  house,  to  appoint  a 
fit  person  of  said  County  to  be  overseer  of  the  Alms  and  Work 
house  aforesaid,  and  such  other  proper  officers  and  servants  as  to 
them  shall  appear  necessary,  and  in  the  first  week  in  February, 
May,  August  and  November  annually  or  oftener  to  make  all  such 
good  and  wholesome  ordinances,  rules  and  by-laws  as  they  shall 
think  convenient  and  necessary."  It  was  made  lawful  for  any  one 
Justice,  and  for  any  person  authorised  and  appointed  by  such  y 
Justice,  "  to  apprehend  or  cause  to  be  apprehended  any  rogues,  ^ 
vagrants,  vagabonds,  beggars,  and  other  idle  dissolute  and  disor-^' 
derly  persons  found  loitering  or  residing  in  the  said  County,  City 
or  Town  corporate,  who  follows  no  labor,  trade,  occupation  or  busi- 
ness, and  have  no  visible  means  of  subsistence  whereby  to  acquire 
an  honest  livelihood,  thence  to  be  kept. at  hard  labor  for  any  term 
not  exceeding  three  months,"  which  power  was  afterwards,  on  the 
organization  of  a  special  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  for  Baltimore 
County,  transferred  with  additional  powers  to  said  court;  but  on  >/ 
the  adoption  of  the  Penitentiary  in  September  1811,  the  County 
work-house  was  used,  as  was  the  prison,  for  the  detention  of  such 
vagrants  until  they  were  duly  convicted  or  acquitted. 

The  elevated  and  beautiful  site  of  the  Alms-house  was  first  pur- 
chased of  Mr.  William  Lux  for  £350,  containing  twenty  acres, 
being  nearly  in  form  of  a  square,  and  situated  northwest  of  the 
town,  at  the  head  of  North  Howard  street,  and  was  on  the  square 
formed  by  Eutaw,  Biddle,  Garden,  and  Madison  streets.  The 
trustees  erected  the  necessary  buildings,  then  laid  out  the  grounds, 
planted  them  with  trees  in  the  most  agreeable  manner,  excellent 
water  being  procured  from  two  wells  about  seventy  feet  deep  each, 
with  pumps.  On  Wednesday,  September  18th,  1776,  a  fire  broke 
out  in  the  garret,  caused  by  accident  with  some  flax  in  the  main 


\ 


74  CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE. 

building.  The  wind  blowing  fresh  from  the  westward,  the  fire 
soon  communicated  to  the  dome  and  east  wing,  both  of  which 
were  nearly  consumed  before  the  engine  from  town  arrived.  By 
the  activity  of  the  inhabitants,  part  of  the  west  wing  of  the  house 
was  preserved  and  most  of  the  furniture.  The  main  building  was 
immediately  rebuilt,  but  the  wing  not  until  some  years  after.  In 
1792  nearly  ten  acres  of  land  was  purchased  of  Mr.  Eussell,  agent 
of  Mr.  Lux,  for  the  sum  of  £167  IBs.  5d.,  and  added  as  a  pasture, 
by  Messrs.  P.  Hoffman,  W.  McLaughlin,  Alexander  McKim,  David 
Brown,  George  Presstman,  James  McCannon,  and  Samuel  Hol- 
lingsworth,  the  then  trustees,  who  with  difficulty  obtained  the 
acquiescence  of  the  County  Court,  and  to  which  ground  the  burial- 
place  was  removed  from  the  south  side  of  Howard  street  when 
that  street  was  extended  ten  years  afterwards.  In  pursuance  of  a 
law  passed  in  1805,  commissioners  were  appointed  to  open  a  road 
in  the  extension  of  Howard  street,  to  the  north  side  of  the  Poor- 
house  ground,  converting  the  square  into  two  angles,  and  sepa- 
rating about  one-half  of  the  garden  from  the  other  and  from  the 
buildings,  and  the  trustees  were  authorised  to  lease  part  of  the 
ground  so  separated  from  the  rest.  In  the  same  year  the  manage- 
ment of  the  Poor-house  and  funds  of  the  poor  was  transferred  to 
the  Justices  of  the  Levy  Court,  at  their  own  request,  and  they 
proceeded  to  lay  out  and  dispose  of  lots  in  pursuance  of  the 
authority  which  had  been  given  to  the  trustees,  and  which  was 
increased  in  the  Court,  to  open  other  streets  and  lots  on  both 
sides  of  the  new  road,  by  acts  passed  in  1807  and  1811,  until  1816, 
when  the  same  Court  was  authorised  to  sell  the  house  and  all  the 
ground  east  of  Biddle  street,  and  to  purchase  land  in  the  county 
for  a  new  alms-house.  The  Court  advertised  for  land,  but  none 
was  tendered  them  which  was  considered  sufficiently  eligible  and 
cheap  to  induce  them  to  abandon  such  extensive  improvements  so 
conveniently  placed  as  the  present. 

After  a  number  of  modifications  in  the  system  of  relieving  the 
poor,  the  Legislature  in  1799  authorised  the  trustees  to  pay  a 
pension,  not  exceeding  thirty  dollars  each,  to  not  more  than  ten 
persons  in  one  county,  "  whose  peculiar  circumstances  may  render 
a  situation  in  the  Poor  House  particularly  unsuitable,"  which 
number  of  out-pensioners  was  extended  to  thirty  persons  in  this 
and  other  counties,  and  to  forty  persons,  at  forty  dollars  each,  in 
some  about  ten  years  after.  In  the  meantime  the  Legislature  was 
importuned  to  special  acts  of  relief,  and  this  and  some  other  coun- 
ties were  compelled  by  laws  to  provide  for  almost  as  many  more 
out-pensioners. 

In  1819  or  1820  the  city  and  county  of  Baltimore  jointly,  for 
the  sum  of  844,000,  purchased  from  the  Mechanics'  Bank  of  Balti- 
more, "  Calverton,"  formerly  the  country  seat  of  Dennis  A.  Smith, 
with  its  splendid  mansion,  to  which  the  trustees  added  two  wings 
130  by  40  feet  each,  and  other  necessarj^  out-buildings,  and  thereby 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  75 

formed  the  large  and  elegant  alms-house,  which  in  point  of  extent,  ■) 
convenience,  and  beauty  of  location,  was  not  surpassed  in  its  day 
by  any  similar  establishment  in  the  United  States.     The  old  alms-- 
house,  between  Eutaw  and  Howard  streets,  was  demolished  about 
the  year  1827.     It  contained  306  acres,  and  was  situated  about  two 
and  a  half  miles  from  the  court-house  in  a  northwestern  direction, 
on  the  Franklin  road.     Iso  part  of  the  debt  incurred  in  the  pur-    ^ 
chase  vvas  paid  until  the  year  1828,  between  which  period  and  1836  "5 
the  whole  debt  was  cancelled.     The  purchase-mone}^  Avas  paid  out 
of  the  proceeds  of  the  old  alms-house  property,. and  from  the  same 
source  also  a  very  large  proportion  of  the  improvements,  including 
additional  wings,  &c.     The  entire  cost  of  land  and  improvements 
was  about  $94,odO.  ^ 

In  1866  Bay  View  Asylum,  a  new  institution  for  the  paupers 
of  the  city  which  had  been  erected  by  the  City  of  Baltimore,  was 
occupied.     The  grounds  consist  of  forty-six  acres,  which  were  pur- 
chased of  the  Canton  Company,  at  the  rate  of  $150  per  acre.    The 
building  is  exceedingly  imposing  in  appearance,  and  situated  upon 
a  hill  high  enough  to  render  it  conspicuous  for  many  miles.     Over  y 
$500,000  have  been  expended  on  the  premises,  and  every  rare  and^ 
modern  appliance  afforded  to  render  the  asylum  and  its  grounds  - 
equal  to  the   best  in   the  world.     The  wings  and  centre  building 
give  an   aggregate  front  of  71-4  feet,  whilst  it  is  three  stories  in 
height,  including  the  basement.     The  top  of  the  cupola  rises  to  the 
height  of  184  feet,  whilst  the  base  is  estimated  at  100  feet  above 
tide-water.     More  than  seven  millions  of  brick  have  been  used  in 
the  work  of  erection.     The  superintending  architect  of  the  build- 
ing was  John  W.  Hogg,  Esq.    The  principal  management  of  fitting     >^ 
it  up  for  the  occupation  was  performed  by  James  McDougall,  Sr.,  ^    - 
"VV.  W.  Maughlin,  William  Callow,  A.  W.  Poulson,  and  James  F.  ^ 
Ross,   Esqs.,    trustees    appointed     by  the    Mayor,    whose   labors, 
though   gratuitous,  were  of  the  utmost  advantage  to  the  city  in 
point  of  economy  and  com])leteness.     It  was  under  the  able  ad- 
ministration of  these  geiitlenuu,  that  an  asylum  for  the  insane  was 
established  in  the  building,  which  proved  to  be  a  saving  to  the  city 
of  nearly  $35,000  a  year. 

The  sale  of  the  old  "Almshouse  "  property  took  place  at  the 
Exchange  Salesroom  on  Tuesday,  April  18th,  and  drew  together  a 
large  number  of  capitalists  and  property-dealers.  Mr.  F.  W.  Ben- 
nett, the  auctioneer,  first  offered  lot  No.  1,  containing  Vl\  acres, 
binding  on  the  southwest  side  of  the  Calverton  turnpike  road  at 
the  junction  of  the  Potomac  Eailroad.  The  first  bid  was  $1500 
per  acre,  but  was  finally  knocked  down  to  Thomas  G.  Scharf,  Esq., 
at  $3600  per  acre,  he  becoming  the  purchaser  at  that  price,  it  being 
$45,900  for  the  lot.  Lot  No.  2  was  divided  into  three  lots.  The 
first  lot,  comprising  within  its  limits  the  almshouse  buildings  and 
the  stone  quarry,  and  containing  36 i  acres,  was  sold  after  much 
effort  to  Messrs.  William  S.  Raynor  and  James  Bromell,  at  $2600 


\ 


76  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

per  acre,  pr  ?94,250  for  the  lot.  The  second  portion  of  lot  ISTo.  2, 
containing  28  acres,  was,  sold  to.Mi%  A.  §.,  Abell  at  $2610  per  acre, 
Dr"$73,b8d  for, the  lot.  .  The.third.portion  of  lot JSTp.  2,  containing 
271  acres,  was  sold  to  Mr.  A.  B.  Patterson  at  $500  per  acre,  or 
$13,-625  for  the  lot.  Lot  No.  3,  containino;  67i  acres  adjoining  lot 
No.  2,  was  sold  to  Mr.  A.  S.  Abell  at  $1700  per  acre,  or  $114,750 
for  the  lot.     The  sale  amounting  in  the  total  to  $341,605. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  yenv  1735  Mr.  John  Wesley  and  his 
brother  Charles  consented  to  leave  England,  and  to  come  over  to 
America  as  missionaries  to  the  Indians,  and  on  the  14th  of  Oc- 
tober, 1735,  they  set  off.  After  a  passage  of  more  than  three 
months,  they  landed  on  the  6th  of  February,  1736,  at  Tybee,  near 
Savannah,  Georgia.  On  the  24th  of  December,  1737,  Mr.  Jo_hn. 
Wesley  sailed  from.  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  for  Englaifd,  and 
never  returned  again  to  America.  Mr.  Charles  WesJ.ey  embarked 
for  England  in  July,  1736,  after  ^  short  stay  of^arbout  six  months 
in  Georgia.  Mr.  George  _Whitefield,  who^<3^nie  to  America  in  May, 
1740,  passed  through.Baltimore  qn^seyeral  visits  to  the  members 
of  the  Methodist  society  from  Europe,  settled  in  the  United  States 
(then  British  Colonies),  who  were  scattered  about  as  sheep  having 
neither  fold  nor  shepherd.  .  In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1766  the 
first  permanent  Methodist  society  was  formed  in  th.@  city  of  New 
York.  Not  long  after  this  society  was  formed  in  New  York,  Eob- 
ert  Strawbridge,  .from  Ireland,  who  had  settled  in  Frederick 
county,  in  the  State  of  Maryland,  begaa  to  hold  meetings  in  public, 
aqd  joined  a^sQciety  together  near  Pipe  Creek.,  Mr.  Strawbridge 
was  a  useful  man,  and  zealous  in  the  cause,  as  he  spent  much  of 
his  time  in  preaching  the  Gospel  in  different  places  before  any  reg- 
ular preachers  were  sent  over  to  this.country  by  Mr.  Wesley.  The 
first  Methodist  meeting-house,  that  wasbuilt  in  tTie  United  States, 
was  in  John  Street,  New  York ;  the  second  by  Mr.  Strawbridge 
and  his  societ)'',  near  Pipe  Creek  in  Frederick  county,  Maryland, 
and  was  called  the  "Lpg  Meeting  House."  On  the  24th  of  Oc- 
tober, 1769,  Mr.  Boardman  and  Mr.  Pillmore  landed  at  Gloucester 
Point,  below  Philadelphia,  from  England,  and  were  the  first  regular 
itinerant  Methodist  pre^ichers  that  ever  came  to  the  United  States. 
On  the  27th  of  October  Mr.  Francis  Asbury  and  Mr.  Eichard 
Wright  arrived  in  Philadelphia,  having  been  sent  over  from  Eng- 
land by  Mr.  John  Wesley  to  this  country.  They  soon  began  to 
extend  their  labors  farther  into  the,  country,  i^nd  in  a  short  time 
they  preached  in  Baltimore,  with  .Mr.  Ban  kin,  Webb,  King,  Wil- 
liams, Pillmore  and  others.  Mr.  Asbury  first  preached  in  Balti- 
more at  Fell's  Point  on  Saturday,  November  28th,  1772.  In  No- 
vember, 1773,  Messrs.  Jesse  Hollingsworth,  George  Wells,  Richard 
Moale,  Ge6rge  Robinson,  John  Woodw^ard,  and  others,  formed  a  so- 
ciety on  Fell's  Point,  and  built  the  first  Methodist  meeting-house 
in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  in  Strawberry  alley. 

On  the   11th  of  February,   1774,  William  Moore   and  Philip 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  77 

Rogers  took  up  a  subscripton  towards  building  another  church  in 
Baltimore  Town,  and  secured  a  lot  in  Lovely  lane,  which  lay  im- 
mediately south  of  Baltimore  street,  running  from  Calvert  to  South 
street.  The  history  of  this  first  Methodist  meeting-house  west  of 
Jones  Falls,  and  the  second  in  Baltimore  Town,  and  which  has 
long  since  been  removed  and  its  precise  site  scarcely  known,  re- 
veals the  following  facts:  On  Monday,  the  eighteenth  day  of 
April,  1774,  the  foundation  of  the  house  was  laid,  and  the  first 
quarterly  meeting  that  was  ever  held  in  the  town  of  Baltimore 
was  on  Tuesday  the  third  of  May  in  this  year.  In  October  of  the 
same  year  the  building  was  completed,  and  Captain  Webb,  the 
British  officer,  and  faithful  pioneer  local  preacher,  delivered  his 
Gospel  message  to  the  congregation  assembled  therein.  On  the 
21st  of  May,  1776,  the  first  conference  of  Methodist  preachers  held 
in  Baltimore,  took  place  in  this  meeting-house.  The  first  three 
conferences  had  been  held  in  Philadelphia.  The  Methodists  met 
with  some  particular  persecutions  this  year.  Mr.  Asbury  says,  on 
the  20th  day  of  June  "  I  was  fined  near  Baltimore  five  pounds  for 
preaching  the  gospel."  It  was  with  great  difficulty  the  preachers 
could  travel  their  circuits,  on  account  of  the  war  which  was 
spreading  through  the  land ;  these  persecutions  were  due  perhaps 
to  the  fact  that  the  preachers  were  all  from  England,  and  some  of 
whom  were  so  imprudent  as  to  speak  too  freely  against  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Americans.  During  the  Eevolutionary  war  a  num- 
ber of  the  Methodist  preachers  were  brought  into  difficulties  and 
suiferings.  In  April,  1778,  Joseph  Hartley,  one  of  the  travelling 
preachers,  was  apprehended  in  Queen  Anne's  county  for  preaching, 
and  afterwards  in  Talbot  county  was  seized  by  the  people  and 
shut  up  in  jail.  Freeborn  Garretson,  another  travelling  preacher, 
was  severely  beaten  in  Queen  Anne's  county.  Mr.  Asbury  says, 
"  On  conscientious  principles  I  was  a  non-juror,  and  could  not 
preach  in  the  state  of  Maryland,  and  therefore  withdrew  to  the 
Delaware  state,  where  the  clergy  were  not  required  to  take  the 
state  oath,  though  with  a  clear  conscience  I  could  have  taken  the 
oath  of  the  Delaware  state  had  it  been  required,  and  would  have 
done  it,  had  1  not  been  prevented  by  a  tender  fear  of  hurting  the 
scrupulous  consciences  of  others."  ^ 

On  the  24th  day  of  April,  1780,  the  eighth  conference  met  in  '^ 
Baltimore,  where  the  northern  preachers  only  attended.     This  con- 
ference took  under  consideration  the  subject  of  slavery,  and  re-  ^ 
quired  all  the  travelling  preachers  who  belonged  to  the  Baltimore  ^ 
Conference  to  promise  that  if  they  held  slaves  they  would  set  them 
free.     They  went  further,  and  said  that  they  believed  that  keeping 
of  slaves  was  contrary  to  the  laws  of  God,  of  man,  and  of  nature, 
and  that  it  was  hurtful  to  society  and  contrary  to  the  dictates  of 
conscience  and  pure  religion.     They  also   said,  "We  pass  our  dis- 
approbation on  all  our  friends  who  keep  slaves." 

December  27th,  1784,  the  thirteenth  conference  began  in  Bal- 


78  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

timore,  and  where  the  most  important  epoch  in  the  history  of 
American  Methodism  occurred,  which  has  given  to  the  Lovely 
Lane  Meeting  House  and  to  the  preachers  assembled  on  that  oc- 
casion, a  commanding  position  in  the  religious  history  of  this 
country.  The  Methodist  societies  in  the  United  States  were  here 
organized  into  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  America,  and  Kev.  Thomas  Coke,  LL.  D.,  and  Eev.  Francis 
Asburj^  became  the  first  bishops  of  the  Church.  The  rapid  growth 
of  Methodism  soon  rendered  the  Lovely  Lane  Meeting  House  too 
limited  to  accommodate  the  people,  and  arrangements  were  made 
to  locate  the  First  Light  Street  Church  on  the  northwest  corner 
of  Light  street  and  Wine  alley.  The  building  was  commenced  in 
August,  1785,  being  46  feet  front  by  70  feet  deep.  On  May  21st, 
1786,  the  church  was  dedicated  to  worship  by  Bishop  Asbury; 
subject  in  the  morning,  Psalm  Ixxxiv.  10 ;  in  the  evening  1st 
Kings  ix.  6-9,  The  subject  of  liberal  education  engaged  the  at- 
tention of  Bishops  Coke  and  Asbury  and  their  early  fellow-laborers, 
and  at  the  close  of  the  conference  in  1785,  "  A  plan  for  erecting  a  col- 
lege, intended  to  advance  religion  in  America,  to  be  presented  to 
the  principal  members  and  friends  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,"  was  decided  on,  and  signed  by  the  two  superintendents. 
A  site  was  selected  in  Abingdon,  Harford  county,  Maryland,  and 
the  two  superintendents  called  the  college,  when  finished,  after  their 
own  names,  ''  Cokesbury  College."  On  the  8th,  9th  and  10th  days  of 
December,  1787,  the  college  was  opened,  and  Mr.  Asbury  preached 
each  day ;  the  dedication  sermon  on  Sunday  from  2  Kings  iv.  40, 
*'0  thou  man  of  God,  there  is  death  in  the  pot."  On  the  4th  of 
Decembei-,  1795,  the  college  was  destroj^ed  by  fire.  The  Metho- 
dists of  Baltimore  rallied  to  the  relief  of  the  Church  to  repair  this 
calamity.  A  large  assembly  or  ball-room  which  stood  on  the  lot 
where  the  late  Light  Street  Church  stood,  was  purchased,  and 
Cokesbury  College  was  re-opened  under  favorable  auspices.  A  sad 
trial  awaited  the  First  Light  Street  Church  and  the  second 
Cokesbury  College.  Mr.  Patrick  Colvin's  mortal  remains  were 
borne  to  Light  Street  church,  December  4th,  1796.  Eev.  Henry 
Willis  was  officiating  on  the  occasion  ;  in  the  midst  of  the  solemn 
service  a  cry  of  fire  was  heard,  the  flames  were  issuing  from  a 
contiguous  building  (see  fire  in  the  year  1796),  and  in  a  short 
time  the  first  Light  Street  Church  and  the  second  Cokesbury  Col- 
lege were  smouldering  ruins.  It  was  remarkable  that  this  destruc- 
tive fire  occurred  precisely  in  one  year  after  the  loss  of  the  first 
college  by  conflagration.  This  catastrophe  awoke  valuable  sym- 
pathy among  the  citizens  of  Baltimore  ;  and  the  members  and 
friends  of  the  church  immediately  projected  the  building  of  a  new 
and  commodious  edifice.  A  lot  was  secured  from  Mr.  Daniel  Grant 
on  the  southwest  corner  of  Light  street  and  Wine  allc}^,  being  the 
opposite  corner  to  the  one  previously  occupied.  The  trustees,  Mr. 
Jamos   McCannon,    William   Hawkins,  Isaac   Burneston,  Samuel 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  7y 

Owings,  John  Hagerty,  Job  Smith,  Caleb  Hewitt,  AYalter  Simpson, 
and  Philip  Eogers  paid  for  the  lot  £5,360  Maryland  currency.  On 
October  29,  1797,  being  about  ten  months  after  the  loss  of  the  first 
church.  Bishop  Asbury  dedicated  the  new  Light  Street  Church. 
This  church  was  removed  upon  the  opening  of  German  street. 

In  1788  Methodism  greatly  increased  in  Baltimore,  and  in  the 
course  of  the  summer  a  plan  was  adopted  of  preaching  on  the 
common,  or  in  the  Lexington  Market  on  Howard's  Hill,  every  Sunday 
afternoon  after  the  services  were  ended  in  the  churches.  On  the 
18th  of  May  1800,  Eichard  Whatcoat  was  ordained  a  bishop  at  the 
thir.d  regular  conference,  held  in  Baltimore,  by  the  laying  on  of 
hands  by  Dr.  Coke,  Mr.  Asbury,  and  some  of  the  Elders. 

In  the  year  1801,  camp-meetings  were  first  introduced  in  the 
new  pai*t8  of  the  country  where  the  people  were  but  thinly  settled, 
and  no  house  could  hold  them  when  the  people  collected  together. 
The  first  camp-meeting  that  was  ever  held  in  the  State  of  Mary- 
land was  in  the  woods,  about  fifteen  miles  from  Baltimore,  a  little 
to  the  east,  on  the  Keisterstown  road.  This  meeting  was  held 
in  September,  1803,  and  began  on  Saturday  and  ended  on  Monday. 
That  day  was  long  remembered  as  "  The  happy  Monday,  the 
blessed  26th  of  September,  1803." 

Up  to  this  time  the  newspapers  of  Philadelphia  and  Annapolis 
were  the  sole  media  of  information  for  Baltimoreans,  and  the 
only  means  of  advertising  their  wares  or  their  wants.  The  Mary- 
land Gazette,  originally  published  in  the  interest  of  the  Provincial 
Government,  by  Jonas  Green,  at  Annapolis,  with  the  Pennsylvania 
Journal  and  the  Weekly  Advertiser,  the  Pennsylvania  Chronicle  and 
Universal  Advertiser,  and  the  Pennsylvania  Packet,  or  the  General 
Advertiser,  published  at  Philadelphia,  seemed  to  have  hitherto 
satisfied  every  requirement.  There  was  not  a  practical  printer  to 
be  found  within  the  limits  of  the  town  ;  and  yet  matters  of  the 
gravest  political  importance  were  culminating,  and  many  of  the 
leading  minds  in  the  colonies  were  becoming  editors  and  pam- 
phleteers. The  Pennsylvania  Chronicle  was  published  weekly  in 
Philadelphia  on  Monday.  The  first  number  appeared  January 
6th,  1767,  by  William  Goddard,  at  ten  shillings  per  annum.  This 
was  the  fourth  newspaper  in  the  English  language  established  at 
Philadelphia,  and  the  first  with  four  columns  to  a  page  in  the 
colonies.  The  second  and  third  years  it  was  printed  in  quarto, 
and  the  fourth  year  again  in  folio.  It  was  ably  edited,  having  the 
celebrated  Joseph  Galloway,  Esq.,  and  Thomas  AVharton,  Esq.,  as 
secret  partners.  It  gained  great  circulation.  It  became  at  last 
too  Tory  in  its  bias  to  stand  the  times.  It  continued  till  February,  y 
1773.  A  short  time  afterwards  Mr.  Goddard  made  a  visit  to  Bal-  y^ 
timore,  where  he  was  urged  by  some  prominent  townsmen  to 
undertake  the  jDublication  of  a  paper  here,  with  assurances  of 
hearty  co-operation  and  liberal  support.  This  resulted  in  Mr.  God- 
dard's  removal  to  Baltimore  late  in  June,  1773,  and  in  the  general 


80  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

advertisement  on  the  15th  of  the  month  following,  in  the  Mary- 
land Gazette,  of  the  prospectus  of  The  Maryland  Journal  and  Bal- 
timore Advertiser,  which  was  announced  to  appear  in  August. 
Meanwhile  an  office  was  secured,  a  press  erected,  a  handsome 
outfit  of  type  and  material  obtained,  several  old  employees  brought 
hither  from  Philadelphia  to  work  at  the  case,  and  every  provision 
made  for  a  successful  debut.  The  first  issue  of  The  Maryland 
Journal  and  Baltimore  Advertiser  appeared  on  the  morning  of 
Friday,  August  20th,  1773,  and  was  distributed  throughout  the 
town  and  Fell's  Point.  It  was  in  folio  sheet,  18x24  inches,  and 
contained  twelve  broad  columns.  It  was  prinjied  from  a  new  and 
beautiful  Elzevir  type,  on  heavy  book  paper.  The  press-work  was 
admirable.  The  armorial  bearings  of  the  Province,  engraved  by 
Sparrow  at  Annapolis,  formed  the  device  with  the  title.  Typo- 
graphically the  paper  compared  favorably  with  any  printed  in  the 
colonies.  The  motto  selected  for  the  Journal  —  and  the  papers  of 
that  day  invariably  had  mottoes  —  was  the  familiar  couplet  from 
Horace : 

Omne  tulit  punctum  qui  miscuit  utile  dulci. 
Lectorum  deiectando,  pariterque  monendo. 

Which  may  be  thus  freely  translated : 

He  carries  every  point  who  blends  the  useful  with  the  agreeable, 
Amusing  his  reader  while  he  instructs  him. 

The  paper  was  published  every  week  from  the  office  in  Market 
street,  three  doors  from  the  corner  of  South  lane,  then,  as  it  now 
is,  the  business  heart  of  the  town,  at  ten  shillings  per  annum. 
Late  in  October  Mr.  Goddard  made  a  "tour  to  the  northern 
colonies,"  leaving  his  sister,  Miss  Mary  K.  Goddard,  in  charge  of 
the  paper,  a  position  which  she  most  acceptably  filled.  The 
founder  of  the  first  newspaper  in  Baltimore  was  also  the  founder 
of  our  present  national  postal  system.  Mr.  Goddard  was  the  most 
enterprising  editor  of  his  day.  He  had  pledged  himself  to  present 
the  news  to  his  readers,  and  he  determined  to  do  it.  But  the  mails 
were  under  a  systemized  espionage :  they  were  regularly  tam- 
pered with.  All  matter  considered  prejudicial  to  the  interests  of 
the  Koyal  Government  was  suppressed.  And,  apart  from  these 
considerations,  the  service  was  inefficient  and  the  range  of  its 
operations  narrow.  Already  Mr.  Goddard  had  established  a  special 
post  to  Philadelphia  in  connection  with  his  paper,  the  success 
of  which  induced  him  to  attempt  the  establishment  of  a  complete 
postal  system  throughout  the  colonies.  With  this  end  in  view,  he 
started  northward  in  February,  1774,  leaving  his  sister  for  the 
second  time  in  full  charge.  Mr.  Goddard  returned  July  1st,  and 
on  the  2d  announced  in  his  paper,  "  that  his  proposal  for  estab- 
lishing an  American  post-office  on  constitutional  principles  hath 
been  warmly  and  generously  patronized  by  the  friends  of  free- 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  81 

dom   in   all  the  great   commercial   towns   in   the    Eastern   colo- 
nies."     The   same    number    gives   at    length    the    official    plan 
for    establishing    a    new    American    post-office,    signed   William 
Goddard,    which   within   a   month    was    in   full   operation,   from 
Maine    to   Georgia  —  certainly   a   note-worthy  incident    in    con- 
nection with  the    history  of  this   paper.     It  may  be  mentioned, 
also,  that  Miss  Mary  K.  Goddard  was  appointed  the  Postmistress 
in  Baltimore,  which  position  she  held  for  fifteen  years,  and  that 
the  mails  were  received  and  distributed  at  the  Journal  office.     In      y 
November,   1775,  paper    became  very  scarce,    and  Mr.  Goddard ^^ 
established  a  paper  factory  near  the  town.     In  March,  Mr.  God- 
dard was  mobbed  by  the  "  Whig  Club."     [See  mob   in  the  year 
1797.]     On  the  8th  of  June,  1779,  Colonel  Eleazer  Oswald,  a  gal- 
lant and  distinguished  officer,  formed  a  business  connection  with 
his  friend  Goddard,  at  Baltimore.     In  the  Journal  for  July  6th, 
1779,  appeared   the   article,   "Queries  —  Political    and   Militar}-," 
which  caused  the  mob  as  recorded  in  the  year  1779.     On  the  19th 
of  February,  1783,  the  Journal  published  an  extra,  headed  "The 
Olive,"  announcing,  in  advance  of  any  paper  in  the  country,  the 
signing  of  the  preliminary  articles  of  peace  at  Paris,  the  news 
having  been  brought  direct  by  a  Baltimore  clipper.     Miss  Goddard 
having  continued  ostensible  "Printress"  and  "Editress"  of  the 
Journal  during  the  war,  and  until  the  1st  of  January,  1784,  when 
her  brother,  who  had  been  on  a  long  absence  north,  returned  to 
Baltimore  and  resumed  his  original  connection  with  the  Journal^ 
the  number  for  Januarj^  2d  being  published  by  William  and  Mary 
K.  Goddard.     They  jointly'conducted  it  until  January  25th,  1785, 
when  Edward  Langworthy,  "  a  gentleman  of  character  and  abil- 
ities," becomes  a  partner,  and  it  is  published   by  them  regularly 
until  January  1st,  1787,  when  Mr.  Langworthy  retired,  and  Mr. 
Goddard  alone  continued  it.     On   the  7th  of  August,  1789,  Mr. 
James  Angell,  "  a  young  man  who  hath  embarked  his  all  in  this 
establishment,"  becomes  co-editor  and  partner.     About  this  time  a 
personal  controversy  was  carried  on  through  the  columns  of  the 
Journal,  between  Leonard  Harbaugh  and  Christopher  Hughes,  con- 
tinuing for  some  time,  and  frequently  filling  from  one  to  two  columns. 
Mr.  Harbaugh,  it  seems,  overwhelmed  Mr.  Hughes  with  satire  and 
ridicule,  as  the  end  will  show.     In  answer  to  Mr.  Hughes,  the  fol- 
lowing appears  in  the  Journal  of  Feb.  9th,  1790:     "We  hear  that 
the  noted  Kit  Crucible,  alias  Kit  Chartres,  hath  given  his  white- 
faced  Nag  a  Respite  from  his  daily  labor  of  carrying  his  master's 
dead  weight  through  the  streets  of  Baltimore,  and  applies  himself 
closely,  at  his  Forge,  Anvil,  and  Vice  (near  Harbaugh's  Wharf),  in 
melting  down,  casting  and  hammering  into  solid  Ingots,  his  old  But- 
tons, Buckles,  and  Sp  >ons,  with   his  Clippings  and  Filings,  for  the 
encouragement  of  a  certain  Attorney  Incog,  who  hath  become  Cruci- 
ble's Btilows  Blower,  in  the  present  Exigency  of  his  Affairs.     Beware 
of  the  Alloy."     This  card,  it  seems,  was  too  much  for  Mr.  Hughes,  . 
6 


82  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

for  we  find  shortly  after,  the  following  in  the  same  paper:  "Kit 
Hughes,  the  Silversmith,  unable,  it  seems,  to  Eefute  the  Charges 
of  the  ^Sturdy  Carpenter,'  hath  essayed  to  confound  them  by  clap- 
ping a  Writ  on  the  Editors,  for  the  free  promulgation  of  accusa- 
tions derogatory  to  his  fair  immaculate  character, —  they  have 
only  publicly  to  present  him  their  Compliments  and  assure  him 
they  will  do  themselves  the  Honor  cheerfully  to  attend  his  polite 
and  Pressing  Invitation  (per  the  High-Sheriif  of  the  County)  to  the 
General  Court  in  May  next,  when,  they  doubt  not,  they  shall 
further  illustrate  a  Character,  already  conspicuous,  highly  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  lovers  oi  real  sport."  From  the  Journal  we  also 
get  the  following:  "On  Monday,  March  17th,  1794,  in  Baltimore 
County  Criminal  Court,  an  indictment  against  Goddard  &  Angell, 
as  the  printers  of  a  publication  of  Leonard  Harbaugh  against 
Christopher  Hughes,  the  Chief  Justice,  in  a  long  and  labored 
charge  to  the  Petit  Jury,  expressed  in  the  most  dogmatical  manner 
his  decided  opinion  against  the  defendants,  but  his  doctrine  of  the 
law  of  libels  appearing  to  the  jury  to  be  utterly  inconsistent  with 
every  principle  of  a  free  Constitution,  they  had  patriotism  enough 
to  scout  it  and  to  acquit  the  Printers.  The  following  persons  com- 
posed the  Jury:  Kichardson  Stewart,  Caleb  Hewett,  Caleb  Smith, 
Joshua  Porter,  John  Picket,  Matthew  Swain,  Alexander  Coulter, 
John  LaypoU,  John  McClellan,  Jacob  Eichelberger,  George  Wiley, 
and  Jacob  Miller.  Counsel  for  the'  Printers,  James  Winchester 
and  liobert  Smith." 

Messrs.  Goddard  and  Angell  continued  in  partnership  until 
August  14th,  1792,  when  Mr.  Goddard,"  w^ho  became  involved  in 
financial  difficulties,  sold  his  interest  in  the  Journal  to  Mr.  Angell, 
The  following  extract  is  taken  from  the  Journal  of  August 
14th,  1792,  -'Address  to  the  friends  and  patrons  of  the  Maryland 
Journal  and  Baltimore  Advertiser,  and  in  relinquishing  a  business 
reared  under  favor  of  the  public,  to  its  present  consequence  and 
respectability,  by  long  perseverance  and  incessant  application,  on 
a  small  Capital  of  a  si/i^/e  solitary  Guinea,  after  a  total  wreck  of 
my  fortune  in  another  state.  It  is,  however,  an  alleviating  circum- 
stance, that  by  this  measure,  I  am  enabled  to  do  justice  to  a  worthy 
friend,  who,  from  my  too  sanguine  anticipation  of  the  growth  and 
importance  of  this  really  flourishing  Town,  spontaneously  became 
my  security,  in  an  unfortunate  speculation  for  upwards  of  twenty- 
five  hundred  pounds,  and  has  actually  advanced  the  money.  From 
an  anxious  desire  fully  to  indemnity  this  disinterested  gentleman, 
who  never  wounded  me  by  an  unkind  suspicion — an  untimely  im- 
portunity, or,  by  a  word,  or  even  the  countenance  of  dissatisfaction, 
and  from  a  consideration  of  my  age  (verging  fast  on  52  years) 
the  little  probability  that  I  should,  by  the  most  unwearied  in- 
dustry, be  able,  seasonably,  to  discharge  this  highest  of  all  moral 
obligations,  I  have,  after  mature  deliberation,  disposed  of  my  whole 
Printing  concern  (one  of  the  most  considerable  in  the   United 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  83 

States)  for  a  valuable  consideration,  to  my  partner  and  brother-in- 
law,  Mr.  James  Angell."  Mr.  Goddard  removed  to  near  Providence, 
R.  I.  On  the  24th  of  January  1795,  it  is  announced  in  the  Journal 
that  Mr.  Goddard  had  been  elected  to  the  Khode  Island  Legis- 
laiui*e.  Miss  Goddard  remained  in  Baltimore,  where  she  kept  a 
book-store  until  1802;  she  died  on  Monday  the  12th  of  August, 
1816,  aged  80  years. 

On  the  .1st  of  November  1793,  Mr.  Paul  James  Sullivan  pur- 
chased an  interest  in  the  establishment,  and  assisted  Mr.  Angell  in 
the  editorial  duties.  On  the  first  day  of  Mr.  Sullivan's  connection, 
the  Journal  became  a  tri-weekly,  and  so  continued  until  it  became 
a  daily,  a  3^ear  later.  Mr.  Sullivan  retired  on  the  11th  of  June, 
and  Mr.  Angell  alone  carried  on  its  publication  until  October  24th, 
1794,  when  Mr.  Francis  Blumfield  purchased  and  published  it  until 
January  1st,  1795,  Avhen  Mr.  Philip  Edwards,  editor  of  the  Balti- 
more Daily  Advertiser,  purchases  an  interest,  and  consolidates  hia 
paper  with  the  Journal,  which  then  begins  its  daily  publication. 
The  paper  was  continued  under  the  title  of  The  Maryland  Journal 
and  Baltimore  Universal  Daily  Advertiser,  June  ISth,  1795,  Mr. 
Francis  Blumfield  retired  from  the  establishment,  and  Mr.  John 
W.  Allen  took  his  place.  Mr.  Philip  Edwards  and  Mr.  J.  W. 
Allen  remain  but  a  short  time  associated  in  its  conduct,  for  on  the 
18th  of  June,  1796,  they  dissolved  partnership,  and  the  Journal 
*'after  a  continuation  of  23  years  is  continued  by  Philip  Edwards." 
On  the  2d  of  August  1796,  a  partnership  commenced  between  Mr. 
P.  Edwards,  and  W.  C.  Smyth,  under  the  firm  of  Edwards  &  Smyth. 
They  remained  in  partnership  but  a  short  time,  for  on  the  8th  of 
September,  1796,  the  Journal  was  continued  b}'  P.  Edwards.  On 
the  4th  of  December,  1796,  the  Journal  office  was  burnt  out,  [see 
fire  1796]  and  the  paper  suspended  until  the  2d  of  January,  when 
it  Avas  continued  by  Mr.  D.  Finchete  Freebairn  as  editor  and  pro- 
prietor. After  the  fire  on  the  9th  of  December,  1796,  Mr.  P. 
Edwards  published  the  following  card  in  the  Federal  Gazette  and 
Baltimore  Daily  Advertiser:  "To  the  Subscribers,  Friends,  and 
Patrons  of  the  Maryland  Journal  and  Baltimore  Daily  Advertiser — 
Citizens :  The  dreadful  fire  which  happened  on  Sunday  last,  con- 
tiguous to  my  printing  office,  obliged  me  to  remove  the  apparatus, 
and  everything  belonging  to  my  business,  so  that  I  have  not  a 
single  press  fit  to  work,  and  a  considerable  quantity  of  types, 
thrown  together  in  the  utmost  confusion.  Being  thus  unfor- 
tunately  situated,  I  have  through  necessity,  suspended  the  publi- 
cation of  the  Maryland  Journal,^&(i.,  but  hope  in  a  few  days  to  be 
enabled  to  commence  again  its  publication ;  and  that  my  friends 
and  customers,  considci'ing  the  great  calamity  which  has  taken 
place,  and  the  trouble  and  difficulties  I  have  experienced,  will 
kindly  wait  a  few  days,  assuring  them  that  the  utmost  diligence 
will  be  exerted  on  this  occasion,  and  that  I  shall  ever  have  a 
grateful  sense  of  their  indulgence,  and  will  endeavour,  by  every 


84  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

means  in  my  power,  to  make  them  amends  hereafter,  whenever 
any  public  matter  of  importance  may  occur.  I  am  with  great 
respect  the  public's  most  obedient,  and  very  humble  servant,  Philip 
Edwards." 

In  the  Jonrnal  of  Tuesday  the  28th  of  February,  Mr.  D.  F. 
Freebairn  "  announces  to  the  public,  in  particular  to  the  patrons 
of  the  Maryland  Journal^  that  its  publication,  by  him,  will  ter- 
minate with  this  month."  He  also  says:  "  Was  he  to  judge  of  the 
public  opinion  from  the  encouragement  he  has  received,  he  would 
consider  it  as  not  favorable  towards  the  continuance  of  its  old  and 
faithful  Mirror.  As  it  is  certain  that  its  support  has  not  been  near 
equal  to  the  pains  and  expences  of  its  publication."  In  the  same 
paper  Mr.  P.  Edwards  says:  "The  publication  of  the  Maryland 
Journal  is  necessarily  suspended  for  a  short  time.  Arrangements 
are  m.ade  for  its  continuance,  upon  a  plan  which  cannot  fail  of 
rendering  it  acceptable  to  an  enlightened  public.  The  apparatus 
are  entirely  new,  and  are  daily  expected  to  arrive.  The  subscriber, 
therefore,  under  whose  immediate  care  it  will  be  conducted,  solicits 
the  exercise  of  the  public  patience  and  candor,  and  informs  the 
patrons  of  the  Journal,  that  in  a  few  days  they  may  expect  its 
appearance  in  a  new  and  improved  form.  Timely  and  proper 
notice  will  be  given."  On  Tuesday,  March  21st,  1797,  the  former 
editor,  Mr.  Philip  Edwards,  "solicited  by  some  of  his  friends,  and 
influenced  by  other  private  considerations,  is  determined  once 
more  to  attempt  an  establishment  of  this  truly  valuable  paper." 
The  paper  was  issued  upon  the  before-mentioned  date,  and  named 
simply  the  Maryland  Journal.  From  the  Maryland  Journal  of  Thurs- 
day, June  29th,  1797,  we  extract  the  following  from  a  card  pub- 
lished by  Mr.  Philip  Edwards,  editor,  &c. : — "  I  am  now  constrained 
to  inform  them  [the  public]  that  such  are  the  difficulties  of  my 
present  situation,  that  I  find  it  necessary  for  me  to  decline  the 
publication  of  my  paper  altogether.  It  is  with  regret,  much 
regret,  I  relinquish  a  pursuit,  from  which  I  expected  much  satis- 
faction ;  but  so  it  is — the  Maryland  Journal  will  be  no  longer  con- 
tinued after  the  30th  June  (to-morrow),  the  last  day  of  the  present 
month." 

The  Baltimore  American  and  Daily  Advertiser  was  first  published 
by  Mr.  Alexander  Martin,  at  the  time  mentioned  in  a  brief  sketch 
of  the  early  history  of  the  paper,  published  under  the  signature  of 
Mr.  Martin  in  the  American  of  June  9th,  1800,  which  is  as  follows: 
"  On  the  14th  May,  1799,  the  American  first  commenced.  It  had 
then  no  subscribers  previously  engaged.  Like  a  friendless  stranger, 
it  threw  itself  upon  the  generosity  of  the  public;  nor  were  its 
hopes  misplaced.  Many  of  the  hospitable  doors  of  the  citizens 
were  thrown  open  for  its  reception  ;  and  at  this  period,  nine  hun- 
dred citizens  daily  take  it  in."  There  were  two  offices,  for  we  find 
in  the  first  number  the  following  notice  :—"  Subscriptions,  Adver- 
tisements, and  Communications  for  this  paper  received  at  No.  15 


CHKONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  85 

Baltimore  street,  where  all  business  connected  with  this  establish- 
ment will  be  attended  to  with  the  same  promptitude  as  at  the 
Office  of  the  publisher,  Ko.  39  Bond  street.  Fell's  Point."  From. 
that  time  to  this  —  seventy-five  years,  lacking  but  a  few  months  — 
the  regular  publication  of  this  paper,  which  bears  the  same  name 
now  that  it  did  then,  has  not  for  a  day  been  interrupted  —  with  a 
single  exception,  and  that  was  when  its  then  patriotic  editor  strapped 
on  his  sword,  and  every  employee  of  the  establishment  shouldered 
his  musket  and  met  the  enemy  on  the  battle-field  of  North  Point! 
To  compensate  his  subscribers  for  the  deficiency  of  size  in  his 
paper,  the  editor  issued  thQ  Honey  Comb,  a  dainty  little  literary  paper 
of  eight  pages,  beautifully  printed,  and  full  of  interesting  matter, 
beginning  on  the  18th  of  August,  and  it  was  continued  until  the 
14th  of  November,  when  the  American  was  considerably  enlarged 
and  otherwise  improved.  The  office  was  also  removed  to  Second 
street,  near  South.  On  the  1st  of  January,  1803,  Mr.  Martin  hav- 
ing sold  out  his  interest  to  Messrs.  Pechin  &  Frailey,  they  became 
the  proprietors  of  the  American^  and  removed  its  office  to  No.  31 
South  Gay  street,  near  the  Custom-house.  Mr.  Martin  settled 
down  permanently  in  Baltimore,  opened  a  printing  office,  and  on 
January  1st,  1804,  began  the  publication  of  the  Rush-Light,  a 
satirical,  political,  and  literary  weekly  journal,  which,  in  Sep- 
tember of  the  same  year,  began  a  series  of  papers  upon  Pechin, 
sharply  criticising  him.  The  latter  gentleman  answers  him,  and 
the  Rush-Light  goes  out.  On  the  10th  of  August,  1805,  Mr.  Frailey, 
a  most  efficient  coadjutor,  on  account  of  ill-health  withdrew,  and 
Mr.  Pechin  became  full  proprietor. 

On  the  1st  of  July,  1810,  Mr.  Pechin,  who  had  associated  with 
himself  Messrs.  Dobbin  &  Murphy,  the  paper  on  that  daj'  bears  at 
its  head  the  names  of  "W.  Pechin,  G.  Dobbin  &  Murphy."  On 
the  23d  of  September,  Mr.  Pechin  is  nominated  by  the  Democratic 
Republicans  of  this  city  to  represent  them  in  the  State  Legislature, 
and  after  an  active  canvass,  on  October  7th  he  was  elected  by  a 
large  majority.  On  Tuesday,  the  3d  of  December,  Mr.  George 
Dobbin,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  American,  died  in  his  38th 
year.  The  name  of  the  firm  remained  unchanged.  The  share 
owned  by  Mr.  Dobbin  was  worked  for  the  benefit  of  his  widow 
(who  is  still  living),  and  when  his  son  (the  late  Robert  A.  Dobbin) 
arrived  at  manhood,  he  took  his  father's  place  as  a  partner.  Early 
in  1812  the  office  of  the  American  was  removed  to  No.  4  Harrison 
street,  and  remained  there  for  some  years.  On  the  10th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1814,  announcement  is  made  in  the  American  that  for  a  few 
days  the  publication  of  the  paper  would  be  suspended.  Messrs.  Dob- 
bin &  Murphy,  the  printers,  and  Major  Pechin,  the  editor,  with  every 
attache  of  the  paper,  are  enrolled  among  the  volunteers,  and  were 
immediately  sent  forward.  On  account  of  the  indisposition  of  the 
aged  Colonel  of  the  Sixth  Regiment,  the  command  devolved  upon 
Major  Pechin,  who  promptly  took  the  field  at  the  head  of  600 


86  CHKONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

men,  rendering  most  efficient  service.  On  the  20th  of  September, 
the  American  resumed  publication,  since  which  time  —  59  years 
ago  —  with  the  exception  of  Sundays  and  two  annual  holidays,  it 
has  been  published  regularly  every  morning.  The  number  for 
September  21st,  1814,  gave  to  the  people  of  America  their  national 
anthem,  "The  Star-Spangled  Banner,"  written  only  a  week  be- 
fore—  a  most  interesting  fact  in  the  history  of  this  paper.  In 
1815,  Mr.  Wm.  Bose  was  taken  into  the  firm,  and  his  name  first 
appears  at  the  head  of  the  editorial  columns  in  the  issue  of  the 
4th  of  July,  1815.  The  firm  then  was  Pechin,  Dobbin,  Murphy  k 
Bose. 

On  the  17th  of  January,  1849,  the  American  office  was  removed 
from  the  building  which  it  had  occupied  for  nearly  forty  years 
(No.  2  South  Gay  street),  to  its  present  location,  Nos.  126  and  128 
West  Baltimore  Street.  On  Saturday,  March  9th,  1850,  the  first 
number  of  the  Weekly  American  was  issued.  The  old  firm  of 
Dobbin,  Murphy  &  Bose.  which  had  been  in  existence  for  nearly 
half  a  centur}^,  was  dissolved  on  the  30th  of  June,  1853.  Mr. 
Dobbin  purchased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Murphy,  and  Charles  C. 
Fulton  purchased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Bose.  For  the  next  eleven 
years  the  American  was  owned  and  published  by  Dobbin  &  Fulton. 
From  the  time  that  Mr.  Fulton  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
publishers,  there  was  a  change  in  the  tone  and  spirit  of  the  paper; 
its  scope  of  vision  was  vastly  enlarged,  and  new  life  and  vigor  were 
infused  into  the  "  news,"  "  local,"  and  editorial  departments.  His 
experience  as  a  journalist  had  taught  him  that  money  must  bo 
expended  in  the  gathering  of  news,  if  a  paper  would  afi'ord  its 
readers  that  which  is  latest  and  most  striking,  and  that  all  outlays 
in  this  direction  brought  ample  returns.  Acting  upon  this  prin- 
ciple, Mr.  Fulton  has  succeeded  in  making  the  American  one  of 
the  most  entertaining  and  instructive  newspapers  south  of  Mason 
and  Dixon's  line,  and  placed  it  beside  the  great  journals  of  New 
York  in  enterprise  and  far-reaching  vigilance.  In  September, 
1862,  Mr.  Dobbin  died,  and  Mr.  Fulton  purchased  the  interest  in  the 
American  which  descended  to  his  heirs,  thereby  becoming  sole 
proprietor.  Mr.  Fulton  was  always  a  great  believer  in  "  special 
correspondence,"  and  during  the  war  the  American  was  frequently 
in  advance  of  all  other  newspapers  in  the  country'',  in  its  letters 
from  the  great  battle-fields.  He  was  with  the  army  of  the  Potomac 
himself  during  two  of  its  most  important  campaigns,  and  the 
readers  of  the  American  got  the  benefit  of  his  candor,  his  accurate 
habits  of  observation,  and  his  indomitable  enterprise  in  gathei'ing 
and  sending  news  while  the  incidents  are  fresh.  The  American 
paid  more  attention  to  our  naval  operations  during  the  war  than 
any  other  newspaper  in  the  United  States.  Mr.  Fulton's  son 
(Albert  K.  Fulton,  one  of  the  present  proprietors  of  the  American) 
was  an  engineer  on  Admiral  Farragut's  flag-ship  the  Hartford, 
and  the  American  published  the  first,  the  fullest,  and  most  graphic 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  87 

descriptions  of  all  the  great  naval  engagements  fought  by  that  il- 
lustrious commander.  Mr.  Fulton  himself  accompanied  the  first 
"  iron-clad  "  expedition  against  Fort  Sumter,  and  was  on  board  the 
United  States  steamer  Bibb  when  the  attack  was  made.  Con- 
sidering that  the  American  is  published  in  a  cit}^  in  which  for  the 
last  fifteen  years  the  preponderating  political  sentiment  has  been 
against  it,  the  w^onderful  success  it  has  achieved  can  only  be  at- 
tributed to  substantial  merits  which  politics  cannot  atfect.  y 

The  first  number  of  Dunldp's  Maryland  Gazette  or  the  Baltimore  ^ 
General  Advertiser  was  issued  on  Tuesday,  May  2d,  1775 — printed 
by  John  Dunlap  once  a  week,  at  his  printing  office  in  Market 
street,  at  10  shillings  per  annum.  On  Tuesday,  September  15th, 
1778,  Mr.  Dunlap  sold  out  his  interest  in  the  paper  to  Mr.  James 
Hays,  Jr.,  who  changed  the  name  to  The  Maryland  Gazette  and 
Baltimore  General  Advertiser.  On  the  5th  of  January,  1779,  this 
paper  was  discontinued  for  want  of  support. 

Another  paper,  called  The  Maryland  Gazette  or  the  Baltimore  -v 
General  Advertiser,  issued  its  initial  number  on  Friday,  May  16th, 
1783 — published  by  John  Hays  every  Friday,  in  Market  street,  op- 
posite the  dwelling  of  Mr.  Archibald  Buchanan — terms,  15  shil- 
lings per  annum.  On  the  27th  of  February,  1787,  it  was  published 
semi-weekly,  Tuesdays  and  Fridays. 

The  initial  number  of  The  Baltimore  Daily  Repository  (the  first 
daily  paper  published  in  Baltimore)  was  issued  on  Monday,  October 
24th,  1791,  by  David  Graham,  publisher,  in  Calvert  street,  between 
Market  street  and  the  court-house.  After  April  29th,  1793,  the  paper 
was  published  by  Messrs.  D.  Graham,  Z.  Yundt,  and  W.  Patton.  On 
the  28th  of  October,  1793,  Mr.  Graham  retired,  and  the  paper  was 
continued  under  the  name  of  The  Baltimore  Daily  Intelligencer^  by 
Messrs.  Yundt  &  Patton,  at  ^4  per  annum,  or  twopence  for  a  single 
copy.  On  the  30th  of  October,  1794,  Messrs.  Yundt  &  Pat- 
ton dissolve  partnership,  Mr.  Patton  retiring,  the  paper  being 
continued  under  the  name  of  Federal  Intelligencer  and  Baltimore 
Daily  Gazette,  by  Messrs.  Yundt  &  Brown.  "  Through  conve- 
nience," the  Federal  Intelligencer  and  Baltimore  Daily  Gazette 
changed  its  name  on  the  1st  of  January,  1796,  to  the  Federal  Gazette  - 
and  Baltimore  Daily  Advertiser.  Messrs,  Yundt  and  Brown  dis- 
solved partnership  on  the  1st  of  January,  1807,  the  paper  being 
continued  by  John  Hewes.  In  1812  Mr.  Hewes  retires  from  the 
Federal  Gazette,  <&c.,  which  is  continued  by  Mr.  William  Gwynn,  who 
purchased  his  interest.  Mr.  William  Gwynn,  after  having  issued  the 
Gazette  twenty-one  years  and  six  months,  sold  all  his  interest  on  the 
21st  of  July,  1834,  to  Mr.  William  Gwynn  Jones,  who  as  "editor  and 
proprietor"  continued  the  paper  from  his  office  at  the  corner  of  St. 
Paul  street  and  Bank  lane.  On  the  24th  of  May,  1835,  Mr.  Jones 
was  detected  in  robbing  the  post-office  [as  recorded  in  1835],  and  was 
convicted  and  sentenced  to  the'  penitentiary,  from  which  he  was 
pardoned  out  during  the  latter  part  of  President  Yan  Buren's  ad- 


\ 


88  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

ministration.  After  the  arrest  of  Mr.  Jones,  Mr.  William  Gwynn 
assumed  control  of  the  Gazette,  which  ceased  publication  on  the 
30th  of  December,  1837. 

On  the  2d  of  March,  1795,  Mr.  John  W.  Allen  issued  the  first 
number  of  the  FelVs  Point  Telegraph,  at  the  price  of  |2.50  per  an- 
num ;  tri-weekly,  Monday,  Wednesday  and  Friday. 

Messrs.  Clayland,  Dobbin  &  Co.,  on  Monday,  March  23d,  1795, 
issue  the  first  number  of  The  Baltimore  Telegraph,  from  their 
printing  office  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Market  and  Frederick 
streets.  This  paper  was  afterwards  continued  by  Mr.  Thomas 
Dobbin,  in  the  rear  of  No.  1  Light  street,  under  the  name  of  The 
Telegraph  and  Daily  Advertiser. 

The  Eagle  of  Freedom  was  published  by  Messrs.  Pechin  &  Wil- 
mer  in  1796. 

The  first  regular  issue  of  the  American  Patriot  was  on  Saturday, 
September  25th,  1802 — S.  McCrea,  printer  and  publisher,  No.  67 
South  street.  In  a  short  time  the  ofiice  was  removed  to  Fell's 
Point,  and  the  name  of  the  paper  changed  to  the  American  Patriot 
and  FelVs  Point  Advertiser,  S.  Kennedy,  printer  and  publisher. 

The  first  number  of  the  Baltimore  Evening  Post  and  Mercantile 
Daily  Advertiser  was  issued  on  Monday  evening,  March  25th,  1805, 
by  J.  Cook  &  Co.,  corner  of  South  and  Water  streets.  In  a  short 
time  Messrs.  Cook  &  Co.  sold  their  interests  to,  Mr.  George  Bourne 
and  Hezekiah  Niles.  On  the  10th  of  June,  1811,  Mr.  Niles  sold 
his  interest  to  Mr.  Thomas  Wilson,  who  formerly  edited  a  paper 
called  The  Sun. 

The  first  number  of  the  North  American  and  Mercantile  Daily 
Advertiser  was  issued  in  January,  1808,  and  was  published  by  Jacob 
Wagner,  in  an  old  frame  building  situated  at  the  time  on  the 
northwest  corner  of  Gay  and  Second  streets.  On  the  3d  of  Oc- 
tober, 1809,  it  was  consolidated  with  the  Federal  Republican,  and  was 
issued  on  the  4th  of  October,  1809,  as  the  Federal  Pepublican  and 
Commercial  Advertiser,  by  Messrs.  Hanson  &  Wagner.  The  Federal 
JRepuhlican  was  very  violent  in  its  politics  as  a  Federal  paper,  and 
on  the  22d  of  June,  1812,  the  office  in  which  it  was  printed  was 
entirely  destroyed  by  a  mob  at  night  (as  per  reference  to  the  year 
1812).  The  publishers  recommenced  the  publication  in  George- 
town, D.  C,  and  forwarded  the  printed  copies  by  mail  to  this  city. 
As  soon  as  it  was  known,  the  people  gathered  at  the  post-office, 
then  at  the  corner  of  St.  Paul's  and  Bank  lanes  (Chas.  Barrall, 
post-master),  and  demanded  the  copies  for  the  purpose  of  destroy- 
ing them.  Soon  after  this  the  publishers  recommenced  the  publi- 
cation in  Baltimore  in  a  house  on  South  Charles,  near  Pratt  street. 
As  soon  as  this  was  noised  abroad,  a  crowd  gathered,  and  a  terrible 
outbreak  ensued,  with  the  result  as  stated  (in  1812).  This  was 
the  last  of  the  Federal  Republican,  whose  violent  strictures  against 
President  Madison,  the  war,  and  the  soldiers  who  went  forth  to 
the  Canada  borders,  had  caused  this  terrible  riot,  which  for  many 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  89 

years  after  left  a  stigma  upon  the  fair  name  of  our  city,  which  ^ 
bore  the  sobriquet  of  "  mob  townr 

On  Friday,  February  1st,  1802,  the  first  number  of  The  Repub- 
lican or  Anti-Democrat  was  published  by  Messrs.  Prentiss  and 
Cole,  No.  14  South  Charles  street,  Monday,  Wednesday  and 
Friday.     This  paper  ceased  December  30th,  1803. 

The  first  number  of  the  Mechanics'  Gazette  and  Merchants'  Daily 
Advertiser  was  issued  in  March,  1815,  from  No.  28  South  (iay 
street,  by  Thomas  Wilson  &  Co. 

Niles'  Register^  which  had  a  character  and  circulation  in  every 
part  of  the  civilized  world :  was  read  in  the  palaces  of  kings,  in 
the  haunts  of  commerce,  and  in  the  cabin  of  the  pioneer;  is  referred 
to  as  an  authority  in  courts  of  justice  and  in  legislative  assemblies  ; 
and  at  this  day  constitutes  the  best  and  truest  foundation  extant 
of  the  history  of  our  country  for  the  period  over  which  it  extends 
—  issued  its  first  number  in  Baltimore,  on  Saturday,  September  ^.^'^ 
7th,  1811,  printed  and  published  weekly  by  Hezekiah  Niles,  late 
editor  of  the  Baltimore  Eveiiing  Post,  at  $5  per  annum.  On  the 
3d  of  September,  1836,  after  the  lapse  of  twenty-five  years,  II.  Niles 
gave  up  his  business  to  his  eldest  son  William  Ogden  Niles,  who  ^ 
continued  to  publish  the  Register  in  an  enlarged  form  and  new  dress.  -• 
On  the  2d  of  September,  1837,  Mr.  Niles  removed  his  j^rin ting- 
office  to  Washington,  D.  C,  and  published  the  Register  there,  under 
the  name  of  JViles^  National  Register.  Hezekiah  Niles,  the  founder 
of  the  Register,  died  at  Wilmington,  Del.,  on  the  2d  of  April, 
1839,  in  the  63d  year  of  his  age.  On  the  4th  of  May,  1839,  th»:<^ 
office  was  removed  again  to  Baltimore,  and  the  Register  was  pub- 
lished there  until  it  ceased  to  exist.  On  the  19th  of  October, 
1839,  Mrs.  Sally  Ann  Niles,  who  was  administratrix  of  her  hus- 
band's estate,  disposed  of  the  Register  to  Jeremiah  Hughes,  form- 
erly editor  of  a  paper  at  Annapolis,  who  continued  to  publish  the 
Register  until  the  26th  of  February,  1848,  when  it  ceased  to  exist.  ^ 

In  the  year  1811  the  Baltimore  Whig,  then  edited  by  Baptist^ 
Irvine  and  Samuel  Barnes,  was  the  leading  Democratic  paper  in 
Baltimore.  When  the  Presidential  election  was  about  to  come  off, 
the  Whig  was  induced  by  the  malcontents  of  the  Democratic 
party  to  declare  for  Mr.  De  Witt  Clinton  against  Mr.  Madison, 
much  against  the  wishes  of  Mr.  Barnes,  who  soon  after  sold  the 
paper  and  retired  to  Frederick,  where  he  established  a  Democratic 
paper  in  full  faith  with  the  party,  which  is  still  in  existence,  the 
Political  Examiner.  Messrs.  Cone  and  Norvell  took  charge  of  the 
Whig,  and  endeavored  to  bring  it  again  into  the  fold  of  the  party 
to  which  it  originally  belonged,  but  it  was  too  late — the  blow  it 
experienced  by  its  desertion  at  an  imminent  period  of  the  war  was  so 
stunning  that  it  soon  had  to  succumb,  and  its  subscription  list  and 
several  of  the  apprentices  were  united  with  the  American.  Norvell 
was  an  able  editor,  and  was  afterwards  elected  one  of  the  first 
Congressmen  from  the  State  of  Michigan,  when  that  State  was 


90  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

admitted  into  the  Union.  His  associate.  Mr.  Spencer  H.  Cone, 
whose  sister  Norvell  married,  hud  been  on  the  theatrical  boards 
before  becoming  an  editor,  but  after  his  retirem.ent  from  the  latter 
position,  he  took  orders  in  the  Baptist  Church,  and  for  a  great 
many  years,  to  the  da}^  of  his  death,  was  the  pastor  of  one  of  the 
largest  churches  in  New  York  of  that  denomination,  and  was  one 
of  its  most  eloquent  and  respected  ministers.  Mr.  Samuel  Sands, 
who  is  now  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  American  Farmer,  was  one 
of  the  apprentices  in  the  Whig  office,  and  after  that  paper  sus- 
pended went  to  the  American  office,  and  continued  with  that  paper 
until  about  the  year  1820  or  '21,  and  was  in  the  office  at  the  time 
of  the  attack  on  Baltimore  by  the  British,  and  had  the  honor  of 
being  the  first  man  who  set  in  type  our  national  song,  the 
"  Star  Spangled  Banner."  After  "^the  Whig  abandoned  Mr. 
Madison,  the  influential  members  of  the  administration  party 
induced  Isaac  Monroe  and  Mr.  Ebenezer  French,  then  connected 
with  the  Boston  Patriot,  to  come  to  Baltimore  and  establish  a  new 
paper  in  support  of  Mr.  Madison's  administraiion,  and  hence  the 
origin  of  the  Baltimore  Patriot,  which  commenced  on  the  28th  of 
September,  1812,  and  continued  till  after  the  breaking  out  of  the  late 
war  with  the  South,  when  it  ceased  to  exist.  In  1814  the  name 
was  changed  to  the  Baltimore  Patriot  and  Evening  Advertiser,  pub- 
lished by  Monroe  &  French.  At  certain  periods  the  Patriot  was 
published  and  edited  by  Messrs.  J.  Fand,  J.  N.  McJilton,  and 
Messrs.  John  Wills  and  William  H.  Carpenter. 

About  the  year  1821  Mr.  Samuel  Sands  published  the  Saturday 
Herald,  which  had  been  started  by  Eichard  Matchett  and  edited 
by  Paul  Allen.  It  was  a  weekly  literary  paper,  and  Mr.  Allen  used 
it  during  the  remarkable  contest  in  our  courts  a?id  in  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  in  defence  of  Eev.  John  M.  Duncan.  After  Mr. 
Allen's  death,  the  Herald  was  discontinued,  and  Mr.  Sands  com- 
menced the  publication  of  a  paper  with  Dr.  Patrick  Maccauley  as 
editor,  intended  to  be  of  a  similar  character  to  the  Albion  published 
in  New  York,  with  this  exception  that  the  latter  was  devoted  to 
British  interests,  whilst  Mr.  Sands'  was  to  be  of  American.  This 
paper  had  but  a  short  existence.  About  the  time  it  was  published 
the  great  contest  for  the  presidency  commenced  between  J.  Q. 
Adams  and  Jackson,  and  the  friends  of  the  former  established  the 
Marylander  to  support  him  for  re-election.  The  first  number  was 
issued  on  Wednesday,  December  3d,  1827,  and  continued  every 
Wednesday  and  Saturday — Edward  P.  Koberts,  publisher,  Edward 
C.  Pinckney,  editor,  and  Samuel  Sands,  printer.  Mr.  Pinckney 
was  the  son  of  Hon.  William  Pinckney,  the  celebrated  lawyer  and 
statesman,  and  was  an  elegant  poet,  some  of  his  lyrics  being  among 
the  ^choicest  in  the  language.  When  the  election  was  over,  and 
Mr,  Adams  was  defeated,  the  paper  was  discontinued  ;  but  Mr. 
Sands  purchased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Frank  Davidge  in  the  Com- 
mercial Chronicle,  which  had  been  in  existence  since  April,  1819, 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  91 

being  first  started  by  Scbaeifer  and  Maund,  afterwards  by  Thomas 
Maiind,  William  Pechin,  and  then  by  Gen.  S.  C.  Leakin  and  Mr. 
Davidge.  At  this  time  it  was  a  neutral  paper,  devoted  to  commer- 
cial matters.  The  Marylandefs  subscription  list  was  united  to  that 
of  the  Chronicle^  and  it  was  afterwards  published  by  Leakin  and 
Sands  under  the  title  of  the  Commercial  Chronicle  and  Daily  Mary- 
lander,  as  a  political  journal,  and  the  organ  of  the  Whig  party. 
Fo'r  several  years  it  was  thus  published,  when  Mr.  S.  Barnes,  from 
Frederick,  bought  out  the  interest  of  the  junior  partner.  Mr. 
Nelson  Poe  afterward  published  it,  but  it  finally  shared  the  fate  of 
many  of  its  predecessors  in  this  city,  and  ceased  to  exist. 

About  the  year  1818,  John  S.  Skinner,  Esq.,  published  a  pe- 
riodical political  in  its  character,  called  the  Censor.  About  a  year 
afterwards  the  paper  was  discontinued,  and  the  first  number  of 
the  first  agricultural  journal  ever  published  in  this,  and  perhaps 
any  other  country  (the  Ainerican  Farmer),  was  sent  forth,  without 
a  single  bona  fide  subscriber  to  it  in  advance.  The  paper  took 
with  the  public  for  whose  interests  it  was  commenced,  and  in  a 
few  days  had  obtained  a  large  subscription  list ;  it  was  published 
weekl}',  in  quarto  form,  at  $5.00  per  annum.  Mr.  Skinner  after  a 
few  years  sold  a  half  interest  in  the  paper  to  Mr.  J.  Hitchcock  at 
a  large  price,  and  not  a  very  long  time  thereafter  Mr.  Hitchcock 
purchased  the  other  half.  Mr.  Hitchcock  published  the  Farmer 
but  a  short  time  after  he  had  control  of  it,  and  it  was  discontinued 
for  about  a  year.  He  shortly  after  this  commenced  the  issue  of  a 
new  journal  of  a  similar  character  under  the  name  of  The  Farmer 
and  Gardener,  but  before  the  end  of  the  year  sold  out  to  Mr.  Moore, 
of  the  firm  of  Lindan  and  Moore.  He  published  it  for  a  while, 
and  then  sold  out  to  Mr.  E.  P.  Poberts,  who  had  been  editor.  Mr. 
Roberts  subsequently  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Samuel  Sands,  who 
commenced  its  publication  with  Mr.  John  vS.  Skinner,  the  original 
founder,  as  the  editor.  From  this  time  to  the  end  of  Mr.  Sands' 
connection  with  it,  the  paper  flourished,  and  again  obtained  a 
high  position  among  the  agriculturists  of  the  land.  Mr.  Skinner 
having  received  the  appointment  of  Assistant  Postmaster  General, 
he  removed  to  Washington,  and  ceased  his  connection  Avith  the 
Farmer.  Mr.  E.  P.  Roberts  again  assumed  the  editorship,  and  con- 
tinued to  the  end  of  his  life ;  Mr.  Sands  being  proprietor  and  pub- 
lisher nearly  all  the  time.  An  interest,  however,  in  the  meantime 
was  sold  in  the  paper  to  Mr.'N.  B.  Worthington,  and  about  three 
years  afterwards  Mr.  Sands  sold  him  the  other  half  and  retired 
therefrom.  Mr.  Sands,  the  ensuing  year,  commenced  a  new 
paper  called  the  Rural  Register,  which  was  published  ibur  years, 
but  the  civil  war  in  the  South,  where  the  most  of  his  support  was 
obtained,  interfered  with  it  to  such  an  extent  that  after  the  second 
year  of  the  war  the  Rural  Register  ceased  to  exist.  The  Farmer 
had  stopped  in  about  six  months  after  the  war  commenced.  When 
the  war  was  over,  the  proprietors  of  the  Farmer ^  Messrs.  Worth- 


92  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

ington  and  Lewis,  resumed  publication,  but  in  a  few  years  it  was 
permitted  to  go  out  of  existence  after  having  changed  hands  once 
or  twice  since  its  renewal.  After  remaining  suspended  for  fifteen 
or  eighteen  months,  the  old  publisher,  Mr.  Sands,  in  connection 
with  his  son,  recommenced  its  publication  on  the  1st  of  January, 
1872,  under  the  name  of  the  American  Farmer  and  Rural  Register^ 
and  it  has  in  less  than  two  years  attained  again  to  the  high  char- 
acter it  formerly  enjoyed  under  Mr.  Skinner  and  its  other  proprie- 
tor, Mr.  Sands,  and  is  now  about  entering  on  its  third  year,  under 
its  present  proprietors,  editors  and  publishers,  under  the  most  aus- 
picious circumstances. 

In  September,  1829,  Mr.  John  S.  Skinner  commenced  to  publish 
the  American  Turf  Register  and  Sporting  Magazine.  In  August, 
1835,  he  dis2)0sed  of  his  interest,  and  Mr.  Gideon  B.  Smith  became 
editor;  shortly  afterw^ards  it  was  published  in  New  York. 

The  first  one-cent  paper  published  in  Baltimore  was  the  Balti- 
more Daily  Transcript ;  the  first  number  was  issued  in  the  afternoon 
of  Thursday,  the  10th  of  March,  1836  — Messrs.  S.  P.  Kenny  and 
A.  G.  Tenney,  editors  and  proprietors. 

Messrs.  Cloud  &  Wilman,  in  February,  1832,  issued  the  first 
number  of  the  Saturday  Visitor,  which  was  afterwards  sold  to  Dr. 
Snodgrass.  Messrs.  Charles  F.  and  E.  M.  Cloud,  in  1840,  issued  the 
first  number  of  the  Argus ;  in  1841  they  purchased  the  Republican, 
and  consolidating  the  two  papers,  gave  it  the  name  of  the  Re- 
publican and  Argus. 

The  Metropolitan,  a  monthly  magazine  devoted  to  the  Eoman 
Catholic  religion,  education,  literature  and  general  information, 
was  founded  in  February,  1853  —  Mr.  John  Murphy  &  Co.,  pub- 
lishers. 
.  The  first  number  of  The  United  States  Catholic  Magazine  and 
^  Monthly  Review  was  issued  in  January,  1841,  Mr.  John  Murphy, 
printer  and  publisher,  edited  by  Eev.  Charles  J.  White.  The  Ycry 
Kev.  M.  J.  Spalding,  .D.  D.,  for  three  years  was  assistant  editor.  In 
December,  1848,  the  last  number  w^as  issued. 

The  first  number  of  the  Companion  and  Weeldy  Miscellany  was 
issued,  November  3d,  1804,  by  Edward  Easy,  Esq.— Messrs.  Cole 
&  Hewes,  printers  and  publishers. 

The  Red  Book  was  published  anonymously,  October  23,  1819, 
by  Messrs.  John  P.  Kennedy,  Peter  Cruse,  and  Josiah  Pennington. 
It  was  a  spirited  publication,  much  esteemed  at  the  time,  and  is 
now  very  rare. 

The  first  number  of  the  Spirit  of  Democracy  was  published  by 
Mr.  E.  M.  Cloud,  on  the  Ist  of  August,  1840.  Issued  tri-weekly — 
Mr.  T.  L.  Murphy,  editor. 

The  Itinerant  or  Wesley  an  Methodist  Visitor  was  first  published 
on  Wednesday,  November  12th,  1828.  Issued  every  two  weeks — 
Melville  B.  Cox,  editor. 

The  Enterprise  was  first  published  in   1847  by  W.  Taylor  and 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  93 

N.  Sardo.  This  paper  republished  the  Baltimore  letters,  taken 
from  a  newspaper  published  in  New  York  in  1847,  by  Wm.  Chase 
Barne}^,  called  The  Aristocratic  Monitor^  which  created  much  ex- 
citement. These  letters  were  on  "Mushroom  Hill"  and  its  en- 
virons, of  "  My  Lady  Fashionable,"  "  The  Prince  of  Morocco,"  "  My 
Lords  of  the  Yard  Stick  and  oth'er  distinguished  Aristocrats  "  in 
Baltimore.  A  writer  speaking  of  this  paper  says:  "  I  find  the 
Monitor,  '  The  Aristocratic  Monitor,'  is  everywhere.  If  I  go  into 
a  fashionable  drawing-room,  there  is  the  Monitor;  if  I  go  into 
bank  to  have  a  check  cashed,  there  is  the  Monitor;  if  I  go  into  a 
store,  there  lies  the  Monitor ;  the  people  go  through  the  streets 
reading — what  ?  Why,  '  The  Aristocratic  Monitor.' "  It  was  how- 
ever a  scurrilous  publication,  and  was  ere  long  discontinued. 

Ill  1836  Messrs.  Cloud  &  Pouder  published  the  Daily  Intel- 
ligencer, 

There  have  been  numerous  papers  and  magazines  of  every 
shape  and  character  issued  in  this  city,  some  of  which  were  suc- 
cessful for  a  time,  many  unprofitable,  and  a  few,  by  dint  of  capital, 
perseverance,  and  success  in  meeting  popular  demands,  have  be- 
come permanently  established.  Among  the  new  daily  and  weekly 
newspapers  and  magazines  started  in  Baltimore,  and  long  since 
disappeared,  we  find  the  following : 

In  August,  1804,  The  Porcupine  was  established.  In  November, 
1831,  Mrs.  Mary  Barney  issued  the  first  number  of  her  political 
and  literary  monthl}^  called  the  National  Magazine  or  Lady's  Com- 
panion. In  1834,  Messrs.  J.  F.  Weishampel,  Sr.,  and  T.  J.  Beach 
published  The  Experiment.  In  1827,  The  Emerald  was  established, 
which  was  afterwards  merged  in  the  Minerva.  Then  there  w^as 
the  Portico,  a  weekly  published  by  a  bookseller,  Mr.  Edward  J. 
Coale,  an  amiable  and  popular  gentleman ;  many  able  pens  con- 
tributed to  this  work,  among  them  those  of  Edward  C.  Pinckney, 
the  poet,  and  Francis  S.  Key,  the  author  of  the  "  Star-Spangled 
Banner."  The  first  Sunday  paper  published  in  Baltimore  was 
called  the  Enterprise,  by  Wm.  Taylor,  in  January,  1848.  About 
this  time  the  Wreath,  another  weekly,  was  commenced.  In  1829, 
there  were  published  the  Mutual  Rights  and  Christian  Intelligencer, 
the  Itinerant  Weekly,  and  the  Saturday  Evening  Post.  Then  we 
had  the  Jefferson  Reformer,  the  Genius  of  Universal  Emancipation, 
the  Republican,  the  Huntress,  the  Amethyst,  the  Athenaeum,  the 
Young  Men's  Paper,  the  American  Museum,  the  Dispatch,  the 
Baltimore  Times,  the  Saturday  Herald,  the  Freeman's  Bariner,  the 
American  Whig,  the  Temperance  Herald,  the  Odd  Fellows'  Magazine, 
the  Log  Cabin;  in  1848,  the  Buena  Vista;  in  1846,  the  Western 
Continent,  Park  Benjamin  and  Carpenter  &  Thompson,  editors  and 
publishers;  the  Monument,  a  weeklj^  journal,  edited  by  J.  N.  McJil- 
ton  and  D.  Creamer,  first  number  October  8th,  1836;  the  Baltimore'^ 
Literary  and  Religious  Magazine,  Rev.  Eobert  J.  Breckenridge  and 
Kev.  Andrew  B.  Cross,  ministers  of  the    Presbyterian    Church, 


94  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

editors,  &c.;  the  Family  Magazine,  published  in  1836,  by  T.  A.  Eich- 
ards  &  Brother;  the  People's  Friend,  first  number  May  25th,  1816  ; 
the  Columbian  Democrat;  the  Federal  Republican  and  Baltimore  Tele- 
graph, by  Paul  Allen  &  Co.;  the  Baltimore  Intelligencer,  which  ceased 
January  5th,  1835  ;  the  Wanderer,  by  E.  J.  Matchett ;  the  Merchant, 
in  1801,  by  General  Duff  Green';  the  Kaleidoscope,  the  Baltimore 
Visitor,  the  Literary  Visitor,  by  Edward  J.  Cole ;  the  Maryland  Col- 
onization Journal,  the  Baltimore  Iris ;  in  1839,  the  Penny  Magazine, 
the  Journal  of  the  American  Silk  Society,  Gideon  B.  Smith,  editor; 
the  Baltimore  Literary  Monument,  the  Baltimore  Post,  ceased 
Wednesday,  April  22d,  1840;  the  Athenaeum  and  Visitor;  the 
Chronicle's  subscrij)tion  list  Avas  transferred  to  the  American 
January  1st,  1839.  In  1840,  w^e  have  the  Daily  Evening  Gazette,  a 
Whig  penny  sheet,  first  number  issued  in  August,  Wm.  Ogden 
Niles,  Esq.,  editor;  in  January,  1841,  Juvenile  Mirror,  by  Geo.  H. 
Hickman  ;  the  Independent  Press,  a  tri-weekly,  first  number  issued 
in  April ;  in  August,  the  Clayite,  an  evening  penny  paper ;  the  Bal- 
timore Counterfeit  Detector,  by  H.  Wigman ;  in  November,  the  Chris- 
tian Family  Magazine,  Eev.  Dr.  Newell,  editor;  in  November,  the 
Baltimore  Privateer,  the  Baltimore  Phoenix  and  Budget,  published  by 
Messrs.  Snodgrass,  Sherwood  &  Co.  In  July,  1842,  we  have  the 
Baltimore  Whig,  by  Mesrs.  Sperry,  Gallup  and  Eogers ;  in  1844,  the 
American  Whig,  heretofore  published  weekly,  was  changed  in  July 
to  a  penny  daily  paper,  Samuel  Sands,  editor  ;  the  Democratic  Sen- 
tinel, first  number  issued  the  6th  of  April,  1844 ;  in  January,  1846, 
the  first  number  of  The  Flag  of  our  Union  was  issued  by  Mr.  W. 
Bonnet,  publisher;  The  Bankers'' Magazine  and  State  Financial Reg- 
'^ister,  published  and  edited  by  J.  Smith  Ilomands,  Esq.;  the  Tem- 
perance Herald;  in  June,  the  Baltimore  Daily  News;  in  January, 
1849,  Mr.  N.  Sardo  published  a  paper  called  the  Paul  Pry ;  in 
January,  Mr.  H.  M,  Garland  published  The  Young  America;  in 
May,  b}'  Mr.  James  Young,  the  Temperance  Banner ;  on  the  first  of 
October,  by  H.  M.  Garland,  the  Parlor  Qazette  and  Ladies'  Advertiser; 
on  the  30th  of  October,  by  Messrs.  Martin  &  Co.,  The  Daily  City 
Item ;  by  Mr.  John  S.  Skinner,  The  Plough,  the  Loom,  and  the  Anvil; 
the  Baltimore  Bank  Note  Reporter;  in  November,  Mr.  Beale  H.  Liich- 
ardson  purchased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Charles  F.  Cloud  in  the 
Republican  and  Daily  Argus. 

In  January,  1850,  Messrs.  W.  C.  Peters  &  Co.,  publishers,  issue 
the  first  number  of  the  monthly,  Baltimore  Olio  and  American 
Musical  Gazette.  In  December  the  Monumental  Fountain,  a  tempe- 
rance paper,  by  the  Grand  Division  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance, 
suspended. 

On  the  16th  of  September,  1851,  The  Flag  of  Liberty,  a  weekly 
Whig  paper,  was  commenced.  On  the  25th  of  September  the 
first  number  of  The  Daily  Morning  News,  a  Whig  paper,  iiy 
Messrs.  Peake,  Walker  &  Co.,  was  issued  ;  it  ceased  May  10th,  1852. 

In  1852  The  Evening  Porcupine  was  published  by  an  association 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  95 

of  journeymen  printers.  It  was  afterwards  changed  to  a  morning 
Democrat  paper,  and  the  name  changed  to  the  Daily  Advertiser. 
In  the  same  year  was  commenced  The  American  Whig  Review. 
The  first  number  of  The  Daily  Times,  by  Messrs.  F.  K.  Lipp  &  Co., 
was  issued  on  Monday,  April  26th.  The  Farthenian,  or  Young 
Ladies'  Magazine,  was  conducted  the  same  year  by  the  pupils  of 
the  Baltimore  Female  College.  The  Old  Defender,  a  weekly  Whig 
paper,  was  first  issued  Saturday,  August  21st,  Mills,  Troxall  &  Co., 
publishers. 

Messrs.  Hoffman  &  Co.,  on  Sunday  morning,  February  6th, 
1853,  issued  the  first  number  of  the  Sunday  Morning  Atlas.  In 
the  same  year  the  Daily  Republic  is  issued,  also  American  Daily 
Times,  Daily  Globe,  Literary  Bulletin,  and  the  Monumental  Literary 
Gazette,  in  December,  by  Messrs.  Finley,  Johnson '&  Co. 

In  January,  1854,  Messrs.  Charles  F.  and  K.  M.  Cloud  issued 
the  first  number  of  the  Sunday  Dispatch,  which  they  sold  in  No- 
vember to  Messrs.  William  H.  Gobright  and  J.  Cloud  Norris.  in 
the  same  year  The  True  Union  was  published,  also  The  True 
American.  y 

In  February,  1855,  the  first  number  of  The  Presbyterial  Critic^ 
and  Monthly  Review  was  issued  ;  also  in  the  same  year  The  Balti- 
more Flag,  and  The  American  Democrat,  September  10th. 

In  April,  1856,  the  first  number  of  The  Bible  Times  was  issued; 
also  in  the  same  year  The  Evangelical  Lutheran  and  The  Elevator. 

On  the  17th  of  April,  1857,  the  first  number  of  The  City  Agent 
was  issued,  and  in  the  same  year  the  Baltimore  Stethescope,  The 
Traveller ;  and  on  the  15th  of  August  Our  Opinion  was  published 
by  John  T.  Ford,  and  edited  by  Clifton  W.  Tayleure,  who  was  at 
this  time  connected  with  the  Museum  and  theatre  in  the  capacity 
of  dramatist.  The  Baltimore  Illustrated  Times  and  Local  Gazette, 
by  Messrs  J.  C.  Gobright  and  J.  W.  Torsch,  was  published  the 
same  year.  n^ 

The  first  number  of  the  Baltimore  Christian  Advocate  appeared 
in  May,  lc58. 

In  1859  the  first  number  of  the  Real  Estate  Register  was  issued 
by  Mr.  Samuel  Sands.  In  the  same  year  there  also  appeared  the 
Weekly  Bulletin,  the  Weekly  Freeman,  and  Our  Newspaper.  On  the 
2d  of  April  the  first  number  of  the  Evening  Star  was  issued ;  in 
the  same  year  The  Lily  of  the  Valley,  and  The  American  Nautical 
Gazette. 

In  May,  1864,  Messrs.  Simpson  K,  Donavin  and  Charles  W. 
Kimberly  published  the  first  number  of  the  Baltimore  Advertiser. 

The  first  number  of  The  Monitor  was  issued  on  Friday,  June 
2d,  1857.  Published  by  Joseph  Eobinson  weekly,  and  edited  by 
Hugh  Davey  Evans. 

On  the  29th  of  February,  1836,  Messrs.  William  M.  Swain, 
Arunah  S.  Abell,  and  Azariah  H.  Simmons,  then  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  entered  into  partnership  as  equal  partners,  both  in  law 


96  CHRONICLES    OF   BALTIMORE. 

and  equity,  under  the  firm  of  Swain,  Abell  &  Simmons,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  j)ublishing,  and  in  the  publication  of  a  daily  penny  paper, 
(neutral  in  polities,)  to  be  entitled  "  The  Times,  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  State  of  Pennsylvania."  Such  was  the  beginning  of 
the  memorable  association  of  Swain,  Abell  &  Simmons,  which 
lasted  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century,  until  dissolved  by  death, 
and  which  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  two  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful, widely  circulated  and  influential  journals  in  the  United 
States,  published  in  two  of  its  largest  cities,  the  Public  Ledger  in 
Philadelphia,  and  The  Sun  in  Baltimore.  On  Friday,  March  25th, 
1836,  within  less  than  a  month  after  the  partnership  had  been 
formed,  the  first  number  of  the  Public  Ledger  made  its  appearance, 
"price  one  cent,  or  six  cents  a  week."  It  was  at  first  coldly  re- 
ceived, and  two  of  the  parties  became  so  much  discouraged  as  to 
propose  a.  discontinuance  of  publication.  Mr.  Abell,  however, 
urged  so  strenuously  the  policy  of  holding  on,  at  least  until  their 
funds  were  exhausted,  that  the  confidence  felt  by  his  copartners 
in  the  soundness  of  his  judgment  led  them  to  defer  to  his  wishes, 
and  the}^  did  "hold  on,"  with  what  splendid  results  need  not  now  be 
told.  The  business  of  the  paper  having  been  established  upon  a 
sound  and  paying  basis,  and  having  no  further  misgivings  about 
the  future  success  of  the  Ledger,  it  occurred  to  Mr.  Abell,  in  the 
spring  of  the  fi)llowing  year,  to  visit  Baltimore  for  the  purpose  of 
determining  the  feasibility  of  establishing  a  penny  paper  in  that 
city.  A  suggestion  from  him  to  that  efl'ect  meeting  with  the 
hearty  approval  of  his  partners,  Mr.  Abell,  in  April,  1837,  visited 
the  Monumental  City  for  the  first  time.  There  were  then  pub- 
/  lished  in  Baltimore  a  number  of  respectable  and  well-conducted 
journals,  but  not  a  single  penny  paper.  They  were  all  "  six  pennies." 
To  the  editors  of  these  journals  Mr.  Abell  brought  letters  of  intro- 
duction, and  he  then  formed  the  acquaintance,  among  others,  of 
Messrs.  Dobbin,  Murphy  &  Bose  of  the  American,  Mr.  Gwynn  of 
the  Federal  Gazette,  Mr.  Ilarker  of  the  Republican,  Mr.  Poe  of  the 
Chronicle,  Mr.  Monroe  of  the  Patriot,  and  Messrs.  Streeter  &  Skin- 
ner of  the  Transcript.  It  cannot  be  said,  however,  that  any  of 
these  gentlemen  witli  whom  Mr.  Abell  conferred  in  regard  to  his 
plans,  held  out  much  encouragement  as  to  the  success  of  a  new 
paper.  In  fact  the  times  seemed  singularly  inauspicious  for  any 
enterprise  of  the  kind.  The  year  1837  was  one  of  unprecedented 
disaster  and  gloom  in  all  commercial  and  business  circles,  and  all 
classes  shared  the  general  depression.  Mr.  Abell,  however,  felt 
persuaded  that  a  penny  paper  would  make  its  way  where  other  en- 
terprises might  fail.  He  returned  to  Philadelphia  impressed  with 
this  idea,  and  obtained  the  approval  of  his  partners  to  hazard  the 
experiment,  upon  condition  that  he  should  assume  the  immediate 
responsibility  and  personal  control.  This,  although  he  had  just 
passed  through  a  similar  trial  of  patience  and  faith  incident  to 
the  first  establishment  of  the  Ledger,  he  consented  to  do.     With 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  97 

the  same  rapidity  that   had    characterised  their  proceedings  in 
regard  to  that  paper,  when  once  their  minds  were  made  up,  type 
and  materials  were  ordered,  one  of  the  best  single  cylinder  presses 
of  that  day  worked  by  hand  was  purchased  from  the  Messrs.  Hoe, 
an  office  taken  at  No.  21  Light  street,  and   on  the   17th  of  May, 
1837,  the  first  copy  of  The  Sun  was  left  at  the  door  of  nearly  every"" 
house  in  Baltimore.     The  Sun  was  well  received.     In  less  than 
three  months  it  had  a  larger  circulation  than  the  Ledger  had  at- 
tained at  the  end  of  nine  months.     Within  a  year  it  circulated 
.more  than  twice  as  many  copies  as  the  oldest  established  journal 
in  Baltimore.     It  is  believed  that  its  success  was  more  immediate 
and  more  rapid  than  has  attended  the  advent  of  any  similar  en- 
terprise in  the  United  States.     It  was  soon  discovered  that  the 
original  quarters  in  Light  street  were  entirely  too  contracted  for . 
the  growing  business  of  the  paper.     Mr.  Abell  accordingly  pur- 
chased the  property  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Gay 
streets,  long  familiarly  known  as  the  *'  Old  Sun  Building,"  made 
such  alterations  as  were  necessary  to  adapt  it  to  its  new  use,  and 
in  .1839  removed  the  whole  establishment  to  that  location.     Soon, 
however,  the  same  want  of  increased  accommodation  to  meet  the 
requirements  of  an  increasing  business,  was  again  felt,  and  it  was 
.  deemed  desirable,  that  before  making  another  change,  a  site  should 
be  purchased  and  a  building  erected  which  should  be  expressly 
designed  for  the  purpose  of  the  paper,  and  at  the  same  time  be  an 
ornament  to  the  city  which   had  so  generously  fostered  and  re- 
warded the  enterprise  of  the  proprietors  of  The  Sun.     To  Mr. 
Abell  was  confided  the  task  of  selecting  such  a  site.     After  mature 
consideration,  the  lot  at  the  corner  of  Baltimore  and  South  streets, 
in  the  very  business  heart  of  the  city,  was  determined  upon,  and 
Mr.  Abell  effected  the  purchase  of  this  valuable  property,  then  oc- 
cupied by  six  old  brick  buildings,  four  on  Baltimore  and  two  on 
South  street,  for  a  fraction  less  than  $50,000.     It  happened  that 
just  about  this  time  Mr.  James  Bogardus,  of  Kew  York  city,  a 
man  of  undoubted  genius  as  well  as  mechanical  skill,  was  seeking 
for  an  opportunity  to  test  in  practice  his  invention  for  the  con- 
struction of  iron  buildings.     Ilis  proposal  had  been  but  coldly  re- 
ceived in  New  York,  and  he  was  almost  in   despair  of  finding  a 
man   intelligent   enough    to   comprehend    his  plans,   and   liberal 
enough  to  aid  him  in  their  realization,  when  fortunately  he  sub- 
mitted his  views  to  the  proprietors  of  The  Sun.     They  gave  to  the 
I^lans  of  Mr.  Bogardus  the  most  serious  and  careful  consideration, 
and  were  soon  convinced  of  their  entire  feasibility.     Mr.  Abell  ac- 
cordingly determined  that  the  new  building  should  be  of  iron,  and 
erected  according  to  the  plan  of  Messrs.  Bogardus  &  Hoppin,  of 
New  York,  who  were  the  contractors  for  the  work,  and  whose  in- 
ventive genius,  enterprise  and  perseverance  gave  the  first  cast-iron 
edifice  to  the  world.     The  architect  whose  taste  conceived  and 
executed  the  original  design,  was  Mr.  Hatfield,  of  New  York.     The 
7 


98  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

carpenter  work  and  general  superintendence  of  the  building  were 
confided  to  Messrs.  H.  E.  &  J.  Reynolds.  The  iron  work  was  done  by- 
Messrs.  Adam  Denmead  &  Brother  and  Mr.  Benjamin  S.  Benson, 
of  this  city.  When  The  Sun  was  first  started,  and  for  some  time 
afterwards,  Mr.  Abell  had  the  personal  assistance  of  Mr.  Simmons, 
who  at  that  time  resided  in  Baltimore.  Subsequently  Mr.  Sim- 
mons returned  to  Philadelphia,  leaving  The  Sun  in  sole  charge  of 
Mr.  Abell,  the  two  other  partners  devoting  their  attention  to  the 
Ledger.  This  arrangement  continued  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Sim- 
mons, which  occurred  December  9th,  1855,  and  which  dissolved 
the  original  copartnership  of  Swain,  Abell  &  Simmons.  The  two 
surviving  partners  immediately  formed  a  new  association,  under 
the  style  of  Swain  &  Abell,  and  continued  as  before  the  publication 
of  their  two  papers,  and  the  business  of  the  printing  offices  con- 
nected with  them.  Although  equally  interested  in  each  paper,  it 
naturally  happened  that  as  Mr.  Swain  lived  in  Philadelphia,  and 
Mr.  Abell  in  Baltimore,  the  management  of  the  Ledger  and  its 
concerns  fell  to  the  charge  of  the  former,  and  that  of  The  Sun  con- 
tinued in  the  hands  of  the  latter,  an  arrangement  which  was  found 
productive  of  entire  harmony,  and  which  removed  all  occasion  for 
interference  or  collision.  Gradually,  however,  Mr.  Swain's  health 
began  to  decline,  until  he  was  unable  to  give  to  the  Ledger  his 
active  personal  supervision.  The  war  too  broke  out,  and  Mr. 
Abell's  duties  in  Baltimore  became  exceedingly  difficult  and  on- 
erous. His  own  position  and  that  of  The  Sun  were  not  free  from 
danger,  when  public  journals  were  suppressed  and  their  editors  in- 
carcerated at  the  mere  will  of  a  military  commander  ;  and  to  add 
to  his  other  perplexities,  his  partner  in  Philadelphia  took  the  ex- 
treme Northern  view  in  the  conflict  between  the  sections.  Under 
these  circumstances,  Mr.  Abell  notified  Mr.  Swain  of  his  willingness 
to  dispose  of  his  interest  in  the  Ledger,  and  finally,  after  consid- 
erable negotiations  and  many  delays,  on  the  3d  of  December,  1864, 
the  Ledger  was  sold  to  Mr.  George  W.  Childs,  the  publisher,  and 
the  Messrs.  Drexel  &  Co.,  bankers,  of  Philadelphia.  After  the  sale 
of  the  Ledger,  The  Sun  was  conducted  by  Mr.  Abell  alone,  as  agreed 
upon  between  his  partner  and  himself,  until  February  16th,  1868, 
when  Mr.  Swain  departed  this  life  in  the  sixtieth  year  of  his  age. 
Since  the  death  of  Mr.  Swain,  Mr.  Abell  has  sold  his  interest  in  the 
Ledger  Building  and  other  real  estate  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
which  he  held  in  common  with  his  late  partner,  to  Mrs.  Swain  and 
her  two  sons,  and  they  in  turn  have  sold  to  Mr.  Abell  all  their  in- 
terest in  the  Sun  Iron  Building  and  other  real  and  personal  estate 
in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  thus  completely  severing  the  interests 
which  were  formerly  joint.  In  1852  the  founders  and  proprietors 
commenced  using  two  Hoe  type  revolving  cylinder  presses,  each 
rated  at  10,000  copies  per  hour,  and  which  were  the  first  type-re- 
volving presses  successfully  used  in  the  world.  Their  use  has 
since  spread  throughout  the  world  and  into  all  great  printing  of- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  '  99 

fiees  of  this  country  and  Europe.  Prior  to  the  introduction  of  the 
magnetic  telegraph,  in  a  spirit  of  sagacious  enterprise  Mr.  Abell  or- 
ganized, in  connection  with  Mr.  Craig,  afterwards  agent  of  the  As- 
sociated Press  of  New  York,  a  carrier  pigeon  express  for  the  trans- 
mission of  news  between  the  cities  of  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Bal- 
timore and  Washington.  The  pigeons  for  this  service,  about  four  or 
five  hundred  in  number,  were  kept  in  a  house  on  Hampstead  Hill, 
near  the  Maryland  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  and  were  carefully 
trained.  Foreign  steamer  news  was  frequently  obtained  in  this  way, 
and  on  more  than  one  occasion  a  synopsis  of  the  President's  message 
was  brought  by  the  pigeons  to  Baltimore  immediately  after  the  de- 
livery to  Congress,  and  published  in  extras  to  the  great  surprise  of 
the  public.  This  was  the  first  pigeon  express  organized  in  this 
country,  and  was  regularly  continued  until  superseded  by  the 
telegraph.  The  first  (President's)  message  of  any  considerable 
length  which  was  ever  transmitted  by  the  electric  telegraph, 
at  once  demonstrating  and  illustrating  the  success  and  the  utility 
of  Morse's  great  invention,  was  sent  across  the  wires,  then  newly 
laid  from  Washington  to  Baltimore,  addressed  to  The  Baltimore  Sun^ 
and  published  in  an  extra  Sun.  It  may  be  stated  that  Mr.  Abell  wasv^ 
the  first  to  introduce  into  Baltimore  the  "  carrier  system"  for  the 
distribution  of  newspapers,  which  has  since  been  found  so  convenient 
both  to  publishers  and  subscribers,  as  well  as  remunerative  to  the 
carriers  themselves,  who  own  their  own  routes  and  make  their  own 
collections,  that  it  hie  been  adopted  by  all  the  papers  of  the  city. 
There  are  few  subjects,  too,  of  vital  concern  to  the  commun- 
ity in  which  The  Sun  has  not  led  the  way,  and  it  may  now 
be  said  to  have  acquired  an  individual  character  of  its  own ; 
it  has  traditions  from  which  it  never  departs,  grooves  which  it 
rarei}^  leaves,  a  certain  tone  by  which  it  is  almost  invariably  dis- 
tinguished. Here  it  may  be  remarked,  and  it  is  an  illustration  of' 
what  has  just  been  said,  that  many  of  the  persons  employed  about 
The  Sun  ofilce  have  been  there  for  years.  For  a  long  period  the  chief 
editor  was  the  late  Thomas  J.  Beach,  a  writer  of  much  force,  Mr. 
John  T.  CroAV,  who  was  an  associate  with  Mr.  Beach,  and  who  form- 
erly edited  and  published  a  paper  in  Georgetown,  D.  C,  where  his 
youth  was  spent,  is  editor-in-chief,  and  the  editorials  are  distinguished! 
for  clearness  and  directness.  He  is  evidently  a  close  observer  and 
thinker,  and  does  not  permit  the  superficial  treatment  of  any  subject 
of  moment.  The  Sun  continues  to  increase  in  business  and  prosper- 
ity, and  Mr.  Abell  has  brought  to  his  aid  in  its  conduct  latterly  Mr. 
George  W.  Abell  and  one  or  two  others  of  his  sons,  who,  having 
the  advantage  of  his  teachings  and  example  and  association  with 
others  long  connected  with  the  conduct  of  the  journ.al,  it  may  be 
confidently  assumed  that  the  paper  will  be  kept  in  the  judicious 
path  it  has  always  pursued  so  advantageously^  to  the  community. 
The  first  number  of  the  Baltimore  Clipper  was  issued  on  Satur- 
day morning,  September  7th,  1839,  from  No.  10,  Nor.th.Gay  street, 


100  CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

John  H.  Hewitt  &  Co.,  editors  and  proprietors.  Tuesday,  May 
19th,  1840,  Mr.  Hewitt  retired  from  the  paper,  having  disposed  of 
his  interest  to  Messrs.  Bull  &  Tuttle.  On  the  10th  of  June,  1840, 
the  Clipper  announced  that  "the  daily  circulation  is  five  times 
greater  than  that  Of  any  other  daily  paper  of  Baltimore."  On 
Saturday,  June  27th,  1840,  the  Clipper  issued  their  first  weekly 
number,  called  the  Octan.  On  Monday,  Nov.  11th,  1844,  the  name 
was  changed  from  the  Baltimore  Clipper  to  that  of  the  American  Ee- 
publican.  On  Friday,  January  1st,  1847,  the  paper  resumed  its  former 
name  of  the  Baltimore  Clipper.  Mr.  Tuttle  died  Friday,  June  17th, 
1864,  and  on  Monday,  July  11th,  1864,  Mr.  Edmund  Bull,  surviv- 
ing partner  of  Messrs.  Bull  &  Tuttle,  disposed  of  the  Baltimore 
Clipper  to  Mr.  William  Wales,  who  continued  it  until  it  ceased, 
Saturday,  September  30th,  1865. 

Mr.  Wales  having  entered  into  partnership  with  Mr.  Wm.  E. 
Coale,  issued  on  the  following  Monday,  Oetobe-r  2d,  the  first  num- 
ber of  the  Baltimore  Daily  Commercial.  In  1867,  the  Daily  Com- 
mercial was  changed  to  an  afternoon  paper  by  the  original  pro- 
prietors, until  1869,  when  Mr.  Wales  withdrew,  returning  to  Min- 
neapolis. The  title  was  changed  to  Evening  Bulletin,  and  on  Sun- 
day a  Sunday  Bulletin  was  issued.  In  1870,  the  paper  was  pur- 
chased by  Dr.  William  II.  Cole,  a  talented  gentleman,  formerly 
connected  with  some  of  the  leading  papers  of  the  country,  and 
who  had  been  connected  since  1867  wHh  the  Commercial  and  the 
Bulletin,  and  who  is  now  connected  viiih  ihQ  Btiltimore  Gazette;  and 
he,  in  company  with  Colonel  E.  M.  Yerger,  of  Mississippi,  started 
the  Evening  Journal,  under  the  firm  name  of  E.  M.  Yerger  &  Co. 
In  1871,  Dr.  Cole  Avithdrew  from  the  firm,  and  the  paper  was  con- 
tinued until  July,  1871,  by  Col.  Yerger,  who  discontinued  it. 

At  the  time  of  the  purchase  by  Dr.  Cole  of  the  Bulletin,  Mr.  W. 
K.  Coale,  its  formerproprietor,  together  with  Mr.  W.  M.  Laffan, 
a  gentleman  of  marked  literary  attainments,  who  was  assistant 
editor,  made  the  Sunday  Bulletin  a  separate  establishment.  The 
first  number  had  been  issued  August  14th,  1870,  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing, and  attained  from  the  first  a  large  circulation.  The  name  was 
changed  on  the  11th  of  May,  1871,  to  Baltimore  Bulletin,  its  present 
title,  Mr.  Lafi'an  being  opposed  to  the  word  Sunday  in  the  title,  it 
being  in  nowise  a  Sunday  paper.  At  the  same  time  it  took  up 
Keal  Estate,  and  gave  it  close  attention,  besides  publishing  a  record 
of  all  transactions  in  the  city  and  county.  On  the  3d  of  Sep- 
tember, 1873,  Mr.  Coale  retired  from  the  firm,  and  his  interest  was 
purchased  by  Mr.  Laffan  and  Mr.  Samuel  S.  Early,  the  latter  a 
gentleman  well  known  in  business  circles,  who  had  come  to  Balti- 
more from  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  to  settle  with  his  family.  Mr. 
Early's  wealth  and  position,  and  the  healthier  management  that 
was  immediately  apparent  in  the  conduct  of  the  paper,  gave  new 
life  to  it,  and  it  became  exceedingly  prosperous  and  valuable.  It 
is  independeat  in  politics,  expresses  i-adical  opinions  without  re- 


CHKONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  101 

gard  to  persons  or  prejudices,  and  is  a  strong  advocate  of  local  and 
general  progress.  W^ith  the  exception  of  real  estate,  it  is  mainly 
devoted  to  literature.  Among  its  numerous  contributors  may  be 
mentioned  S.  Teackle  Wallis,  Dr.  Wm.  Hand  Browne,  Edward 
Spencer,  Professor  Gildersleeve,  Mrs.  Bellonoy,  Mrs.  Margaret  J. 
Preston,  Dr.  J.  Williamson  Palmer,  Dr.  George  Reuling,  Dr.  Ed- 
ward Warren,  Miss  Mary  Luffan,  of  London,  England,  Miss  Mar- 
garet Fitz  Gibbord,  and  others. 

The  proprietors,  Messrs.  E.  V.  Hermange  &  Co.,  of  The  Evening 
JVews,  a  merry,  pungent,  spicy  and  sprightly  evening  paper,  issued 
their  initial  number  on  the  4th  of  November,  1872.  The  News, 
from  the  first,  has  been  a  success;  every  day  there  are  three  edi- 
tions published,  and  frequently  four  and  five,  when  important 
events  occur  to  justify  it.  Mr.  Hermange,  before  engaging  in  the 
newspaper  business  on  his  own  account,  was  connected  with  the 
Baltimore  Sun  for  sixteen  years  as  clerk,  night  editor,  and  latterly 
manager  and   general   superintendent  of  The  Sun  book  and  job 

i)rinting  office,  one  of  the  largest  in  the  country.  The  fact  of  Mr. 
lermange  being  with  his  first  and  only  employer  for  so  many 
years, —  the  knowledge  he  necessarily  acquired  whilst  serving 
him  during  that  time,  induced  a  few  gentlemen  w^ho  knew  well 
bis  character  and  abilities,  to  furnish  the  additional  capital  that  he 
r^'quired  to  establish  a  successful  evening  newspaper,  and  it  is  they 
who  compose  the  company-  of  E.  Y.  H.  &  Co.  The  JVews  is  inde- 
pendent on  all  subjects,  and  its  editorials  are  noted  for  their 
spi'ightliness  and  vim.  On  the  9th  day  of  February,  1874,  Mr. 
James  R.  Brewer,  a  gentleman  of  fine  scholastic  attainments,  and 
in  every  w^ay  fitted  for  a  live  journalist,  purchased  a  half  interest 
in  the  Evening  News  and  assumed  control  of  its  editorial  depart- 
ment. 

The  first  number  of  The  Sunday  Telegram  was  issued  on  Sun- 
day, the  16th  of  October,  1862,  by  Messrs.  J.  Cloud  Norris  and 
William  R.  Coale  as  publishers  and  proprietors.  After  publishing 
the  Telegram  about  three  months,  Mr.  Norris  purchased  the  in- 
terest of  Mr.  Coale,  and  has  continued  sole  owner  and  proprietor 
from  that  time  to  the  present.  Mr.  Norris  was  formerly  con- 
nected with  Mr.  Charles  F.  Cloud  and  William  H.  Gobright  in  the 
publication  of  a  paper  called  the  Sunday  Dispatch,  and  latterly  the 
Weekly  Dispatch.  The  Sunday  Telegram  is  the  first  successful 
weekly  published  in  Baltimore,  and  has  the  largest  circulation. 
The  paper  was  formerly  edited  by  Mr.  William  H.  Gobright, 
^bnt  for  the  last  eight  years  Mr.  James  R.  Brewer  ably  fills 
that  responsible  position.  While  the  progress  of  The  Sunday 
Telegram  has  been  steady  and  its  success  uniform,  it  must 
not  be  inferred  that  that  progress  has  been  unattended  with 
difficulties,  or  that  that  success  has  not  been  achieved  over  ob- 
stacles. In  the  firm  and  conscientious  discharge  of  his  duties  as  a 
public  journalist,  the  proprietor  of  the  Telegram  has  frequently  in- 


102  '     CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE, 

curred,  during  the  dark  hours  of  the  last  war,  the  hostility  of  the 
violent  and  lawless  elements  of  society  which  it  was  his  business 
to  rebuke.  He  has  been  threatened  with  mob  violence,  but  the 
paper  never  swerved  from  its  course  in  consequence  of  such 
threats.  After  the  war  ceased  the  Telegram  advocated  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Democratic  party,  from  which  it  has  never  departed. 

The  Southern  Magazine^  a  monthly  periodical,  was  founded  in 
January,  1868;  its  proprietors,  Messrs.  Turnbull  and  Murdoch, 
having  purchased  the  Richmond  Eclectic,  published  by  Drs.  Hoge 
and  Brown,  in  Eichmond,  Virginia.  They  gave  the  new  journal 
the  title  of  The  New  Eclectic;  and  as  at  that  time  it  was  impos- 
sible to  secure  a  sufficient  number  of  original  contributors,  its  con- 
tents were  almost  entirely  composed  of  selections  or  translations 
from  the  leading  English,  French  and  German  journals.  It  is 
worth  while  mentioning  that  at  the  commencement  of  their  enter- 
prise the  publishers  wrote  to  each  of  these  foreign  papers  — 
although  the  absence  of  international  copyright  made  the  obliga- 
tion only  one  of  courtesy  —  requesting  permission  to  use  their 
materials,  which  was  very  obligingly  granted.  In  March,  1869, 
an  arrangement  was  made  with  Gen.  D.  H.  Hill,  publisher  of  The 
Land  we  Love,  a  monthly  magazine,  issued  at  Charlotte,  JS".  C,  by 
which  that  journal  was  combined  with  the  New  Eclectic.  At  the 
close  of  1870  Mr.  Turnbull  retired,  and  the  magazine  became  the 
property  6i  Mr.  Murdoch,  Mr.  Wm.  Hand  Browne,  a  highly  edu- 
cated and  talented  gentleman  (who  had  for  some  time  ably  filled 
the  editorial  chair),  and  Mr.  W.  S.  Hill,  formerly  its  general 
agent.  By  this  time  the  magazine  had  drawn  around  it  a  suffi- 
cient staff  of  contributors  to  assume  the  rank  of  an  original 
journal,  so  the  title  was  changed  to  that  of  The  Southern  Magazine. 
In  1873  the  house  of  Turnbull  Brothers  became  the  publishers, 
Mr.  Wm.  Hand  Browne  remaining  the  editor.  The  Southern  Maga- 
zine is  the  only  first-class  literary  monthly  published  south  of 
Philadelphia.  As  its  title  denotes,  it  is  devoted  to  the  interests 
and  development  of  the  South,  and  the  organ  of  the  higher 
thought  and  culture  of  the  Southern  people,  most  of  whose  lead- 
ing thinkers,  poets  and  scholars  are  numbered  among  its  contribu- 
tors. For  its  efforts  to  promote  the  well-being  and  intellectual 
advance  of  the  South,  and  to  do  justice  to  her  history,  the 
Magazine  was  recently  complimented  by  a  public  vote  of  thanks 
of  the  Southern  Historical  Society,  and  a  resolution  that  it  be 
adopted  as  the  official  organ  of  that  body. 

Lyford's  Baltimore  Price  Current,  published  weekly  by  Wm.  G-. 
Lyford,  editor  and  proprietor,  commenced  Saturday,  March  3d, 
1838,  printed  by  Bull  &  Tuttle,  northwest  corner  of  Baltimore  and 
Gay  streets.  Mr.  Lyford  continued  his  publication  until  January 
5th,  1850. 
.  On  the  29th  of  June,  1850,  the  Baltimore  Price  Current  and 
Weekly  Journal  of  Commerce  made  its  first  appearance,  published 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  103 

and  edited  by  George  U.  Porter  and  Thomas  W.  Tobin,  and 
printed  by  James  Young.  In  the  early  part  of  the  war  Mr.  Tobin 
died,  and  the  Price  Current  has  ever  since  been  published  by  G-eorge 
XJ.  Porter.  In  July,  1862,  Mr.  Porter  was  arrested  whilst  at  work 
in  his  private  office,  and  hurried  off  to  Fort  McHenry,  for  no  al- 
leged cause,  denied  an  examination,  and  prevented  from  engaging 
an  attorney  —  Gen.  Morris,  who  was  in  command  at  the  time, 
calling  particular  attention]  to  a  printed  order  forbidding  prisoners 
from  engaging  counsel  to  defend  them.  After  being  confined  for 
fifteen  days,  he  was  taken  to  Fort  Lafayette,  in  New  York  harbor, 
and  there  detained  for  three  months  longer.  There  was  no  in- 
terruption in  the  regular  issue  of  the  Price  Current,  nor  has  there 
been  since  the  date  of  its  first  issue.  Mr.  Porter  has  been  con- 
nected with  the  Merchants'  Exchange  since  the  14th  of  August, 
1841,  and  for  the  last  twenty  years  has  been  the  commercial  re- 
porter for  the  daily  and  weekly  Sun,  and  for  about  five  years  also 
filled  the  same  position  with  the  Baltimore  Gazette;  retiring  from 
the  latter  when  it  passed  from  the  hands  of  Mr.  W.  W.  Glenn. 

The  German  Correspondent  was  founded  February  1st,  1841,  by 
Mr.  Frederick  Eaine,  its  present  proprietor.  The  place  of  publi- 
cation was  then  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Hol- 
liday  streets,  in  a  building  since  demolished  for  the  purpose  of 
widening  the  latter  street.  The  establishment  was  moved  in  1842 
to  Second  street,  opposite  the  Post-Office,  thence  to  No.  75  Balti- 
more street,  below  Tripolet's  Alley  (now  Post-Office  Avenue), 
thence  to  Baltimore  street  opposite  the  Museum,  thence  to  Gay 
street  opposite  Christ  Church,  afterwards  the  "  Old  Sun  Building," 
corner  of  Baltimore  and  Gay  streets,  until  lastly  (1869)  it  found 
a  permanent  resting-place  in  the  magnificent  marble  building, 
corner  of  Baltimore  street  and  Post-Office  Avenue,  erected  at  a  cost 
of  more  than  $200,000,  b}'^  Mr.  F.  Raine  for  the  purposes  of  his  paper. 
From  18^1  to  1842  the  paper  was  published  as  a  weekly,  of  rather 
small  dimensions,  the  original  list  of  subscribers  embracing  only 
some  80  names.  It  is  also  a  remarkable  fact  that  Mr.  Raine  at 
that  time  composed,  set-up  the  type,  printed  and  carried  the  paper, 
which  to-day  as  a  German  public  journal  has  no  superior  in  the 
country.  In  1843  Mr.  Raine  ventured  first  upon  a  bi-weekly,  then 
upon  a  tri-weekly,  and  in  1844  upon  a  daily  publication.  Not 
meeting  the  support  he  expected,  the  tri-weekly  was  resumed, 
until  1848,  when  the  daily  became  a  fixed  fact,  and  has  as  such  re- 
mained until  the  present  date,  being  at  present  the  largest  two- 
penny paper  published  in  the  State  of  Maryland.  The  German 
population,  comparatively  small  in  1841,  has  increased  since  to  60 
or  70,000,  and  the  Correspondent  has  been  closely  identified  with 
the  progress  of  that  class  of  our  citizens  and  their  development  as 
manufacturers,  merchants,  mechanics,  agriculturists,  &c.  In  its 
early  struggles  to  maintain  itself,  the  Correspondent  and  its  indus- 
trious, energetic  and  enterprising  founder,  showed  the  same  pluck 


104  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

and  perseverance  that  characterize  those  of  his  competitors  who 
from  1841  until  to-day  have  devoted  themselves  to  journalistic  en- 
terprises in  our  city.  Saij^acity  and  enterprise  are  exhibited  in 
its  management,  and  the  editorial  columns  are  marked  by  ability 
and  sound  sense.  Mr.  E.  F.  Leyh,  a  talented  gentleman  and  a 
writer  of  some  renown,  fills  the  editorial  chair. 
^y  The  first  number  of  The  Catholic  Mirror,  a  first-class  weekly 
religious  paper,  was  issued  on  the  5th  of  January,  1850,  Rev.  C.  J. 
White,  D.  I).,  editor.  Present  proprietors,  Messrs.  Kelly,  Piet  & 
Company. 

The  Baltimore  JVecker,  a  daily  paper  published  in  the  German 
language,  was  founded  by  Charles  Henry  Schnauffer  in  the  fill  1  of 
1851.  Its  founder  was  before  that  time  one  of  the  editors  of  the 
Journal  in  the  city  of  Mannheim,  Baden  (Germany),  but  by  taking 
part  in  the  German  revolution  of  1848-49,  was  compelled  to  leave 
his  country.  In  September,  1854,  C.  H.  Schnaufi'er,  the  original 
founder,  and  a  very  popular  German,  died,  when  his  widow,  a  tal- 
ented lad}",  continued  the  publication  without  interruption.  In 
1856,  the  Wecker  was  the  only  paper  in  Maryland  which  advocated 
the  principles  of  the  Republican  party.  Shortly  after  the  presi- 
dential election  in  1856,  the  office  was  attacked  at  night  by  a  crowd 
of  lawless  politicians,  but  were  prevented  by  the  police  from  doing 
serious  harm.  About  this  time  the  Wecker  came  into  the  hands 
of  Mr.  Wm.  Schnauff'er,  who  added  a  weekly  edition  to  the  paper, 
which  soon  commanded  a  large  circulation  in  the  counties.  The 
paper  continued  on  its  course  until  the  ever-memorable  19th  of 
April,  1861,  when,  soon  after  the  attack  by  the  mob  on  the  mili- 
tary, the  office  of  the  Wecker  (then  on  Frederick  street)  was  visited 
by  the  same,  and  completely  wrecked,  and  the  building  seriously 
injured.  The  paper  was  suspended,  and  the  publisher,  Mr.  Wm. 
Schnauffer,  and  the  editors,  whose  lives  were  threatened,  were 
compelled  to  quit  the  city,  leaving  the  establishment  at  the  mercy 
of  the  infuriated  people.  As  soon  as  Gen.  Butler  took  possession 
of  the  city  by  the  armed  military,  Mr.  Schnauffer  returned  and 
resumed  the  publication  of  his  paper.  The  Wecker  continued 
throuijhont  the  war  a  firm  supporter  of  the  Union  cause.  In  1865, 
G'H.  F.  Sigel  entered  into  partnership  with  Mr.  Schnauffer,  which 
continued  lor  two  years,  when  the  former  gentleman  went  to  New 
York.  Mr.  Rapp  becoming  his  successor.  In  the  spring  of  1873, 
Mr.  Wm.  Schnauffer,  after  nineteen  years'  service  in  the  establish- 
ment, retired,  leaving  the  paper  in  a  flourishing  condition  in  the 
hands  of  Blumenthal  &  Co.,  who  are  continuing  it  on  the  same  pro- 
gressive principles  inspired  by  its  founder. 

The  JSouth,  a  very  able  afternoon  paper,  "  devoted  to  the  South, 
Southern  Rights  and  Secession,"  issued  the  first  number  on  Monday, 
April  22d,  1861  — Thomas  W.  Hall,  Jr.,  Editor.  From  the  first  it 
became  exceedingly  popular,  and  was  eagerly  sought  after  by  all 
classes  of  our  citizens.     The  South  flourished  until  Friday,  Sep- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  '  105 

tember  13tb,  1861,  when  the  printer  announced  in  the  afternoon 
edition  on  a  half  sheet,  under  a  flaming  head  of  the  "Freedom  of 
the  Press,"  that  the  "  usual  hour  for  the  arrival  of  the  editor, 
Thomas  W.  Hall,  Jr.,  Esq.,  having  passed  this  morning,  an  effort 
was  made  to  gain  admittance  to  his  editorial  room.  This  was 
easily  accomplished,  for  on  trying  the  door,  it  was  found  that  the 
lock  had  been  forced,  and  that  all  his  papers  and  documents  of 
value  had  been  abstracted.  The  locks  of  Mr.  Hall's  desk  and 
private  drawers  had  been  picked  with  an  expertness  that  would 
do  no  discredit  to  the  most  accomplished  convict,  and  all  the  letters 
and  scraps  of  papers  contained  in  them  carried  off,  as  were  also  the 
full  files  of  the  Exchange  and  South,  the  files  of  the  American,  Clipper 
and  Sun  being  left.  Whilst  looking  on  with  wonder  and  amaze- 
ment, the  astounding  iiLtelligence  was  brought  in  that  Thomas  W. 
Hall,  Jr.,  Esq.,  had  been  arrested  *****  and  it  is  only  reason- 
able to  suppose  that  he  is  now  an  inmate  of  the  American  Bastile, 
formerly  known  as  Fort  McHenry.  As  all  communication  between 
the  editor  and  the  printer  of  the  South  is  forcibly  cut  off,  the  latter 
is  constrained  to  announce  to  its  numerous  readers  that  its  publi- 
cation, for  the  present,  must  necessarily  cease  with  the  current 
number."  This  was  certainly,  for  the  times,  bold  language  of  the 
printer.  On  Thursday,  the  19th  of  September,  The  South,  after  a 
suspension  of  six  days,  was  continued  by  Messrs.  John  M.  Mills  & 
Co.,  on  a  half  sheet.  On  Thursday,  the  13th  of  February,  1862,  the 
paper  was  issued  on  a  full  sheet  by  Messrs.  S.  S.  Mills  &  Bro.,  who 
continued  to  publish  it  until  Monday,  the  17th  of  February,  1862, 
when  it  was  suppressed  by  the  military  authorities. 

The  first  number  of  The  Daily  Times  was  issued  on  Thursday, 
September  19th,  1861;  Edward  F.  Carter  and  Wm.  H.  Neilson, 
editors  and  proprietors. 

After  the  war  a  weekly  paper  was  started  in  Baltimore,  called 
The  Southern  Society,  which  was  afterwards  changed  to  the  name  of 
The  Leader,  and  was  finally  merged  into  The  Statesman,  which  soon 
ceased  to  exist. 

The  Episcopal  Methodist  was  established  in  Eichmond,  Virginia, 
July,  1865 ;  publishers  and  editors,  Eev.  D.  S.  Doggett,  D.D.,  (now 
Bishop  of  the  M.  E.  Church  South)  and  Rev.  J.  E.  Edwards,  D.D., 
a  leading  member  of  the  Virginia  Annual  Conference.  The  office 
was  transferred  to  Baltimore,  and  the  first  number  issued  the  fii*st 
Saturday  of  July,  1866,  under  the  title  of  Baltimore  Episcopal 
Methodist.  It  was  owned  and  published  by  Rev.  John  Poisal,  D.D., 
and  edited  by  Rev.  Thomas  E.  Bond,  M.  H.,  D.  D.  In  November, 
1869,  Dr.  Bond  resigned  his  position  as  editor,  and  the  editorial 
as  well  as  the  business  department  was  managed  by  Dr.  Poisal. 
On  the  1st  of  May,  1872,  Dr.  Poisal  sold  out  half  his  interest 
to  Rev.  Wm.  S.  Baird,  A.M.  (a  minister  of  thirty  years'  stand- 
ing in  the  Baltimore  Conference  of  the  M.  E.  Church  South), 
by   virtue   of   which    sale    Mr.    Baird    became  joint   proprietor 


106         *  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

and  editor  with  Dr.  Poisal.  On  the  1st  of  October,  1872,  Dr. 
Poisal  sold  his  remaining  interest  in  the  paper  to  J.  Everett 
Martin,  Esq.,  a  graduate  of  Columbia  College,  D.  C,  and  a  lawyer 
by  profession.  From  that  date  until  the  present  the  Baltimore 
Episcopal  Methodist  has  been  issued  under  the  style  of  William  S. 
Baird  and  J.  Everett  Martin,  proprietors  and  publishers,  and  Eev. 
Wm.  S.  Baird,  A.  M.,  editor.  The  Baltimore  Episcopal  Methodist 
is  published  in  the  interest  of  the  M.  E.  Church  South,  and  circu- 
lates extensively  throughout  the  whole  South,  and  is  the  organ  of 
the  Baltimore  Conference. 

The  Baltimore  Saturday  ,Night  was  first  issued  January  9th, 
1869,  by  James  H.  Wood,  puBlisher,  and  has  continued  in  the  same 
ownership  until  now.  Mr.  John  Wills  was  its  first  editor,  and 
subsequently  it  numbered  among  its  conductors  Dr.  Palmer,  Mr. 
A.  J.  Bo  wen,  and  D.  Preston  Parr,  Jr.  The  latter  gentleman,  late 
editor  of  the  Dispatch^  a  poet  as  well  as  a  general  newspaper 
writer,  fills  its  editorial  chair.  The  Saturday  Night  is  independent 
in  politics,  and  literary,  semi-social  and  artistic  in  tone.  In  1871-2 
a  series  of  valuable  articles  on  the  connection  of  Baltimore  with 
the  civil  war,  by  Osmond  Tiffany,  a  talented  and  much  respected 
gentleman,  were  published  in  the  Saturday  Night.  They  were 
graphic  in  character,  and  considered  very  impartial  and  accurate 
records  by  all  parties. 

The  Baltimore  Dispatch  was  first  published  by  James  E.  Ander- 
son, its  initial  number  appearing  March  30th,  1872.  It  was  an 
eight-page  weekly,  devoted  to  literature,  art,  and  the  reform  of 
municipal  governmental  abuses.  From  its  second  issue  to  its  last, 
which  was  on  November  9th,  1872,  it  was  edited  by  D.  Preston 
Parr,  Jr.,  who  fearlessly  and  independently  opposed  fraud  and  cor- 
ruption, w^hether  practised  in  high  or  humble  position.  Mr.  Parr 
first  purchased  a  half  interest,  and  afterwards  the  whole  paper. 
It  was  sharp,  spicy  and  determined,  and  died  only  for  lack  of 
means. 

The  first  number  of  the  Baltimore  Underwriter  was  issued  in 
July,  1865,  Dr.  0.  C.  Bombaugh  editor  and  proprietor — a  class 
paper,  published  monthly  —  devoted  to  the  interests  of  insurance. 
Continued  as  a  monthly  to  Jan.  Ist,  1873,  since  which  it  is  pub- 
lished weekly  —  present  publishers,  Bombaugh  &  Eansom. 

Die  Maryland  Staats  Zeitung,  a  German  daily  paper,  formerly 
Der  Neue  Correspondent,  was  founded  by  three  compositors  of  the 
German  Correspondent.  On  the  1st  of  April,  1869,  it  was  pur- 
chased and  published  by  A.  Douglas,  who  afterwards  sold  it  to 
Fred.  Polmyer,  August  15th,  1870,  who  conducted  it  as  an  evening 
paper  till  the  Ist  of  August,  1871,  when  it  was  discontinued. 

The  following  German  papers  were  started  in  Baltimore :  In 
1838,  the  Geschaftige  Martha;  in  1840,  the  Wahrheits  Verbreitery 
published  by  Samuel  Ludwig ;  in  1844,  the  Democratic  Whig,  by 
William  Eaine ;  in  March,  1853,  the  Novellen  Zeitung,  illustrated 


CHRONICLES   OP   BALTIMORE.  107 

Sunday  paper,  by  F.  Eaine  of  the  Grerman  Correspondent ;  in  April, 
1856,  the  Leit-Stern,  illustrated  paper,  published  by  Messrs.  L. 
Wunderman  &  Co. ;  in  Oct.,  1859,  l)ie  Turn  Zeitung,  by  Mr.  Eapp 
of  the  Wecker ;  in  the  same  year,  the  Zwin  Zeitung ;  in  1865,  i)er 
Leuchtthurn ;  in  1867.  Die  Belletristischen  Blaetter,  Messrs.  W. 
Minckler  and  Joseph  Leucht,  publishers  ;  in  January,  1873,  Die 
Biene  von  Baltimore^  by  Messrs.  Juenger  &  Mueller. 

Die  Katholische  Volks-Zeitung  is  the  most  successful  Eoman 
Catholic  paper  published  in  the  United  States.  The  first  number 
was  issued  on  Saturday,  May  8th,  1860,  by  the  publishers,  Messrs. 
Kreuzer  Brothers,  Mr.  John  Schmidt,  editor.  By  energy,  industry, 
and  perseverance,  the  paper  has  now  a  weekly  circulation  of  over 
24,000  numbers,  circulating  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States  and 
Canada. 

The  first  number  of  The  Baltimorean,  a  first-class  weekly  paper, 
was  issued  on  the  8th  of  June,  1872.  The  proprietors  are  Messrs. 
Crutchfield  &  Haas,  practical  printers  and  journalists.  As  a  family 
paper.  The  Baltimorean  has  no  superior  in  the  State,  and  we  are 
pleased  to  know  that,  within  the  comparatively  brief  space  of  two 
years,  it  is  permanently  established.  The  proprietors  have  been 
unremitting  in  their  endeavors  to  please  the  public,  and  we  hope 
they  will  meet  with  a  liberal  and  just  reward,  which  they  really 
deserve. 

The  JEnguirer,  a  first-class  weekly  newspaper,  established  prin- 
cipally for  the  discussion  of  questions  relating  to  and  affecting  in- 
surance interests;  for  the  examination  of  the  condition  of  Com- 
panies, and  the  advisement  of  policy-holders  and  persons  seeking 
insurance,  whether  that  of  life,  fire,  marine,  or  accident,  issued  the 
initial  number  on  Saturday,  December  14th,  1872.  Mr.  Nat  Tyler, 
formerly  of  the  Kichmond  Enquirer,  and  Mr.  Frank  Markoe,  editors 
and  proprietors. 

The  People's  Appeal,  devoted  to  literature  and  independent  poli- 
tics, issued  the  first  number  Thursday,  July  17th,  1873. 

The  Young  Idea,  a  monthly  literary  journal,  issued  first  number 
in  August,  1872.     Edited  and  published  by  boys. 

The  Amateur  Journal,  devoted  to  literature,  gossip,  and  general 
amusement,  issued  first  number  in  January,  1872.  Published 
monthly,  by  K.  Emory  Warfield,  C.  Taylor  Jenkins,  and  John  F. 
Nichols;  on  the  1st  of  January,  1873,  continued  by  AVarfield  & 
Jenkins.  This  paper  was  edited  by  boys.  On  Saturday,  the  5th 
of  July,  1873,  the  name  was  changed  to  The  Monumental  Journal^ 
the  following  young  men  being  the  editors  and  business  man- 
agers:  H.  F.  Powell,  W.  Landstreet,  Jos.  H.  Kieman,  Jr.,  and 
Geo.  U.  Porter,  Jr. 

Our  Church  Work. — The  initial  number  of  this  weekly  news- 
paper was  issued  on  Saturday,  December  3d,  1870,  Rev.  Hugh  Eoy 
Scott,  editor. 

The  first  number  of  The  Baltimore  Herald  was  issued  in  March, 
1873,  Mr.  Tom  Wash  Smith,  publisher. 


108  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

The  Southern  Star  was  first  issued  January,  1873.  Published 
monthly,  by  Messrs.  James  IS.  Calwell  and  Geo.  D.  Fawcett. 

The  Railway  World  and  National  Economist^  a  weekly  review  of 
manufactures,  transportation,  and  the  iron,  metal,  and  railway 
supply  markets,  was  established  in  1872. 

The  Monthly  Argus,  conducted  by  schoolboys,  was  established  in 
January,  1873. 

There  are  also  published  in  Baltimore,  the  Lutheran  Observer, 
the  Baltimore  Market  Journal,  the  Good  News,  The  Baltimore  Matri- 
monial Journal,  The  Episcopal  Register,  and  several  others,  of  which 
we  cannot  now  remember  the  names. 

The  first  paper  published  by,  and  devoted  exclusively  to,  the 
colored  race  in  Baltimore,  was  the  ''  Lyceum  Observer,  a  compendium 
of  literature,  romance,  poetry,  and  general  intelligence."  It  was 
published  by  J.  Willis  Menard,  in  the  year  1864,  but  was  short- 
lived. The  next  one  that  made  its  appearance  was  the  Communi- 
cator. It  was  published  semi-weekly  in  1865  and  '&Q,  by  James 
Thomson.  There  was  another  called  the  Daily  Evening  Ghronotype, 
which  was  published  in  1867,  by  Mansfield,  Hobbs  &  Co. 

On  the  22d  of  February,  1868,  (Washington's  Birthday)  ap- 
peared the  first  number  of  The  Daily  Gazette.  Its  projectors  and 
proprietors  were  Messrs.  Charles  J.  Kerr  and  Thomas  M.  Hall, 
two  talented  young  members  of  the  Baltimore  bar.  A  week  or 
two  subsequently  Mr.  Wm.  H.  Carpenter  became  connected  with 
the  paper,  and  at  a  little  later  period  bought  an  interest  in  it!  The 
need  of  a  paper  boldly  and  fearlessly  conducted  was  never  greater 
than  at  that  time.  Baltimore  had  long  suff'ered  under  the  reproach 
of  ruffianism.  Even  at  an  earlier  day  the  stigma  of  "  mob  town  " 
had  been  applied  to  it.  At  no  period  of  its  history  was  "  mob 
rule  "  more  predominant  than  in  1858.  The  police  were  insufficient, 
and  the  municipal  authorities  were  in  accord  with  the  worst 
elements  of  the  population.  Brute  force  was  in  the  ascendant; 
clubs  of  desperate  and  reckless  men  banded  together  as  "  Plug 
Uglies,"  "  Blood  Tubs,"  "  Hip  Raps,"  "Eough  Skins,"  and  by  other 
names  equally  significant  of  their  character  and  evil  qualities,  held 
possession  of  the  city.  Politically  in  affiliation  with  the  faction  in 
power  and  controlling  the  municipal  elections  by  terrorism,  they 
were  too  useful  to  be  put  down  by  those  whom  they  served,  and 
too  strong  to  be  overawed  by  individual  effort.  Day  after  day, 
night  alter  night,  brawls  and  i-iotous  demonstrations,  and  san- 
guinary conflicts  in  which  blood  was  shed  and  lives  were  lost,  M^ere 
common  occurrences.  It  was  against  these  desperadoes  and  those 
who  upheld  them,  that  The  Daily  Exchange  opened  a  vigorous  as- 
sault. For  more  than  two  years  it  maintained  the  dangerous  con- 
test. Its  office  was  mobbed  in  open  day,  the  screen  on  the  counter 
torn  down,  the  clock  smashed  with  brick-bats,  and  a  pistol  pointed 
at  the  head  of  its  business  manager.  Its  editors  were  dogged  in 
the  day-time  by  ruffians,  and  at  night  they  gathered  about  the 


CHROI^IOLES    OF    BALTIMOEE.  109 

-  ,  1  ,  ooms  waiting  an  opportunity  to  Avreak  their  vengeance. 
7V^^'^  ^J^^ery  intimation  of  a  probable  attack,  citizens,  well-armed, 
JSews  bpQ^  ,^^  ^Y^Q  rooms  and  constituted  a  formidable  garrison  of 
^Th^^Y^'  ^*  length,  one  Paul  Placide,  whilst  in  a  passenger  railway 
/'^^j-^earing  to  assault,  commenced  to  violently  abuse  Mr^  Henry  M. 
^^^^zhugh,  Avho  had  become  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Exchange 
^^^  purchase  from  Mr.  Kerr.  Fitzhugh  drawing  a  pist(il,  made  a 
-^ash  for  Placide,  who  rushing  from  the  car,  was  caught  on  the 
Aidewalk,  and  would  have  been  shot  but  for  the  interposition  of  others 
J^passing  along  at  the  time.  Placide  soon  afterwards  commenced 
suit  against  Fitzhugh  for  assault  with  intent  to  kill.  The  case  was 
^  removed  to  Baltimore  County  Court,  where  Fitzhugh  was  defended 
by  S.  Teackle  Wallis  and  promptly  acquitted  by  the  jury.  After 
this  the  office  of  the  Exchange  and  its  editors  suffered  less  moles- 
tation. The  unremitting  efforts  had  ultimately  aroused  a  spirit  of 
indignation  in  the  community,  to  which  many  brilliant  editorials 
from  the  pen  of  Mr.  S.  Teackle  Wallis  largely  contributed.  A  "  Ee- 
form  "  party  was  organized,  the  banded  ruffianism  which  had  so 
long  disgraced  the  city  was  overthrown,  and  peace  and  good  order 
restored  and  maintained  by  a  law  which  took  from  the  city  the 
control  of  the  police  and  vested  it  in  a  Board  of  Commissioners. 
Of  this  new  police  force  Col.  Geo.  P.  Kane  was  appointed  marshal. 
In  the  second  year  of  the  Exchange  Mr.  Frank  K.  Howard  became 
a  partner  by  purchase,  and  when  Mr.  Hall  retired,  took  his  place 
on  the  editorial  staff.  Of  his  contributions  to  the  columns  of  the 
Exchange,  up  to  the  time  of  his  arrest  and  imprisonment  in  Fort 
Warren,  and  also  to  the  Gazette  after  the  close  of  the 'war,  we  can- 
not better  speak  than  in  the  language  of  the  noble  tribute  paid  to  his 
memory  in  the  Daily  Gazette^  from  the  brilliant  pen  of  Mi*.  S.  Teackle 
Wallis,  after  his  death  in  London  in  June,  1872.  "Connected  as  we 
were  with  Mr.  Howard  in  the  labors  and  responsibilities  of  jour- 
nalism, amid  dangers  and  trials  such  as  rarely  beset  its  path,  we 
are  entitled  to  speak  of  his  character  and  qualities,  as  only  men  can 
speak  of  each  other  w^io  have  gone  side  by  side  through  such  an 
experience.  Testifying  thus,  and  from  our  very  hearts  and 
knowledge,  it  is  our  pride  to  say  of  him,  that  no  manlier  soul  than 
his,  no  steadier  intellect  or  nobler  purpose  was  ever  consecrated  to 
the  discharge  of  public  duty.  FtYQn  in  these  times,  when  forget- 
fulness  of  the  past  seems  to  be  regarded  as  almost  the  only  hope  of 
the  future,  there  are  hosts  of  Maryland  men  who  remember  with 
gratitude  and  honor  how  bravely  he  fought  the  fight  of  public  lib- 
erty through  the  press ;  how  vigorously  he  upheld  what  he  be- 
lieved to  be  the  right,  and  how  he  suffered  all  that  oppression  and 
brutality  could  inflict,  rather  than  abate  one  jot  or  tittle  of  his 
hatred  and  defiance  of  the  wrong.  Time  will  be  when  the  sayings 
and  doings  of  those  days  will  have  their  true  place  in  the  historj^ 
of  the  freedom  of  thought  and  speech.  There  will  be  no  prouder 
name  then  on  the  list  of  the  champions   of  both,  than  that  of  our 


110  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  \, 

Published 
departed  associate  and  friend.  It  is  needless  to  say  anytt. 
our  readers  of  Mr.  Howard's  ability  as  a  writer.  He  had  twiew  of 
mand  of  a  vigorous  and  lucid  style,  to  which  culture  hadiilway 
grace  without  diminishing  its  strength.  His  power  of  state. 
was  remarkable;  his  logic  was  eminently  clear  and  cogent,  i  in 
there  was  a  manly  independence,  an  earnest  directness  and  cand 
in  every  line,  which  commanded  the  confidence  of  all  who  reaa, 
and  the  respect  of  enemies  as  well  as  friends.  Of  the  petty  arts  ot 
journalism  he  knew  nothing.  He  was  incapable  of  imposture,  and 
despised  it,  as  he  despised  clap-trap  and  demagogism  in  every  form. 
His  humor  was  genial  and  effective,  and  he  was  a  master  of  de- 
nunciation, as  it  is  used  by  gentlemen  who  know  the  dignity  as 
well  as  the  force  of  the  English  tongue.  Of  the  literature  of  that 
tongue  he  was  a  loving,  enthusiastic  student;  and  if  circumstances 
had  permitted  him  to  dedicate  his  life  to  it,  he  might  have  at- 
tained a  high  rank  in  poetry  as  well  as  prose.  Of  Mr.  Howard's 
personal  qualities  we  cannot  yet  trust  ourselves  to  speak.  The  re- 
membrances which  the  moment  of  his  death  recalls  cannot  now  be 
written.  There  were  none  of  those  who  knew  him  well  who 
did  not  love  him;  there  are  none  who  will  not  mourn  the  gifts  and 
the  hopes  which  are  thus  early  ended  with  him  now."  Scarcely 
had  the  Reform  party  attained  to  power  in  Baltimore  before  that 
intense  agitation  of  the  slavery  question  was  begun,  which  after  the 
election  of  Mr.  Lincoln  to  the  presidency  brought  on  civil  war. 
During  the  Presidential  canvass,  the  Exchange  supported  the 
candidacy  of  Mr.  Breckenridge,  and  the  vote  of  Maryland 
was  cast  for  him.  But  neither  then  nor  subsequently  did 
the  Exchange  countenance  secession  as  a  remedy  for  the  injuries 
inflicted  on  the  South,  believing  that  the  true  policy  of  that  section 
was  to  fight  its  battles  under  the  Constitution  in  Congress,  and  not 
in  the  field  of  arms.  But  when  all  overtures  for  peace  were  at  an 
end,  and  no  adjustment  was  possible  but  by  the  bloody  arbitra- 
ment of  the  sword,  the  Exchange,  reflecting  the  sympathies  and 
opinions  of  nine-tenths  of  the  people  of  Maryland,  opposed  what 
Mr.  Lincoln  subsequently  and  truthfully  declared  to  be  a  "  most 
cruel  and  unnecessary  war."  Soon  after  Mr.  Lincoln's  election, 
Mr.  Fitzhugh  differing  with  his  associates  in  respect  to  the  policy 
of  the  paper,  sold  out  his  interest  to  Mr.  W.  W.  Glenn,  so  that 
when  the  crash  of  war  came,  the  proprietors  of  the  Exchange  were 
Messrs.  Glenn,  Howard  and  Carpenter.  Then  followed  a  period  of 
wild  turmoil,  in  the  midst  of  which  all  the  evil  passions,  with  such 
difficulty  subdued  by  the  strong  arm  of  the  Eeform  party,  were  all 
loose  again  in  Baltimore.  The  city  was  included  in  a  military  de- 
partment. The  Exchange  was  harassed  on  all  sides.  It  was 
denied  the  use  of  the  mails.  This  failing,  its  proprietors  were  ar- 
rested and  imprisoned.  First  Mr.  Frank  K.  Howard,  then  Mr.  W. 
W.  Glenn,  and  his  arrest  was  followed  by  the  suppression  of  the 
paper.    The  office  and  all  its  j>rinting  material  were  forthwith  trans- 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  Ill 

ferred  to  other  hands,  and  the  paper  re-issued  as  The  Maryland 
News  Sheets  its  editor,  Mr.  Carpenter,  being  the  only  remaining 
partner  of  the  suppressed  Exchange  then  at  liberty.  Presently 
The  News  Sheet  was  denied  the  use  of  the  mails,  and  Mr.  Cai-penter 
cited  to  appear  before  the  commanding  General.  A  strong  protest 
being  made  against  the  denial  of  mail  facilities,  and  the  late  Henry 
May  interesting  himself  in  the  matter,  the  order  was  reversed. 
After  a  little  while  the  vindictiveness  of  its  enemies  again  mani- 
fested itself.  The  privilege  of  the  mails  was  again  refused ;  Mr. 
Carpenter  was  arrested  at  midnight,  taken  to  Fort  McHenry 
(where  he  nearly  died  from  ill  treatment  and  exposure),  and 
thence  to  Fort  Delaware.  After  an  imprisonment  of  several 
months  he  returned  and  resumed  his  editorial  duties,  but  subse- 
quently was  compelled  to  seek  refuge  in  the  country,  until  by  grace 
of  the  General  then  in  command  he  was  allowed  to  return.  Thus 
suppressed  several  times,  and  restricted  in  its  circulation  south- 
wardly, harassed  in  every  possible  way,  the  News  Sheet  was  pub- 
lished until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  under  the  new  name  of  the 
Gazette,  the  former  owners  of  the  Exchange  resumed  possession  of 
their  property,  and  recommenced  their  editorial  labors.  In  1870 
Mr.  Frank  K.  Howard  sold  out  his  interest  to  Mr.  W.  "VY.  Glenn, 
who  in  turn  sold  out  in  1872  to  Messrs.  Welsh,  Taylor  &  Carpenter; 
Mr.  Taylor  subsequently  transferring  his  interest  to  Mr.  Charles  J. 
Baker.  The  style  of  the  firm  at  the  present  writing  is  Welsh, 
Baker  and  Carpenter,  and  the  power  and  influence  of  the  paper 
are  felt  throughout  all  points  of  the  State ;  whilst  the  frequent 
notices  of  the  press,  not  less  than  the  large  circulation  it  has  ac- 
quired, bear  testimony  to  the  great  ability  with  which  it  is  edited 
and  conducted. 

The  history  of  the  American  Theatre  is  a  subject  of  importance 
as  connected  with  the  history  of  our  literature  and  manners. 
Dramatic  poetry  is  one  of  the  first  of  the  fine  arts.  The  histrionic 
art,  not  complete  in  itself,  because  dependent  on  the  poet,  is  still  so 
important  as  the  handmaid  of  poetry,  that  its  history,  as  a  part  of 
the  history  of  any  country,  is  positively  necessary  to  the  under- 
standing of  its  literature  and  its  manners.  The  rise,  progress,  and 
cultivation  of  the  Drama  mark  the  progress  of  refinement  and  the 
state  of  manners  at  any  given  period  in  any  country.  Without 
the  aid  of  the  actor  there  are  thousands  who  would  never  have 
heard  the  name  of  Shakspeare ;  but  who,  by  his  aid,  are  fixmiliar 
with  the  most  sublime,  moral,  and  beautiful  sentiments  that  ever 
adorned  a  language.  That  there  are  evils  and  perversions  and 
abuses  attendant  upon  theatrical  exhibitions,  as  on  all  sublunary 
things,  no  one  is  more  ready  to  admit  than  the  writer ;  but  he  firmly 
believes  that  the  theatre  is  in  itself  a  powerful  engine  well  adapted 
to  the  improvement  of  man,  and  that  it  only  wants  the  directing 
hand  of  an  enlightened  society  to  make  it  the  pure  source  of  civil- 
ization and  virtue.     In  May,  1752,  Mr.  Lewis  Hallam's  company, 


112  CHROI^^ICLES    OF   BALTIMORE. 

under  the  appellation  of  the  ''  American  Company,"  embarked  in 
London  on  board  the  "  Charming  Sally,"  Captain  Lee,  and  after  a 
voyage  of  six  weeks,  a  short  passage  in  those  days,  the  first  com- 
pany of  players  that  crossed  the  Atlantic  arrived  safely  at  York- 
town,  Virginia.  Williamsburg  was  then  the  capital  of  Virginia, 
and  thither  the  players  proceeded  from  Yorktown.  Upon  applica- 
tion made  to  Governor  Dinwiddle,  permission  was  granted  to  erect 
or  fit  up  a  building  for  a  theatre.  Hallam  found  a  building  which 
he  judged  to  be  sufficient  for  his  purpose,  and  proceeded  to  meta- 
morphose it  into  pit,  box,  gallery,  and  stage.  This  was  the  first 
theatre  opened  in  America  by  a  company  of  regular  comedians, 
and  on  the  fifth  of  September,  1752,  at  Williamsburg,  the  capital 
of  Virginia,  the  first  play  performed  in  America  by  a  regular  com- 
pany of  comedians  was  rej^resented  to  a  delighted  audience.  The 
piece  was  "  The  Merchant  of  Venice,"  and  it  was  followed  by  the 
farce  of  "  Lethe." 

,  The  first  theatre,  in  point  of  time,  erected  in  the  United  States 
was  in  Annapolis.  It  was  a  neat  brick  building,  tastefully  ar- 
ranged, and  competent  to  contain"  between  five  and  six  hundred 
persons.  It  was  built  upon  ground  which  had  been  leased  from  St. 
Ann's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  w^hich  lease  expired  about  the 
year  1820,  and  the  church  took  possession  of  the  theatre.  It  was  sold 
and  pulled  down  merely  to  procure  the  materials  of  which  it  was  built. 
From  the  Maryland  Gazette  we  find  : — "By  permission  of  his  Honor 
the  President.  At  the  new  theatre  in  Annapolis,  by  the  company 
of  comedians,  on  Monday  next,  being  the  13th  of  this  instant,  July 
1752,  will  be  performed  a  comedy  called  the  Beaux'  Stratagem. 
Likewise  a  farce  called  the  Virgin  Unmasked,  to  begin  at  precisely 
7  o'clock.  Tickets  to  be  had  at  the  printing  office.  Box  10  shil- 
lings, pit  7  and  6  pence,  gallery  5  shillings."  Wynell  and  Herbert, 
w^ho  were  the  principal  performers  at  the  Annapolis  theatre,  came 
over  with  Hallam's  company,  who  arrived  at  Yorktown  in  June. 
As  the  regular  company  did  not  play  at  Williamsport  until  the  5th 
of  September,  ample  time  was  left  for  Wynell  and  Herbert  to  have 
gone  to  Annapolis  for  the  purpose  of  performing  plays,  for  w^e  find 
them  playing  at  Williamsport  in  September  in  their  subordinate 
stations.  It  was  the  earliest  temple  reared  in  our  country  to  the 
dramatic  muse,  and  perhaps  the  first  spot  upon  which  the  char- 
acters of  Shakspeare  w^ere  exhibited  to  the  western  w^orld. 

Theatrical  performances  have  an  early  date  in  Baltimore.  In 
the  year  1773  a  large  warehouse,  which  stood  at  the  comer  of  Bal- 
timore and  Frederick  streets,  w^as  occasionally  converted  into  a 
theatre,  on  the  boards  of  which  the  company  of  Messrs.  Douglas 
and  Hallam  performed  plays  from  time  to  time  for  the  edification 
of  the  colonists.  The  theatre-going  spirit  aj)pears  to  have  been 
active  in  those  early  days  when  Baltimore  was  but  a  small  village, 
for  we  are  told  that  the  encouragement  received  by  the  company 
was  sufficient  to  induce  them  to  erect  a  small  theatre  at  the  inter- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  113 

section  of  Water  and  Albemarle  streets,  where  they  performed 
until  the  Eevolution  commenced,  when  all  amusements  of  the  kind 
being  prohibited,  they  removed  to  the  British  West  India  Islands. 
In  1781,  however,  the  first  theatre  built  of  brick  in  Baltimore  Avas 
erected  in  East  Baltimore  street,  nearly  opposite  the  "Second 
Presbyterian  "  church.  The  announcement  of  its  completion  was 
published  during  Christmas  week,  and  on  the  15th  of  January, 
1782,  it  was  formally  opened,  with  the  following  play-bill  as  pub- 
lished in  the  papers  of  the  day,  and  from  which  we  give  a  fac- 
simile : 

(By  Permission) 
THE  NEW  THEATRE  IN  BALTIMORE. 

Will  Open,  This  Evening,  being  the  15th  of  January,  1782, 
With  an  Historical  Tragedy,  called 

KING  RICHARD  III. 

Containing  —The  Distresses  and  death  of  King  Henry  VI.  in  the  Tower; 
The  inhuman  Murder  ol"  the  young  Princes;  Tlie  Usurpation  of  the  Throne 
by  Richard  ;  The  Fall  of  the  Duke  of  Buckingham ;  The  landing  of  Richmond 
at  Millords  Haven ;  The  Battle  of  Boswortli  Field,  and  Death  of  Richard, 
which  put  an  end  to  the  Contention  between  the  Houses  of  York  and  Laar 
caster  ;  with  many  other  Historical  Passages. 

King  Richard,  by  Mr.  Wall. 

^^And  TreS""^  ['^^  Gentlemen  for  their  Amusement. 

King  Henry,  by  Mr.  Tillyard ;  Duke  of  Buckingham,  by  Mr.  Shakespeare; 
Prince  Eilward,  by  a  young  Gentleman  ;  Duke  of  York,  by  Miss  Wall;  Lord 
Stanley,  Mr.  Lindsay ;  Catesby,  by  Mr.  Killgour;  Ratcliff,  by  Mr.  Atherton; 
Lady  Anne,  by  Mr.  Bartholomew  ;  Queen  Elizabeth,  by  Mrs.  Wall. 

An  Occasional  Prologue  by  Mr.  Wall,  to  which  will  be  added 
a  Farce,  called 

MISS  IN  HER  TEENS; 

Or  the  Medley  op  Lovers. 

Boxes  ode  Dollar;  Pit  Five  Shillings;  Galleries  9d. 
The  Doors  to  be  open  at  Half-past  Four,  and  will  begin  at  Six  o'Clock. 
No  persons  can  be  admitted  without  Tickets,  which  may  be  had  at  the 
Coffee  House  in  Baltimore,  and  at  Lindlay's  Coffee  House  on  Fells-Point. 
%*No  Person  will  on  any  pretence  be  admitted  behind  the  Scenes. 

At  different  periods  there  were  added  to  the  play-bills  the  fol- 
lowing notices,  viz :  "  Any  (xcntlemen  possessed  of  good  Farces, 
and  will  lend  or  dispose  of  them  to  the  Managers,  will  greatly 
oblige  them."  "  Some  Tunes  having  been  called  for  by  Persons  in 
the  Gallery  which  have  given  Otfence  to  others,  the  Managers 
have  resolved,  that  no  Music  will  be  played,  but  such  as  they  shall 
order  the  Day  before  the  Representation."  "Children  in  Laps 
will  not  be  admitted."  We  give  the  annexed  list  of  plays  which 
were  performed  here  during  the  season,  for  the  amusement  of  the 
curious  as  well  as  for  the  gratification  of  the  lovers  of  the  drama : 
8 


114  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE, 

Tragedy.  Farce. 

Orphan  ;  or  the  Unhappy  Marriage.  The  King  and  the  Miller  of  Mansfield. 

Gamester.  The  Citizen. 

Venice  Preserved;   or  a  Plot  Dis-  Beaux' Stratagem, 

covered.  The  Contrivances. 

The  Revenge,  The  Busy-Body. 

Tamerlane  the  Great.  Thomas  and  Sally. 

Gustavus  Vasa.  The  Ghost. 

Mahomet  the  Impostor.  The  Mayor  of  Garratt. 

Jane  Shore.  The  Devil  Upon  Two  Sticks. 

Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark.  The  Wapping  Landlady. 
Romeo  and  Juliet. 

After  the  Revolutionary  War  terminated  Messrs.  Hallam  and 
Henry  returned  to  Philadelphia  ;  but  the  people  received  the  run- 
aways with  frowns,  and  many  would  have  willingly  continued  the 
prohibition  of  stage-plays,  which  the  caution  of  the  first  Conti- 
nental Congress  had  so  effectually  recommended.  After  a  short 
stay  in  Philadelphia  the  company  removed  to  Kew  York,  and 
while  there  the  managers  caused  a  theatre  to  be  erected  in  Balti- 
more, between  the  town  and  Point,  near  Pratt  and  Albemarle 
streets,  on  the  lot  where  the  old  Trinity  Church  now  stands.  On 
the  17th  of  August,  1786,  the  theatre  was  opened.  This  was  a 
new  soil  for  the  players  to  cultivate,  and  their  harvest  was  propor- 
tionably  great.  Their  Southern  friends  receivQd  them  with  smiles, 
and  they  continued  their  efforts  in  the  new  theatre  until  the  begin- 
ning of  October,  when  they  proceeded  to  Richmond,  Ya.  The 
Maryland  Gazette  of  Tuesday,  August  22,  1786,  says :  "  On  Thurs- 
day last  was  opened  the  new  Theatre  on  Philpot's  Hill,  belonging 
to  Messrs.  Hallam  and  Henry,  where  the  Old  American  Company 
performed  that  celebrated  Comedy,  The  School  for  Scandal.  The 
principal  characters  were  so  admirably  well-sustained  as  to  give 
entire  satisfaction  to  the  audience,  and,  indeed,  the  exertions  of 
the  whole  company  were  such,  that  we  have  never  before  seen  any 
Theatrical  Exhibition  in  this  tow^n  nearly  equal  to  it.  The  new 
Theatre  is  very  commodiously  built ;  the  scenery  and  other  deco- 
rations truly  elegant,  and  well-designed,  expressive  of  the  just 
taste  of  the  managers,  who  have  been  at  a  great  .expense  in  for- 
warding the  completion  of  their  plan  for  the  entertainment  of  the 
public,  whose  indulgence  and  approbation  we  are  persuaded  will 
adequately  reward  them  for  their  labor  and  ingenuity.  As  their 
stay  will  be  short,  they  continue  to  perform  four  times  a  week." 

John  Henry  joined  Hallam  soon  after  the  return  of  the  latter 
to  America,  in  1785,  and  became  his  partner  in  business.  Dunlap 
says,  "  Henry  was  full  six  feet  in  height,  and  had  been  an  uncom- 
monly handsome  man."  His  wife  was  a  very  meritorious  actress. 
He  was  greatly  afflicted  with  gout  sometimes,  and  was  compelled 
to  keep  a  carriage  to  move  about  in.  It  was  small,  yet  large 
enough  to  carry  himself  and  wife  to  the  theatre.  He  was  the  only 
actor  in  America  then  who  kept  a  coach.     Aware  of  the  rather 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  115 

hostile  feeling  of  the  public  toward  players,  and  anticipating  the 
Inevitable  sneer  about  an  actor  keeping  a  carriage,  he  had  painted 
on  the  doors,  in  the  manner  of  the  coat-of-arms  of  the  European 
aristocracy,  two  crutches,  in  heraldic  position,  with  the  motto, 
"  This  or  these."  "  I  put  this  marked  motto  and  device  on  my 
carriage,"  Henry  said,  "  to  prevent  any  impertinent  remarks  on  an 
actor  keeping  his  coach."  The  wits  would  have  taken  care  to  forget . 
that  the  actor  could  not  walk. 

In  1792  an  important  division  took  place  in  the  old  American 
Company  of  Hallam  &  Henry.  Mr.  Wignell,  the  most  important 
member  of  the  company,  resigned  his  situation  and  entered  into 
partnership  with  Mr.  Eeinagle,  a  professor  of  music  in  Philadek 
phia.  Their  friends  furnishing  the  means,  and  with  the  assistance 
of  a  man  by  the  name  of  Anderson,  who  associated  himself  with 
them,  and  afterwards  acted  as  their  treasurer,  they  commenced  to 
build  an  elegant  theatre  in  Philadelphia.  Whilst  the  theatre  was 
being  constructed,  Mr.  Wignell  went  to  England  to  secure  a  com- 
pany, and  upon  his  return,  Death,  in  the  loathsome  form  of  yellow 
fever,  had  established  himself  in  tbe  beautiful  city  of  Philadelphia, 
in  the  citadel  which  had  been  prepared  for  the  reception  of  Mirth 
and  her  attendants.  All  the  usual  occupations  of  life  had  ceased, 
and  the  streets  were  deserted.  Wignell  and  Keinagle  distributed 
their  forces,  and  in  the  meantime  opened  the  old  theatre  in  An- 
napolis, and  caused  to  be  erected  the  old  theatre  on  the  site  of  the 
present  Holliday  street.  Before  it  was  finished  they  returned  to 
Philadelphia  and  opened  the  splendid  theatre  prepared  for  them 
on  the  17th  of  February,  1794,  and  thence  they  came  here  to  open 
the  "new  theatre,"  of  which  we  have  the  first  mention  in  the 
following  advertisement : 

"  New  Theatre. — Persons  desirous  of  becoming  subscribers  to 
the  New  Theatre  of  Messrs.  Wignell  &  Eeinagle,  are  respectfully 
informed  that  there  are  five  shares  unappropriated  of  One  Hun- 
dred Dollars  each.  Subscribers  to  draw  interest  at  six  per  cent, 
till  the  money  is  repaid,  and  to  be  entitled  to  a  free  ticket  for  the 
first  season  for  each  share.  Application  to  be  speedily  made  to 
Thorowgood  Smith  and  llobert  Uilmore,  Esqs. 

"  Baltimore,  August  19th,  1794." 

Wignell  &  Keinagle's  company  consisted  of  the  following  named 
actors  and  actresses,  viz :  Fennel,  Chalmers,  Moreton,  Marshall, 
Harwood,  Whitlock,  Green,  Darley  &  Son,  Francis,  Bates,  Blisset, 
Warrell,  Mrs.  Whitlock,  daughter  of  Eoger  Kemble,  Mrs.  Old- 
mixon,  Mrs.  Francis,  Mrs.  Marshall,  Mrs.  Broad  hurst,  Mrs.  War- 
rell, Miss  Willems  (afterwards  Mrs.  Green),  Miss  Oldfield,  and 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morris,  composing  a  force  that  defied  opposition. 
Of  this  "  New  Theatre  "  the  editor  of  the  Maryland  Journal  says : 
"  The  inhabitants  of  Baltimore  and  its  vicinity  will  soon  have  the 


116  CHRONICLES    OF   BALTIMOEE. 

opportunity  of  being  gratified  with  the  most  refined  and  rational 
amusement  which  a  liberal  mind  is  capable  of  enjoying.  The  ani- 
mated sentiments  of  immortal  authors,  when  clothed  in  the  smooth 
robe  of  pathetic  eloquence,  cannot  fail  to  awaken  the  most  dormant 
of  the  human  faculties,  and,  by  exciting  a  laudable  emulation, 
rouse  the  noblest  principles  of  the  soul  in  imitation  of  the  virtues 
and  glorious  achievements  of  the  heroes  of  the  drama.  In  all 
ages,  since  the  first  invention  of  dramatic  entertainments,  the 
stage  has  been  justly  celebrated  for  its  tendency  to  reform  the 
manners,  and  give  an  elegant  polish  to  society ;  its  facility  in  ex- 
posing the  baser  part  of  mankind  cannot  be  too  warmly  admired, 
and  the  beautiful  representations  of  the  rewards  of  virtue,  which 
every  well  written  play  exhibits,  must  cause  the  honest,  generous 
breast  to  glow  with  the  strongest  consciousness  of  rectitude  and 
additional  self-satisfaction.  The  public  may  anticipate  the  full 
enjoyment  of  all  the  ravishing  sensations  which  the  superior  tal- 
ents of  able  theatrical  performers,  assisted  by  the  attractive 
charms  of  melodious  music,  are  capable  of  conveying  to  the  soul. 
The  ingenious  conduct  of  Messrs.  Wignell  &  Eeinagle,  the  peculiar 
taste  displayed  in  their  selections,  and  the  shining  abilities  of 
their  company,  have  already  merited  and  received  the  loudest  ap- 
plauses of  a  distinguished  part  of  our  country ;  and  from  the  con- 
venient situation  and  accommodations  of  our  New  Theatre,  but 
particularly  from  the  address  of  its  managers,  the  public  have 
everything  that  is  pleasing  to  expect."  From  the  Maryland 
Journal  we  also  copy  the  following  card,  published  by  Wignell  & 
Eeinagle  : 

ISIEW  THEATRE. 

The  Public  are  respectfully  acquainted  that  the  Entertainment  for  the 
Season  commences  on  Wednesday,  the  24th  instant  [August],  with  the  Comic 
Opera  of 

LOVE  IN  A  VILLAGE, 

And  a  Comedy  in  two  Acts,  called 

WHO  IS  THE  DUPE? 

^*  Places  for  the  Boxes  to  be  taken  on  Tuesday,  at  the  office  in  the  front 
of  the  Theatre  from  the  Hour  of  10  till  2,  and  on  the  Day  of  Performance — 
Boxes  7s.  6d.— Pit  5s.  7id. 

Floreat  Bespublica. 

From  the  Maryland  Journal  of  Wednesday,  September  24th, 
1794,  we  also  get  the  following : 

The  Public  are  respectfully  acquainted  that  the  opening  of  the 

NEW  THEATRE 

la  unavoidably  postponed  until  Thursday,  the  25th  instant,  when  a  favorite 
Comedy  will  be  performed  (for  the  first  time  here)  called 

EVERY  ONE  HAS  HIS  FAULT, 

With  an  occasional  Overture,  composed  by  Mr.  Reinagle. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  117 

End  of  the  Comedy, 

A  SCOTS  PASTORAL  DANCE, 

In  which  will  be  introduced  a  New  Highland  Reel  composed  by  Mr.  Francis 

called 

THE  CALEDONIAN  FROLIC. 

To  which  will  be  added  A  Comic  Opera  in  two  Acts  called 

THE  FLITCH  OF  BACON; 

Or,  DuNMORE  Priory. 

|^"Love  in  a  Village  is  obliged  to  be  postponed  on  account  of  the  indis- 
position of  Mrs.  Warrell,  &c. 

Subscribers  to  the  New  Theatre  are  requested  to  send  for  their  tickets  of 
admission  to  the  store  of  Mr.  Clarke,  bookseller  in  Market  Street,  on  Thurs- 
day morning. 

C^^Places  for  the  Boxes  to  be  taken  on  Tuesday  at  the  office  in  front  of 
the  Theatre,  &c.,  &c. 

Floreat  Respiiblka. 

Of  which  the  editor  of  the  Journal,  of  the  26th  of  September, 
says : —  "  We  have  the  pleasure  of  announcing  to  the  public  that 
the  opening  of  the  New  Theatre,  last  night,  was  attended  by  a 
numerous  and  brilliant  audience,  who  deservedly  bestowed  their 
reiterated  plaudits  on  the  very  skilful  performance  of  the  com- 
pany." From  the  play-bills  we  get  the  following  information: 
"  The  scenery  was  designed  and  executed  by  Mr.  Milbourne." 
"  Doors  were  opened  at  a  quarter  past  five  and  performances  com- 
menced at  a  quarter  past  six."  "  The  manager  requests  gentlemen 
and  ladies  who  procure  tickets  at  the  office  of  the  Theatre,  would 
in  future,  always  bring  the  exact  change,  as  no  change  can 
be  given,  owing  to  the  confusion  it  occasions  in  the  hurry  of 
business."  "  The  ladies  and  gentlemen  are  requested  to  send  their 
servants  to  keep  places  by  a  quarter  before  five  o'clock,  and  to 
direct  them  to  withdraw  as  soon  as  the  company  are  seated,  as 
they  cannot  on  any  account  be  permitted  to  remain."  We  add  the 
following  reminiscences,  extracted  from  an  old  old  newspaper  which 
was  published  by  the  Hon.  John  P.  Kennedy  anonymously: 
"  This  playhouse  stood  in  Holliday  street,  just  where  the  present 
/Theatre 'now  stands.  What  a  superb  thing  it  was! — speaking 
now  as  my  fancy  imagined  it  then.  It  had  something  of  the 
splendor  of  a  great  barn,  weather-boarded,  milk-white,  with  many 
windows  ;  and  to  my  conception,  looked  with  a  hospitable,  pat- 
ronising, tragi-comic  greeting  down  upon  the  street.  It  never  oc- 
curred to  me  to  think  of  it  as  a  piece  of  architecture.  It  was 
something  above  that — a  huge,  mystical  Aladdin  lamp  that  had  a 
magic  to  repel  criticism,  and  filled  with  wonderful  histories. 
There  Blue  Beard  strangled  his  wives  and  hung  them  on  pegs  in 
the  blue  chamber;  and  the  glorious  Valentine  overcame  his 
brother  Orson  by  the  clever  trick  of  showing  him  his  own  image 


118  CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

in  a  wonderful  shield  of  looking-glass,  which,  of  course,  we  believed 
to  be  pure  burnished  silver ;  and  there  Babes  in  the  Wood  went  to 
sleep  under  the  coverlet  provided  for  them  by  the  charitable  robins 
that  swung  down  upon  wires,  which  we  thought  was  even  su- 
perior to  the  ordinary  manner  of  flying ;  and  the  ghost  of  Gaifer 
Thumb  came  up  through  the  floor,  as  white  as  a  dredge-box  of 
flour  could  make  him — much  more  natural  than  any  common  ghost 
we  had  seen.  Alas !  what  has  become  of  Orcobrand's  Cave  and 
the  Wood  Demon  and  the  Castle  Spectre,  and  all  the  rest  of  those 
delightful  old  horrors  which  used  to  make  our  hair  stand  on  end 
in  delicious  ecstasy  in  those  days  ?  This  reflection  gives  me  rather 
a  poor  opinion  of  the  modern  drama,  and  so  I  do  not  look  much 
after  it.  In  fact,  I  suspect  this  age  to  be  greatly  behind  ours  in 
these  terrible  fascinations.  Young  America  is  evidently  not  so 
easily  scared  as  old  America  was.  It  has  a  sad  propensity  towards 
fast  trotters,  and  to  that  wretched  business  of  driving  buggies 
which  has  spoiled  the  whole  generation  of  young  gentlemen,  and 
made  a  good  cavalry  officer,  just  now,  an  impossibility,  or  at  least 
a  virtuous  exception  in  one  half  of  the  country.  The  age  is  too 
fast  for  the  old  illusions,  and  the  theatre  now  deals  in  respectable 
swindlers,  burglars,  and  improper  young  ladies,  as  more  consonant 
with  public  favor  than  our  old  devils,  ghosts  and  assassins,  which 
were  always  shown  in  their  true  colors,  and  were  sure  to  be 
severely  punished  when  they  persecuted  innocence.  The  players 
were  part  and  parcel  of  the  playhouse,  and  therefore  shared  in  the 
juvenile  admiration  with  which  it  was  regarded.  In  fact,  there 
was  a  misty  confusion  of  the  two  which  destroyed  the  separate 
identity  of  either.  The  playhouse  was  a  compound  idea  of  a 
house  filled  with  mountains,  old  castles  and  cities,  and  elderly  gen- 
tlemen in  wigs,  brigands,  fairies  and  demons,  the  whole  making 
a  little  cosmos  that  was  only  connected  with  the  world  by  certain 
rows  of  benches  symmetricall/ arranged  into  boxes,  pit  and  galleiy, 
where  mankind  were  drawn  by  certain  irresistible  affinities  to 
laugh  and  weep  and  clap  their  hands,  just  as  the  magicians  within 
should  choose  to  have  them  do.  Of  course  there  was  but  one 
playhouse  and  one  company  of  actors.  Two  or  more  would  have 
destroyed  that  impression  of  the  supernatural,  or  rather  the  extra- 
natural,  which  gives  to  the  show  its  indescribable  charm.  A  cheap 
and  common  illusion  soon  grows  stale.  Christy's  Minstrels  may 
be  repeated  every  night,  and  people  will  onlj^  get  tired  of  the  bad 
jokes  and  cease  to  laugh  ;  but  Cinderella  and  her  glass  slipper  would 
never  endure  it.  The  fairy  bubbles  would  burst,  and  there  would 
be  no  more  sparkling  of  the  eyes  of  the  young  folks  with  the  de- 
light of  wonder.  Even  Lady  Macbeth,  I  believe,  would  become  an 
ordinary  sort  of  person  in  'a  run  ' — such  as  is  common  now.  The 
players  understood  this,  and  therefore  did  not  allow  themselves  to 
grow  too  familiar.  One  company  served  Baltimore  and  Philadel- 
phia, and  they  had  their  appointed  seasons — a  few  months  or  even 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  119 

weeks  at  a  time — and  they  played  only  three  times  a  week.  'The 
actors  are  coming  hither,  my  lord,'  would  seem  to  intimate  that 
this  was  the  condition  of  things  at  Elsinore — one  company  and  a 
periodical  visit.  There  was  a  universal  gladness  in  this  old  Balti- 
more when  the  word  was  passed  round — '  The  players  are  come.' 
It  instantly  became  everybody's  business  to  give  them  a  good  re- 
ception. They  were  strange  creatures  in  our  schoolboy  reckoning, 
quite  out  of  the  common  order  of  humanity.  We  ran  after  them 
in  the  streets  as  something  very  notable  to  be  looked  at.  It  was 
odd  to  see  them  dressed  like  gentlemen  and  ladies — almost  incon- 
gruous, we  sometimes  thought,  as  if  we  expected  to  see  them  in 
slashed  doublet  and  hose,  with  embroidered  mantles  and  a  feather 
in  their  caps.  '  There  goes  Old  Francis ! '  was  our  phrase  ;  not  that 
he  was  old,  for  he  was  far  from  it,  but  because  we  loved  him.  It 
was  a  terra  of  endearment.  And  as  to  Jeiferson  !  Is  there  any- 
body now  who  remembers  that  imp  of  ancient  fame?  I  cannot 
even  now  think  definitely  of  him  as  a  man,  except  in  one  particular, 
that  he  had  a  prominent  and  rather  arching  nose.  In  regard  to 
everything  else  he  was  a  Proteus  —  the  nose  always  being  the 
same.  He  played  everything  that  was  comic,  and  always  made 
people  laugh  till  tears  came  to  their  eyes.  Laugh !  why,  I  don't 
believe  he  ever  saw  the  world  doing  anything  else.  Whomsoever 
he  looked  at  laughed.  Before  he  came  through  the  side  scenes, 
when  he  was  about  to  enter  O.  P.  or  P.  S.,  he  would  pronounce  the 
first  words  of  his  part  to  herald  his  appearance,  and  instantly  the 
w^hole  audience  set  up  a  shout.  It  was  only  the  sound  of  his  voice. 
He  had  a  patent  right  to  shake  the  world's  diaphragm  which 
seemed  to  be  infallible.  'No  player  comes  to  that  perfection  now. 
Actors  are  too  cheap,  and  all  the  hallucination  is  gone.  When 
our  players  came,  with  their  short  seasons,  their  three  nights  in 
the  week,  and  their  single  company,  they  were  received  as  public 
benefactors,  and  their  stay  was  a  period  of  carnival.  The  boxes 
were  engaged  for  every  night.  Families  all  went  together,  young ^ 
and  old.  Smiles  were  on  every  face  :  the  town  was  happy.  The  / 
elders  did  not  frown  on  the  drama,  the  clergy  levelled  no  canon 
against  it,  the  critics  were  amiable.  The  chief  actors  were  invited 
into  the  best  company,  and  I  believe  their  personal  merits  entitled 
them  to  all  the  esteem  that  was  felt  for  them.  But,  among  the 
young  folks,  the  appreciation  was  far  above  all  this.  With  them 
it  was  a  kind  of  hero-worship,  prompted  by  a  conviction  that  the 
player  was  that  manifold  creature  which  every  night  assumed  a 
new  shape,  and  only  accidentally  fell  into  the  category  of  a  common 
mortal.  And,  therefore,  it  seemed  so  interesting  to  us  to  catcla  one 
of  them  sauntering  on  the  street  looking  like  other  people.  That 
was  his  exceptional  character,  and  we  were  curious  to  see  how  he 
behaved  in  it — and,  indeed,  thought  him  a  little  awkward  and  not 
quite  at  his  ease  in  that  guise.  How  could  old  Francis  be  expected 
to  walk  comfortably  in  Suwarow  boots  and  a  stove-pipe  hat — he 


120  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

who  had,  last  night,  been  pursuing  Columbine  in  his  light  suit  of 
triangular  patchwork,  with  his  wooden  sword,  and  who  so  deftly 
dodged  the  police  by  making  a  somersault  through  the  face  of  a 
clock,  and  disappearing  in  a  chest  of  drawers,  or  who,  the  night 
before  that,  was  a  French  dancing-master,  and  ran  away  with  a 
pretty  ward  of  a  cross  old  gentleman  who  wanted  to  marry  her 
himself! " 

Finally,  this  old  wooden  theatre,  which  had  become  too  small 
for  the  rapidly  increasing  population  of  the  city,  was  to  be  replaced 
by  a  new  one.  In  the  Baltimore  American  of  Wednesday,  Septem- 
ber 4th,  1811,  we  find  the  following  advertisement: 

"New  Theatre. — The  subscribers,  managers  and  proprietors 
of  the  New  Theatre  of  Baltimore,  propose  to  build  a  new  edifice  on 
the  site  of  the  present  theatre,  on  an  elegant,  improved  and  en- 
larged plan.  To  effect  this  object,  equally  desirable  to  themselves 
and  the  public,  it  is  proposed  to  raise  a  sum  of  money,  on  the  se- 
curity of  the  property,  by  subscription.  Those  who  feel  disposed 
to  assist  and  patronize  the  undertaking,  are  invited  to  examine  the 
proposed  terms  of  the  subscription,  which  are  left  at  the  office  of 
William  Gwynn,  Esq.,  in  Chatham  street,  and  will  be  found  to  be 
highly  advantageous  to  subscribers.  Warren  &  Wood." 

N^  On  the  10th  of  May,  1813,  the  "New  Theatre"  (now  called 
Holliday  street)  was  opened  with  the  following  ceremonies,  as  taken 
from  the  programme  of  the  day,  published  in  the  Baltimore  American 
of  May  8th: 

BALTIMORE  THEATRE. 

On  Monday,  the  10th  of  May, 
The  Theatre  will  open  with  an  occasional  Patriotic  Address,  commemora- 
tive of  the  late  brilliant  Naval  victories,  to  be  spoken  by  Mr.  Wood. 

After  which,  Cumberland's  Comedy  of 

THE  WEST  INDIAN. 
Belcour.        .        .        .        .        .        Mr.  Wood. 

Captain  Dudley Mr.  Doyle. 

His  first  appearance  here. 

To  which  will  be  added,  a  new  farce,  never  acted  here,  called 

THE  SLEEP  WALKER,  OR,  WHICH  IS  THE  LADY  ? 

Somno,  (the  Sleep  Walker)  Mr.  Jefferson. 

Doors  will  be  opened  at  half  past  6,  and  performance  commence  at  7 

o'clock 

The  theatre  was  built  by  Col.  Mosher,  after  a  design  of  Robert 
Carey  Long,  architect.  The  managers  were  William  Warren, 
father  of  the  present  well-known  comedian  of  the  same  name,  and 
William  Wood,  author  of  "  Personal  Recollections  of  the  Stage." 
The  theatre  not  being  finished,  it  w^as  closed  for  the  season  Thurs- 
day, June  10th,  1813. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE.  121 

A  short  time  after  the  retreat  of  the  British  forces  from  their 
■an  success  fill  attempt  upon  Baltimore,  "  The  Star-Spangled- Banner," 
written  by  Francis  S.  Key,  on  the  night  of  the  13th  of  September, 
during  the  bombardment  of  Fort  McHenry,  was  set  to  music  and 
sung  by  the  Durang  brothers  (two  of  these  volunteer  actors) 
on  the  stage  of  the  Holliday  street  theatre,  creating  immense  en- 
thusiasm. So  popular  did  it  at  once  become  that  its  repetition 
was  demanded  every  night  for  several  weeks.  This  fact  gave  the 
theatre  a  national  reputation ;  and  after  the  war,  all  the  leading 
American,  and  every  foreign  actor  who  visited  this  country,  ap- 
peared on  its  boards.  Here  John  Howard  Payne,  the  author  of 
*'  Home,  Sweet  Home,"  won  the  name  of  "  The  Young  Eoscius ;  " 
here  the  great  George  Frederick  Cooke,  then  at  the  zenith  of  his 
power,  gained  fresh  laurels ;  here  Edmund  Kean  drew  the  largest 
audiences  which  had  ever  been  seen  in  a  Baltimore  theatre ;  here 
the  classical  and  scholarly  Macready  enchanted  the  most  cultivated 
citizens  by  his  delineations  of  Shakspeare's  most  celebrated  heroes ; 
here  the  elder  Booth  displayed  that  amazing  genius  which  made 
hira  the  acknowledged  head  of  the  American  stage  ;  here  Forrest, 
Ellen  Tree,  Fanny  Keinble,  Cooper,  the  elder  Vandenhoff,  Mur- 
doch, Burton,  Charles  Kean,  the  elder  Wallack,  the  elder  Jefferson, 
Madame  Celeste,  Fanny  Elssler,  Hackett,  and  other  famous  actors, 
appeared  from  time  to  time.  Later  came  Mr.  Joseph  Jefferson, 
the  younger  Booths,  Owens,  Clarke,  Boucicault,  the  Williamses 
and  Florences,  Davenport,  Holland,  the  younger  Warren,  Laura 
Keene,  Maggie  Mitchell,  Eistori,  Charlotte  Cushman,  Matilda 
Heron,  and  a  host  of  others,  including  many  of  the  prominent  and 
first  singers  of  the  world,  including  Bosio,  Mario,  Grisi,  Sontag, 
Piccolomini,  Patti,  Madame  Bishop. 

On  Thursday  evening,  Sept.  10th,  1846,  the  theatre  was  closed 
by  an  injunction  granted  by  the  Chancellor  of  the  State,  on  appli- 
cation of  Mendes  I.  Cohen,  one  of  the  original  stockholders.  It 
appears  that  the  theatre  was  built  originally  by  subscription,  126 
shares  having  been  sold  at  $200  each,  but  which  were  not  sufficient 
to  complete  the  building,  and  consequently  liens  were  held  against 
it  for  work  done.  Two  several  times  it  was  offered  for  sale  to 
satisfy  these  liens,  and  at  the  last  time  offered  in  1846,  was  pur- 
chased by  Jas.  Y.  Wagner,  Esq.,  for  $13,000,  it  being  the  only  bid 
offered.  Mr.  Cohen  immediately  took  exception  to  the  sale,  on 
the  grounds  of  there  being  but  one  bid  for  the  building,  and  of  the 
sale  having  taken  place  on  Saturday,  which,  being  a  Jew,  and  his 
Sabbath,  he  could  not  attend  the  sale.  Mr.  Cohen  held  fifty  shares 
of  the  stock,  and  formerly  each  share  of  stock  was  entitled  to  a 
ticket  of  admission,  and  after  the  sale  Mr.  C.  sold  all  his  stock- 
holder's tickets,  which  were  refused  admission,  and  hence  the  suit. 
The  court  dismissed  the  injunction  and  confirmed  the  sale. 

For  years  it  remained  closed  entirely  —  unthought  of,  or  un- 
cared  for,  by  responsible  managers.     Latterly  efforts  were  at  dif- 


V 


v/ 


122  CHRONICLES    OF   BALTIMORE. 

ferent  periods  made  by  managers  of  more  repute  than  tact  to  con- 
tinue it  regularly,  but  their  attempts  invariably  resulted  disas- 
trouslj".  In  the  fall  of  1854  it  was  purchased  by  an  association  of 
liberal  and  wealthy  gentlemen,  who  refitted  and  magnificently  re- 
furnished it  at  an  actual  expenditure  of  $12,000,  and  determined 
upon  leaving  no  effort  untested  for  the  establishment  of  the  drama 
in  our  city.  They  engaged,  at  enormous  salaries,  a  full  and  for 
the  most  part  a  talented  dramatic  corps,  which  they  placed  under 
the  absolute  control  of  an  experienced  actor;  but  through  misman- 
agement, the  season  closed  with  an  actual  cash  loss  of  $15,000.  It 
remained  for  Mr.  John  T.  Ford  and  his  confreres  in  management 
to  determine  that  our  citizens  would  support  a  properly  conducted 
theatre.  He  assumed  entire  control  of  the  theatre  on  the  12th  of 
August,  1855,  and  purchased  the  same  fifteen  years  later,  in  1870, 
for  $100,000.  It  was  sold  on  Monday,  April  2l8t,  1856,  at  the  Ex- 
change, at  public  sale,  for  the  sum  of  $32,000,  Mr.  John  Grayson 
becoming  the  purchaser.  Under  Mr.  Ford's  efficient  management 
the  establishment  attained  a  degree  of  popularity  and  prestige 
never  before  known  in  the  theatrical  annals  of  Baltimore.  The 
season  of  1873-74,  which  w^as  doomed  to  so  sudden  and  disastrous 
a  termination,  opened  on  Monday,  August  11th,  with  the  spec- 
tacular drama  of  "  The  Ice  Witch,"  and  promised  to  be  the  most 
brilliant  and  profitable  it  had  ever  experienced.  On  Monday,  Sep- 
tember 8th,  "After  Dark  "  was  placed  on  the  boards,  and  on  Tues- 
day night  was  again  performed.  That  evening  the  curtain  fell  for 
the  last  time  on  the  stage  of  our  "  Old  Drury,"  for  in  less  than  five 
hours  afterwards  the  fire  broke  out,  which  in  a  short  time  leveled 
it  with  the  ground.  It  may  appear  as  a  singular  coincidence  that 
the  last  words  spoken  in  the  play  of  "After  Dark  "  are,  "After  dark 
the  light  has  come."  At  this  period  (1874)  Mr.  John  T.  Ford  has 
associated  with  him  his  eldest  son,  Mr.  Charles  E.  Ford,  a  gentle- 
man well  adapted  to  aid  him  in  the  management  of  his  extensive 
theatrical  business,  and  is  re-building  the  "Old  Drury"  on  an  en- 
larged and  more  modern  plan. 

The  following  celebrated  actors  and  actresses  made  their  first 
appearance  at  the  Holliday  Street  Theatre:  Mr.  John  W. 
Albaugh  commenced  .his  first  regular  season  here  August  22d, 
1855 ;  Mr.  George  Boniface  in  1851,  as  Capt.  Bleinheim,  in  "  Eough 
Diamond;"  Thomas  Authorpe  Cooper  in  1796;  Mr.  W.  C.  Drum- 
mond  made  his  American  debut  here  in  1810,  in  "Cinderella"; 
Eosalie  Durand  in  1854 ;  Mr.  Gallagher  made  his  debut  as  a  call- 
boy  ;  Miss  Effie  Germon,  in  the  season  of  1857-58,  as  Sally  Scraggs, 
in  "Sketches  in  India";  Mr.  Charles  Matthews,  Sr.,  made  his  first 
appearance  on  the  American  stage  at  the  Holliday,  on  September 
2d,  1822,  in  "  The  Trip  to  Paris,"  his  receipts  being  $752 ;  Mr.  Mil- 
liken  in  1835;  Mr.  Mills  made  his  first  appearance  in  America  at 
the  Holliday,  October  4th,  1806,  as  "  Bob  Tyke  ";  Mrs.  Joseph  E. 
Nagle  made  her   debut  at  the  same  place,  September  4th,  1847; 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  123 

Mr.  James  A.  Oates  made  his  first  appearance  here  in  1859 ;  Maria 
Pritchard  was  brought  out  as  a  star  at  the  Holliday  by  John  T. 
Ford  and  Mr.  Joseph  Jefferson ;  in  1843,  Peter  Eichings  was  man- 
ager ;  Henry  J.  Eiiey  made  his  American  debut  here  October  5th, 
1830 ;  Edward  Sinclair  Tarr,  in  Nov.  1861 ;  Clifton  W.  Tayleure, 
the  dramatic  author  and  actor,  took  his  farewell  of  the  stage  at 
the  Holliday,  May  3d,  1856.  From  1854  to  1859  he  was  business 
manager.  In  May,  1859,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Baltimore  bar, 
and  practised  law  until  1861,  uniting  in  the  latter  year  the  profes- 
sion of  journalism  with  that  of  the  bar.  From  1861  to  1864  he 
was  connected  with  the  press  of  Baltimore  and  Eichmond.  In 
August,  1864,  he  became  business  manager  for  Mr.  John  E.  Owens, 
and  accompanied  him  to  England  in  1865.  At  present  he  resides 
in  Kew  York.  Mr.  Henry  Wal.lack  made  his  first  appearance  in 
America  at  the  Holliday  in  1819.  His  average  receipts  were  $441 
per  night.  Mrs.  Chester,  in  September,  1857  ;  on  the  2d  of  Novem- 
ber, 1821,  the  elder  Booth  made  his  first  appearance  in  Baltimore  at 
the  Holliday,  and  created  an  unusual  sensation  in  Eichard  the 
Third.  His  receipts  averaged  about  $350  per  night.  During  this 
season  Booth  appeard  as  Lear^  Edgar,  Charles  Kemble,  and  Ed- 
mund, Macready.  The  last  night  the  receipts  were  not  sufficient 
to  pay  the  expenses,  and  they  were  obliged  to  make  up  the  de- 
ficiency by  paying  $80  —  which  nearly  absorbed  all  the  earnings 
of  their  former  nights.  Charles  Kean  played  here  in  1826,  but 
owing  to  the  partisan  feeling  against  him  in  relation  to  the  Bos- 
ton riot,  he  did  not  fill  his  engagement  of  eight  nights,  but  re- 
moved to  Philadelphia.  On  the  15th  of  December,  1848,  Forrest 
was  announced  to  act  "  Macbeth  "  at  the  Holliday  Street  Theatre, 
and  at  the  same  time  Macready  was  announced  for  the  same  part 
at  the  Front  Street  Theatre,  which  created  great  excitement, 
both  theatres  being  crowded  with  the  friends  and  admirers  of 
each. 

1773.  In  this  year  Messrs.  Griffith,  Shields,  Lemmon,  Presstraan, 
McKim,  Cox,  and  others  purchased  a  lot  and  erected  a  church  on 
the  corner  of  Front  and  Fayette  streets,  where  the  Shot  Tower 
now  stands,  for  the  Baptist  society.  The  Eev.  John  Davis,  from 
Harford,  officiated  occasionally;  but  on  the  15th  of  January,  1785, 
Mr.  Lewis  Eichards  (who  had  been  elected  the  presiding  minister 
the  yjear  previous),  together  with  Mr.  David  Shields,  George 
Presstman,  Francis  Presstman,  Jean  Shields,  Eacheal  Coal,  Thomas 
Coal,  Eichard  Lemmon,  Alexander  McKim,  William  Hobby,  and 
Eleanor  Thomas  were  constituted  in  a  regular  Baptist  Church  by 
the  Eev.  John  Davis,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Harford 
County.  There  were  attached  to  the  church  at  the  time  a  par- 
sonage and  graveyard.  This  church  since  its  organization  has  had 
only  five  pastors,  including  the  present  incumbent.  Eev.  Lewis 
Eichards  was  pastor  for  thirty-three  years,  from  its  organization 
in  1785  to   1818;  Eev.  Edward  J.  Eeis  was  associate  pastor  from 


124  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

1815  to  1818,  and  full  pastor  from  1818  to  1821,  in  all  six  years ; 
Rev.  John  Finlay  from  1821  to  1834,  thirteen  years  ;  Rev.  Stephen 
P.  Hill  from  1834  to  1850,  sixteen  years ;  Rev.  John  W.  M.  Wil- 
liams, D.  D.,  the  present  pastor,  from  January  Ist,  1851,  nearly 
twenty-three  years  ;  Rev.  H.  O.  Wyer  was  elected  pastor  in  1834, 
and  accepted,  but  declined  before  entering  upon  his  duties  because 
of  ill-health.  During  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Mr.  Richards  293  per- 
sons were  received  into  the  church  by  baptism  and  115  by  letter; 
under  the  Rev.  Mr.  Reis  30  were  received  by  baptism  and  six  by 
letter ;  under  the  ministration  of  Rev.  Mr.  Finlay,  140  by  baptism 
and  six  by  letter  ;  under  Rev.  Mr.  Hill,  410  were  added  by  baptism 
and  159  by  letter;  and  under  the  Rev.  Mr.  Williams,  the  present 
pastor,  865  have  been  added  by  baptism  and  302  by  letter 
and  restoration.  In  the  spring  of  1834  the  church  held  a 
protracted  meeting,  conducted  principally  by  Rev.  W.  F.  Broad- 
dus  of  Virginia,  which  was  a  great  success,  as  were  also  those  held 
in  October,  1839,  by  the  Rev.  Jacob  Knapp,  assisted  by  the  pastor, 
Mr.  Hill. 

In  1817  the  original  society  erected  their  commodious  circular 
church  on  the  corner  of  Sharp  and  Lombard  streets,  at  a  cost  of 
over  $50,000.  The  debt  incurred  by  the  building  of  such  a  large  and 
costly  house  proved  a  serious  hindrance  to  the  prosperity  of  the 
church  for  many  years.  In  1823  a  resolution  was  passed  to  close 
the  house  and  give  the  keys  up  to  the  creditor,  and  but  for  his 
generous  spirit  it  would  have  been  lost  to  the  denomination.  It 
was  not  until  1852,  during  the  pastorate  of  the  present  minister, 
that  the  whole  debt  was  paid  and  the  ground-rent  greatly  reduced. 
The  property  is  now  held  in  fee-simple.  On  the  removal  to  Sharp 
street  the  church  and  grounds  on  Front  street  were  sold,  and  the 
remains  of  the  interred  there  removed  to  the  cemetery  southwest 
of  the  city ;  but  soon  after  the  old  church  is  let  to  a  third  Baptist 
congregation,  the  Rev.  James  Osborne  officiating  there.  Several 
colonies  have  gone  out  from  the  first  church,  which  have  become 
large  and  influential  bodies.  Among  them  is  the  Seventh  Bap- 
tist Church,  constituted  in  1845  with  ninety-two  members.  Its 
meeting-house,  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Paca  and  Saratoga 
streets,  cost  between  thirty  and  forty  thousand  dollars.  Rev.  R. 
Fuller,  D. D.,  was  pastor  for  twenty-three  years;  Rev.  W.  T. 
Brantley,  D.  D.,  has  been  pastor  for  more  than  two  years  past.  It 
now  numbers  556  members,  a  large  number  having  left  with  the 
former  pastor  to  form  the  Eutaw  Place  church  in  1871.  This 
church  reports  now  370  members.  It  has  a  beautiful  white  marble 
edifice,  costing  with  the  ground  $125,000. 

The  Lee  Street  Baptist   church   is   also   a  colony  of  the   old 
First,  constituted  in  1854.     It  has  231  members ;  Rev.  John  Pol- 
lard pastor.     Its  house  of  worship  was  dedicated  in  June,  1864 ; 
cost,  $46,000. 
Besides  these  there  are  in  Baltimore  the  Second  Baptist  Church, 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  125 

Broadway,  near  Pratt,  founded  in  1797.  The  venerable  John  Healey 
was  pastor  for  more  than  fifty  years ;  Eev.  E.  N.  Harris  is  the 
present  pastor.  In  1854  they  left  their  old  meeting-house  on  Fleet 
street,  and  entered  their  present  handsome  one  on  Broadway; 
cost,  $15,000.  The  High  Street  Church  was  constituted  in  1835. 
It  first  met  in  Carvert,  near  Saratoga  street,  but  in  1844  moved  to 
High  street.  Eev.  Franklin  Wilson,  D.  D.,  was  pastor  for  several 
years,  and  saved  the  house  from  being  sacrificed  for  debt.  It  cost 
about ^$15,000.  The  Franklin  Square  Church  was  organized  Octo- 
ber, 1*854,  with  thirty  members.  It  now  has  330 ;  pastor,  Eev. 
G.  W.  Sunderlin.  Its  meeting-house  cost  about  $20,000.  Besides 
these  there  is  one  German  Baptist  church  and  three  colored 
churches  in  the  city.  One  of  these,  on  Leaden  hall  street,  has  a 
house,  dedicated  in  1873,  which  cost  $20,000,  and  is  one  of  the 
finest  houses  for  colored  people  in  Baltimore. 

|774.  Mr.  Isaac  Griest,  Benjamin  Griffith,  Jesse  Hollingsworth, 
and  thirteen  gentlemen  in  the  county,  were  appointed  commissioners 
under  an  Act  of  the  Provincial  Legislature,  to  direct  the  expendi- 
ture of  a  sum  of  nearly  $11,000  to  make  the  three  great  roads 
leading  to  the  tow^n. 

In  consequence  of  the  passage  by  the  British  Parliament 
of  the  Boston  Port  Bill — a  bill  intended  to  shut  out  the  people  of 
Boston  from  commercial  intercourse  with  every  part  of  the 
world  —  the  people  of  Boston  assembled  in  town-meeting  at 
Fanueil  Hall  on  the  13th  day  of  May,  1774,  and  voted  "  that  if  the 
other  colonies  would  come  into  a  joint  resolution  to  stop  all  im- 
portations from  Great  Britain,  and  every  part  of  the  West  Indies, 
till  the  act  blocking  up  the  harbor  be  repealed,  the  same  will 
prove  the  salvation  of  North  America  and  her  liberties."  This 
resolve  was  transmitted  to  the  people  of  Baltimore,  in  a  letter 
written  by  Mr.  Samuel  Adams  to  Mr.  Wm.  Lux,  of  Baltimore. 
Mr.  Adams  said :  "  The  people  receive  this  edict  with  indigna- 
tion. It  is  expected  by  their  enemies,  and  feared  by  some  of  their 
friends,  that  this  town  singly,  will  not  be  able  to  support  the 
cause  under  so  severe  a  trial.  As  the  very  being  of  every  colony, 
considered  as  a  free  peoj^le,  depends  upon  the  event,  a  thought  so 
dishonorable  to  our  brethren  cannot  be  entertained,  as  that  this 
town  will  now  be  left  to  struggle  alone.  The  town  of  Boston  is 
now  suffering  the  stroke  of  vengeance,  in  the  common  cause  of 
America.  I  hope  they  will  sustain  the  blow  with  a  becoming 
fortitude,  and  that  the  effects  of  this  cruel  act,  intended  to  in- 
timidate and  subdue  the  spirits  of  all  America,  will  by  the  joint 
efforts  of  all,  be  frustrated."  In  the  Maryland  Journal  of  the  28th 
of  May,  1774,  a  notice  appeared,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy : 
"  On  Tuesday  last,  a  few  hours  after  the  arrival  of  an  express 
from  Philadelphia  relative  to  the  situation  of  affairs  at  Boston,  a 
number  of  merchants  and  respectable  mechanics  of  this. town  met 
at  the  Court-house,  and  appointed  a  committee  to  correspond  with 


126  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

the  neighboring  colonies,  as  the  exigency  of  affairs  may  make  it 
occasionally  necessary."  This  committee  was  Robert  Alexander, 
/"^Robert  Christie,  Sr.,  Isaac  YanBibber,  Thomas  Harrison,  John 
I  Boyd,  Samuel  Purviance,  Jr.,  Andrew  Buchanan,  Wm.  Buchanan, 
j  John  Moale,  Wm.  Smith,  Wm.  Lux,  and  John  Smith.  They  met 
at  the  Court-house  on  Tuesday,  May  31st,  1774,  Captain  Charles 
Ridgely  acting  as  chairman.  There  were  eight  resolutions  adopted. 
The  three  first  were  dissented  from  by  very  inferior  minorities ; 
the  remaining  five  w^ere  unanimously  adopted.  The  first  resolu- 
tion expresses  it  as  the  duty  of  every  colony  in  America  to  "unite 
in  the  most  effectual  means  to  obtain  a  repeal  of  the  late  act 
of  Parliament  for  blockading  the  harbor  of  Boston ;  three 
dissenters.  The  second  concurred  in  the  sentiment  expressed  by 
the  Boston  resolve,  that  if  the  colonies  came  into  a  joint  resolu- 
tion to  stop  importations  from,  and  exports  to.  Great  Britain  and 
the  West  Indies,  the  same  would  be  the  means  of  preserving 
North  America  and  her  liberties ;  three  dissentients.  The  3d, 
the  inhabitants  of  the  county  will  join  in  an  association  to  etop 
the  intercourse  at  given  days;  nine  dissentients.  The  4th  pro- 
vides for  the  appointment  of  delegates  to  attend  a  general  congress 
from  each  county  in  the  State,  to  be  held  at  Annapolis,  and  dele- 
gates to  attend  a  general  congress  from  the  other  colonies ;  unan- 
imously assented  to.  The  5th  provides  for  breaking  off  all  trade 
and  dealing  with  that  colony,  province  or  town,  which  refuses  to 
come  into  similar  resolutions;  unanimously  assented  to.  The 
6th  appoints  Capt.  Charles  Ridgely,  Charles  Eidgely,  son  of  John, 
/  'Walter  Tolly,  Jr.,  Thomas  Cockey  Dye,  William  Lux,  Robert 
Alexander,  Samuel  Purviance,  Jr.,  John  Moale,  Andrew  Buchanan, 
I  and  George  Risteau,  as  a  committee  to  attend  a  general  meeting  at 
I  Annapolis,  and  that  the  same  gentlemen  together  with  John  Smith, 
Thomas  Harrison,  William  Buchanan,  Benjamin  Nicholson,  Thomas 
Sollers,  William  Smith,  James  Gittings,  Richard  Moale,  Jonathan 
^Plowman,  and  William  Spear,  be  a  committee  of  correspondence 
to  receive  and  answer  all  letters,  and  on  any  emergency  to  call  a 
general  meeting,  and  that  any  six  of  the  number  have  power  to 
act;  unanimously  assented  to.  The  8th  is  a  vote  of  thanks.  That 
all  these  resolves  did  not  meet  with  the  unanimity  which  was  ex- 
pected at  the  time,  may  be  accounted  for  from  this  fact,  that  as 
some  of  them  looked  to  a  complete  prohibition  of  all  intercourse 
with  Great  Britain  and  her  West  India  possessions,  it  was  a  ruinous 
interference  with  the  most  profitable  branch  of  trade  at  that  time 
carried  on  from  Baltimore. 

On  the  4th  of  June,  1774,  the  Baltimore  committee  transmitted 
to  the  Boston  committee  the  resolutions  which  had  been  adopted, 
when  the  people  of  Baltimore  were  first  made  acquainted  with  the 
distresses  of  Boston,  accompanied  with  the  following  letter : 

^'Gentlemen — On  the  25th  ultimo,  we  received,  (by  express)  from 
Philadelphia,  a  copy  of  your  letter  of  the  13th  to  the  gentlemen  of 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  127 

that  city,  and  a  coipy  of  their  reply  thereto,  together  with  the 
votes  of  your  town  meeting,  on  the  truly  alarming  situation  of 
your  affairs  by  the  late  act  of  Parliament,  for  blocking  up  the 
harbor  of  Boston. 

"  Could  we  remain  a  moment  indifferent  to  your  sufferings,  the 
result  of  your  noble  and  virtuous  struggles  in  defence  of  American 
liberties,  we  should  be  unworthy  to  share  in  those  blessings,  which 
(under  Grod)  we  owe,  in  a  great  measure,  to  your  perseverance  and 
zeal  in  support  of  our  common  rights,  that  they  have  not  ere  now, 
been  wrested  from  us,  by  the  rapacious  hand  of  power. 

"  Permit  us  therefore  as  brethren,  fellow-citizens  and  Americans, 
embarked  in  one  common  interest,  most  affectionately  to  sympa- 
thize Avith  you,  now  suffering  and  persecuted  in  the  common  cause 
of  our  country,  and  to  assure  you  of  our  readiness  to  concur  in 
every  reasonable  measure  that  can  be  devised  for  obtaining  the  mOst 
effectual  and  speedy  relief  to  our  distressed  friendsv 

"  Actuated  by  these  sentiments,  we  immediately,  on  receipt  of 
the  letters  aforesaid,  called  a  meeting  of  the  principal  inhabitants, 
and  appointed  a  committee  of  twelve  persons  to  correspond  with 
you,  the  neighboring  colonies,  and  particularly  with  the  towns  of 
this  province,  to  collect  the  public  sense  of  this  important  concern. 

"  We  procured  a  general  meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  gentle- 
men of  this  county,  the  31st  ult.,  when  the  enclosed  resolutions  were 
agreed  on,  with  a  spirit  and  harmony,  which  we  flatter  ourselves, 
prevails  very  generally  through  all  parts  of  this  province.  The 
resolve  of  a  general  congress  of  deputies,  in  order  to  unite  the 
sense  of  the  whole  colony  on  this  interesting  occasion,  will,  we 
have  reason  to  hope,  be  attended  with  success. 

"Having  addressed  every  county  for  that  purpose,  and  the 
gentlemen  of  Annapolis  concurring  in  the  same  design,  as  soon 
as  the  result  of  this  congress  is  determined,  we  shall  make  you 
acquainted  therewith. 

"In  order  to  inspire  the  same  zeal  in  others  with  which  we  are 
actuated  for  your  cause,  we  have  transmitted  copies  of  the  papers 
we  received  to  the  gentlemen  of  Alexandria,  I^orfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth, in  Virginia,  and  have  taken  the  liberty  of  recommending 
to  our  friends  in  Philadelphia  the  necessity  of  setting  a  good 
example,  as  their  influence  would  greatly  preponderate  in  your 
favor.  Although  the  gentlemen  of  Philadelphia  have  recom- 
mended a  general  congress  for  proceeding  by  petition  or  remon- 
strance, we  cannot  see  the  least  grounds  of  expecting  relief  by  it. 
The  contempt  with  which  a  similar  petition  was  treated  in  1765, 
and  many  others  since  that  period,  convince  us  that  policy  or 
reasons  of  state,  instead  of  justice  and  equity,  are  to  prescribe  the 
rule  of  our  future  conduct,  and  that  something  more  sensible  than 
supplications  will  best  serve  our  purpose.  The  idea  of  a  general 
congress,  held  forth  by  our  resolves,  as  merely  to  unite  such  colo- 
nies as  will  associate  in  a  general  system  of  non-exportation  and 


128  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

non-importation,  both  to  be  regulated  in  such  degree  and  manner  as 
most  suitable  to  the  circumstances  of  each  colony,  and  as  to  enable 
us  (if  necessary)  to  hold  out  longer  without  aggrieving  one  more 
than  another. 

"  Permit  us,  as  friends,  truly  anxious  for  the  preservation  of 
your  and  our  common  liberties,  to  recommend  firmness  and  mode- 
ration under  this  severe  trial  of  your  patience,  trusting  that  the 
Supreme  Disposer  of  all  events  will  terminate  the  same  in  a  happy 
confirmation  of  American  freedom. 

"  We  are,  with  much  sincerity, 

"  Your  truly  sympathizing  friends, 

"  Samuel  PuRViANCE,  CAazrmaw. 
"  William  Buchanan, 

"  in  behalf  of  the  Committee^ 

We  have  already  observed  that  the  celebrated  vote  of  the  town 
of  Boston,  w^hich  took  place  on  the  13th  of  May,  1774,  together 
with  a  letter  from  the  town  of  Boston  of  said  date,  was  forwarded 
by  express  from  Philadelphia  to  Baltimore,  and  received  here  on 
the  23d  of  May,  and  that  immediate  action  was  taken  upon  it  by 
the  people  of  Baltimore  County.  They  addressed  a  letter  on  tho 
4th  of  June  to  the  committee  of  Philadelphia,  responding  in  the 
most  enthusiastic  manner  to  the  vote  which  had  been  transmitted 
to  them;  and  from  the  language  it  makes  use  of  respecting  the  pro- 
priety of  holding  a  general  congress  of  deputies  from  all  the 
colonies,  we  infer  that  the  honor  of  first  suggesting  such  an  as- 
sembly to  meet  the  great  crisis  which  was  then  approaching,  be- 
longs as  much  to  the  people  of  Baltimore,  as  it  has  heretofore  been 
considered  as  in  the  exclusive  possession  of  Virginia.  Although 
the  resolutions  of  Yirginia  which  recommended  it  were  dated 
the  27th  of  May,  yet  the  communication  which  announced  it  to 
the  other  colonies  was  not  dated  until  the  3l8t  of  May ;  and  on 
Unit  day,  the  people  of  Baltimore,  at  their  deferred  meeting,  made 
an  equal  recommendation  of  such  a  measure,  and  in  conveying  to 
the  other  colonies  their  sense  of  its  propriety  they  certainly  speak 
as  if  they  were  the  first  to  present  this  great  measure  for  their 
approbation.  They  remark  in  this  celebrated  letter  to  the  com- 
mittee of  Philadelphia :  "  The  idea  we  have  formed  of  a  general 
congress,  as  expressed  in  our  fourth  resolve,  is  by  no  means  formed 
upon  the  opinion,  or  the  necessity  of  such  a  congress,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  petitioning  or  remonstrating  to  the  crown,  or  any  other 
branch  of  the  legislature  of  Great  Britain.  The  indignity  oftered 
by  the  ministry  to  every  petition  from  America ;  the  affected 
contempt  with  which  they  treated  those  transmitted  in  1765,  and 
every  other  since  that  time,  leave  us  not  the  least  ray  of  hope  that 
any  application  in  that  mode  would  be  productive  of  relief  to  the 
Bufferings  of  Boston,  whom  we  consider  as  a  victim  to  ministerial 
vengeance,  for  wisely  and  justly  opposing  them  in  their  arbitrary 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  129 

attacks  upon  American  liberty.  We  have  proposed  the  congress 
to  settle  and  establish  a  general  plan  of  conduct  for  such  colonies 
that  may  think  fit  to  send  deputies.  Their  local  circumstances 
and  particular  situation  may  render  some  little  diversity  necessary, 
especially  should  the  same  influence  that  has  unhappily  guided  the 
councils  of  Great  Britain  continue  to  prevail." 

A  copy  of  these  resolutions  was  transmitted  also  to  the  com- 
mittee of  Annapolis.  The  committee  on  receiving  them,  assented 
to  the  proposition  they  contained  of  calling  a  general  congress, 
and  immediately  thereafter  addressed  a  communication  to  the 
committee  of  correspondence  for  Virginia  on  the  subject  of  these 
resolutions.  They  say  in  their  letter,  "It  is  our  most  fervent  wish 
and  sanguine  hope  that  your  colony  has  the  same  disposition  and 
spirit,  and  that  by  a  general  congress  such  a  plan  may  be  struck 
out  as  may  eff'ectually  accomplish  the  grand  object  in  view."  The 
committee  of  correspondence  of  Virginia  reply  to  this  suggestion 
of  the  Baltimore  committee  on  the  4th  of  August  in  the  follow- 
ing language :  "  The  expediency  and  necessity,  however,  of  a 
general  congress  of  deputies  from  the  different  colonies  was  so 
obvious,  that  the  meeting  have  already  come  to  the  resolutions  re- 
specting it."  If  there  be  merit  in  being  among  the  first  to  sug- 
gest a  great  and  leading  measure,  which  from  its  peculiar  fitness 
to  produce  the  end  contemplated  by  its  creation,  the  recommenda- 
tion of  the  general  congress  as  suggested  by  the  Baltimore  com- 
mittee pre-eminently  entitles  them  to  its  claim.  That  congress, 
according  to  these  suggestions,  did  assemble,  and  from  their  de- 
liberations resulted  the  declaration,  that  the  thirteen  colonies  were 
free  and  independent  States,  and  as  such  were  entitled  to  do  all 
those  acts  which  of  right  may  be  adopted  by  independent  nations 
—  a  congress,  as  described  by  Lord  Chatham,  "for  solidity  of 
reasoning,  force  of  sagacity,  and  wisdom  of  conclusion,  under  such 
a  complication  of  ditiicult  circumstances,  no  nation  or  body  of 
men  can  stand  in  preference  to  the  general  congress  of  Philadel- 
phia." The  Baltimore  committee  appear  to  have  lost  no  occasion 
to  keep  alive  the  spirit  of  patriotism  which  had  burned  with  in- 
tensity in  their  bosoms  from  the  moment  they  were  made  ac- 
quainted with  the  arbitrar}^  legislation  of  Great  Britain  towards 
the  town  of  Boston.  Wherever  their  voice  could  reach  they  were 
not  backward  in  sending  it  forth  ;  nor  did  they  conceal  their  re- 
grets whenever  any  response  was  made  by  any  of  the  colonies  to 
their  communications,  which  they  thought  fell  short  of  their' 
ardor. 

The  committees  appointed  by  the  several  counties  met  at  An- 
napolis on  the  22d  of  June,  in  which  Baltimore  County  and  Town 
were  represented  by  Captain  Charles  Ridgely,  Thomas  C.  Dye, 
Walter  Tolley,  Jr.,  Robert  Alexander,  William  Lux,  Samuel  Pur- 
viance,  Jr.,  and  George  llisteau,  Esqs.  By  them  non-importation 
resolves  were  entered  into;  collections  were  to  be  made  for  the 
9 


130  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

relief  of  the  Bostonians,  and  congressmen  were  appointed.  The 
Congress  which  met  at  Philadelphia  on  the  5th  of  September, 
having  adopted  similar  measures,  i-ecommended  the  appointment 
of  town  and  county  committees  throughout  the  colonies;  and  on 
the  12th  of  November,  a  meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  other  in- 
habitants of  Baltimore  County  and  Town,  entitled  to  vote,  was 
held  at  the  Court-house,  and  the  following  gentlemen  were  chosen 
to  compose  the  committee  for  Baltimore  Town,  viz : — 

Messrs.  Andrew  Buchanan,  Messi-s.  John  Smith, 

Kobert  Alexander,  Barnet  Eichelberger, 

William  Lux,  George  Woolsey, 

John  Moale,  Hercules  Couricnay, 

Johu  Merryman,  Isaac  Griest, 

Richard  Moale,  Mark  Alexander, 

Jeremiah  T.  Chase,  ISamuel  Purviance,  Jr., 

Thomas  Harrison,  Francis  Sanderson, 

Archibald  Buchanan,  Dr.  John  Boyd, 

William  Buchanan,  George  Linleuljerger, 

William  Smith,  Philip  Rogers, 

James  Calhoun,  David  McMechen, 

Benjamin  Griffith,  Mordecai  Gist, 

Gerard  Hopkins,  William  Spear. 
John  Deaver, 

In  all  twenty-nine,  and  thirty-eight  other  gentlemen  for  the 
county,  of  whom  — 

Messrs.  Thomas  C.  Deye,  Messrs.  John  Moale, 

Samuel  Worthington,  Capt.  Charles  Ridgely, 

Walter  Tolly,  Jr.,  Dr.  John  Boyd, 

Benjamin  Nicholson,  William  Buchanan, 

or  any  three  of  them,  were  a  committee  to  attend  the  committee 
meetings  at  Annapolis,  and  — 

Messrs.  Robert  Alexander,  Messrs.  Samuel  Purviance,  Jr., 
John  Moale,  Jeremiaii  T.  Chase, 

Andrew  Buchanan,  William  Buchanan, 

Dr.  John  Boj'd,  William  Lux, 

or  any  four  of  them,  a  committee  of  correspondence  for  Baltimore 
Town.  Of  the  Baltimore  committee,  Mr.  Samuel  Purviance,  Jr., 
was  elected  chairman,  and  possessing  much  ardor  in  the  cause 
which  his  excellent  talents  enabled  him  to  promote  in  an  eminent 
manner,  .so  continued  until  the  new  government \vas  formed.  Mr. 
Purviance  was  the  writer  of  the  greater  part  of  the  correspond- 
ence which  emanated  from  the  committee,  of  which  he  was  chair- 
man. His  fate  was  an  untimely  one.  In  the  year  1788  he  was 
descending  the  Ohio,  in  company  with  several  others,  when  the 
boat  on  board  of  which  he  was,  was  captured  by  a  band  of  Indians ; 
some  of  the  party  made  their  escape ;  it  was  his  misfortune  to 
have  been  secured  by  his  captors,  and  led  by  them  into  the  inte- 
rior of  their  vast  wilderness.      From  this  moment,  to  him,  his 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  131 

country,  his  family  and  friends  were  lost  forever.  Mr.  Jeremiah 
T.  Chase  was  the  tirst  secretary,  but  as  other  duties  were  confided 
to  him,  he  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  George  Lux. 

In  December  Messrs.  Richard  Moale,  Wm.  Spear,  Isaac  Yan 
Bibber,  and  Isaac  Griest  were  appointed  a  committee  to  report  and 
observe  the  arrival  of  all  vessels  into  port. 

The  following  letter  was  written  by  a  gentleman  of  Baltimore 
to  his  friend : 

"  Baltimore,  July  IQth,  1774. 

"A  vessel  has  sailed  from  the  Eastern  Shore  of  this  Province 
with  a  cargo  of  provisions  as  a  free  gift  to  our  besieged  brethren 
at  Boston.  The  inhabitants  of  all  the  counties  of  Virginia  and 
Mar^'land  are  subscribing  with  great  liberality  for  the  relief  of  the 
distressed  towns  of  Boston  and  Charlestown.  The  inhabitants  of 
Alexandria,  we  hear,  in  a  few  hours,  subscribed  three  hundred  and 
fifty  pounds  for  that  noble  purpose.  Subscriptions  are  opened  in 
this  town  for  the  support  and  animation  of  the  inhabitants  of  Bos- 
ton under  their  present  great  conflict  for  the  common  freedom  of 
us  all,  which  have  already  been  so  successful  that  a  vessel  is  now 
loading  with  provisions  for  that  place,  as  a  testimony  of  the  affec- 
tion of  this  people  towards  their  persecuted  brethren,  now  bravely 
contending  against  fraud,  power,  and  the  most  odious  oppression, 
which  God  grant  may  never  rise  triumphant  over  right,  justice, 
social  happiness  and  freedom." 

We  find  from  a  Boston  paper,  under  date  of  August  29th, 
1774 — "  Yesterday  arrived  at  Marblehead,  Captain  Perkins,  from 
Baltimore,  with  three  thousand  bushels  of  Indian  corn,  twenty 
barrels  of  rye,  and  twenty-one  barrels  of  bread,  sent  b}'  the  inhabi- 
tants of  that  place  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor  of  Boston,  together 
with  one  thousand  bushels  of  corn  from  Annapolis,  sent  in  the  same 
vessel,  and  for  the  same  benevolent  purpose." 

The  Committee  of  Boston,  writing  to  the  Committee  of  Balti-^ 
more,  under  date  of  July  16th,  said :  "  The  part  taken  by  the 
Province  of  Marj^land  must  henceforth  stop  the  mouths  of  those- 
blasphemers  of  humanity  who  have  affected  to  question  the  exis- 
tence of  public  virtue.  So  bright  an  example  as  you  have  set  can- 
not fail  to  animate  and  encourage  even  the  lukewarm  and  indif- 
ferent ;  more  especially  such  honest  men  as  wish  to  be  assured  of 
support  before  they  engage  in  so  weighty  an  enterprise.  The 
noble  sacrifice  you  stand  ready  to  make  of  the  staple  commodity 
of  your  Province,  so  materially  affecting  the  revenue  of  Great 
Britain,  and  your  generous  interposition  in  our  favor,  have  our 
warmest  acknowledgments." 

In  the  course  of  this  year,  the  office  of  deputy  postmaster-gen- 
eral was  taken  from  Doctor  Franklin  by  the  ministry,  and  the 
communications  by  mail  exposed  to  the  control  of  English  agents. 
Mr.    William    Goddard,    editor   and   proprietor   of  the   Maryland 


132  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

Journal,  in  this  town,  devised  and  succeeded  in  establishing  an  in- 
dependent line  from  Massachusetts,  first  to  Virginia,  and  after- 
wards to  Georgia,  and  he  was  appointed  surveyor  of  the  post-roads 
by  Congress ;  but  they  having  restored  his  office  to  Dr.  Franklin 
the  ensuing  year,  Mr.  Goddard  was  disappointed,  and,  retiring 
himself,  made  his  sister  the  ostensible  editor  of  the  newspaper. 

1775.  May  5th,  the  Hon.  Peyton  Eandolph,  Edmund  Pendleton, 
GeorgeWashington,  Benjamin  Harrison,  and  Richard  Henry  Lee, 
Esqs.,  delegates  from  Virginia,  and  Richard  Caswell  and  Joseph 
Hewes,  Esqs.,  delegates  from  North  Carolina,  arrived  in  tow^n  on 
their  way  to  Philadelphia.  They  were  met  by  three  companies 
of  militia,  and  escorted  to  the  Fountain  Inn,  where  the  companies 
saluted  the  delegates  with  a  triple  discharge  of  their  musketry. 
On  the  following  day  four  companies  of  the  town  militia  were 
drawn  upon  the  Common,  where  they  were  reviewed  by  Col. 
Washington,  afterwards  President,  accompanied,  by  the  other  dele- 
gates, who  were  pleased  to  express  their  satisfaction  in  the  ap- 
pearance and  behavior  of  the  officers  and  men.  In  the  afternoon 
the  delegates,  accompanied  by  the  Rev.  Clergy  and  principal  gen- 
tlemen of  the  town,  preceded  by  Capt.  Gist's  independent  com- 
pany, and  the  officers  of  the  other  companies,  walked  from  the 
Fountain  Inn  to  the  new  Court-house,  where  an  entertainment  was 
provided.  Among  other  toasts,  the  delegates  were  pleased  to  give 
the  following:  "May  the  Town  of  Baltimore  flourish,  and  the 
noble  spirits  of  the  inhabitants  continue  till  ministerial  despotism 
be  at  an  end."  The  day  w^as  spent  with  great  festivity ;  joy  beamed 
in  the  countenances  of  the  townsmen,  who  w^ere  happy  in  the 
honor  of  the  company  of  the  delegates,  and  pleased  with  the  op- 
portunity of  showing  them  that  respect  which  their  conduct  de- 
servedly merited  from  all  British  America. 

Messrs.  Robert  Buchanan,  Robert  Alexander,  and  David 
McMechen  were  appointed  a  committee  to  establish  a  w^atch  for  the 
security  of  the  town. 

Extracts  from  the  proceedings  of  the  Baltimore  Committee  of 
Observation : 

"  Committee  Chamber,  April  3<i,  1775. 
"  Information  being  made  to  the  Committee  that  a  few  indi- 
viduals, inhabitants  of  this  town,  have  of  late  worn  pistols  or  pri- 
vate arms,  alleging  in  justification  of  their  conduct,  '  That  a  motion 
had  been  made  in  the  Committee  to  sacrifice  some  of  the  persons 
in  this  town  who  differed  from  them,  or  were  averse  to  the  public 
measures  now  carrying  on  in  this  Province,  and  that  they  wore 
arms  against  any  such  attempts.'  The  Committee,  to  remove  any 
prejudice  that  may  be  taken  by  the  public  against  them,  and  to 
prevent  the  ill  effects  of  such  false  and  injurious  reports,  if  circu- 
lated without  contradiction,  do  solemnly  declare  that  no  such  mo- 
tion was  ever  made,  or  any  entr}^  relative  to  the  same  minuted 
iQ  their  proceedin^a.    A  few  members  of  the  Committee  were  of 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE.  133 

opinion  that  the  names  of  such  persons  who,  upon  application, 
had  refused  to  contribute  for  the  purchase  of  arms  and  ammuni- 
tion, should  be  published,  but  even  this  measure  was  overruled  in 
the  Committee  as  improper  at  that  time.  Our  meetings  have  been 
held  public,  nor  has  any  person  who  thought  fit  to  attend  ever 
been  excluded.  Our  records  are  free  and  open  for  inspection. 
From  the  public  we  receive  our  authority,  not  by  personal  solicita- 
tion, but  a-  free  and  voluntary  choice :  to  that  tribunal  we  submit 
our  actions.  Although  we  have  uniformly  persevered,  and  are 
determined  to  persevere  into  carrying  into  execution  the  associa- 
tion and  measures  of  Congress,  yet  in  no  instance  have  we  ex- 
ceeded the  line  pointed  out  by  that  Assembly  and  our  Provincial 
Assembly;  and  abhorring  every  idea  of  proscription,  the  Com- 
mittee call  upon  the  persons  who  have  circulated  the  aforesaid 
report  to  disclose  the  author. 

"A  true  extract  from  the  minutes. 

"  E.  Alexander,  Secretary y 

"April  Ibth,  1775. 
"  The  Committee  of  Observation  for  Baltimore  County,  reflect- 
ing on  the  many  mischiefs  and  disorders  usually  attending  the 
fairs  held  at  Baltimore  Town,  and  willing  in  all  things  strictly  to 
observe  the  j'egulations  of  the  Continental  Congress,  who,  in  the 
eighth  resolution,  have  advised  to  discountenance  and  discourage 
every  species  of  extravagance  and  dissipation,  especially  horse- 
racing,  cock-fighting,  &c.,  have  unanimously  resolved  to  recom- 
mend it  to  the  good  people  of  this  county,  and  do  hereby  earnestly 
request  that  they  will  not  themselves,  nor  will  suffer  any  of  their 
families  to  attend,  or  in  any  wise  encourage  the  approaching  fair 
at  Baltimore  Town;  and  all  i)ersons  are  desired  not  to  erect 
booths,  or  in  any  manner  prepare  for  holding  the  said  fair.  We 
are  persuaded  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  in  particular  will  see 
the  propriety  of  this  measure,  and  the  necessity  of  enforcing  it,  as 
the  fairs  have  been  a  nuisance  long  before  complained  of  by  them, 
as  serving  no  other  purpose  than  debauching  tht  morals  of  their 
children  and  servants,  affording  an  opportunity  for  perpetrating 
thefts,  encouraging  riots,  drunkenness,  gaming,  and  the  vilest  im- 
moralities. Sam.  Purviance,  Jr,  Chairman''' 

On  the  17tl)  of  June,  the  British  attacked  the  Provincials,  and 
the  memorable  battle  of  Bunker's  Hill  was  fought.  Then  hesita- 
tion ceased,  and  doubt  everywhere  gave  place*  to  certainty.  Con- 
gress determined  to  carry  on  an  offensive  war;  Boston  was  ordered 
to  be  invested ;  General  Washington,  nominated  before  that  body 
by  Thomas  Johnson,  of  Maryland,  on  the  15th  of  June,  1775,  was 
chosen  commander-in-chief  of  the  American  forces. 

July  13th,  a  special  meeting  of  the  committee  of  Baltimore 
Town  was  held,  William  Smith,  president,  and  twxnty-eight  mem- 


134  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

bers.  A  letter  from  James  Christie,  Jr.,  merchant  of  this  town, 
directed  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gabriel  Christie,  of  his  Majesty's 
60th  regiment,  at  Antigua,  having  been  intercepted,  was  laid  be- 
fore the  committee  and  ordered  to  be  read,  which  was  accordingly 
done,  and  the  following  paragraphs  were  part  of  the  contents : 
"Baltimore,  February  22d,  1775. — We  are  in  such  confusion  here 
with  our  politics,  there  is  no  depending  on  anything,  and  that 
added  to  other  things,  we  are  little  behind  the  New-Englanders, 
mustering,  purchasing  arms,  ammunition,  &c.  We  have  some 
violent  fanatical  spirits  among  us  w^ho  do  everything  in  their 
power  to  run  things  to  the  utmost  extremity,  and  they  have  gone 
so  far,  that  we  moderate  people  are  under  a  necessity  of  uniting 
for  our  own  defence,  after  having  been  threatened  with  expulsion, 
loss  of  life,  &c.,  for  not  acceding  to  what  we  deem  Treason  and 
Rebellion.  The  Provost  and  family  are  very  well;  our  public 
affairs  vex  him,  and  he  wishes  himself  away,  but  I  know  not  when, 
or  if  ever,  that  will  happen.  A  part  of  yours,  or  any  other  regi- 
ment, 1  believe,  would  keep  us  very  quiet."  The  committee  then 
summoned  Mr.  Christie  to  attend  them,  but  being  confined  to  his 
bed,  he  was  unable  to  do  it,  and  they  sent  Messrs.  James  Calhoun, 
William  Buchanan.  Thomas  Harrison,  Thomas  Jones,  William 
Goodwin,  and  Isaac  Yanbibber  to  wait  on  him  at  his  house,  and 
to  inquire  whether  the  said  letter  w^as  w^ritten  by  him.  The  gen- 
tlemen returned  and  reported  that  Mr.  Christie  had  been  shown 
the  letter,  and  acknowledged  that  it  w^as  written  by  him,  but  re- 
quested that  any  further  proceedings  thereon  might  be  postponed 
until  his  health  would  permit  his  personal  attendance.  The  com- 
mittee, not  thinking  it  proper  to  comply  with  his  request,  as  Mr. 
Christie  had  confessed  that  he  w^rote  the  letter,  immediately  gave 
him  notice  thereof;  upon  which  the  committee  directed  a  guard  of 
nine  men,  under  the  command  of  an  officer,  to  be  placed  round  Mr. 
Christie's  house.  On  the  following  day  the  committee  met  accord- 
ing to  adjournment.  Mr.  Robert  Christie  attended,  and  declared 
that  Mr.  James  Christie  was  very  sorry  for  the  letter  he  had 
written  to  Lieut.-;Col.  Christie ;  that  he  did  not  mean  any  harm  by 
it;  and  that  he  was  very  willing  to  acquiesce  in  the 'determination 
of  the  committee.  On  motion  resolved,  that  Doctor  John  Boyd 
and  Mr.  John  McLure  (members  of  the  committee)  do  wait  on 
Mr.  James  Christie,  and  inquire  of  him  who  those  moderate  people 
were  that  united  for  their  defence,  as  mentioned  in  his  letter,  and 
that  they  take  his  answer  in  writing.  The  gentlemen  returned 
and  reported  that  Mr.  Christie  declared  there  never  was  any  asso- 
ciation between  him  and  his  friends  for  the  purpose  alluded  to,  or 
for  any  other  purpose,  and  all  that  he  remembers  to  have  passed 
on  the  occasion  was,  that  some  time  last  winter  he  was  informed 
that  .he,  with  some  of  his  friends,  were  to  be  made  a  public  ex- 
ample of  for  not  uniting  wuth  the  town  in  the  present  opposition, 
and  this  being  spoken  of  accidentally  among  two  or  three  of  his 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  135 

friends,  it  was  proposed  whether  an  association  for  mutual  defence 
would  be  advisable,  but  no  determination  being  then  made,  and 
they  soon  after  being  convinced  that  no  threats  worth  notice  had 
been  thrown  out  against  them,  the  matter  dropped,  and  was  never 
afterwards  thought  of  or  attempted,  and  that  it  was  at  this  time 
of  doubt  and  apprehension  that  he  wrote  the  letter  in  question, 
which  accounts  for  that  part  of  it  alluded  to  in  this  inquiry.  The 
committee  proceeded  to  take  Mr.  Christie's  conduct  with  respect  to 
said  letter  into  further  and  deliberate  consideration,  and  were 
unanimously  of  opinion,  that  by  representing  in  said  letter  the 
people  of  this  town  to  be  concerned  in  treasonable  and  rebellious 
jjractices,  and  that  a  number  of  soldiers  would  keep  them  quiet,  he 
has  manifested  a  spirit  and  principle  altogether  inimical  to  the 
rights,  privileges,  and  liberties  of  America.  They  do  therefore 
think  it  their  duty  to  advertise  the  said  James  Christie,  Jr.,  as  an 
enemy  to  this  country,  and  all  persons  are  desired  to  break  off  all 
connection  and  intercourse  with  him.  The  committee  do  further 
resolve,  that,  as  the  crime  of  which  the  said  James  Christie  is 
guilty,  is  of  so  dangerous  and  atrocious  a  nature,  they  will  lay 
the  same  before  their  delegates  of  the  Continental  Congress  for 
their  advice,  and  in  the  meantime  it  is  ordered,  that  as  Mr.  Christie 
is  confined  to  his  bed,  and  cannot  be  removed  with  safety  to  a 
place  of  security,  the  same  guard  be  continued  at  his  house  to 
prevent  any  escape  attempted  either  by  himself  or  the  assistance 
of  his  friends,  and  that  Mr.  Christie  pay  each  man  5s.  for  each  24 
hours,  and  the  officer  7s.  6d.  A  report  having  been  circulated  that 
a  number  of  arms  and  a  quantity  of  ammunition  were  secretly 
lodged  in  the  house  of  Mr.  James  Christie,  and  the  same  being 
mentioned  in  the  committee,  they  directed  two  of  their  members, 
Captain  Clopper  and  Mr.  James  Cox,  to  go  immediately  and  search 
Mr.  Christie's  house,  which  they  accordingly  did,  and  reported  that 
they  had  examined  the  house  carefully  in  every  part,  attended  by 
Mr.  Eobert  Christie,  Jr.,  and  that  they  only  found  two  guns  and  a 
pair  of  pistols,  and  no  ammunition,  and  were  convinced  no  others 
were  in  the  house.  Mr.  Christie  had  b^en  engaged  in  mercantile 
business  at  Eock  Kun,  in  Harford  county,  with  Mr.  John  Wilson 
and  Kobert  Christie,  Jr.  The  day  on  which  the  committee  gave 
in  their  decision  on  his  conduct,  these  two  gentlemen  dissolved 
their  partnership  w4th  him,  determining  not  to  be  implicated  with 
him  in  his  adherence  to  the  Tory  cause.  Mr.  Christie  was  kept 
under  the  surveillance  of  his  guard  until  the  24th  of  July,  Avhen  he 
w^as  discharged,  upon  giving  an  obligation,  with  five  securities,  not 
to  depart  the  Province  without  leave  of  said  committee  or  the  Con- 
vention of  Marj'land.  As  a  part  of  the  resolution  in  his  case  was, 
to  refer  the  question  involved  in  it  to  the  delegates  to  the  General 
Congress,  Mr.  Christie  himself  also  referred  his  case  to  Congress. 
That  body  referred  him  to  the  Provincial  Convention  of  Maryland, 
to  whom,  in  consequence  of  this  reference,  he  presented  a  memorial 


136  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

on  the  9tli  August,  1775.  Taking  his  own  testimony  as  furnished 
by  the  memorial  as  conchisive  against  him  as  to  the  offence  with 
which  he  had  been  charged  by  the  Baltimore  committee,  the  Con- 
vention resolved,  "that  the  said  James  Christie  is,  and  ought  to 
be  considered  as  an  enemy  to  America,  and  that  no  person  trade, 
deal,  or  barter  with  him  thereafter,  unless  for  necessaries  and 
provisions,  or  for  the  sale  or  purchase  of  any  part  of  his  real  or 
personal  estate  of  which  he  may  be  at  the  time  seized  or  possessed. 
JResolved,  that  the  same  James  Christie  be  expelled  and  banished 
the  Province  forever,  and  that  he  depart  the  Province  before  the 
first  day  of  September  next."  The  committee  had  accepted  the 
explanations  given  by  several  persons  charged  w^ith  inimical  acts, 
but  the  people  accused  Mr.  James  Dangleish,  a  foreign  merchant, 
w^ho  had  declared  his  aversion  to  the  cause,  and  therefore  as  soon 
as  he  had  been  published  as  an  enemy  he  fled  for  safety.  The 
laws  against  Eoman  Catholic  teachers  still  existing,  some  persons 
actuated  by  worse  motives  broke  up  Mr.  John  Hefferman's  school, 
and  he  also  left  the  place.  Other  persons  were  also  exposed  to 
personal  violence,  as  it  was  alleged,  from  the  mistaken  zeal  of  the 
committee  itself,  or  ignorance  of  the  principles  by  which  they 
should  be  governed. 

At  an  election  on  the  23d  of  September,  held  at  the  court-house, 
agreeably  to  a  resolution  of  the  late  Provincial  Convention,  the 
following  gentlemen  were  declared  elected  : — John  Moale,  Jeremiah 
T.  Chase,  James  Calhoun,  Benjamin  Nicholson,  Andrew  Buchanan, 
Thomas  Sollers,  John  Craddock,  James  Gittings,  Eobert  Alexander, 
Samuel  Purviance,  William  Wilkinson,  Charles  Eidgel}',  Jr.,  of  Wil- 
liam, Walter  Tolly,  Jr.,  Darby  Lux,  John  Cockey,  William  Smith, 
William  Buchanan,  William  Lux,  John  Boyd,  John  Smith,  Zacha- 
riah  McCubbin,  Jr.,  Capt.  Charles  Eidgely,  Thomas  Harrison,  Ben- 
jamin Griffith,  William  Eandell,  Thomas  Gist,  Sr.,  Stephen  Crom- 
well, Isaac  Grist,  Thomas  C.  Dye,  Mordecai  Gist,  John  Stephen- 
son, Ezekiel  Towson,  Jeremiah  Johnson,  William  Aisquith,  John 
Howard,  George  Eisteau,  Abraham  Britton,  and  on  casting  up  the 
ballots  the  following  gentlemen  were  declared  delegates  to  the 
convention  for  one  year,  viz  :  Eobert  Alexander,  Benjamin  Nichol- 
son, John  Moale,  Walter  Tolly,  Jr.,  Jeremiah  Townly  Chase. 

Several  members  of  the  German  or  Dutch  Presbyterian  societj^, 
attached  to  the  Eev.  William  Otterbein,  formed  a  separate  reli- 
gious society,  which  the}^  distinguished  by  the  name  of  the  "  Ger- 
man Evangelical  Eeformed,"  and  they  purchased  a  lot  on  Conway 
street,  and  worshipped  in  a  small  "house  until  they  built  their 
church. 

October  16th  the  committee  "  ordered  that  a  quantity  of 
powder  and  lead  be  delivered  to  the  captains  of  the  companies 
enrolled  agreeably  to  the  resolutions  of  the  late  convention,  equal 
to  a  half-pound  of  powder  and  two  pounds  of  lead  for  each  man 
in  the  company,  and  that  the  same  be  made  up  into  cartridges  and 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  137 

returned  to  the  several  Captains,  to  be  by  them  faithfully  kept 
and  delivered  out  to  the  different  men  in  such  quantities  and  on 
such  occasions  as  they  in  their  discretion  shall  think  fit.  Resolved, 
That  the  privates  of  each  company  produce  to  their  several  Cap- 
tains, on  each  day  of  mustering,  the  number  of  cartridges  and 
ball  delivered  to  them ;  and  on  default,  that  they  pay  one  shilling 
for  each  and  every  cartridge  wanting  of  the  quantity  delivered 
out.     George  Lux,  Sect." 

In  October  the  whole  countr^^  was  in  a  state  of  political  ex- 
citement—  the  ferment  was  universal,  and  though  perhaps  but 
few  individuals  of  the  great  mass  that  were  then  in  motion  had 
the  remotest  idea  of  a  total  disruption  of  the  ties  that  connected 
them  with  the  mother-country,  yet  all  were  ready  to  fly  to  the 
resort  of  arms  in  defence  of  their  colonial  rights,  upon  which  the 
Government  of  Great  Britain  had  been  gradually  making  en- 
croachments, until  her  system  had  become  insupportable,  tyran- 
nical, and  oppressive.  In  the  state  of  things  that  then  existed  it 
was  natural  that  commercial  enterprise  should  be  in  a  great 
measure  suspended.  The  mouth  of  the  Chesapeake  was  watched 
by  British  ships  of  war,  and  the  merchants  of  Baltimore,  doubtful 
whether  their  most  peaceful  and  legitimate  intentions  of  trade 
would  be  respected,  for  the  most  part  laid  up  their  vessels.  ABer- 
mudian  sloop  about  this  time  was  purchased,  armed  with  ten  guns, 
and  called  the  Hornet,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  William  Stone, 
with  Joshua  Barney  as  second  officer  or  master's  mate.  A  crew 
had  not  yet  been  shipped,  and  the  duty  of  recruiting  one  was  as- 
signed to  Barney.  Fortunately  for  his  purpose,  just  at  this 
moment  a  new  American  flag,  sent  by  Commodore  Hopkins  for 
the  service  of  the  Hornet,  arrived  from  Philadelphia.  Nothing 
could  have  been  more  opportune  or  acceptable.  It  was  the  first 
"  Star-Spangled  Banner"  that  had  been  seen  in  the  State  of  Mary- 
land ;  and  next  morning  at  sunrise  Barney  had  the  enviable  honor 
of  unfurling  it  to  the  music  of  drums  and  fifes,  and  hoisting  it 
upon  a  staff,  planted  with  his  own  hands  at  the  door  of  his  ren- 
dezvous. The  heart-stirring  sounds  of  the  martial  instruments, 
then  a  novel  incident  in  Baltimore,  and  the  still  more  novel  sight 
of  the  Rebel  colors  gracefully  waving  in  the  breeze,  attracted 
crowds  of  all  ranks  and  eyes  to  the  gay  scene  of  the  rendezvous, 
and  before  the  setting  of  the  same  day's  sun,  the  young  recruiting 
officer  had  enlisted  a  full  crew  of  jolly  "  rebels  "  for  the  Hornet. 
Towards  the  latter  end  of  November  the  Hornet  and  Wasp,  the 
two  Baltimore  vessels,  lefl  the  Patapsco  in  company.  They  were 
fortunate  enough  to  descend  the  Chesapeake  and  pass  the  capes 
without  being  perceived  by  the  British  cruisers.  They  found  the 
little  fleet  of  Comm.odore  Hopkins  anchored  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Delaware.  In  a  few  days  the  fleet  weighed  anchor  and  sailed 
for  New  Providence  (one  of  the  Bahama  Islands),  where,  contrary 
to  expectation,  the  town  and  fort  surrendered  without  firing  a 


y 


138  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

Bhot.  Commodore  Hopkins,  as  had  been  anticipated,  found  an  im- 
mense quantity  of  ammunition,  great  guns,  mortars,  shells  and 
other  valuable  stores,  which  were  brought  away. 

Before  the  19th  of  April,  when  the  batlle  of  Lexington  took 
place,  the  town  had  formed  several  companies  of  each  description 
of  arms,  and  every  exertion  was  made  to  procure  ammunition. 
Amongst  others,  General  Buchanan,  the  Lieutenant  of  the  county, 
distinguished  himself  by  his  zeal,  and  took  command  of  a  com- 
pany of  gentlemen  of  riper  years,  and  a  company  of  their  sons 
and'others,  mostly  unmarried,  who  armed  and  equipped  themselves 
in  an  excellent  scarlet  uniform,  put  themselves  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  Gist,  who  afterwards  became  well-known  as  the 
General  Mordecai  Gist  of  the  Revolutionary  army  ;  Lieutenant 
Thomas  Evving,  and  other  officers,  who,  with  some  of  the  privates, 
became  distinguished  in  different  commands  in  the  regular  service 
afterwards,  being  trained  by  Eichard  Cary,  Adjutant,  who  had 
arrived  from  New  England,  and  had  been  a  member  of  the  Ancient 
Artillery  Company  of  Boston,  then  lately  commanded  by  John 
Hancock,  Esq.,  first  President  of  Congress. 

Many  vessels  returning  home  were  searched  and  stripped  of 
their  arms  and  ammunition.  It  was  about  this  time  that  the 
water-battery  on  Whetstone  Point  was  planned  by  Mr.  James 
Alcock,  and  begun  under  the  superintendence  of  Messrs.  Griest, 
Griffith,  and  Loudenslager,  while  Captain  N.  Smith  was  put  in 
command  of  the  artillery  stationed  at  that  post.  Three  massive 
chains  of  wrought  iron,  passing  through  floating  blocks,  were 
stretched  across  the  river,  leaving  a  small  passage  on  the  side 
next  the  fort,  and  the  channel  was  protected  by  sunken  vessels. 

November  13th  the  Continental  Congress  having  recommended 
that  adventures  be  made  for  procuring  arms  and  ammunition,  and 
it  being  necessary  that  a  particular  committee  be  appointed  to 
superintend  the  same,  Messrs.  Samuel  Purviance,  John  Smith,  Wil- 
liam Buchanan,  Benjamin  Griffith,  Isaac  Griest,  Thomas  Gist,  Sen., 
and  Darby  Lux  were  appointed  a  committee  for  that  purpose, 
under  oath  to  keep  their  proceedings  secret.  Lady  Washington 
and  the  lady  of  Gen.  Gates  arrived  in  town  on  the  way  to  their 
respective  husband's  camps ;  they  were  escorted  a  few  miles  out  of 
town  by  a  part  of  the  Independent  and  Light  Infantry  companies, 
with  man}'  other  gentlemen. 

Doctor  Wiesenthal,  Dr.  Boyd,  and  Dr.  Craddock  publish  a  call 
to  the  ladies  of  Baltimore  to  lend  their  assistance  in  furnishing 
linen  rags  and  old  sheeting  for  bandages,  &c. 

In  a  regiment  of  regular  troops  commanded  by  Col.  Small  wood, 
Messrs.  Mordecai  Gist,  Samuel  Smith,  David  Plunkett,  Brian  Phil- 
pot,  and  William  Ridgely,  held  commissions  and  raised  men  in 
Baltimore.  Congress  had  recommended  a  general  fast  for  the 
20th  of  July,  and  it  was  kept  here  by  the  meetings  of  religious 
societies  for  worship.    About  this  time  there  arrived  and  settled 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE.  139 

here  Messrs.  Hugh  Yonng,  Alexander  Donaldson,  Christopher 
Johnston,  James  Sterling,  John  Weatherburn,  George  Salmon,  John 
McFadon  and  others,  who  were  foreigners,  and  Messrs.  AVilliam 
Young,  Hezekiah  Waters,  Benjamin  May,  Peter  Hoffman,  George 
Warner,  Anthony  Houck,  and  others  from  this  or  neighboring 
provinces. 

It  has  often  been  a  disputed  question  when  the  first  military 
company  was  organised  in  Maryland,  at  the  coming  on  of  theEevo- 
lution.  The  following  letter,  written  to  the  Honorable  Matthew 
Tilghman  in  convention  at  Annapolis,  will  settle  the  point : 

"  Coffee  House,  30//i  December,  1775. 
"  Sir: — Permit  me  to' address  you  as  President  of  that  honorable 
body,  whose  rules  I  consider  as  sacred,  and  to  which  I  have  ever 
paid  a  ready  and  cheerful  obedience.  Prompted  by  the  regard  1 
owe  my  country,  I  did  at  the  expense  of  my  time  and  hazard  of 
my  business,  form  a  company  of  militia,  earl}^  in  December  1774  —  a 
company  composed  of  gentlemen,  men  of  honor,  family,  and  fortune, 
and  though  of  different  countries,  animated  by  a  zeal  and  reverence 
for  rights  of  humanity,  they  have  acted  superior  to  the  narrow 
attachments  that  influence  contracted  minds,  whose  sentiments  are 
determined  by  the  place  of  their  nativity.  Unanimously  approved  of 
by  this  company,  I  have  been  twice  appointed  to  the  honor  of 
being  their  commander,  since  the  last  of  which,  we  remonstrated 
to  the  Council  of  Safety,  praying  to  be  confirmed  as  an  independent 
company.  Having  received  no  answer,  I  am  induced  to  believe, 
that  such  an  establishment  ought  not  to  be  acceded  to;  but  still 
desirous  of  being  serviceable  to  my  country,  I  have  entered  my 
name  among  the  number  of  applicants  who  are  soliciting  prefer- 
ment from  the  convention.  That  cruel  and  ^jijust  system  of  policy 
which  has  for  many  years  influenced  the  British  Senate,  has  long 
since  inclined  me  to  lose  sight  of  an  honorable  accommodation  with 
the  mother  countr}',  unless  resisted  by  a  brave  and  manly  oppo- 
sition. This  consideration  led  me  to  an  early  and  constant  attention 
to  militar}^  affairs;  and  allow  me,  sir,  to  assure  j'ou,  that  I  have 
neither  spared  time  nor  expense  in  the  acquisition  of  that  kind  of 
knowledge.  In  private  life  I  have  ever  been  ambitious  of  being  the 
useful  citizen.  Emulous  of  that  character,  I  wish  to  assume  the 
soldier;  and  if  appointed  to  an  office  (not  beneath  what  my  former 
rank  entitled  me  to)  I  shall  endeavor  to  acquit  myself  with  honor 
to  those  who  are  pleased  to  appoint  me. 

"  I  am,  sir, 

"  Your  most  humble  servant, 

"Mordecai  Gist." 

To  carry  into  execution  the  resolutions  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, respecting  the  public  defence,  it  became  necessary  to  raise 
in  the  Province  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  pounds,  to  be  laid  out  in 


£     8.    d. 

Middle  River  Lower 51  10  0 

Patapsco  Lower ,  ...  50    26 

Pipe  Creek   34    5  0 

Westminster 51  00  0 

Baltimore  Town  West 72    7  6 

Deptford 30    2  6 

Baltimore  Town  East 2G  12  6 


J 


140  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

the  purchase  of  arms  and  ammunition.  The  convention  of  Mary- 
land, in  assigning  to  each  county  the  quota  that  would  be  requisite 
irom  it  to  make  this  amount,  assigned  to  Baltimore  county  as  her 
proportion  £930.  The  Baltimore  committee,  to  whom  was  en- 
trusted the  power  of  levying  this  amount  on  the  inhabitants, 
affixed  to  the  different  districts  of  the  county, -the  sums  as  follows: 

£      e.    d. 

Gunpowder  Upper 79  17  6 

North  Hundred 51  17  6 

Mlddle«»ex   33    7  6 

WyneRun   53  00  0 

BMck  River  Upper 112  00  0 

Back  River  Lower 39    5  0 

Patapsco  Upper. ..........  50  10  0 

Delaware  Lower. 63  00  0  

Middle  River  Upper 43  10  0  930  00  0 

Soldier's  Delight 87  12  6 

We  cannot  forbear  noticing  the  honorable  solicituder  felt  by  the 
committee,  that  their  brethren  of  limited  means  should  not  be  re- 
quired to  contribute  any  portion  of  the  above  taxation,  for,  in  the 
resolution  which  levied  it,  they  say,  "care  ought  to  be  taken,  to 
avoid  laying  any  part  of  the  burthen  upon  the  people  of  narrow 
circumstances,  hoping  that  those  whom  Providence  has  blessed 
with  better  fortunes,  will,  by  their  generosity,  supply  the  necessity 
of  calling  on  those  whose  fortunes  are  confined  to  the  mere  neces- 
saries of  life." 

Eddis,  writing  from  Maryland  in  March,  1775,  has  given  us  a 
lively  picture  of  the  transactions  of  this  period.  "From  one  ex- 
tremity of  this  continent  to  the  other,  every  appearance  indicates 
approaching  hostilities.  The  busy  voice  of  preparation  echoes 
through  every  settlement ;  and  those  who  are  not  zealousl}^  infected 
with  the  frenzy,  are  considered  as  enemies  to  the  cause  of  liberty; 
and,  without  regard  to  any  peculiarity  of  situation,  are  branded 
with  opprobrious  appellations,  and  pointed  out  as  victims  to  public 
resentment.  Yery  considerable  subscriptions  have  been  made  in 
every  quarter  for  the  relief  of  the  Bostonians ;  large  sums  have 
likewise  been  collected  for  the  purchase  of  arms  and  ammunition ; 
and  persons  of  all  denominations  are  required  to  associate  under 
militar}^  regulations,  on  pain  of  the  severest  censure,"  In  another 
of  July,  1775,  referring  more  particularly  to  the  condition  of  this 
Province,  he  remarks :  "  The  inhabitants  of  this  Province  are  in- 
corporated under  military  regulations,  and  apply  the  greater  part 
of  their  time  to  the  different  branches  of  discipline.  In  Annapolis 
there  are  two  complete  companies  ;  in  Baltimore  seven  ;  and  in 
ev^ery  district  of  this  Province  the  majority  of  the  people  are 
actually  under  arms:  almost  every  hat  is  decorated  with  a 
cockade,  and  the  churlish  drum  and  fife  are  the  only  music  of  the 
times." 

1776.  Baltimore,  from  its  peculiar  fitness  for  the  building  and 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  141 

equipment  of  Vessels,  was  selected  as  one  of  the  sites  for  naval 
constructions,  and  many  vessels  which  afterwards  became  cele- 
brated for  the  injury  they  inflicted  on  the  enemy  were  built  here. 
The  Virginia  frigate,  the  Defence  sloop,  Buckskin^  Enterprise,  Sturdy 
Beggar,  Harlequin,  Fox,  &c.,  were  among  the  number,  and  the  suc- 
cess which  sometimes  attended  their  cruises  contributed  to  aid 
Congress  with  the  means  of  carrying  on  the  war. 

Commodore  James  Nicholson  on  the  5th  of  June  obtained  his 
commission  from  Congress,  being  the  first  ofiicer  in  rank  in  the 
United  States  service,  and  soon  after  took  command  of  the  Vir- 
ginia frigate.  He  was  a  native  of  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland, 
and  gave  early  proofs  of  his  peculiar  fitness  for  the  responsible 
station  to  which  he  was  now  called.  He  served  his  country  faith- 
fully dui'ing  the  war,  and  was  among  the  number  of  those  distin- 
guished seamen  who  contributed  to  build  up  a  name  for  his  coun- 
try in  maritime  war  which  will  be  as  imperishable  as  her  glory. 
He  was  the"  father-in-law  of  the  distinguished  Mr.  (xallatin,  and 
died  in  the  year  1791.  Two  brothers  were  also  naval  ofiicers  in 
the  service,  Capt.  John  Nicholson  and  Capt  Samuel  Nicholson. 

At  an  election  held  "  in  the  town  "  in  1776  four  hundred  and 
seventy  two  votes  were  taken,  while  the  unadded  "Fell's  Point" 
at  that  time  contained  a  population  of  821.  The  year  before  ^ 
there  were  enumerated  564  houses,  and  5934  inhabitants  in 
the  town  proper,  so  that  with  the  addition  of  the  821  of  -'  Fell's 
Point,"  or  Heptford  Hundred,  as  it  was  called,  there  were 
6755  individuals  girdled  by  the  defences  of  Whetstone  Point 
and  its  floating  chain.  In  the  growth  of  Baltimore  between 
1752  and  the  date  of  the  Eevolution  we  may  observe  that 
quite  a  decided  tendency  was  manifested  in  settlements  east 
of  Jones'  Falls.  There  are  parts  of  Old  Town  and  Fell's 
Point  which,  to  the  present  day,  retain  the  outward  character  of 
the  oldest  portions  of  the  city.  The  streets  there  indicate  by  their 
names  the  colonial  era  to  which  they  belong.  York  and  Lancaster, 
Exeter  and  Albemarle,  Queen  and  Granby,  tell  their  own  history. 
The  growth  on  the  west  of  the  Falls,  though  of  a  later  period, 
was  much  more  rapid.  At  the  date  of  the  Revolution,  Market 
street,  now  Baltimore,  oftered  to  view  a  respectable  thoroughfare, 
along  which  a  double  line  of  houses  straggled  as  far  as  the  south- 
east corner  on  Market,  now  Baltimore  and  Liberty  streets,  where 
Mr.  Jacob  Fite  had  built  a  house  sufficiently  large  to  accommo- 
date the  Continental  Congress,  which  held  its  sessions  there  in 
December,  1776.  This  house  being  then  the  farthest  west,  and  one 
of  the  largest  in  the  Town,  was  called  for  a  long  time  Congress  Hall. 
The  streets  after  this  period  equally  indicate  their  era.  \Yq  have, 
in  contrast  to  those  we  have  before  mentioned,  the  names  of  Con- 
way and  Barre,  Fayette  and  Greene,  Lexington  and  Eutaw,  fra- 
grant with  the  recollections  of  the  Revolution. 

Extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Convention 


142  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

in  Baltimore,  May  28th :  "  Whereas  his  Britannic  Majesty  King 
George  has  prosecuted,  and  still  prosecutes  a  war  against  the 
British  colonies  in  America,  and  has  acceded  to  acts  of  Parliament 
declaring  the  people  in  the  said  colonies  in  actual  rebellion  ;  and 
whereas,  the  good  people  of  this  Province  have  taken  up  arms  to 
defend  their  rights  and  liberties,  and  to  repel  the  hostilities  carry- 
ing on  against  them,  and  whilst  engaged  in  such  a  contest,  cannot 
with  any  sincerity  of  heart  pray  for  the  success  of  his  arms. 
Therefore,  resolved,  that  every  prayer  and  petition  for  the  King's 
Majesty  in  the  book  of  common  prayer,  and  administration  of  the 
sacraments  and  other  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, except  the  second  collect  for  the  King  in  the  common  service, 
be  henceforth  omitted  in  all  churches  and  chapels  in  this  Province, 
until  our  unhappy  differences  are  ended.  G.  Duvall,  Clerk." 

In  June,  Lieutenant  Joshua  Barney  sailed  for  the  West  Indies 
from  Philadelphia  in  the  Andrea  Doria,  a  fine  brig  of  14  guns, 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Eobinson.  On  their  arrival  at  St. 
Eustatia,  they  fired  a  salute  to  the  fort,  which  the  Governor,  with 
more  complaisance  than  prudence,  returned — forgetting  that  he 
thus  took  upon  himself  to  acknowledge  the  independence  of  their 
flag  before  their  High  Mightinesses  at  the  Hague  had  decided, 
whether  to  listen  to  the  remonstrances  of  Sir  Joseph  Yorke  or  to 
the  solicitations  of  Dr.  Franklin.  For  this  premature  instance  of 
courtesy,  the  Governor  was  afterwards  displaced,  on  the  complaint 
of  the  English  government ;  the  fact,  nevertheless,  that  he  did 
return  the  salute  of  the  Andrea  Doria,  contradicts  the  generally 
received  impression  that  Captain  Paul  Jones  was  the  first  Amer- 
ican officer,  to  whom  such  an  honor  had  been  paid  by  a  foreign 
power.  It  was  not  until  February,  1778,  that  Jones's  salute  was  re- 
turned by  the  French  Admiral  at  Brest. 

In  March,  Capt.  Squires,  the  commander  of  the  British  sloop 
of  war  Otter,  who  had  been  cruising  about  in  various  parts  of  the 
bay,  made  a  demonstration  in  the  Patapsco  river  with  various 
boats,  which  produced  great  alarm  in  the  town.  Capt.  Nicholson, 
the  commander  of  the  Defence,  a  ship  belonging  to  the  State  of 
Maryland,  was  at  that  time  in  Baltimore.  He  soon  got  under 
weigh  to  drive  these  marauders  from  the  river,  which  he  did  in  a 
short  time,  and  captured  four  or  five  of  their  boats.  It  was  the 
occasion  of  this  alarm  that  gave  rise  to  the  necessity  of  throwing 
up  batteries  on  Fell's  Point,  the  fortifying  of  Whetstone  Point 
with  eighteen  guns,  &c.,  &c.  These  defences  were  considered  at 
the  time  as  invaluable,  and  the  aid  which  the  militia  of  the  sur- 
rounding country  afforded,  called  forth  the  grateful  thanks  of  the 
people.  From  Harford  County  a  battalion  marched  to  Baltimore, 
whose  services  it  afterwards  became  unnecessary  to  accept.  Col. 
liamsey,  to  whoso  regiment  the  battalion  belonged,  in  acknow- 
ledging the  receipt  of  the  communication  made  to  them  by  the 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  14B 

Baltimore  committee  expressive  of  their  sense  of  the  patriotism 
of  the  battalion,  says :  "  That  battalion,  Sir,  esteem  it  but  their 
duty  to  march  to  the  assistance  of  any  part  of  the  Province  when 
attacked,  or  in  danger  of  it.  But  they  march  with  greater  alac- 
rity to  your  assistance,  from  the  pleasing  memory  of  former  con- 
nections, and  a  sense  of  the  value  and  importance  of  Baltimore 
Town  to  the  Province  in  general."  Nor  was  this  devotion  to  Bal- 
timore confined  in  her  hour  of  need  to  the  citizens  of  her  own 
State.  The  borough  of  York  wrote  on  the  10th  of  March  to  the 
committee  :  "  Our  committee  resolved  instantly  to  raise  a  good 
rifle  company,  to  be  ready  to  march  on  an  hour's  warning  to  your 
Province,  in  case  you  should  judge  it  necessary,  and  signify  the 
same  to  our  commiteee."  This  is  not  a  solitary  instance  of  this 
patriotic  borough's  offering  her  valuable  aid  to  Baltimore.  In  the 
war  of  1812  a  company  sent  by  her  united  with  the  Baltimore 
troops  on  the  day  of  her  celebrated  battle  with  the  British  army 
near  North  Point,  and  no  troops  on  that  day  were  more  entitled 
to  the  honor  which  their  valor  won,  than  those  from  York. 

The  committee  presented  an  address  to  Captain  Nicholson, 
acknowledging  the  valuable  services  he  rendered  to  the  town  by 
driving  Capt.  Squires  away  from  the  river.  His  answer  to  them  is 
worthy  of  being  transcribed  here:  "Gentlemen: — I  return  you 
my  most  sincere  thanks  for  your  polite  address.  In  support  of  the 
rights  and  liberties  of  my  country,  I  cheerfully  undertook  the  ardu- 
ous task  of  my  present  office,  and  am  exceedingly  happy  in  finding 
ni}^  conduct  stand  approved  by  so  respectable  a  body  as  the  com- 
mittee of  Baltimore  county.  I  am  likewise  to  assure  you  that  the 
officers,  volunteers,  and  others  on  board  the  Defence,  consider  your 
address  as  doing  them  the  highest  honor. 
"  I  am,  gentlemen, 

"  Your  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

"James  Nicholson." 

In  the  beginning  of  April,  Capt.  James  Barron,  commanding 
one  of  the  public  vessels  employed  in  the  Chesapeake  Bay  for  its 
defence,  fell  in  with  and  captured  a  small  vessel,  which  had  been 
sent  by  Lord  Dunmore,  who  was  at  that  time  on  board  one  of 
the  British  squadrons  stationed  in  the  bay,  to  Annapolis,  for  the 
purpose  of  transmitting  certain  letters  from  Lord  George  Germain, 
the  British  Secretary  of  State,  to  Governor  Eden  of  Maryland. 
These  letters  were  placed  in  the  hands  of  Alexander  Eoss  from 
Pittsburg,  a  person  who  had  been  well-known  as  a  violent  British 
partisan.  The  letters  were  sent  by  Capt.  Barron  to  Gen.  Lee,  who 
at  that  time  was  in  Williamsburg,  and  who,  on  a  consultation  with 
the  committee  of  safety  of  that  place,  sent  them  to  Mr.  Samuel 
Purviance,  the  chairman  of  the  committee  of  safety  at  Baltimore. 
That  the  public  should  be  made  early  acquainted  with  the  contents 
of  these  letters,  and  that  the  person  to  whom  they  were  addressed, 


14  i  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

should  be  dispossessed  of  all  power  to  aid  the  British  Government 
in  their  views  as  set  forth  in  these  letters,  Mr.  Purviance,  believing, 
from  the  peculiar  circumstances  attending  this  case  of  Governor 
Eden,  that  the  powers  he  had- been  invested  with,  as  the  chairman 
of  a  committee,  whose  duty  it  had  been  from  the  commencement 
of  the  disturbances,  to  hold  such  a  supervision,  as  well  over  the 
conduct  of  those  who  were  the  residents  of  the  colony,  as  those  who 
might  come  among  them,  either  as  transient  persons  or  traders, 
would  extend  to  such  a  case  as  the  letter  to  Gen.  Lee  directed  his 
attention  to,  he  instructed  Capt.  Samuel  Smith,  of  Col.  Small  wood's 
battalion,  on  the  14th  of  April,  to  go  to  Annapolis,  and  seize  the 
person  and  papers  of  Governor  Eden,  and  detain  him  until  the  will 
of  Congress  was  known.  The  council  of  safety  at  Annapolis  took 
offence  at  this  order  of  Mr.  Purviance,  and  interfered  to  prevent 
its  execution.  Their  disapprobation  of  it  proceeded  less  from  an 
objection  to  the  measure  itself,  than  from  an  implied  disrespect  of 
their  own  authority.  He  was  however  requested  by  the  convention 
on  the  24th  of  May  to  leave  the  Province  ;  and  in  accordance  with 
this  request,  Mr.  Eden  departed  from  Annapolis  in  the  ship  Fowey 
on  the  24th  of  June,  1776. 

On  the  6th  of  July,  without  waiting  for  the  expected  declaration 
of  Congress,  and  before  its  final  ratification  could  have  been^known, 
the  independence  of  the  Province  of  Maryland  was  formally  pro- 
claimed by  its  own  convention,  in  the  following  Declaration^  which 
for  the  dignity  of  its  sentiments,  and  the  force  and  fervor  of  its 
appeals,  will  not  shrink  from  a  contrast  even  with  the  far-famed 
l)eclaration  of  American  Independence. 

"A  Declaration  of  the  Delegates  of  Maryland. 

"  To  be  exempt  from  parliamentary  taxation,  and  to  regulate 
their  internal  government  and  polity,  the  people  of  this  colony 
have  ever  considered  as  their  inherent  and  unalienable  right.  With- 
out the  former,  they  can  have  no  property ;  without  the  latter, 
they  can  have  no  security  for  their  lives  or  liberties. 

"  I'he  Parliament  of  Great  Britain  has,  of  late,  claimed  an  un- 
controlable  right  of  binding  these  colonies  in  all  cases  whatsoever. 
To  force  an  unconditional  submission  to  this  claim,  the  legislative 
and  executive  powers  of  that  state  have  invariably  pursued,  for 
these  ten  years  past,  a  studied  system  of  oppression,  by  passing 
many  impolitic,  severe,  and  cruel  acts,  for  raising  a  revenue  from 
the  colonists;  by  depriving  them,  in  many  cases,  of  the  trial  by 
jury;  by  altering  the  chartered  constitution  of  one  colony,  and  the 
entire  sLoppage  of  the  trade  of  its  capital ;  by  cutting  off  all  inter- 
course between  the  colonies;  by  restraining  them  from  fishing  on 
their  own  coasts;  by  extending  the  limits  of,  and  erecting  an 
arbitrary  government  in  the  province  of  Quebec ;  by  confiscating 
the  property  of  the  colonists  taken  on  the  seas,  and  compelling  the 
crewb  oi  their  vcbsels,  under  the  pain  of  death,  to  act  against  their 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  145 

native  country  and  dearest  friends ;  by  declaring  all  seizures,  de- 
tention, or  destruction  of  the  persons,  or  property  of  the  colonists, 
to  be  legal  and  just.  A  war  unjustly  commenced,  hath  been  prose- 
cuted against  the  United  Colonies,  with  cruelty,  outrageous  vio- 
lence, and  perfidy ;  slaves,  savages,  and  foreign  mercenaries  have 
been  meanly  hired  to  rob  a  people  of  their  property,  liberties,  and 
lives;  a  people  guilty  of  no  other  crime  than  deeming  the  last  of 
no  estimation  without  the  secure  enjoyment  of  the  former.  Their 
humble  and  dutiful  petitions  for  peace,  liberty,  and  safet}^,  have 
been  rejected  with  scorn.  Secure  of,  and  relying  on  foreign  aid, 
not  on  his  national  forces,  the  unrelenting  monarch  of  Britain  hath 
at  length  avowed,  by  his  answer  to  the  City  of  London,  his  deter- 
mined and  inexorable  resolution  of  reducing  these  colonies  to  abject 
slavery. 

"  Compelled  by  dire  necessity,  either  to  surrender  our  prop- 
erties, liberties,  and  lives,  into  the  hands  of  a  British  King  and 
parliament,  or  to  use  such  means  as  will  most  probably  secure  to 
us  and  our  posterity  those  invaluable  blessings  : 

"TTe,  the  Delegates  of  Maryland,  in  convention  assembled,  do 
declare,  that  the  king  of  Great  Britain  has  violated  his  compact 
with  this  people,  and  that  they  owe  no  allegiance  to  him.  We 
have,  therefore,  thought  it  just  and  necessary,  to  empower  our 
deputies  in  Congress,  to  join  with  a  majority  of  the  United  Colon- 
ies, in  declaring  them  free  and  independent  States,  in  framing  such 
further  confederation  between  them,  in  making  foreign  alliances, 
and  in  adopting  such  other  measures  as  shall  be  judged  necessary 
for  the  preservation  of  their  liberties ;  provided  the  sole  and  exclu- 
sive right  of  regulating  the  internal  polity  and  government  of  this 
colony  be  reserved  to  the  people  thereof.  We  have  also  thought 
proper  to  call  a  new  convention,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a 
government  in  this  colony.  No  ambitious  views,  no  desire  of  inde- 
pendence, induced  the  people  of  Maryland  to  form  an  union  with 
the  other  colonies.  To  procure  an  exemption  from  parliamentary 
taxation,  and  to  continue  to  the  legislatupes  of  these  colonies  the 
sole  and  exclusive  right  of  regulating  their  internal  polity,  was  our 
original  and  only  motive.  To  maintain  inviolate  our  liberties,  and 
to  transmit  them  unimpaired  to  posterity,  was  our  duty  and  first 
wish  ;  our  next,  to  continue  connected  with,  and  dependent  on  Great 
Britain.  For  the  truth  of  these  assertions,  we  appeal  to  that  Al- 
mighty Being  who  is  emphatically  styled  thfe  searcher  of  hearts, 
and  from  whose  omniscience  nothing  is  concealed.  Eelying  on  his 
Divine  protection  and  assistance,  and  trusting  to  the  justice  of  our 
cause,  we  exhort  and  conjure  every  virtuous  citizen  to  join  cor- 
dially in  defence  of  our  common  rights,  and  in  maintenance  of  the 
freedom  of  this  and  her  sister  colonies." 

Thus  fell,  in   this  colony,  to  rise  no   more,  the   dominion   of 
England,  and  with  it  the  government  of  the  Proprietary  :  and  from 
their  ruins  arose  an  independent  state. 
10 


146  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

It  appears  to  have  been  an  important  part  of  the  duty  of  the 
Committee  of  Observation  to  see  that  the  military  part  of  the 
defence  of  Baltimore  was  properly  officered,  that  the  companies 
were  regularly  filled  up,  and  that  they  were  to  be  in  readiness  to 
take  the  field  when  the  occasion  called  for  their  services.  They 
united  in  their  appointments  with  others,  and  nominations  when 
made  by  them  were  generally  confirmed  by  their  associates  in  the 
appointing  power.  In  the  discharge  of  the  duty  of  which  we 
speak,  the  following  instructions  were  given  by  the  Committee  in 
September  :  "  The  colonels  of  the  militia  having  this  day  received 
an  order  from  the  convention  to  nominate  and  appoint  officers  in 
this  county  for  two  additional  companies  of  militia,  to  be  immedi- 
ately raised  for  the  reinforcement  of  the  Continental  army,  which 
companies  are  to  be  enlisted  until  the  first  day  of  December  next, 
each  man  is  to  be  allowed  a  month's  advance  and  a  bounty  of  £3, 
and  their  pay  is  to  commence  from  the  time  of  enrolment.  And 
whereas,  in  many  parts  of  this  county  the  battalions  are  not 
yet  completed,  nor  the  field-officers  of  the  battalions  already 
formed,  be  desired  to  meet  the  Committee  on  Friday  next, 
at  10  o'clock,  jointly  to  fix  on  the  nomination  of  officers  for  the 
said  two  companies  of  militia,  when  such  gentlemen  as  are  de- 
sirous of  commissions  are  requested  to  apply,  and  that  the  respec- 
tive battalions  and  the  companies  of  militia  already  formed  be 
desired  to  meet  on  Saturday  next,  when  such  as  are  inclined  to 
enter  as  volunteers  will  have  an  opportunity." 

There  was  a  part  of  the  population  who,  when  they  were  re- 
quired to  subscribe  to  an  association  which  had  been  formed  in  the 
Province  at  the  recommendation  of  the  general  congress,  refused 
to  do  so.  The  object  of  this  association  was  for  the  general  de- 
fence of  the  Province,  and  those  who  refused  to  unite  in  such  a 
design  were  generally  considered  as  inimical  to  American  liberty. 
They  were  known  by  the  name  of  non-associators,  and  as  such 
were  subject  to  a  fine  of  a  given  amount.  A  person  by  the  name 
of  Eobert  Dow  seemed  ^o  be  so  much  under  the  influence  of  con- 
scientious motives  that  he  could  not  reconcile  it  to  himself  to  be- 
come a  patriot,  and  for  his  refusal  to  enlist  under  the  sacred  banner 
of  his  country's  cause  he  was  fined  five  pounds.  This  appeared 
to  him  to  be  a  large  sum  to  which  his  conscience  subjected  him, 
and  therefore  plead  earnestly  that  "  he  had  a  wife  and  six  chil- 
dren to  maintain ;  th^t  he  is  unable  to  pay  the  fine,  and  therefore 
requests  the  committee  to  mitigate  it."  The  committee  take  this 
laconic  notice  of  it :  "  In  committee,  29th  of  July,  1776,  Eead  and 
rejected.     Per  order,  W.  Lux,  Yice-Chairman." 

Another  resolution  respecting  arms  was  adopted  February  27th. 
"  All  persons  in  this  county,  possessed  of  any  arms  belonging  to 
the  public,  are  hereby  directed  to  deliver  the  same  to  the  committee 
of  observation  at  Baltimore  Town,  as  speedily  as  possible,  the 
council  of  safety  having  given  them  orders  to  collect  and  repair  the 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  147 

same.  It  is  hoped  that  the  urgent  necessity  of  an  immediate  com- 
pliance with  this  requisition  will  induce  every  one  who  has  any  of 
said  arms,  to  attend  thereto  without  delay.  By  order  of  the  Com- 
mittee, George  Lux,  Secretary." 

On  Monday,  the  29th  of  July,  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
w^as  read  at  the  court-house,  in  the  presence  of  the  independent  and 
artillery  companies  and  the  several  companies  of  militia.  It  w^as 
received  with  great  acclamations  of  joy  and  satisfaction  by  those 
present,  accompanied  with  the  discharge  of  cannon.  At  night  the 
town  was  illuminated,  and  at  the  same  time  the  effigy  of  George  the 
Third  was  carted  through  the  town,  to  the  no  small  mirth  of  the 
spectators,  and  afterwards  committed  to  the  flames.  Mr.  Eobert 
Christie,  Jr.,  who,  as  sheriff  of  the  county,  it  had  been  supposed 
was  the  proper  person  to  read  the  Declaration  of  Independence  to 
the  people  at  the  court-house,  refused  to  appear  there  for  such  a 
purpose.  In  consequence  of  this  refusal  on  his  part,  threats  had 
been  made  against  him,  which  he  deemed  it  prudent  not  to  brave, 
and  therefore  he  withdrew  from  the  town.  As  these  threats  indi- 
cated a  state  of  feeling  in  the  public  mind  which  the  committee 
thought  boded  no  good  to  the  common  cause,  they  promptly  met 
them  by  such  a  conciliatory  resolution  as  dispelled  the  threatened 
evil.  Extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  committee  of  observation 
for  Baltimore  county,  July  30th,  1776  :  "  The  chairman  being  in- 
formed by  Eobert  Christie,  Jr.,  the  sheriff  of  this  county,  that  he 
had  reason  to  be  apprehensive  of  violence  being  offered  to  him,  the 
said  sheriff,  on  account  of  his  not  attending  to  read  the  Declaration 
of  Independence  last  Monday,  agreeable  to  the  desire  of  the  com- 
mittee, and  that  from  those  apprehensions  he  would  be  under  the 
disagreeable  necessity  of  retiring  to  the  country,  and  withdrawing 
himself  from  the  public  service.  Wherefore,  resolved,  that  this  com- 
mittee do  declare  their  utter  disapprobation  of  all  threats  or  vio- 
lence being  offered  to  any  person  whatever,  as  contrary  to  the 
resolves  of  Congress  and  the  sense  of  the  convention  of  this  Province. 
That  they  conceive  themselves  bound  to^rotect  (as  far  as  in  their 
power)  the  civil  officers  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty.  That  they 
do  expect  of,  and  call  upon  every  good  citizen  and  friend  to  his 
country,  to  assist  them  in  their  endeavors  to  preserve  the  peace 
and  good  order  of  society ^  and  to  prevent  all  riots  and  tumults,  and 
personal  abuse  and  violence  to  individuals.  That  the  good  people 
of  Baltimore,  having  hitherto  been  so  respectfully  attentive  to  the 
resolves  of  this  committee,  on  all  occasions,  they  flatter  themselves 
that  due  regard  will  be  paid  to  this  recommendation.  Samuel 
Purviance,  Jr..  Chairman^ 

The  promulgation  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  the. 
signal  for  the  departure  of  the  "Loyalists,"  and  Baltimore  afforded, 
her  faithless   quota,  among  whom  we  find   the  names  of  Eobert 
Alexander,  who  had  once  been  a  delegate  to  the  Convention,  and . 
even  to  the  Congress;  of  Daniel  Chamier,  who  had  been  sheriff. ol\ 


148  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

the  county  ;  of  Doctor  Henry  Stevenson  and  Patrick  Kennedy, 
the  former  of  whom  had  built  a  splendid  mansion  and  laid  out 
superb  grounds  and  gardens  on  the  hills  near  the  Falls,  in  the  rear 
of  the  Jail ;  of  Mr.  James  Sommerville,  a  respectable  merchant,  and 
several  others,  who,  in  retiring  from  Maryland,  determined  that,  if 
they  could  not  join  the  townsmen  in  the  dispute,  they  would  not 
oppose  them  by  violence.  Some,  it  is  said,  ended  their  lives  in 
obscurity,  and  perhaps  in  poverty,  abroad,  while  others  took  op- 
portunities, during  the  war,  to  render  kindly  services  to  the  soldiers 
of  liberty  who  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  British.  A  very  few  re- 
turned after  the  peace,  and  remained  in  Baltimore  or  the  State. 

The  following  letter  was  written  to  Captain  James  Cox,  who 
commanded  a  company  in  Baltimore  Town,  by  William  Buchanan, 
who  commanded  the  battalion  in  said  town : 

"  Baltimore,  13^A  December,  1776. 
"  Sir : — By  letter  from  General  Buchanan  of  this  date,  I  am  di- 
rected to  order  the  several  Companies  of  my  Battalion,  to  hold 
themselves  in  readiness  to  march  for  Philadelphia  on  the  shortest 
notice,  from  the  Council  of  Safety,  to  him  for  that  purpose,  and 
which  I  know  is  hourly  expected.  Every  excuse  of  inconvenience, 
interest,  &c.,  must  now  cease.  You  will  therefore,  without  a  moment's 
loss  of  time,  acquaint  your  company  thereof,  that  I  may  have  the 
pleasure  of  meeting  you  as  complete  as  possible  at  the  place  of 
rendezvous,  of  which  you  will  have  previous  notice  should  there  be 
occasion.  Should  any  effective  men  in  your  company  be  so  lost  to 
virtue  and  his  bleeding  country  as  to  refuse  or  skulk,  under  any 
pretence  whatever,  I  desire  you  will  furnish  me  with  the  names 
thereof         I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant,      Wm.  Buchanan." 

The  following  very  interesting  letter  is  a  copy  of  the  original, 
which  is  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Adjutant-General's  office  at 
Annapolis  : 

"  Camp  of  the  Maryland  Eegulars, 

"  Head  Quarters,  October  12th,  1776. 
"  Sir : — Through  your  hands  I  must  beg  leave  to  address  the 
Hon'ble  Convention  of  Maryland,  and  must  confess  not  without  an 
apprehension  that  I  have  incurred  their  displeasure,  for  having 
omitted  writing  when  on  our  march  from  Maryland  for  JN'ew  York, 
and  since  our  arrival  here ;  nor  shall  I  in  a  pointed  manner  urge 
anything  in  my  defence,  but  leave  them  at  large  to  condemn  or 
excuse  me,  upon  a  presumption  that  they  should  condemn,  they 
will  at  least  pardon,  and  judge  me  perhaps  less  culpable,  when  they 
reflect  in  the  first  instance  on  the  exertions  necessary  to  procure 
baggage  wagons,  provisions  and  house-room  for  750  men,  marched 
the  whole  distance  in  a  body,  generally  from  15  to  20  miles  per 
day,  as  the  several  stages  made  it  necessary ;  and  in  the  latter  I 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  149 

trust  they  will  give  some  indulgence  for  this  neglect,  for  since  our 
arrival  at  New  York  it  has  been  the  fate  of  this  Corps  to  be  gen- 
erally stationed  at  advanced  posts,  and  to  act  a  covering  party, 
which  must  unavoidably  expose  troops  to  extraordinary  duty  and 
hazard,  not  to  mention  the  extraordinary  vigilance  and  attention 
in  the  commandant  of  such  a  party  in  disposing  in  the  best  manner, 
and  having  it  regularly  supplied ;  for  here  the  commanders  of 
regiments,  exclusive  of  their  military  duty,  are  often  obliged  to 
exert  themselves  in  the  departments  of  Commissary  and  Quarter- 
Master  General,  and  even  directors  of  their  regimental  hospitals. 
"  Perhaps  it  may  not  be  improper  to  give  a  short  detail  of  oc- 
currences upon  our  march  to  Long  Island  and  since  that  period. 
The  enemy  from  the  21st  to  the  27th  of  August,  were  landing 
their  troops  on  the  lower  part  of  Long  Island,  where  they  pitched 
a  large  encampment,  and  ours  and  their  advanced  parties  were  daily 
skirmishing  at  long  shot,  in  which  neither  party  suffered  much. 
On  the  26th  the  Maryland  and  Delaware  troops,  which  composed 
part  of  Lord  Stirling's  Brigade,  were  ordered  over.  Col.  Haslet 
and  his  Lieut.-Col.  Bedford,  of  the  Delaware  Battalion,  with  Lieut.- 
Col.  Ware  and  myself,  were  detained  on  the  trial  of  Lieut.-Col. 
Ledwitz,  and  though  I  waited  on  General  Washington  and  urged  the 
necessity  of  attending  our  troops,  yet  he  refused  to  discharge  us, 
alleging  there  was  a  necessity  for  the  trial's  coming  on,  and  that 
no  other  field-officers  could  be  then  had.  After  our  dismission 
from  the  court-martial  it  was  too  late  to  get  over,  but  pushing 
over  early  next  morning,  found  our  regiments  engaged.  Lord  Stir- 
ling having  marched  them  off  before  day  to  take  possession  of  the 
woods  and  difficult  passes  between  our  lines  and  the  enemy's  encamp- 
ment ;  but  the  enemy  overnight  had  stolen  a  march  on  our  generals, 
having  got  through  those  passes,  met  and  surrounded  our  troops  on 
the  plain  grounds  within  two  miles  of  our  lines.  Lord  Stirling 
drew  up  his  brigade  on  an  advantageous  rising  ground,  where  he 
was  attacked  by  two  brigades  in  front,  headed  by  the  Generals 
Cornwallis  and  Grant,  and  in  his  rear  the  enemy's  main  body 
stood  ready  drawn  up  to  support  their  own  parties  and  intercept 
the  retreat  of  ours.  This  excellent  disposition  and  the  superior 
numbers  ought  to  have  taught  our  Generals  there  was  no  time  to 
be  lost  in  securing  their  retreat,  which  might  at  least  have  been 
effected,  had  the  troops  formed  into  a  heavy  column  and  pushed 
their  retreat ;  but  the  longer  this  was  dela3'ed  it  became  the  more 
dangerous,  as  they  were  then  landing  more  troops  in  front  from 
the  ships.  Our  brigade  kept  their  ground  for  several  hours,  and 
in  general  behaved  well,  having  received  some  heavy  fires  from  the 
artillery  and  musketry  of  the  enemy,  whom  they  repulsed  several 
times ;  but  their  attacks  were  neither  so  lasting  nor  vigorous  as  was 
expected,  owing,  as  it  was  imagined,  to  their  being  certain  of 
making  the  whole  brigade  prisoners  of  war ;  for  by  this  time  they 
had  so  secured  the  passes  on  the  road  to  our  lines  (seeing  our 


150  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

parties  were  not  supported  from  thence,  which  indeed  our  num- 
bers would  not  admit  of)  that  there  was  no  possibility  of  retreat- 
ing that  way.  Between  the  place  of  action  and  our  lines  there 
lay  a  large  marsh  and  deep  creek,  not  above  80  yards  across  at  the 
mouth  —  (the  place  of  action  upon  a  direct  line  did  not  exceed  a 
mile  from  a  part  of  our  lines),  towards  the  head  of  which  creek 
there  was  a  mill  and  bridge,  across  which  a  certain  Col.  Ward 
from  New  England,  who  is  charged  with  having  acted  a  bashful 
part  that  day,  passed  over  with  his  regiment,  and  then  burnt  them 
down,  though  under  cover  of  our  cannon,  which  would  have  checked 
the  enemy's  pursuit  at  any  time;  other  ways,  this  bridge  might  have 
afforded  a  secure  retreat.  There  then  remained  no  other  prospect 
but  to  surrender,  or  attempt  to  retreat  over  this  marsh  and  creek 
at  the  mouth,  where  no  person  had  ever  been  known  to  cross.  In 
the  interim  I  applied  to  Gen'l  Washington  for  some  regiments  to 
march  out  to  support  and  cover  their  retreat,  which  he  urged 
would  be  attended  with  too  great  a  risk  to  the  party  and  the  lines. 
He  immediately  afterwards  sent  for  and  ordered  me  to  march 
down  a  New  England  regiment  and  Capt.  Thomas's  company, 
which  had  just  come  over  from  New  York,  to  the  mouth  of  the 
creek  opposite  where  the  brigade  was  drawn  up,  and  ordered  two 
field-pieces  down,  to  support  and  cover  their  retreat  should  they 
make  a  push  that  way.  Soon  after  our  march  they  began  to  re- 
treat, and  for  a  small  time  the  fire  was  very  heavy  on  both  sides, 
till  our  troops  came  to  the  marsh,  where  they  were  obliged  to 
break  their  order  and  escape  as  quick  as  they  could  to  the  edge  of 
the  creek  under  a  brisk  fire,  notwithstanding  which  they  brought 
off  28  prisoners.  The  enemy  takina:  advantage  of  a  commanding 
ground,  kept  up  a  continued  fire  from  four  field-pieces,  which  were 
well  served  and  directed,  and  a  heavy  column  advancing  on  the 
marsh  must  have  cut  our  people  off,  their  guns  being  wet  and 
muddy,  not  one  of  them  would  have  fired,  but  having  drawn  up 
the  musketry  and  disposed  of  some  riflemen  conveniently,  with 
orders  to  fire  on  them  when  they  came  within  shot ;  however,  the 
latter  began  their  fire  rather  too  soon,  being  at  200  yards'  distance, 
which  notwithstanding  had  the  desired  effect,  for  the  enemy  imme- 
diately retreated  to  the  fast  land,  where  they  continued  parading 
within  800  yards  till  our  troops  were  brought  over.  Most 
of  those  who  swam  over,  and  others  who  attempted  to  cross 
before  the  covering  party  got  down,  lost  their  arms  and  ac- 
coutrements in  the  mud  and  creek,  and  some  poor  fellows 
their  lives,  particularly  two  of  the  Maryland,  two  of  the  Dela- 
ware, one  of  Attley's  Pennsylvania,  and  two  Hessian^  priso- 
ners were  drowned.  Thomas's  men  contributed  much  in  bringing 
over  this  party.  Have  enclosed  a  list  of  the  killed  and  wounded, 
amounting  to  256,  officers  inclusive.  It  has  been  said  the  enemy 
during  the  action  also  attacked  our  lines;  but  this  was  a  mistake. 
Not  knowing  the  ground,  one  of  the  columns  advanced  within 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  151 

long  shot  without  knowing  they  were  so  near,  and  upon  our  artil- 
lery and  part  of  .the  musketry's  firing  on  them  they  immediately 
fled.  The  28th,  during  a  very  hard  rain,  there  was  an  alarm  that 
the  enemy  had  advanced  to  attack  our  lines,  which  alarmed  the 
troops  much,  but  was  without  foundation.  The  29th  it  was  found 
by  a  council  of  war  that  our  fortifications  were  not  tenable,  and  it 
was  therefore  judged  expedient  that  the  army  should  retreat  from 
the  Island  that  night,  to  effect  which,  notwithstanding  the  Mary- 
land troops  had  but  one  day's  respite,  and  many  other  troops  had 
been  many  days  clear  of  any  detail  of  duty,  they  were  ordered  on 
the  advanced  post  at  Fort  Putnam,  within  250  yards  of  the 
enemy's  approaches,  and  joined  with  two  Pennsylvania  reg'ts  on 
the  left,  were  to  remain  and  cover  the  retreat  of  the  army,  which 
was  happily  completed  under  cover  of  a  thick  fog  and  a  south- 
west wind,  both  which  favored  our  retreat ;  otherwise  the  fear, 
disorder  and  confusion  of  some  of  the  Eastern  troops  must  have 
retarded  and  discovered  our  retreat  and  subjected  numbers  to  be 
cut  off.  After  remaining  two  days  in  New  York,  our  next  station 
was  at  Harlaem,  9  miles  above,  at  an  advance  post  opposite  Mon- 
tresove's  and  Bohana's  Islands,  which  in  a  few  days  the  enemy 
got  possession  of  without  opposition  ;  from  the  former  of  which  we 
dail}^  discoursed  with  them,  being- within  two  hundred  yards,  and 
only  a  small  creek  between.  It  being  judged  expedient  to  aban- 
don New  York  and  retreat  to  our  lines  below  Fort  Washington, 
the  military  stores,  &c.,  had  been  removing  some  days,  when  on 
,the  15th  Sept.  the  enemy  effected  a  landing  on  several  parts  of  the 
Island  below  (and  it  is  cutting  to  say  without  the  least  opposition). 
I  have  often  read  and  heard  of  instances  of  cowardice,  but 
hitherto  have  had  but  a  faint  idea  of  it  till  now.  I  never  could 
have  thought  human  nature  subject  to  such  baseness.  I  could 
wish  the  transactions  of  this  day  blotted  out  of  the  annals  of 
America  —  nothing  appeared  but  flight,  disgrace  and  confusion. 
Let  it  suffice  to  say,  that  60  light  infantry  upon  the  first  fire  put 
to  flight  two  brigades  of  the  Connecticut  troops  —  wretches  who, 
however  strange  it  may  appear,  from  the  Brigadier-General  down 
to  the  private  sentinel,  were  caned  and  whip'd  by  the  Generals 
Washington,  Putnam,  and  Mifflin  ;  but  even  this  indignity  had  no 
weight  —  they  could  not  be  brought  to  stand  one  shot.  General 
Washington  expressly  sent  and  drew  our  regiment  from  its  brigade^ 
to  march  down  towards  New  York,  to  cover  the  retreat  and  to  de- 
fend the  baggage,  with  direction  to  take  possession  of  an  advan- 
tageous eminence  near  the  enemy  upon  the  main  road,  where  we 
remained  under  arms  the  best  part  of  the  day,  till  Sergant's 
Brigade  came  in  with  their  baggage,  who  were  the  last  troops 
coming  in,  upon  which  the  enemy  divided  their  main  body  into 
two  columns  ;  one  filing  off  on  the  North  river  endeavored  to  flank 
and  surround  us,  the  other  advancing  in  good  order  slowly  up  the 
main  road  upon  us  ;  we  had  orders  to  retreat  in  good  order,  which 


152  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

was  done,  our  Corps  getting  within  the  lines  after  dusk.  The  next 
day  about  1000  of  them  made  an  attempt  upon  our  lines,  and  were 
first  attacked  by  the  brave  Col.  Knolton  of  IS'ew  England,  who 
lost  his  life  in  the  action,  and  the  3d  Virginia  regiment,  who  were 
immediately  joined  by  three  Independent  Companies,  under  Major 
Price,  and  some  part  of  the  Maryland  flying-camp,  who  drove 
them  back  to  their  lines,  it  is  supposed  with  the  loss  of  400  men 
killed  and  wounded.  Our  party  had  about  100  killed  and 
wounded,  of  the  former  only  15.  Since  which  we  have  been 
viewing  each  other  at  a  distance,  and  strongly  entrenching  till 
the  9th  October,  when  three  of  their  men-of-war  passed  up  the 
North  river  above  King's  Bridge,  under  a  very  heavy  cannonade 
from  our  Batteries,  which  has  effectually  cut  off  our  communica- 
tion by  water  with  Albany.  I  must  now  break  off  abruptly,  being 
ordered  to  march  up  above  King's  Bridge,  the  enemy  having  landed 
6000  men  from  the  Sound  on  Frog's  Point.  50  ships  are  got  up 
there,  landing  more  troops  —  there  is  nothing  left  but  to  fight 
them.  An  engagement  is  generally  expected  and  soon.  Have  en- 
closed a  copy  of  a  general  return  of  the  battalion  and  Yeazy's 
company,  being  all  the  troops  I  marched  from  Maryland,  with  the 
accoutrements  and  camp  equipage  taken  in  Philadelphia,  to  be 
rendered  the  Congress,  together  with  our  weekly  general  return. 
The  Independents  are  now  about  their  returns  of  arms,  accoutre- 
ments and  camp  equipage  brought  by  them  from  Maryland,  but 
not  having  time  to  finish,  they  must  hereafter  be  returned  to 
Council  of  Safety.  We  have  upw^ards  of  three  hundred  officers^ 
and  soldiers  of  the  Maryland  regulars  very  sick,  which  you  will 
observe  by  the  return  ;  and  I  am  sorry  to  say,  it's  shocking  to 
humanity  to  have  so  many  of  them ;  this  must  hurt  the  ser- 
vice upon  the  new  enlistments.  Major  Price  and  Gist  and  Cap'n 
Stone  are  in  the  Jerseys  very  sick,  and  Col.  Ware  and  myself  are 
very  unfit  for  duty,  though  we  attend  it ;  many  more  officers  are 
very  unwell.     I  am  very  respectfully, 

"  Your  obedient  and  very  h'ble  servant, 

"  W.  Smallwood. 

"  Sunday,  13th  October,  1776. 
**  Sir,— The  troops  having  marched,  and  Col.  Smallwood  not 
having  time  to  make  a  fair  copy  of  the  rough  draught,  from  which 
the  above  is  copied,  desired  me  to  do  it,  and  sign  his  name,  which 
I  have  done  accordingly,  and  am  your  obedient  and  very  humble 
servant,  Chris'r  Kichmond." 

"  P.  S. — It  is  now  near  sunset,  and  we  have  heard  no  firing,  or 
any  news  of  an  action  above  King's  Bridge,  which  has  been  hourly 
expected. 

"  The  Hon'ble  Math'w  Tilghman,  Esq., 

"  President  Convention  Maryland.'' 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE.  153 

When  the  constitution  of  1776  was  adopted,  Baltimore  had  so 
much  increased  in  population  that  it  was  thought  just  that  she 
should  be  allowed  the  privilege  of  electing  two  delegates  to  the 
General  Assembly,  the  same  number  given  to  Annapolis.  But  the 
members  who  formed  the  constitution  seemed  to  have  been  suspi- 
cious that  the  prosperity  of  Baltimore  was  an  ephemeral  one,  and 
that  she  might  probably  soon  begin  to  decay  like  her  neighbor 
Joppa.  They,  therefore,  added  a  proviso  in  these  words :  "  If  the 
said  inhabitants  of  the  town  shall  so  decrease,  as  that  the  number 
of  persons  having  a  right  of  suifrage  therein  shall  have  been,  for 
the  space  of  seven  years  successively,  less  than  one-half  the  number 
of  voters  in  some  one  county  in  this  State,  such  town  shall  thence- 
forward cease  to  send  two  delegates  or  representatives  to  the  House 
of  Delegates,  until  the  said  town  shall  have  one-half  of  the  number 
of  voters  is  some  one  county  in  this  State."  They  had  much  more 
confidence  in  the  continued  growth  of  Annapolis,  and  therefore 
thought  it  entirely  unnecessary  to  insert  any  such  condition  to  the 
enjoyment  of  her  right  of  electing  two  representatives.  Seventy- 
eight  years  have  since  rolled  round,  and  Annapolis,  the  former 
"  Athens  of  America,"  still  adorns  the  banks  of  the  beautiful 
Severn ;  but  her  commerce  and  prosperity  are  gone,  and  her  pop- 
ulation of  three  thousand  is  less  than  one-third  that  of  the  smallest 
county;  while  "Baltimore  Town"  has  now  nearly  one-third  of  a 
million  of  inhabitants,  more  than  were  to  be  found  in  all  Maryland 
when  the  constitution  of  1776  was  adopted.  Such  is  the  uncer- 
tainty of  all  human  predictions,  and  such  the  wonderful  changes 
which  the  period  of  a  single  lifetime  will  bring  forth  in  this 
heaven-favored  land.  The  people  of  this  country  are  ever  so 
intent  upon  the  employments  of  the  present,  and  so  eager  to  an- 
ticipate the  improvements  of  the  future,  that  they  are  seldom 
inclined  to  pause  and  look  back  upon  the  scenes  of  the  past. 
Though  pride  may  tell  us  that  we  are  wiser  than  our  ancestors,  we 
can  always  be  profited  by  the  contemplation  of  their  noble  ex- 
amples ;  and  gratitude  should  teach  us  never  to  forget  the  patriotic 
services  of  those  by  whom  the  foundations  of  our  country's  pros- 
perity were  laid. 

We  have  mentioned  the  fact  that  on  the  approach  of  the  royal 
troops  toward  the  Delaware  in  1776,  Congress,  then  in  session  in 
Philadelphia,  adjourned  to  Baltimore.  Their  first  meeting  in  this 
city,  pursuant  to  adjournment,  was  on  the  20th  of  December. 
They  met  and  continued  their  session  in  a  spacious  three-story  and 
attic  brick  building,  which  stood  until  a  few  years  since,  on  the 
south  side  of  Baltimore  street  from  Sharp  and  Liberty  streets. 
The  Eev.  Patrick  Allison,  first  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Baltimore,  and  Eev.  W.  W.  White,  were  appointed  chaplains  on 
the  23d.  On  the  same  day  a  resolution  was  passed  "  That  until 
the  apartments  in  the  jail  of  the  town  of  Baltimore  be  repaired 
and  put  in  such  a  condition  as  not  to  endanger  the  health  of  those 


154  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

who  may  be  confined  in  them,  the  prisoners  from  the  State  of 
North  Carolina  be  removed  from  thence  to  different  rooms  in  the 
Court-house,  or  wherever  else  they  can  be  procured,  and  there 
safely  locked  up  and  secured," 

While  Washington  was  achieving  the  victory  at  Trenton,  the 
Continental  Congress,  sitting  in  this  city,  were  taking  measures  to 
strengthen  his  hands.  The  extreme  jealousy  of  a  military  ascend- 
ancy, which  had  restrained  the  majority  in  Congress  from  giving 
the  commander-in-chief  such  ample  powers  as  necessity  manifestly 
demanded,  now  yielded  to  expediency,  and  by  a  resolution  adopted 
on  the  27th  of  December,  before  they  could  possibly  have  heard  of 
the  affair  at  Trenton,  they  constituted  Washington  in  all  respects 
a  dictator  in  the  old  Eoman  sense  of  the  term.  The  following  is 
the  preamble  and  resolution  : 

^^ December  27th,  1776. — This  Congress,  having  maturely  consid- 
ered" the  present  crisis,  and  having  perfect  reliance  on  the  wisdom, 
vigor,  and  uprightness  of  General  Washington,  do  hereby 

■  ^^Resolve,  That  General  Washington  shall  be,  and  he  is  hereby, 
vested  with  full,  ample,  and  complete  powers  to  raise  and  collect 
together,  in  the  most  speedy  and  effectual  manner,  from  any  or 
all  of  these  United  States,  sixteen  battalions  of  infantry,  in  addi- 
tion to  those  already  voted  by  Congress  ;  to  appoint  officers  for  the 
said  battalions  of  infantry;  to  raise,  officer,  and  equip  three  thous- 
and light-horse,  three  regiments  of  artillery,  and  a  corps  of 
engineers,  and  to  establish  their  pay ;  to  apply  to  any  of  the  States 
for  such  aid  of -the  militia  as  he  shall  judge  necessary ;  to  form  such 
magazines  of  provisions,  and  in  such   places   as  he   shall  think 

E roper;  to  displace  and  appoint  all  officers  under  the  rank  of 
rigadier-general,  and  to  fill  up  all  vacancies  in  every  other  depart- 
ment in  the  American  army ;  to  take,  wherever  he  may  be,  what- 
ever he  may  want  for  the  use  of  the  army,  if  the  inhabitants  will 
not  sell  it,  allowing  a  reasonable  price  for  the  same ;  to  arrest  and 
confine  persons  who  refuse  to  take  the  Continental  currency,  or 
are  otherwise  disaffected  to  the  American  cause,  and  return  to  the 
States  of  which  they  are  citizens  their  names  and  the  nature  of 
their  offences,  together  with  the  witnesses  to  prove  them. 

"  That  the  foregoing  powers  be  vested  in  General  Washington 
for  and  during  the  term  of  six  months  from  the  date  hereof,  unless 
sooner  determined  by  Congress." 

This  resolve  was  transmitted  to  Washington  by  Eobert  Morris, 
George  Clymer,  and  George  Walton,  the  Committee  of  Congress 
who  remained  in  Philadelphia  when  that  body  adjourned  to  Balti- 
more. "Happy  is  it  for  this  country,"  they  wrote  to  Washington, 
"  that  the  general  of  their  forces  can  safely  be  intrusted  with  the 
most  unlimited  power,  and  neither  personal  security,  liberty,  nor 
property  be  in  the  least  degree  endangered  thereby." 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMOEE.  155 

The  following  letter  was  sent  by  Congress,  as  a  circular,  to  the 
Governor  of  each  of  the  States,  accompanied  by  the  above  resolve: 

"Baltimore,  SOth  December,  1776. 
"  Sir — Ever  attentive  to  the  security  of  civil  liberty,  Congress 
would  not  have  consented  to  the  voting  of  such  powers  in  the  mil- 
itary department  as  those  which  the  enclosed  resolves  convey  to 
the  Continental  Commander-in-Chief,  if  the  situation  of  public 
affairs  did  not  require  at  this  crisis  a  decision  and  vigor  which  dis- 
tance and  numbers  deny  to  assemblies  far  removed  from  each 
other,  and  from  the  immediate  seat  of  war.  The  strength  and 
progress  of  the  enemy,  joined  to  prospects  of  considerable  rein- 
forcements, have  rendered  it  not  only  necessary  that  the  American 
forces  should  be  augmented  beyond  what  Congress  had  heretofore 
designed,  but  that  they  should  be  brought  into  the  field  with  all 
possible  expedition.  These  considerations  induce  Congress  to 
request,  in  the  most  earnest  manner,  that  the  fullest  influence  of 
your  State  may  be  exerted  to  aid  such  levies  as  the  General  shall 
direct,  in  consequence  of  the  powers  now  given  him,  and  that  your 
quota  of  battalions,  formerlj^  fixed,  may  be  completed  and  ordered 
to  headquarters  with  all  the  despatch  that  an  ardent  desire  to 
secure  the  public  happiness  can  dictate. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c., 

"  John  Hancock,  President." 

Congress  authorized  William  Aisquith,  John  Griffith,  Hercules'^ 
Courtney,  John  Cockey,  James  Kelso,  Eichard  Cromwell,  James 
Calhoun,  George  Welsh,  Theodore  Barrel,  William  Young,  George 
Patterson,  Darby  Lux,  Daniel  Carroll,  Thomas  Donnellan,  John 
Boyd,  Benjamin  Leavy,  Samuel  Hillegas,  and  William  Govett  to 
sign  bills  of  credit  or  money.  On  the  31st  of  December  Dr. 
Mackenzie  was  authorized  by  Congress  to  purchase  such  medicines 
as  were  wanted  for  the  army  stationed  in  Baltimore.  Congress 
continued  in  session  in  Baltimore  until  Friday,  the  27th  of 
February,  when  it  adjourned  to  Philadelphia,  where  the  delegates 
met  on  the  following  Wednesday,  the  4th  of  March,  1777. 

1,777.  Early  in  February,  the  "Whig  Club,"  a  revolutionary 
society  composed,  so  far  as  we  can  understand  it,  of  the  more 
radical  members  of  the  old  committees,  was  formed  in  the  town 
of  Baltimore,  and  was  governed  by  the  following  rules  : 

"At  a  time  when  secret  and  disguised  enemies,  whom  we  have 
fostered  in  our  bosoms,  are,  in  conjunction  with  a  cruel  and  foreign 
foe,  doing  everything  in  their  power  to  effect  our  destruction,  it 
will  not  be  thought  strange  that  the  true  friends  to  their  country, 
who  have  stood,  and  are  still  determined  to  stand,  forth,  at  the  risk 
of  their  lives  and  fortunes,  in  defence  of  her  sacred  rights,  should 
take  every  step  in  their  power  to  strengthen  the  hands  and  en- 
courage the  spirit  of  their  friends  at  this  critical  period.    We  would 


156  CHRONICLES    OF   BALTIMORE. 

not  mean  to  reflect  on  the  present  governing  powers,  or  rob  them 
of  liny  of  the  prerogatives ;  but  it  must  appear  evident  to  every 
thinking  man  that  it  matters  not  how  wise  and  salutary  the  regu- 
lations of  any  State  may  be,  unless  they  are  justly  executed,  nor 
can  they  be  well  executed,  till  great  pains  are  taken  to  apprehend 
and  bring  to  justice,  offenders,  who  very  often  escape  deserved  pun- 
ishment from' an  unwillingness  in  individuals  to  interfere ;  nor  is 
it  less  certain  that,  however  judiciously  laws  are  framed,  artful 
villains  will  evade  them,  and  dignified  Tories,  under  the  cloak  of 
moderation,  find  ways  and  means  to  counteract  their  intentions. 
To  remed}^  such  evils,  as  far  as  in  us  lies,  and  to  strengthen  the 
hands  of  our  present  government.  We,  whose  names  are  hereunto 
subscribed,  do  associate  ourselves  together,  under  the  name  of  the 
Whig  Club,  and  do  mutually  pledge  our  faith  to  each  other,  that 
we  will,  as  members  of  the  said  Club,  jointly  and  severally,  do  all 
that  in  our  power  lies  to  save  our  invaded  country,  and  do 
promise  and  oblige  ourselves,  as  members  of  the  Whig  Club,  to 
submit  to  and  be  governed  by  the  following  Eules : 

"I.  That  the  Club  do,  at  this  present  meeting,  proceed  to  elect 
b}''  ballot  a  president,  vice-president,  and  secretary,  who  shall  con- 
tinue in  office  during  the  space  of  two  months,  at  the  expiration 
of  which  period  a  new  election  shall  take  place. 

"  II.  That  the  secretary,  when  chosen,  shall  procure  a  proper 
book,  in  which  he  shall  enter  the  association  and  rules  of  this 
Club ;  and  also  such  future  proceedings  as  the  Club  may  order  to 
be  recorded. 

"  III.  That  the  Club  may  adjourn  to  such  times  and  places  as 
they  shall  think  proper,  and  that  the  president  is  invested  with 
power  to  call  them  together  before  the  day, of  adjournment,  should 
occasion  require  it. 

"  lY.  That  no  new  business  be  proposed  to  the  Club  unless  the 
same  be  reduced  to  writing,  and  signed  by  the  members  proposing 
it ;  nor  shall  any  member  speak  on  business,  without  rising  from 
his  feet,  and  addressing  himself  respectfully  to  the  president.  Np 
member  shall  speak  more  than  twice  on  the  same  subject  without 
leave. 

"V.  That  all  indecent  behavior  and  personal  altercation  be 
carefullj'  avoided,  and  any  member  guilty  thereof  shall  be  punished 
by  fine,  at  the  discretion  of  the  president. 

"  YI.  That  no  person  accused  as  an  enemy  to  America,  shall  be 
convicted  thereof  without  being  heard  in  his  defence,  nor  shall 
such  accusation  be  determined  in  the  same  sitting  in  which  it  is 
brought;  but  the  president,  by  directicm  of  the  Club,  shall  appoint 
the  time  of  trial.  No  person  shall  be  adjudged  an  enemy  to  his 
country  but  by  the  voice  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  the  members 
present. 

"  YII.  That  no  person  be  admitted  a  member  of  this  Club  with- 
out an  application  in  writing,  signed  by  the  person  seeking  admis- 


CHEONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  157 

sion,  and  that  such  application  must  be  seconded  by  two  members 
at  least,  and  approved  by  two-thirds  of  the  Club,  in  order  to  be 
effectual. 

"  VIII.  That  no  person  be  admitted  a  member  of  this  Club, 

without  taking  the  following  oath,  viz :     I, ,  do   swear 

that  I  will,  as  far  as  in  me  lies,  detect  all  traitors  (and  discover  all 
traitorous  conspiracies  against  this  State  as  established  by  the 
authority  of  the  people)  without  fear  or  affection ;  that  I  will  not 
prosecute  or  complain  against  any  person  through  envy,  hatred, 
or  malice,  or  any  private  quarrel ;  and,  in  all  my  determinations,  I 
will,  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge,  be  governed  by  virtue  and 
justice ;  and  that  I  will  well  and  trul}^  keep  secret  the  proceedings 
of  this  Club  so  far  as  shall  be  directed  me  by  the  Club." 

The  Maryland  Journal  of  February  25th  published  the  follow- 
ing article : 

"  For  the  Maryland  Journal. — To  the  printer. — Through  the 
channel  of  your  paper,  I  take  the  liberty  to  congratulate  my 
countrymen  on  the  important  intelligence  this  day  received  by 
Congress.  The  terms  of  peace  offered  by  General  Howe  to  America, 
manifest  the  magnanimity,  generosity,  humanity,  and  virtue  of 
the  British  nation.  The  offers  of  peace,  and  in  return  to  require 
only  our  friendship,  and  a  preference  in  our  trade  and  commerce, 
bespeak  the  ancient  spirit  and  love  of  liberty  which  was  once  the 
acknowledged  and  boasted  characteristic  of  an  Englishman.  My 
soul  overflows  with  gratitude  to  the  patriotic,  virtuous  King,  the 
august,  incorruptible  Parliament,  and  wise  disinterested  ministry 
of  Britain.  I  am  lost  in  the  contemplation  of  their  private  and 
public  virtues.  I  disbelieve  and  forget  —  na}-,  will  readily  believe 
assertion,  that  the  monarch  of  Britain  is  a  sullen  and  inexorable 
tyrant,  the  Parliament  venal  and  corrupt,  and  the  Ministry  aban- 
doned and  bloody,  as  wicked  and  base  calumnies.  I  am  not  able 
to  express  the  feelings  of  my  soul  on  the  prospect  of  immediately 
seeing  my  native  country  blessed  with  peace  and  plenty.  I  am 
almost  induced  to  complain  of  Congress  for  concealing  one  moment 
these  glad  tidings ;  however  I  will  anticipate  the  pleasure,  and 
claim  thanks  from  all  lovers  of  peace  for  thus  early  communicating 
what  may  be  relied  on  as  literally  true. 

"  Yours,  &c.,  Tom  Tell-truth. 

"Baltimore,  Feb.  20,  1777." 

The  publication  of  this  article  by  Mr.  Goddard,  excited  against 
him  no  little  feeling  and  excitement,  and  from  the  papers  now  in 
our  possession  we  glean  the  following  facts.  Mr.  Goddard  says : — 
"  That  on  Monday  evening  last,  the  third  of  March,  Col.  Eamsay, 
attended  by  Mr.  George  Turnbull,  called  at  my  house  in  Baltimore 
Town,  and  requested,  in  behalf  of  the  Whig  Club,  of  which  he  was 
a  member,  that  I  would  inform  him  who  was  the  author  of  a  piece 
published  in  the  last  Maryland  Journal,  and  on  the  signature  of 


^ 
^ 


158  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

Tom  Telltruth,  which  I  refused  to  comply  with  for  reasons  assigned. 
During  the  course  of  the  evening  of  that  day  Capt.  John  Slaymaker, 
attended  by  some  other  person  unknown  to  me,  came  to  my  house 
with  a  paper  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy : 

"  *  Eequested  that  Mr.  William  Goddard  do  attend  the  Whig 
Club  to-morrow  evening  at  six  o'clock,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Eusk, 
to  answer  such  questions  as  may  be  asked  him  by  the  Club,  reh\- 
tive  to  a  publication  in  the  Maryland  Journal  of  last  week,  under 
the  signature  of  Tom  Telltruth,  which  has  given  great  offence  to 
*  many  of  your  Whig  readers.  Legion. 

'  Monday  Evening,  M  March,  1777.' 

*'The  next  evening  a  little  after  six  o'clock  Jno.  Tors,  Benjamin 
Nicholson,  Nathaniel  Eamsay,  Eobert  Buchanan,  Hugh  Young, 
James  Smith,  and  one  other  person  unknown  to  me,  some  of  whom 
had  their  side-arms,  came  into  my  house,  and  began  the  former 
conversation  as  to  the  author  of  Tom  Telltruth,  whom  they  re- 
quested me  to  make  known ;  but  I  declined  for  reasons  before  given, 
on  which  they  required  me  to  attend  the  Whig  Club.  This  I  re- 
fused, urging  my  indisposition  ;  but  afterwards  in  the  course  of  con- 
versation 1  told  them  I  would  not  go  if  I  was  well,  because  they 
had  no  right  to  make  the  demand  they  had  done.  They  then  de- 
clared their  resolution  to  carry  me  before  the  Club ;  and  upon  my 
attempting  to  leave  the  room,  forcibly  detained  me — and  on  this 
11  attended  them  to  the  Club.  There  I  saw  a  large  concourse  of 
/  people  at  the  house  of  Mr.  David  Eusk,  a  mixture  of  all  ranks  and 
/occupation.  Commodore  James  Nicholson  in  the  chair,  David 
Stewart,  Esq.,  Secretary,  Mr.  Eobert  Purviance,  Capt.  Nathaniel 
Smith,  and  the  gents  who  had  been  deputed  to  wait  on  me  that 
evening  and  the  evening  before,  together  with  a  great  number  of 
others  whose  names  I  cannot  now  recollect,  were  present.  They 
put  on  the  appearance  of  a  legal  assembly,  ordered  my  hat  to  be 
taken  oif,  and  then  proceeding  respecting  the  author  of  Tom  Tell- 
truth to  be  read,  then  put  the  question  to  me  whether  I  would 
disclose  the  author  or  not,  to  which  I  refused  to  comply  with.  I 
was  then  ordered  to  withdraw,  and  a  party  of  men  set  over  me  as 
a  guard.  I  was  detained  in  this  manner  some  time  in  the  Bar 
Eoom,  then  I  was  ordered  in  again  ;  and  had  a'Eesolve  read,  which 
1  took  for  granted  had  been  prepared  in  my  absence,  to  this  eifect 
that  as  I  thought  myself  bound  in  honor  not  to  disclose  the  author, 
they  gave  me  till  Monday  next  to  speak  with  them  ;  and  immedi- 
ately after  the  question  was  put  whether  I  would  at  that  time  dis- 
close the  author.  This  I  answered,  that  considering  the  violence 
with  which  I  had  been  treated  I  would  not  give  myself  any  further 
trouble  about  the  affair ;  at  the  same  time  proposed  my  willingness  to 
oblige  any  particular  gentleman.  I  was  again  ordered  to  withdraw 
guarded  as  before — remained  in  that  situation  some  time,  and  was 
ordered  in  again,  and  fresh  proceedings  were  read  that  had  been 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  159 

prepared  in  my  absence,  representing  the  piece  called  Tom  Tell- 
truth  as  a  performance  of  the  most  dangerous  tendency,  fixing  me 
as  the  author,  and  of  course  an  enemy  to  this  country,  and  ordered 
me  to  leave  the  town  the  next  day,  and  the  county  in  three  days. 
I  then  requested  a  copy  of  their  proceedings,  and  the  same  even- 
ing about  ten  or  eleven  o'clock,  a  paper  of  which  the  following  is  a 
copy,  was  brought  to  me  by  Capt.  David  Plunkett  : 

"  '  In  Whig  Club,  March  4:th,  1777. 
"  ^Resolved,  That  Mr.  William  Goddard,  do  leave  this  Town  by 
twelve  o'clock  to-morrow  morning,  and  the  County  in  three  days. 
Should  he  refuse  due  obedience  to  this  notice,  he  will  be  subject  to 
the  resentment  of  a  Legion.' 

"  Before  I  left  the  place  where  the  Club  was  held,  I  told  them 
I  was  not  the  author,  that  I  disclaimed  their  authority,  and  would 
not  submit  to  their  violent  proceedings,  recommended  to  them  to 
pursue  their  lawful  occupations,  resume  their  awl  and  needles, 
retire  to  their  counting  houses,  and  cease  to  usurp  the  powers  of 
Government." 

It  seems  that  Mr.  Goddard  entirely  disregarded  their  summons, 
as  the  following  extracts  from  the  same  papers  will  show.  Mr. 
Goddard  says  :  "  That  on  Tuesday  morning  last  [25th  March], 
about  nine  o'clock,  a  company  of  men,  some  of  them  armed  with 
swords  and  some  having  sticks,  came  to  my  house  and  took  pos- 
session of  the  doors  and  staircases,  after  which  several  gents, 
headed  by  Commodore  Nicholson,  came  up  stairs  into  the  printing- 
office  where  I  then  was.  The  gents  remained  on  or  near  the  stair- 
case, Commodore  Nicholson  entered  the  room  and  seized  on  me, 
on  which  a  struggle  ensued.  The  door  was  shut  by  a  workman 
of  mine,  which  was  burst  open  by  the  gents  who  stayed  behind, 
who  were  pressing  forward  to  assist  Commodore  Nicholson. 
Several  of  the  company  seized  me,  and  whilst  in  that  situation  I  re- 
ceived several  blows  given  with  their  fists.  My  workmen  in  the 
office  were  treated  in  the  same  manner,  thrown  down  and  much 
abused.  The  workmen,  I  believe,  were  struck  in  that  manner  be- 
cause they  were  busy  in  attempting  to  shut  the  persons  out  who 
were  coming  in.  I  was  then  dragged  down  stairs,  when  Commo- 
dore Nicholson,  being  apprehensive  of  firearms,  searched  my 
pockets,  and  so  did  several  others.  The  names  of  the  persons 
who  then  entered  my  house  and  treated  me  and  my  workmen  as 
above,  were  to  the  best  of  my  remembrance  as  foUoweth :  Commo- 
dore James  Nicholson,  Benjamin  Nicholson,  Esq.,  Col.  Nath'l 
Eamsey,  Mr.  James  Cox,  David  Stewart,  Esq.,  Mr.  David  Plunkett, 
Mr.  George  Turnbull,  Mr.  Daniel  Bowley,  Mr.  John  Gordon,  Mr. 
George  Welsh,  Mr.  Mark  Alexander,  Mr.  Hugh  Young,  Mr.  John 
McClure,  Mr.  David  Poe,  Mr.  Daniel  Lawrence,  Capt.  Hallock  and 
Campbell.     I  was  then  carried  out  into  the  street,  and  surrounded 


160  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

by  a  great  number  of  peopje,  most  of  whom  I  believed  belonged 
to  the  Whig  Club,  and  carried  thence  to  the  tavern  kept  by  Mr. 
David  Eusk,  and  into  the  room  where  the  Whig  Club  generally 
meet,  where  I  was  treated  with  great  indignity  by  several  present. 
The  company  were  greatly  increased,  and  I,  besides  those  already 
mentioned,  remember  Mr.  Benjamin  Griffith,  Capt.  Nathaniel 
Smith,  Lieut.  Thomas  Morgan,  John  McCabe,  Cornelius  Grarratson, 
Job  Garratson,  James  Smith,  son  of  William,  and  William  Ais- 
quith.  After  I  had  been  for  some  time  in  the  Club  room,  Commo- 
dore Nicholson  proposed  a  private  conference  in  another  room, 
into  which  a  number  withdrew,  leaving  me  in  the  outer  room 
under  guard.  After  deliberation  they  returned,  and  Commo- 
dore Nicholson,  as  chief  or  head  of  the  assembly,  told  me  they 
had  come  to  a  determination  that  I  should  either  engage  to  depart 
the  State  immediately,  or  be  subjected  to  suffer  their  original  de- 
signs. I  then  told  them  before  I  could  make  my  choice,  I  should 
know  what  their  original  designs  were.  The  Commodore  observed 
that  was  yet  a  secret ;  however,  my  person  was  unsafe,  and  they 
were  prepared  to  execute  their  purposes.  I  then  asked  how  long 
they  would  give  me  to  make  preparation.  Six  hours  were  men- 
tioned, at  the  same  time  it  was  doubted  whether  at  their  previous 
meeting,  the  State,  or  the  town  and  county  only  were  intended, 
and  finally  determined  that  the  town  and  county  only  were  in- 
tended. They  also  gave  me  leave  to  stay  till  night,  but  to  be  no 
longer  seen  there  until  the  new  form  of  government,  or  a  new 
form  of  government,  had  taken  place,  or  until  the  wheels  of  gov- 
ernment were  in  motion.  1  then  told  them  as  I  considered  myself 
unsafe  (to  which  some  of  the  company  immediately  replied  that  I 
was)  I  w^ould  consent  to  depart,  hoping  that  another  form  of  gov- 
ernment would  speedily  take  place.  1  was  then  released  from  the 
crowd,  and  suffered  to  go  home  to  prepare  for  my  journey.  I 
stayed  at  home  till  night,  then  put  myself  under  the  protection  of 
Capt.  Galbraith,  who  commanded  the  guard  in  Baltimore  Town 
that  night,  and  in  the  morning  set  oft'  to  Annapolis." 

Miss  Goddard  went  to  Capt.  Galbraith,  the  commander  of  the 
guard  in  town,  and  requested  that  he  would  assist  in  rescuing  her 
brother  from  the  mob.  He  replied  that  he  could  do  nothing 
"without  the  directions  of  the  chairman  of  the  Committee,"  and 
further  said,  that  he  "  had  dispatched  one  of  his  people  for  orders." 
Miss  Goddard,  who  expressed  much  uneasiness  on  account  of  her 
brother,  and  apprehensive  relief  would  come  too  late,  said  she 
"  would  go  herself  for  orders."  Mr.  Eobert  Welsh,  who  was  oppo- 
site Mr.  Goddard's  house,  says  he  came  up  to  Capt.  Smith  who  was 
passing  by  with  Mr.  Murdoch  Kennedy,  and  asked  the  Caj^tain  if 


3^ou  ?     addressmg 
Welsh,  "  you  ought  to  be  the  best  judge  of  that."   Upon  which  Capt. 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  161 

Smith  said,  "I  know  of  no  way.   D my  blood !  if  my  commission 

was  worth  ten  thousand  a  year  I  would  throw  it  up  before  I  would 
fire  upon  any  of  those  gentlemen."  Mr.  Murdoch  Kennedy  said 
"  he  heard  Mr.  Daniel  Bowley  and  Mr.  David  McMechan  say,  let  us 
get  the  cart ;  and  he  afterwards  saw  a  cart  of  Andrew  Stiger's 
brought  before  the  Club  House  door." 

Mr.  Goddard  makes  no  reference  to  this  mob  in  the  Journal^ 
but  at  once  made  a  complaint  against  the  Club  before  the  Legisla- 
ture of  the  State,  who  promptly  passed  resolutions  :  "  That  every 
subject  in  this  State  is  entitled  to  the  benefit  and  protection  of  the 
laws  and  government  thereof.  That  this  house  highly  disapprove 
of  any  body  of  men  assembling  or  exercising  any  of  the  powers  of 
government  without  proper  authority  from  the  Constitution. 
That  the  proceedings  of  the  persons  in  Baltimore  Town,  associated 
and  styled  the  Whig  Club,  are  a  most  daring  infringement  and 
manifest  violation  of  the  Constitution  of  this  State,  directly  con- 
trary to  the  Declaration  of  Rights,  and  tend  in  their  consequences 
(unless  timely  checked)  to  the  destruction  of  all  regular  govern- 
ment. That  the  Governor  be  requested  to  issue  his  Proclamation 
declaring  all  bodies  of  men  associating  together  or  meeting  for  the 
purpose  of  usurping  any  of  the  powers  of  government,  and  pre- 
suming to  exercise  any  power  over  the  persons  or  property  of  any 
subject  of  this  State,  or  to  carry  into  execution  any  of  the  laws 
thereof,  unlawful  assemblies,  and  requiring  all  such  assemblies  and 
meetings  instantly  to  disperse.  That  the  Governor  be  requested  to 
aff'ord  the  said  William  Goddard  the  protection  of  the  law  of  the 
land,  and  to  direct  the  Justices  of  Baltimore  County  to  give  him 
every  protection  in  their  power  against  all  violence  or  injury  to  his 
person  or  property.  That  Mr.  Speaker  be  requested  to  communi- 
cate the  above  resolutions  to  the  Governor,  and  that  the  above  reso- 
lutions be  published  in  the  Maryland  Gazette.''  In  conformity  to 
these  resolutions.  Governor  Thomas  Johnson  issued  the  following 
proclamation  on  the  17th  of  April,  censuring  the  Club,  and  sus-  . 
taining  Mr.  Goddard — the  first  vindication  of  the  liberty  of  the  ^ 
press  in  Maryland: 

"  Annapolis,  April  17th. 

"  By  His  Excellency  Thomas  Johnson,  Esq.,  Governor  of  Maryland. 
"A  Proclamation. 
"  Whereas,  the  Honorable  House  of  Delegates  have  unanimously 
requested  me  to  issue  my  Proclamation,  declaring  all  bodies  of  men 
associating  together,  or  meeting  for  the  purpose,  and  usurping  any 
of    the  powers  of  government,   and  presuming  to  exercise  any 
power  over  the  persons  or  property  of  any  subject  of  this  State,  or 
to  carry  into  execution  any  of  the  laws  thereof,  unlawful  assem- 
blies, and  requiring  all  such  assemblies  and  meetings  instantly  to  " 
disperse.     Wherefore,  I  have  issued  this,  my  Proclamation,  hereby 
declaring  all  bodies  of  men  associating  together,  or  meeting  for  the 
11 


162  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

purpose  of  usurping  any  of  the  powers  of  government,  and  pre- 
suming to  exercise  any  powers  over  the  persons  or  property  of  any 
subject  of  this  State,  or  to  carry  into  execution  any  of  the  laws 
thereof  on  their  own  authority,  unlawful  assemblies.  And  I  do 
hereby  warn  and  strictly  charge  and  command  all  such  assemblies 
and  meetings  instantly  to  disperse,  as  they  will  answer  the  con- 
trary at  their  peril.  And  that  due  notice  may  be  had  of  this,  my 
Proclamation,  and  that  no  person  may  pretend  ignorance  thereof, 
the  several  sheriffs  within  this  State  are  hereby  commanded  to 
cause  the  same  to  be  made  public  in  their  respective  counties. 

"  Given  at  Annapolis,  this  seventeenth  day  of  April,  seventeen 
hundred  and  seventy-seven.  Tho.  Johnson. 

"  By  his  Excellency's  command, 

"  K.  EiDGELY,  Sec.j  God  save  the  State." 

On  the  11th  of  February,  the  Assembly  directed  a  proclama- 
tion to  be  issued  against  the  disaffected  in  Worcester  and  Somerset 
Counties,  who,  only  repressed  for  a  time  by  the  active  measures 
of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  Eastern  Shore,  had  again 
broken  out  in  open  insurrection  and  erected  the  standard  of  Great 
Britain.  They  exhorted  them  to  return  due  obedience  to  the  laws 
of  their  country  and  immediately  disperse,  and  offered  pardon  to 
all  who  would  repair  to  the  commanding  officer  in  the  counties  of 
Somerset  and  Worcester  within  forty  days,  and  there  deliver  up 
all  their  fire  and  side  arms,  and  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  ex- 
cepting, however,  fourteen  of  the  leaders.  As  the  disturbed  con- 
dition of  these  counties  appeared  to  require  active  measures  to  over- 
awe the  malcontents,  on  Sunday,  Feb.  9th,  a  detachment  of  Vir- 
ginia troops,  who  were  in  Baltimore  on  their  way  to  join  General 
Washington's  army  in  New  Jersey,  and  a  part  of  the  militia  of 
the  town,  embarked  and  sailed  from  Fell's  Point  for  the  scene  of 
the  disturbance,  in  order  to  assist  in  quelling  the  insurgents.  An- 
other body,  with  a  company  of  artillery,  was  to  join  them  from 
Annapolis,  the  whole  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Smallwood  and 
Col.  Gist,  who  were  then  in  the  State  superintending  the  forma- 
tion of  the  new  Line.  The  promptness  of  these  measures  secured 
submission.  The  disaffected  were  disarmed — the  most  influential 
sent  in  custody  to  other  and  more  loyal  counties,  and  their  estates 
placed  in  the  hands  of  commissioners  for  safe-keeping.  The  Inde- 
pendent Company  of  Baltimore  bad  the  honor  of  lowering  the 
abandoned  King's  colors. 

The  establishment  of  the  new  government  was  attended  by  no 
internal  difficulties  of  importance.  Charles  Carroll,  Esq.,  barris- 
ter, of  Mount  Clare,  one  of  the  late  Convention  and  Council  of 
Safety,  was  selected  a  member  of  the  first  Senate  of  the  State,  and 
the  town  and  county  respectively  returned  the  delegates  who  had 
represented  them  in  the  Convention.  Mr.  Carroll,  barrister,  was 
appointed  Chief  Justice  of  the  General  Court,  but  did  not  accept. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  163 

Most  of  the  gentlemen  who  were  in  the  commission  of  the  county 
and  town  were  reappointed  county  justices  by  the  new  govern- 
ment. Andrew  Buchanan,  Esq.,  being  the  presiding  justice,  was 
also  Lieutenant  of  the  county  militia.  Seven  of  the  justices  were 
constituted  an  Orphans'  Court,  and  Thomas  Jones,  Esq.,  Eegister  of 
Wills.  Thomas  Jennings  was  appointed  Attorney-General,  but  de- 
clining, was  succeeded  by  James  Tilghman  and  B.  Galloway,  Esqs., 
successively,  and  in  1778  Luther  Martin,  Esq.,  being  appointed, 
settled  in  Baltimore.  Mr.  W.  Gibson  is  appointed  Clerk  of  the 
County  Court.  Mr.  Lawson,  former  County  Clerk,  retiring  to  the 
Eastern  Shore,  returned  after  the  Eevolution,  and  resided  here 
until  his  death.  Mr.  Eobert  Christie,  appointed  Sheriff  in  1774, 
was  superseded,  and  at  the  election  in  accordance  to  the  constitu- 
tion, Henry  Stevenson,  Esq.,  was  elected.  Mr.  Christie  in  the 
meantime  was  compelled  to  leave  the  town,  but  declaring  the  pub- 
lic was  indebted  to  him,  and  appointed  Mr.  Moses  Galloway  to 
settle  his  affairs,  and  went  to  England.  The  auction  business  was 
carried  on  by  Mr.  James  Long  and  Mr.  Thomas  Brereton. 

The  conscientious  scruples  of  the  ministers  of  the  late  estab- 
lishment, relative  to  the  form  of  prayer  for  the  new  instead  of  the 
old  government,  the  Quakers,  and  Methodist  preachers  and 
others,  were  subjected  to  pay  the  treble  tax  imposed  on  non-jurors, 
or  leave  the  county,  as  most  of  the  rectors  and  ministers  of  the 
establishment  did. 

By  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  passed  this  year,  Baltimore  town 
and  county  were  to  furnish  281  militia,  which  was  about  one 
eleventh  of  the  whole  population.  On  the  2l8t  of  August,  Lord 
Howe's  fleet,  composed  of  three  hundred  sail  of  men-of-war  and 
transports,  &c.,  came  to  anchor  just  below  Bodkin  Point,  where 
they  continued  until  next  day,  when  they  weighed  anchor  and 
sailed  for  Elk  Eiver;  they  ultimately  reached  Philadelphia.  The 
Governor  of  Maryland  issued  a  proclamation  requiring  and  com- 
manding the  county  Lieutenants,  &c.,  to  march  at  least  two  full 
companies  of  each  battalion  of  the  militia,  to  the  neighborhood  of 
the  Susquehanna  river  in  Cecil  and  Harford  counties,  where  they 
were  to  receive  orders.  "  To  defend  our  liberties  requires  our  ex- 
ertions ;  our  wives,  our  children,  and  our  country,  implore  our  as- 
sistance— motives  amply  sufficient  to  arm  every  one  who  can  be 
called  a  man."  The  call  was  obeyed.  Capt.  Strieker's  independent 
company,  trained  as  infantry,  mounted  their  own  horses,  pro- 
ceeded to  watch  the  enemy  on  the  bay  side,  and  arrived  before 
them  at  the  head  of  it ;  joined  the  main  army,  including  the  Mary- 
land Line  near  Newport ;  but  were  then  ordered  back  by  the  com- 
mander-in-chief, to  assist  in  protecting  their  homes. 

The  following  order  was  written  by  Wm.  Buchanan,  Lieut,  of 
the  County,  to  Capt.  James  Cox : 

"Baltimore,  June  30th,  1777. 

"  Sir  : — In  consequence  of  a  very  pressing  requisition  from^  the 


164  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Congress,  for  a  reinforcement  to  General  Washington  from  the 
Militia  of  Maryland,  and  orders  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to 
Brigadier-General  Buchanan,  I  have  it  in  orders  from  him,  to  hold 
my  battalion  in  readiness  to  march  with  all  possible  expedition 
for  that  purpose.  I  therefore  desire  a  meeting  of  the  battalion,  on 
the  usual  ground  on  Tuesday,  the  fourth  of  February,  precisely  at 
ten  o'clock,  when  (all  excuses  apart)  you  will  not  fail  to  attend 
with  every  effective  enroller  in  your  company.  The  emergency  is 
such  that  arguments  are  useless,  to  such  as  have  the  least  sense  of 
duty  they  owe  the  country,  themselves  and  family ;  and  with  such 
as  neither  reason  nor  duty  will  prevail,  other  measures  must  be 
taken ;  but  I  flatter  myself  there  are  very  few  such  in  the  batta- 
lion I  have  the  honor  to  command. 

"  I  am,  Sir,  your  humble  servant,  Wm.  Buchanan." 

On  the  11th  of  September  was  fought  the  battle  of  Brandy- 
wine,  at  which  the  Maryland  Line  was  present  and  shared  the  dis- 
asters of  the  day.  General  Smallwood,  with  the  Maryland  militia, 
including  Captains  Sterritt,  Cox  and  Bailey's  companies  from  Bal- 
timore, joined  General  Wayne  the  21st  of  September,  immediately 
after  Grey's  sanguinary  night  attack  on  the  Americans  at  the 
Paolia. 

Those  companies,  in  which  many  citizens,  who  left  numerous 
families  dispersed  about  the  county,  or  exposed  to  the  depreda- 
tions of  the  maritime  forces  of  the  enemy  in  the  bay,  went  in 
the  ranks  as  volunteers,  shared  in  the  rout  of  Wayne,  and  in  the 
more  equal  conflict  at  Germantown  on  the  4th  October,  at  which 
place  the  patriotic  Cox,  with  several  of  his  townsmen,  laid  down 
their  lives  in  their  country's  cause.  At  the  same  time  Colonel 
Samuel  Smith,  commanding  a  small  detachment  of  Continental 
troops  at  Fort  Mifflin,  with  the  aid  of  Commodore  Hazlewood's 
flotilla,  in  which  Lieutenant  Barney  then  served,  was  successfully 
opposing  the  passage  of  Howe's  fleet,  which  had  returned  from 
the  Chesapeake  into  the  Delaware,  for  which  Congress  voted  the 
Colonel  a  sword ;  however,  the  fort  was  not  long  tenable,  and  it 
was  abandoned  some  days  after  he  had  been  wounded  and  retired 
across  the  river. 

Extracts  from  very  important  and  interesting  letters  never 
before  published,  relating  to  some  of  the  important  engagements 
in  which  the  Maryland  troops  bore  such  an  important  part: 

Mrs.  Mary  Cox  to  her  Husband. 

"  Baltimore  Town,  Sept.  8th,  1777. 
" Jfy  Dear : —  *  *  *  *  I  am  greatly  alarmed  at  the  usage 
the  inhabitants  meet  with  that  fall  into  the  regulars'  hands.  I 
greatly  want  your  advice  in  regard  to  moving  my  things  before 
trouble  comes,  for  then  there  will  be  such  confusion  that  I  may 
only  escape  with  my  life ;  for  it  is  allowed  by  all,  that  the  enemy 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  165 

will  visit  us  before  they  leave  our  bay.  Don't  laugh  at  my  fears, 
for  they  are  not  groundless,  as  you  well  know  I  am  a  person  of 
great  fortitude ;  but  fortitude  without  reason  is  mere  chimera, 
therefore  do  let  me  have  your  advice  as  soon  as  possible.  A  plot 
was  laid  for  destroying  our  magazines  at  Carlisle  and  York,  but 
the  All-wise  Providence  has  frustrated  the  design.  There  are 
several  concerned  already  secured.  Our  light-horse  has  just  set 
out  in  search  of  the  sj^ies.  There  are  a  number  of  the  leading 
men  in  Philadelphia  put  in  prison,  and  are  now  on  their  way  to 
Virginia  under  a  strong  guard.  *  *  *  *  My  Dear,  in  all  j^our 
hurry  mind  the  one  thing  needful  —  an  interest  in  Jesus  Christ, 
which  is  the  desire  and  prayer  of  your  affectionate  wife. 

"  Mary  Cox." 

"  Downing's  Town  on  the  Lancaster  Road, 
''Sept  20th,  1777. 

''Bear  Wife: — I  take  this  opportunity  to  acquaint  you  that  I 
am  yet  well  and  hearty,  and  I  thank  God  for  all  his  mercies.  We 
marched  20  odd  miles  yesterdaj' ,  which,  marching  in  brigade,  made 
it  a  little  severe  on  the  men,  and  fagged  them.  We  are  now  about 
marching,  and  expect  to  join  General  Wayne  this  day.  Col.  Gist 
has  joined  us,  which  makes  us  upwards  of  2000  strong.  The 
enemy  are  pushing  for  Philadelphia  as  hard  as  they  can,  but  I 
hope  they  will  not  get  there.  Howe  stole  a  march  on  Gen.  Wash- 
ington the  night  before  last,  which  1  fear  will  prove  to  his  disad- 
vantage. A  few  days  will  determine  the  fate  of  Philadelphia. 
*  *  *  *  Last  night  we  had  two  more  deserters,  Michael  Dif- 
fendaffer  and  John  Tinges.  *  ♦  *  *  May  Heaven  guard  and 
protect  us  all,  and  return  us  safe  to  our  respective  homes.     *    *    * 

"  James  Cox." 

"  Head-Quarters  Parkiomin,  Oct  7th,  1777. 

"  Bear  Cousin : — The  disagreeable  task  is  devolved  on  me,  to 
let  you  know  (though  doubtless  the  news  will  have  reached  you 
before  this  will  come  to  hand),  that  your  loving  husband,  and  Amer- 
ica's best  friend,  on  the  fourth  instant,  near  Germantown,  nobly  de- 
fending his  country's  cause,  having  repulsed  the  enemy,  driving 
them  from  their  breastworks,  received  a  ball  through  his  body,  by 
which  he  expired  in  about  three-quarters  of  an  hour  afterwards. 
He  was  carried  off  the  field  to  a  house,  his  most  valuable  things 
secured,  and  as  our  people  lost  the  ground,  we  were  obliged  to 
leave  him  there ;  the  people  of  the  house  promised  to  have  him  in- 
terred. Mr.  Lindenberger  about  the  same  time  was  wounded 
through  the  arm,  but  being  only  a  flesh  wound,  is  not  dangerous. 
The  bearer,  Mr.  Lemon,  will  be  able  to  give  you  a  more  particular 
account  of  that  day's  action.  May  the  great  God  support  you  and 
your  dear  family  under  your  present  distress,  and  give  you  enough 


166  CHKONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

of  Christian  fortitude  and  resignation,  of  which  nature  has  not 
been  sparing. 

"  I  am  your  loving  and  affectionate  cousin,       Geo.  Welsh." 

Gen.  Small  wood,  writing  to  Gov.  Johnson,  said  :  "  Capt.  Cox,  of 
Baltimore,  a  brave  and  valuable  officer,  with  Lieut.  Crost,  of  John- 
son's regiment,  and  several  other  brave  officers  and  men^  were 
killed  within  twenty  paces  of  the  enemy's  lodgment  before  they 
were  dispossessed  of  it."  Capt.  Cox  was  in  his  day,  the  most  fashion- 
able tailor  in  Baltimore  town.  On  the  19th  of  September  he  was 
promoted  to  Major,  but  before  he  received  his  commission  he  was 
unfortunately  killed.  His  widow,  for  many  years,  carried  on  a 
fashionable  millinery  establishment,  and  died  on  the  20th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1789,  in  reduced  circumstances.  The  following  very  inte- 
resting letter,  never  before  published,  was  written  by  Col.  John  H. 
Stone,  afterwards  Governor  of  Maryland,  to  William  Paca,  Esq., 
of  Chestertown,  also  at  a  latter  period  Governor  : 

"  Camp  in  Philadelphia,  County  Schuylkill, 

"  September  23d,  1777. 
"  Bear  Sir — I  received  yours  by  Mr.  Foreman,  and  w^ill  give  you 
an  account  of  the  engagement  of  the  11th  instant.  In  the  morning 
about  six  o'clock,  the  enemy  appeared  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
Brandywine,  on  which  a  brisk  cannonade  ensued,  but  with  little 
execution  on  either  side.  The  enemy  did  not  appear  numerous,  and 
began  to  intrench  themselves,  by  which  we  readily  concluded  their 
main  body  was  taking  another  route.  To  be  certain  of  this,  light 
horse  were  dispatched  to  scour  the  country;  but  unfortunately  for 
us,  their  discoveries  did  not  give  us  the  proper  intelligence.  Gen'l 
Washington  ordered  Gen'l  Maxwell  to  cross  the  ford  with  his  light 
corps  and  attack  the  enemy,  which  he  did  with  success.  His  Ex- 
cellency then  gave  orders  for  the  greatest  part  of  the  army  to 
cross  the  several  fords,  but  before  this  order  was  put  in  execution 
it  was  countermanded.  In  this  situation  things  remained  till  near 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  certain  accounts  were  brought 
to  his  Excellency,  that  the  enemy  had  crossed  the  Brandywine 
four  or  five  miles  above  the  right  of  our  army ;  their  numbers  were 
not  known.  Three  divisions  of  our  army  were  immediately  ordered 
to  march  and  meet  them,  but  the  enemy  had  got  possession  of  the 
most  advantageous  grounds,  and  drawn  within  one  and  a  half 
miles  of  our  right  before  we  marched.  Gen'l  Sullivan,  Lord  Stir- 
ling, and  Gen'l  Greene's  division  marched  to  oppose  the  enemy,  and 
perhaps  might  have  routed  them  if  things  had  been  properly  man- 
aged. Our  division  marched  to  join  Lord  Stirling,  who  was  on 
the  ground  where  the  enemy  appeared,  and  where  they  seemed  to 
intend  their  attack  ;  by  the  time  we  reached  the  ground,  they  had 
begun  to  cannonade  the  ground  allotted  for  us,  which  was  very 
bad,  and  the   enemy  within  musket  shot  of  it,  before  we  were 


CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  167 

ordered  to  form  the  line  of  battle.  I  marched  in  front  of  Gen'l 
Sullivan's  division,  when  I  received  orders  from  him  to  wheel  to 
the  left  and  take  possession  of  a  rising  ground  about  100  yards  in 
our  front,  to  which  the  enemy  were  marching  rapidly.  I  wheeled 
off,  but  had  not  marched  to  the  ground  before  we  were  attacked 
on  all  quarters,  which  prevented  our  forming  regularl}^,  and  by 
wheeling  to  the  left  it  doubled  our  division  on  the  brigade  imme- 
diately in  the  rear  of  the  other.  Thus  we  were  in  confusion,  and 
no  person  to  undue  us  to  order,  when  the  enemy  pushed  on  and 
soon  made  us  all  run  off.  Of  all  the  Maryland  regiments  only  two 
ever  had  an  opportunity  to  form.  Gist's  and  mine ;  and  as  soon  as 
they  began  to  fire,  those  who  were  in  our  rear  could  not  be  pre- 
vented from  firing  also.  In  a  few  minutes  we  were  attacked  in 
front  and  flank,  and  by  our  people  in  the  rear.  Our  men  ran  off 
in  confusion,  and  were  very  hard  to  be  rallied.  Although  my  men 
did  not  behave  so  well  as  I  expected,  yet  I  can  scarcely  blame 
them,  when  I  consider  their  situation  ;  nor  are  they  censured  by 
any  part  of  the  army.  My  horse  threw  in  the  time  of  action,  but 
I  did  not  receive  any  great  injury  from  it.  Lord  Stirling's  divi- 
sion, who  were  attacked  at  the  same  time  we  were,  and  routed  at 
the  same  time.  We  retreated  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  and 
rallied  all  the  men  we  could,  when  we  were  reinforced  by  Greene's 
and  Nath's  corps,  who  had  not  till  that  time  got  up.  Greene  had 
his  men  posted  on  a  good  piece  of  ground,  which  they  maintained 
for  some  time,  and  1  dare  say  did  great  execution.  At  this  time 
the  enemy,  who  were  left  at  the  fords,  crossed,  which  was  after 
five  o'clock,  when  firing  began  from  almost  every  quarter,  and  I 
expected  a  general  and  bloody  action.  The  enemy,  however, 
moved  with  caution,  which  gave  those  who  were  obliged  to  give 
way,  an  opportunity  to  make  their  retreat  with  safety.  Never 
was  a  more  constant  and  heavy  fire  while  it  lasted  ;  and  I  was 
much  amazed  when  I  knew  the  numbers  that  were  killed  and 
wounded.  We  did  not  lose  1000  men,  oflficers  and  all,  to  speak  say. 
1  lost  23  privates  and  two  serg'ts  killed,  wounded  and  taken,  and 
one  captain  (Ford)  wounded ;  he  will  recover.  Never  was  a  more 
favorable  opportunity  for  us :  fortune  seemed  in  the  morning  to 
count  us  to  victory  and  honor ;  but  the  scene  was  much  changed 
in  the  evening.  Had  our  intelligence  been  as  good  as  it  ought  to 
have  been,  or  had  we  crossed  the  fords  when  Gen.  Washington 
first  ordered  it,  it  is  almost  as  certain  as  that  two  and  two  make  four, 
that  the  whole  British  army  would  have  been  routed,  and,  perhaps, 
this  war  ended.  Gen.  Howe  played  a  deep  but  dangerous  card. 
He  left  about  2000  men  to  guard  the  fords  opposite  to  us,  and 
marched  their  main  army  round  for  more  than  ten  miles,  so  that 
the  two  parties  had  not  any  connection  or  dependence  on  each 
other.  If  we  had  crossed,  the  2000  men  must  inevitably  have 
fallen  into  our  hands,  which  would  have  reduced  the  enemy's 
strength  to  meet,  that  before  this  time  they  would  all  either  have 


168  CHEONICLES   OF  BALTIMOEE. 

been  captives  or  driven  from  this  land  ;  upon  the  whole,  I  do  not 
think  we  have  lost  anything  by  that  day.  My  manner  of  carry- 
ing on  this  war  would  be  so  different  from  the  present  system  that 
I  should  frequently  expect  to  be  driven  from  the  ground.  We 
ought  to  attack  them  everywhere  we  meet  them.  By  this  method 
it  would  make  our  men  soldiers,  and  be  constantly  reducing  the 
enemy,  and  ensure  us  success  in  a  few  months.  We  are  now 
within  4  miles  of  Pottsgrove,  on  the  Schuylkill ;  the  enemy  are 
about  as  many  miles  below  on  the  other  side.  You  may  expect  to 
hear  of  an  engagement  every  day.  Gen.  Wayne  and  G-en.  Small- 
wood's  camps  were  surprised  a  few  nights  ago,  by  a  party  of  the 
British  light-horse.  Our  men  were  put  in  confusion,  but  no  great 
damage  done.  From  your  humble  serv't, 

"J.  H.Stone." 

Mr.  John  Pearce  built  for  Messrs.  John  Sterett  and  others,  the 
topsail  schooner  Antelope,  and  armed  with  fourteen  guns,  was  put 
under  the  command  of  Jeremiah  Yellott,  which  made  a  great  many 
narrow  escapes  and  some  captures,  but  always  fortunate  voj^ages. 
The  Felicity,  commanded  by  Capt.  Frederick  Folger,  who  had 
been  first  officer  of  the  Antelope,  was  scarcely  less  successful.  The 
ship  Buckskin,  Capt.  Jones,  and  the  Nonesuch,  Capt.  C.  Wells,  and 
some  other  vessels,  safely  went  to  and  returned  from  France.  A 
part  of  a  committee  of  Congress,  then  at  Little  York,  constituted 
a  navy  board,  of  which  William  Smith,  Esq.,  was  a  member,  as- 
sembled here.  The  Virginia  frigate,  of  28  guns,  was  built  on  the 
Point,  west  side  of  the  public  wharf,  by  Mr.  Wells. 

Wm.  Buchanan,  Esq.,  was  appointed  by  Congress,  commissary 
general  of  purchases  for  the  Continental  army.  James  Calhoun, 
Esq.,  his  deputy,  made  purchases  of  supplies  here. 

In  this  year  died,  at  an  advanced  age,  at  his  seat  in  the  county, 
Cornelius  Howard,  Esq.,  who  laid  out  that  part  of  the  town  called 
Howard's  Hill,  leaving  three  sons,  the  eldest  of  whom  was  Col. 
John  E.  Howard,  and  two  daughters. 

1778.  Count  Pulaski  was  appointed  a  brigadier  in  the  Conti- 
nental army,  on  the  15th  of  September,  1777,  just  after  the  battle 
on  the  Brandywine,  in^which  he  participated,  and  was  honored  with 
the  command  of  the  cavalry.  He  resigned  this  honor  within  a  few 
months,  and  asked  and  obtained  permission  from  Congress  to  raise 
and  command  an  independent  corps,  to  consist  of  sixty-eight  horse 
and  two  hundred  foot.  The  mode  of  raising  these  was  left  to  the 
direction  of  General  Washington.  This  corps  was  chiefly  raised, 
and  fully  organized  in  Baltimore  in  March,  1778.  Pulaski  visited 
La  Fayette,  while  that  wounded  officer  was  a  recipient  of  the  pious 
care  and  hospitality  of  Moravians  at  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania. 
His  presence,  and  eventful  history,  made  a  deep  impression  upon 
the  minds  of  that  community.  When  it  was  known  that  the  brave 
Pole  was .  organizing  a  corps  of  cavalry  in  Baltimore,  the  7iuns  of 


/ 


CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMOBE.  169 

Bethlehem  prepared  a  banner  of  crimson  silk,  with  designs  beauti- 
fully wrought  with  the  needle  by  their  own  hands,  and  sent  it  to 
Pulaski,  with  their  blessing.  The  memory  of  this  event  is  em- 
balmed in  verse  by  Longfellow,  known  as  the  "Hymn  of  the  Mo- 
ravian Nuns  at  the  Consecration  of  Pulaski's  Banner."  Pulaski 
received  the  banner  with  grateful  acknowledgments,  and  bore  it 
gallantly  through  many  a  martial  scene,  until  he  fell  in  conflict  at 
Savannah  in  the  autumn  of  1779.  His  banner  was  saved  by  his 
first  lieutenant  (who  received  fourteen  wounds),  and  delivered  to 
Captain  Bentalou,  who,  on  retiring  from  the  army,  took  the  banner 
home  with  him  to  Baltimore.  It  was  used  in  the  procession  that 
welcomed  La  Fayette  to  this  city  in  1824,  and  was  then  deposited 
in  Peale's  Museum.  On  that  occasion  it  was  ceremoniously  re- 
ceived by  several  young  ladies.  Mr.  Edmund  Peale  presented  it 
to  the  Maryland  Historical  Society  in  1844,  where  it  is  now  care- 
fully preserved  in  a  glass  case.  But  little  of  its  former  beauty  re- 
mains. It  is  composed  of  double  silk,  now  faded  to  a  dull  brownish 
red.  The  designs  on  each  side  are  embroidered  with  yellow  silk, 
the  letters  shaded  with  green.  A  deep  green  bullion  fringe  orna- 
ments the  edges,  and  the  size  of  the  banner  is  twenty  inches  square. 
It  was  attached  to  a  lance  when  borne  to  the  field.  On  one  side  of 
the  banner  are  the  letters  U.  S.,  and  in  a  circle  around  them  the 
words  "TJnita  Yirtus  Fortior," — United  valor  is  stronger.  On  the 
other  side,  in  the  centre  is  the  All-seeing  Eye,  with  the  words 
"  Non  alius  regit " — No  other  governs. 

On  the  twenty-eighth  of  June,  the  British  were  unsuccessfully 
attacked,  but  finally  retired  from  the  fields  of  Monmouth,  in  Jersey, 
where  the  Maryland  Line  shared  the  danger  and  the  glory  of  the 
day.  Washington  on  this  occasion  seeing  Lieut.-Col.  Kamsay's 
Maryland  battalion,  called  to  him  that  he  "  was  one  of  the  oflicers 
he  should  rely  upon  to  check  the  enendy  that  day."  In  the  militia 
of  the  town,  Messrs.  John  McClellan,  Benjamin  Griffith,  George 
Lindenberger,  James  Calhoun,  David  Bowley,  Mark  Alexander, 
Stephen  Stewart,  James  Young,  Isaac  Griest,  Briton,  Dickinson, 
Henry  Schaeifer,  and  George  Wells,  held  commissions,  most  of 
whom  had  been  at  camp  with  Captains  Moore,  Sterrett,  Cox,  or 
Bailey.  ^ 

On  the  organization  of  the  Court  of  Appeals,  Thomas  Jones, 
Esq.,  was  appointed  one  of  the  Judges,  and  William  Buchanan, 
Esq.,  youngest  son  of  Doctor  George  Buchanan,  deceased,  succeeds 
,to  the  office  of  Eegister  of  Wills  the  next  year,  in  place  of  Mr. 
Jones. 

British  goods  having  become  scarce,  several  manufactures, 
which  had  been  prohibited  in  the  colonies,  were  now  established  in 
or  near  this  town.  Among  others,  a  bleach-yard  by  Mr.  Eiddle  ; 
a  linen  factory  by  Mr.  McFadon ;  a  paper  mill  by  Mr.  Goddard  ;"a 
slitting  mill  by  Mr.  Whitcroft ;  a  card  fiictory  by  Mr.  McCabe ;  a 
woollen  and  linen  factory  by  Mr.  Charles  Carroll ;  a  nail  factory 


170  CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE, 

each  by  Mr.  Geo.  Matthews  and  Mr.  Eichardson  Stewart.  Mr. 
i  Charles  Williams  carried  on  the  dyeing  business,  and  Mr.  William 
\  Stenson,  who  had  sometime  kept  a  coffee-house  near  the  corner  of 
;  Holliday  and  East,  now  Fayette  streets,  opened  another  on  a  mo- 
j  dern  and  extensive  scale,  at  the  southwest  corner  of  South  and 
N^  Baltimore  streets. 

The  intelligence  of  the  alliance  which  had  taken  place  between 
France  and  the  United  States,  in  virtue  of  the  treaty  entered  into 
between  the  two  powders,  was  received  in  Baltimore  on  the  5th  of 
May,  and  in  demonstration  of  the  joy  it  created,  the  towm  was 
splendidly  illuminated  on  the  night  of  that  day.  This  alliance 
gave  a  different  aspect  to  our  affairs.  Wherever  there  w^as  des- 
pondency, it  yielded  to  confidence ;  and  the  contest  was  ever  after- 
wards maintained,  under  the  deep  conviction  that  the  indepen- 
dence of  America  w^as  established  on  a  basis  that  could  only  be 
shaken,  by  one  of  those  convulsions  which,  in  the  order  of  Provi- 
dence, overturn  the  mightiest  empires. 
,/^  During  the  very  heat  of  the  war,  twenty  gentlemen  came  to 
^  Baltimore  as  residents,  among  whom  we  find  the  names  of  Messrs. 
Eichard  Curson,  William  Patterson,  Pobert  Gilmor,  Charles  Tor- 
rence,  Andrew  Boyd,  Aaron  Levering,  Henry  Payson,  Joseph  Wil- 
liams, Peter  Frick,  George  Eeinecker,  Michael  Diffenderffer,  Chris- 
topher Eaborg,  John  Leypold,  Abraham  Sitler,  George  Heide,  John 
Shultze,  Baltzer  Schaeffer  and  others,  who,  by  their  w^ealth,  credit 
\and  enterprise,  contributed  to  revive  the  business  of  the  place. 

On  the  31st  of  March,  the  Virginia  frigate,  the  first  built  in 
this  city,  made  an  attempt  to  get  to  sea  in  the  night,  in  w^hich  she 
would  certainly  have  succeeded,  in  spite  of  the  vigilance  of  the 
enemy's  squadron,  but  that  the  pilot  ran  her  on  the  middle  ground, 
between  the  Capes ;  and  on  the  first  of  April  she  was  taken  pos- 
session of  by  His  Majesty's  frigate  the  Emerald,  Captain  Caldwell. 
Captain  Nicholson,  the  commander,  escaped  in  the  ship's  barge ; 
but  Lieut.  Barney,  with  his  brother  William,  who  was  an  officer  of 
the  marines,  and  the  rest  of  the  crew  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy. 

1222.  The  following  letter,  never  before  published,  was  written 
by  General  Washington  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland.  It  certainly 
shows  that  his  capacious  and  ever-active  mind,  embraced  all  the 
extensive  limits  of  his  country — not  excepting  the  then  insignifi- 
cant town  of  Baltimore,  which,  perhaps  owing  to  his  discernment, 
was  prevented  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  : 

"  Head  Quarters,  Middlebrook,  1st  March,  1779. 
^  "  Dear  Sir: — Sir  Henry  Clinton,  in  order  to  supply  the  British 
prisoners  at  Fort  Frederick  and  Winchester  with  necessaries  and 
money,  has  twice  requested  a  passport  for  a  vessel  to  go  with  the 
same  to  the  port  of  Baltimore.  As  it  is  necessary  that  the  prisoners 
should    be    supplied,  I  have   granted    permission  to   a  schooner 


/ 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  171 

to  proceed  to  Hampton  road — where  the  cargo  is  to  be  received 
into  some  of  the  bay  craft,  and  sent  to  Alexandria  or  George- 
town, under  the  conduct  and  escort  of  our  own  people,  and  from 
thence  to  its  place  of  destination.  I  refused  the  passport  to  Balti- 
more especially,  as  it  was  twice  pressed  upon  me — as  that  port  did 
not  aj^pear  to  be  the  nearest  to  Fort  Frederick  and  Winchester, 
and  as  it  might  be  made  use  of  for  the  purpose  of  exploring  a 
navigation  with  which  they  may  be  in  some  measure  unacquainted. 
I  have  been  thus  particular  lest,  under  a  color  of  hard  weather,  the 
vessel  should  run  toward  Baltimore. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant, 

"  Geo.  Washington." 


(  A  committee  of  merchants  was  formed  at  the  beginning  of  the 
year,  w^hose  duty  it  seems  to  have  been  to  provide  a  suitable  defence 
for  the  private  navigation  of  the  Chesapeake  bay.  Galley's  were 
provided,  and  the  direction  of  them  had  been  confided  to  Commodore 
Nicholson,  who,  a  short  time  before,  had  lost  the  Virginia  frigate 
at  the  mouth  of  the  capes,  in  attempting  to  elude  the  vigilance  of  a 
British  squadron  stationed  there,  and  who  in  consequence  had  no 
immediate  command.  The  command  of  the  galley  Conqueror  was 
bestowed  upon  him  by  the  committee,  with  the  approbation  of  the 
Governor.  The  gentlemen  who  were  united  with  the  Commodore 
as  officers  on  board  this  galley,  deemed  it  proper  to  petition  the 
committee  on  the  subject  of  the  relation  which  they  would  hold  to 
the  committee  in  case  of  their  capture.  They  thought  it  but  reason- 
able, in  case  such  an  event  should  occur,  that  their  wages  should 
go  on.  They  present  a  gloomy  prospect  of  their  situation  in  such  a 
case.  The  horrors  of  a  prison-ship  were  more  intimidating  to 
them  than  the  cannonading  of  an  enemy;  and  it  was  against  these 
that  they  wanted  some  provision  made.  "  But,"  in  the  language  of  a 
patriotism  which  peculiarly  characterizes  the  seamen  of  America, 
"should  we  receive  no  redress,  it  shall  not  in  the  least  detain  our 
services  from  the  cause  in  which  we  are  now  engaged."  Their  pe- 
tition was  granted,  and  the  Conqueror  began  her  cruise.  For  three 
months  she  was  stationed  at  and  near  Cape  Henry,  and  in  other 
parts  of  the  bay.  The  protection  she  and  the  others  of  the  squad- 
ron gave  to  the  navigation  of  Baltimore,  is  almost  incredible. 
Commodore  Nicholson  was  one  of  those  men  who  never  flagged  in 
any  duty  he  undertook,  and  the  skill  with  which  all  his  maritime 
operations  were  conducted,  was  an  earnest  of  that  which,  in  later 
days,  has  so  pre-eminently  characterized  the  American  seaman. 

On  the  4th  of  February,  Mr.  Sterritt's  extensive  brewery,  with 
the  warehouse  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Frederick  and  Second 
streets,  then  occupied  by  Mr.  Hugh  Young,  were  set  on  fire,  de- 
signedly as  was  supposed,  and  both  entirely  consumed. 

Early  in  the  year  the  Maryland  Line  was  formed  into  two 
brigades,  the  second  of  which  was  put  under  the  command  of  Col. 


172  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

Gist,  promoted  Brigadier-General.  Benjamin  Nicholson,  Esq.,  Col- 
onel of  the  town  militia,  resigned  the  command  to  Colonel  Smith 
—  this  being  the  only  corps  kept  up  after  peace. 

There  were  published  in  Goddard's  Maryland  Journal  of  July 
6th,  1779,  a  number  of  queries,  styled  "political  and  military,"  evi- 
dently tending  to  bring  in  question  the  military  qualifications  of 
General  Washington  for  the  august  station  he  then  occupied,  and 
to  create  a  prejudice  against  the  French  nation,  which  a  short 
time  before  had  entered  into  an  alliance  with  the  United  States. 
As  the  following  "  queries  "  have  often  been  quoted  in  history,  but 
never  published  in  full,  we  give  them  as  they  appeared  in  the 
Maryland  Journal : 

"  Pennsylvania,  Philadelphia,  —  1779. 
"  Some  queries,  political  and  military,  humbly  offered  to  the  con- 
sideration of  the  public. 

"  I.  Whether  George  the  First  did  not,  on  his  accession  to  the 
throne  of  Great  Britain,  by  making  himself  king  of  a  party,  in- 
stead of  the  whole  nation,  sow  the  seeds  not  only  of  the  subver- 
sion of  the  liberties  of  the  people,  but  of  the  ruin  of  the  whole 
empire  ? 

"II.  Whether,  by  proscribing  that  class  of  men  to  which  his 
ministry  were  pleased  to  give  the  appellation  of  Tories,  he  did  not, 
in  the  end,  make  them  not  only  real  Tories,  but  even  Jacobites  ? 

"  III.  Whether  the  consequence  of  this  distinction,  now  be- 
come real,  was  not  two  rebellious ;  and  whether  the  fruit  of  those 
rebellions,  although  defeated,  were  not  septennial  Parliaments,  a 
large  standing  army,  an  enormous  additional  weight  and  pecuniary 
influence  thrown  into  the  scale  of  the  crown,  which  in  a  few  years 
have  borne  down  not  only  the  substance,  but  almost  the  form  of 
liberty,  all  sense  of  patriotism,  the  morals  of  the  people,  and,  in  the 
end,  overturned  the  mighty  fabric  of  the  British  Empire  ? 

"  ly.  Whether  the  present  men  in  power  in  this  State  do  not 
tread  exactly  in  the  steps  of  this  pernicious  ministry,  by  proscrib- 
ing and  disfranchising  so  large  a  proportion  of  citizens  as  those 
men  whom  they  find  in  their  interest  to  brand  with  the  determin- 
ation of  Tories  ? 

"  Y.  Whether  liberty,  to  be  durable,  should  not  be  constructed 
on  as  broad  a  basis  as  possible?  And  whether  the  same  causes,  in 
all  ages,  and  in  all  countries,  do  not  produce  the  same  effects  ? 

"  YI.  Whether  it  is  not  natural,  and  even  justifiable,  for  that 
class  of  people  (let  the  pretext  be  ever  so  plausible)  who  have  been 
stripped  of  their  rights  as  men,  by  the  hard  hand  of  power,  to 
wish  for  and  endeavor  to  bring  about  by  any  means  whatever,  a 
revolution  in  that  State,  which  they  cannot  but  consider  as  an 
usurpation  and  tyranny  ? 

"  YII.  Whether  a  subject  of  Morocco  is.  not  (when  we  consider 
human  nature)  a  happier  mortal  than  a  disfranchised  citizen  of 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  173 

Pennsylvania,  as  the  former  has  the  comfort  of  seeing  all  about 
him  in  the  same  predicament  with  himself;  the  latter,  the  misery 
of  being  a  slave  in  the  precious  bosom  of  liberty — the  former 
drinks  the  cup,  but  the  latter  alone  can  taste  the  bitterness  of  it? 

"  YIII.  "Whether  an  enlightened  member  of  a  French  Parlia- 
ment is  not  a  thousand  times  more  wretched  than  a  Eussian 
serf  or  peasant  ?  As  to  the  former,  the  chains,  from  his  sensibility, 
must  be  extremely  galling ;  and  on  the  latter,  they  fit  as  easy  as 
the  skin  of  his  back. 

"  IX.  Whether  it  is  salutary  or  dangerous,  consistent  with  or 
abhorrent  from,  the  principles  and  spirit  of  Liberty  and  Eepubli- 
canism,  to  inculcate  and  encourage  in  the  people  an  idea,  that  their 
welfare,  safety  and  glory  depend  on  one  man?  Whether  they 
really  do  depend  on  one  man  ? 

"X.  Whether,  amongst  the  late  warm,  or  rather  loyal  ad- 
dresses, in  this  city,  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  there 
was  a  single  mortal,  one  gentleman  excepted,  who  could  possibly 
be  acquainted  with  his  merits  ? 

"  XI.  Whether  this  gentleman  excepted,  does  really  think  his 
Excellency  a  great  man,  or  whether  evidences  could  not  be  pro- 
duced of  his  sentiments  being  quite  the  reverse  ? 

"  XII.  Whether  the  armies  under  Gates  and  Arnold,  and  the 
detachment  under  Stark,  to  the  northward,  or  that  immediately 
under  his  Excellency,  in  Pennsylvania,  gave  the  decisive  turn  to 
the  fortune  of  war? 

"  XIII.  Whether,  therefore,  when  Mons.  Gerard,  and  Don  Juan 
de  Miralles,  sent  over  to  their  respective  courts  the  pictures  of  his 
Excellency  General  Washington  at  full  length,  by  Mr.  Peale,  t^ere 
would  have  been  any  impropriety  in  sending  over,  at  the  same 
time,  at  least  a  couple  of  little  heads  of  Gates  and  Arnold,  by  M. 
de  Simitierre  ? 

"  XIV.  On  what  principle  was  it  that  Congress,  in  the  year 
1776,  sent  for  General  Lee  quite  from  Georgia,  with  injunctions  to 
join  the  army  under  General  Washington,  then  in  York  Island, 
without  loss  of  time  ? 

"  XY.  Whether  Congress  had  reason  to  be  satisfied  or  dissatis- 
fied with  this  their  recall  of  General  Lee,  from  what  subsequently 
happened  on  York  Island,  and  at  the  White  Plains? 

"XVI.  Whether  Fort  Washington  was  or  was  not  tenable? 
Whether  there  were  barracks,  casemates,  fuel,  or  water  within 
the  body  of  the  place  ?  Whether,  in  the  outworks,  the  defences 
were  in  any  decent  order?  And  whether  there  were  even  plat- 
forms for  the  guns  ? 

"  XVII.  Whether,  if  it  had  been  tenable,  it  could  have  answered 
any  one  single  purpose?  Did  it  cover,  did  it  protect  a  valuable 
country  ?  Did  it  prevent  the  enemy's  ships  from  passing  or  repass- 
ing with  impunity  ? 

"  XVIII.  Whether,  when  General  Howe  manifestly  gave  over 


174  CHKONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

all  thoughts  of  attacking  General  Washington  in  the  last  strong 
position  in  the  rear  of  White  Plains,  and  fell  back  towards  York 
Island,  orders  should  not  have  been  immediately  dispatched  for  the 
evacuation  of  Fort  Washington,  and  for  the  removal  of  all  the 
stores  of  value  from  Fort  Lee  to  some  secure  spot  more  removed 
from  the  river  ?  Whether  this  was  not  proposed,  and  the  proposal 
Blighted  ? 

"  XIX.  Whether  the  loss  of  the  garrison  of  Fort  Washington, 
and  its  consequent  loss  of  Fort  Lee,  with  the  tents,  stores,  &c., 
had  not  such  an  eifect  on  the  spirits  of  the  people  as  to  make  the 
difference  of  twenty  thousand  men  to  America? 

"XX.  Whether,  in  the  defeat  of  Brandy  wine,  General  Sulli- 
van was  really  the  person  who  ought  to  have  been  censured? 

"  XXI.  Whether,  if  Duke  Ferdinand  had  commanded  at  Ger- 
mantown,  after  having  gained  by  the  valor  of  his  troops  and 
the  negligence  of  his  enemy  a  partial  victory,  he  would  have  con- 
trived by  a  single  stroke  of  the  bathos,  to  have  corrupted  this  par- 
tial victory  into  a  defeat  ?  * 

"  XXII.  Whether  our  position  at  Yalley  Forge  was  not  such, 
that  if  General  Howe,  or  afterwards  General  Clinton,  had  been 
well-informed  of  its  circumstances,  defects  and  vices,  they  might 
not,  at  the  head  of  ten,  or  even  of  eight  thousand  men,  have  reduced 
the  American  army  to  the  same  fatal  necessity  as  the  Americans 
did  General  Burgoyne  ? 

"XXIII.  Whether  the  trials  of  General  St.  Clair,  of  which 
court-martial  General  Lincoln  was  president,  and  that  on  General 
Lee,  were  conducted  in  the  same  forms  and  on  the  same  principles  ? 
Whether,  in  the  former,  all  hearsay  evidences  were  not  absolutely 
rejected,  and,  in  the  latter,  hearsay  evidence  did  not  constitute  a 
very  considerable  part? 

"  XXIY.  Whether  if  the  Generals  Schuyler  and  St.  Clair  had  been 
tried  by  the  same  court-martial  as  General  Lee  was,  and  instead 
of  Congress,  General  Washington  had  been  the  prosecutor,  those 
gentlemen  (unexceptionable  as  their  conduct  was)  would  not  have 
stood  a  very  ugly  chance  of  being  condemned  ?  And  whether  if 
instead  of  General  Washington,  Congress  had  been  the  prosecutor, 
General  Lee  w^ould  not  probably  have  been  acquitted  with  the 
highest  honor? 

"XXY.  Whether  it  must  not  appear  to  every  man  w^ho  has 
read  General  Washington's  letter  to  Congress  on  the  affair  at 
Monmouth,  and  the  proceedings  of  the  court-martial  by  which 
General  Lee  was  tried,  that  if  the  contents  of  the  former  are  a  test, 
not  only  General  Lee's  defence  must  be  a  tissue  of  the  most  abom- 

*"In  one  of  the  numerous  publications  whicii  have  lately  infested  Philadel- 
phia, it  was  brought  as  a  crime  against  Mr.  I)e  .ne  that  he  had  directly  or  indlrectlv 
made  some  overtures  to  Prince  Kerdtnand  of  Brunswick  to  accept  the  command  of 
the  American  army,  who  must  of  course  Imve  superseded  General  Washin^U)n 
This  crime  appeared  to  all  the  foreign  officers  who  are  acquainted  with  the 
Prince's  reputation  of  a  soldier,  in  so  very  ridiculous  a  lisht  that  theyoui  never 
think  or  speak  of  it  without  being  thrown  into  violent  fits  of  luught'er." 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE.  175 

inable  audacious  lies,  but  that  the  whole  string  of  evidences,  both 
on  the  part  of  the  prosecution  and  prosecuted,  must  be  guilty  of 
rank  perjury,  as  the  testimonies  of  these  gentlemen,  near  forty  in 
number,  delivered  on  oath,  scarcely  in  one  article  coincide  with  the 
detail  given  in  his  Excellency's  letter?" 

On  the  publication  of  the  "  Queries  "  great  excitement  was  pro- 
duced against  the  author,  and  a  demand  was  made  for  him  upon 
Mr.  Goddard  by  many  citizens.  Mr.  (jroddard  at  first  refused 
to  give  his  name,  but  when  he  found  that  the  citizens  were  deter- 
mined to  know  who  was  the  calumniator  of  the  venerated  chief,  Mr. 
Goddard  gave  the  name  of  General  Charles  Lee  as  the  author, 
and  disavowed  for  himself  any  intention  to  reflect  on  Gen.  Wash- 
ington. He  signed  a  paper,  and  in  the  next  issue  of  his  Journal 
published  the  following: 

"A  publication  entitled,  <Some  Queries,  political  and  military, 
humbly  offered  to  the  consideration  of  the  public,'  having  appeared 
in  the  Maryland  Journal^  of  the  6th  inst.,  derogatory  of  the  French 
nation  ;  tending  to  distract  the  minds  of  the  people  ;  and  in  par- 
ticular aimed  at  the  reputation  of  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
American  Army — the  inhabitants  of  this  town,  resenting  this 
publication,  and  considering  it  as  calculated  for  invidious  and 
malevolent  purposes,  called  on  the  printer  for  the  author  of  the 
piece  which  had  given  offence;  and  have  directed  to  be  published, 
in  the  same  paper,  his  acknowledgment  on  the  occasion,  with 
the  annexed  letters  from  General  Lee^  the  author  of  the  aforesaid 
Queries : 

"  I,  William  Goddard,  do  hereby  acknowledge,  that  by  publish- 
ing certain  'Queries,  political  and  military,'  in  the  Maryland 
Journal  of  the  6th  inst.,  I  have  transgressed  against  truth,  jus- 
tice, and  my  duty  as  a  good  citizen,  and  in  reparation,  I  do  most 
humbly  beg  his  Excellency  General  Washington's  pardon,  and 
hope  the  good  people  of  this  town  will  excuse  my  having  pub- 
lished therein,  a  piece  so  replete  with  the  nonsense  and  malevolence 
of  a  disappointed  man.  W.  Goddard. 

"  Baltimore  Town,  July  9,  1779." 

"  Needwood,  June  7th. 

"  Dear  Sir: — As  I  am  acquainted  with  your  just  way  of  think- 
ing, liberality  and  impartiality,  and  as  1  think  the  time  has  ar- 
rived when  the  people  will  bear  the  truth,  I  enclose  to  you  some 
Queries,  which  I  believe  you  have  seen  before.  If  you  are  of  opin- 
ion that  they  will  be  of  use,  I  could  wish  you  would  insert  them 
in  your  paper,  with  the  following  introduction : 

"  Baltimore,  (the  date  you  may  put  youself.) 
"  Mr.  Goddard : — The  following  Queries,  political  and  military, 
were  sometime  ago  handed  about  Philadelphia.     The  import  of 
some  of 'em  is  so  curious,  that  they  may,  perhaps,  afford  amuse- 


176  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

ment,  if  not  information  to  your  readers.     I  am,  Sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant. 

"  Now  I  think  of  it,  I  beg  you  will  consider  me  as  a  subscriber 
to  your  paper,  and  direct  one  weekly,  inclosed  to  Mr.  Woolford,  at 
Shepherds-Town,  Berkley  County,  Virginia.  Is  Col.  Oswald  with 
you?  If  he  is,  I  beg  my  love  to  him;  and  be  assured  that  I  am 
dear  Sir,  yours  most  truly,  Charles  Lee." 

"  To  Mr.  Goddard  : 

"  Shephards-Town,  June  nth. 

"  Dear  Sir : — I  understand  that  my  friend  Col.  Oswald  is  en- 
tered into  partnership  with  you.  Without  this  consideration,  I 
should  have  done  your  press  all  the  service  in  my  power,  as  I 
have  a  very  particular  regard  for  yourself  personally ;  but  I  have 
now  a  double  motive.  I  have  many  papers  which  will  be  of  ser- 
vice to  you,  and  you  may  be  assured  that  to  you  alone  they  shall 
be  consigned.  I  hope  that  you  will  not  think  it  improper  to  insert 
the  Queries  1  enclose.  You  have,  and  ought  to  have  the  first  repu- 
tation for  impartiality,  as  a  printer  on  the  Continent. 

"  Adieu,  dear  Sir,  Charles  Lee." 

On  the  8th  of  June  Colonel  Eleazer  Oswald,  late  of  the  Conti- 
nental army,  entered  into  partnership  with  Mr.  Wra.  Groddard  in 
the  publication  of  the  Maryland  Journal,  and  for  a  long  time  the 
paper  continued  to  publish  "  cards,"  among  them  we  reproduce  the 
following : 

"  To  the  Printers. 

"Sir: — A  knot  of  base  slanderers,  who  infest  the  town  of  Bal- 
timore, now,  unhappily,  become  a  theatre  of  anarchy  and  licen- 
tiousness, being  deeply  engaged  in  the  inhuman  business  of  mur- 
dering my  character — a  knot  who  are  composed,  principally,  of 
vermin  who  have  crept  out  of  the  putrid  carcase  of  that  many-headed 
monster  Legion,  who  was  executed,  pursuant  to  a  memorable  sen- 
tence passed  in  this  Capital  upwards  of  two  years  ago,  I  hope  you 
will  do  me  the  justice  to  publish,  in  your  next  paper,  the  following 
memorial,  which  now  lies  before  his  Excellency  the  Governor  of 
this  State  and  his  Honorable  Council,  containing  a  concise  and  just 
view  of  the  late  disgraceful  outrages  which  have  been  committed  in 
Baltimore  Town.  I  am  irresistibly  impelled  to  make  this  request, 
by  an  ardent  desire  implanted  in  my  breast  by  the  Great  Author  of 
JNature,  to  secure  the  esteem  of  the  virtuous  members  of  society; 
which,  I  flatter  myself,  no  part  of  my  conduct  hitherto  hath  justly 
forfeited.  The  result  of  my  application  to  the  supreme  authority 
of  the  State,  will,  as  early  as  it  is  possible,  be  laid  before  the  pub- 
lic ;  and  I  doubt  not  but  it  will  add  to  the  dignity  of  Govern- 
ment, as  well  as  prove  *  a  terror  to  evil-doers.' 

"  I  am.  Sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

"  Annapolis,  July  Uth,  1779.  W.  Goddard." 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  177 

"To  His  Excellency  Thomas  Johnson,  Esq.,  Governor  of  the 
State  of  Maryland,  and  to  his  Honorable  Council,  the  memorial  of 
William  Goddard,  late  of  Baltimore,  printer,  humbly  sheweth : 

"  T^at  your  memorialist  being  deeply  impressed  with  the  im- 
portance of  supporting  the  liberty  of  the  press,  which  the  38th 
section  of  the  Bill  of  Eights  of  this  State  asserts,  *  ought  to  be 
inviolably  preserved,'  and  from  a  candid  examination  of  the  trial 
of  Major-General  Lee,  being  fully  convinced  of  the  injustice  done 
him,  not  only  by  the  sentences  of  the  court-martial,  but  in  its  con- 
firmation by  Conirress,  judged  it  his  indispensable  duty,  as  an 
honest  man,  to  admit  without  partiality,  into  the  Maryland  Journal^ 
&c.,  of  the  6th  instant,  at  the  request  of  that  gentleman,  a  number 
of  '  Queries  Political  and  Military,'  which  your  memorialist  con- 
sidered, merely  as  introductory  to  a  full  vindication  of  the  unfor- 
tunate General's  character.  Actuated  by  the  purest  principles  of 
justice  on  the  one  hand,  and  love  to  his  country  on  the  other,  and 
far  from  wishing,  if  it  were  possible,  to  injure  the  reputation  of 
that  distinguished  character,  now  gloriously  struggling  in  the 
cause  of  freedom  and  virtue,  at  the  head  of  the  army  of  the  United 
States,  or  to  give  just  cause  of  offence  to  any  worthy  man  whatso- 
ever, your  memorialist  felt  no  other  emotion  on  the  occasion  than 
what  must  necessarily  arise  in  every  generous  mind  on  a  consid- 
eration of  the  unhappy  difference  subsisting  between  the  two  per- 
sonages he  has  mentioned,  and  whom,  with  proper  allowances  for 
the  frailties  incident  to  humanit}',  he  esteems  as  brave  and  wise 
man. 

"Not  imagining,  for  a  moment,  that  in  a  country  of  civilized 
enlightened  people,  contending  for  the  rights  of  mankind,  there 
could  be  found  a  set  of  men  so  irrational,  so  inconsistent  and  de- 
praved as  to  attempt  to  abridge  or  subvert  the  liberty  of  the  press, 
which  is  justly  valued  as  the  palladium  of  all  our  rights,  by  pre- 
venting the  decent  investigation  of  the  conduct  of  public  men,  the 
free  discussion  of  public  measures,  or  the  vindication  of  an  injured 
character.  Your  memorialist  hath,  however,  unhappily  found  him- 
self egregiously  mistaken ;  for,  on  the  appearance  of  the  Queries 
aforesaid,  an  angry  Cabal,  who,  fearing  they  knew  not  what,  im- 
mediately formed  themselves  in  Baltimore  town,  for  the  cruel  pur- 
pose of  wreaking  their  vengeance  on  the  head  of  your  memorialist, 
the  innocent,  but  devoted  printer,  who  was  ridiculously  accused, 
before  a  deluded  rabble,  of  printing  nonsense  for  the  destruction  of 
General  AVashington  and  his  country.  Folly,  passion,  and  preju- 
dice usurping  the  empire  of  reason  and  justice,  a  band  of  ruffians, 
composed  of  Continental  recruits,  mulattoes,  or  negroes,  fifers  and 
drummers,  to  the  number  of  about  thirty,  headed  by  Thomas 
Cromwell,  John  Bayley,  and  Stephen  Shermadine,  Continental  of- 
ficers, were  detached  from  the  headquarters  of  your  memorialist's 
prosecutors,  to  invade  the  sanctuary  of  his  dwelling  and  seize  on 
his  person.  Under  the  shade  of  night,  on  the  8th  instant,  at  a  late 
12 


178  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTTMOEE. 

hour,  when  Kature  herself  seemed  hushed  in  silence  and  repose, 
this  motley  crew  burst  into  the  house  of  your  memorialist,  and  en- 
tering his  bedchamber,  demanded  his  surrender  and  appearance  be- 
fore their  main  body,  then  assembled  at  the  coffee-house  ^or  the 
trial  and  punishment  of  your  memorialist.  Your  memorialist  had 
only  time  to  snatch  a  sword  from  its  scabbard,  and  take  a  proper 
position  for  defence,  when  he  was  pressed  upon  by  this  lawless 
baud,  who  added  insult  to  injury.  Your  memorialist,  knowing 
himself  to  be  amenable  to  no  illegal  tribunal,  refused  to  obey  the 
menacing  summons  he  had  received,  and  calling  on  his  friend  Col- 
onel Oswald  to  bear  witness,  he  entreated  Captain  Cromwell,  the 
leader  of  the  party,  not  to  put  him  to  the  fatal  necessity  of  laying 
him  dead  at  his  feet,  which  should  be  his  or  any  man's  fate  who 
should  attempt  to  seize  on  your  memorialist.  The  solemnity  of 
this  declaration,  added  to  the  view  of  the  weapon,  seemed  to  stag- 
ger the  res'^lution  of  the  besiegers.  At  this  critical  moment,  ex- 
pecting to  be  overpowered  by  increasing  numbers,  your  memo- 
rialist declared  his  readiness  to  meet  respectable  citizens  who  had 
anything  to  say  to  him  by  daylight,  and  that  he  would  cheerfully 
appear  at  the  coffee-house  the  next  morning,  and  give  every  satis- 
faction that  could  be  expected  by  rational  men,  or  becoming  a  man 
of  honor  to  give ;  at  the  same  time  utterly  refusing  to  sign  a 
stupid  paper,  reprobating  his  own  conduct,  which  was  read  to  him 
by  the  said  Captain  Cromwell.  The  proposition  of  your  memo- 
rialist being,  through  fear,  accepted,  a  Convention  was  agreed  on, 
in  the  presence  of  Colonel  Oswald,  that  your  memorialist  should 
•appear  at  the  coffee-house  at  9  o'clock  the  next  morning,  and  that 
the  detachment,  without  further  hostility,  should  immediately  re- 
rtire,  which  they  did  accordingly. 

"The  next  morning  (being  the  9th  inst.)  your  memorialist, 
?from  an  anxious  desire  to  preserve  the  public  tranquillity,  and  to 
;prevent  the  effusion  of  human  blood,  waited  on  William  Spear, 
George  Lindcnberger,  Abraham  Yanbibber,  and  James  Calhoun, 
Esquires,  magistrates  in  the  Town  of  Baltimore,  and  after  repre- 
senting to  them  the  outrages  of  the  preceding  night,  the  prospect 
of  their  repetition,  and  the  painful  necessity  your  memorialist  was 
under  of  appearing  in  arms  for  the  defence  of  his  person,  he  en- 
treated their  interposition  for  the  support  of  law  and  govern- 
ment, in  his  person  most  inhumanly  violated.  Messieurs  Spear  and 
l/indenberger  both  solemnly  engaged  to  exert  their  authority  as 
magistrates;  the  latter  making  this  condition,  that  your  memoria- 
list should  appear  unarmed.  Yanbibber  declined  interfering,  al- 
leging his  youth  and  inexperience  in  office.  Calhoun,  instead  of 
doing  his  duty  as  he  promised,  shut  the  door  of  justice  against 
your  memorialist.  Confiding  in  the  promises  of  the  two  first 
mentioned  magistrates,  your  memorialist  laid  aside  his  arms,  and 
observing  a  number  of  people  collected  at  Calhoun's  door,  opposite 
the  intended  scene  of  action  (Calhoun  and  Spear  being  present), 


CHKONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  179 

he  ventured  to  approach  them.  Your  memorialist  had  scarcely- 
got  on  the  threshold  of  Mr.  Justice  Calhoun,  when  he  found  him- 
self surrounded  by  a  frantic  mob,  whose  resentment  had  been 
artfully  «ex cited  against  him  by  a  variety  of  suggestions  as  false  as 
they  were  cruel.  Calhoun  at  this  delicate  crisis,  so  far  from  exer- 
cising the  power  vested  in  him,  ordered  your  memorialist  from  his 
door,  and  thus  gave  him  up  a  sacrifice  to  the  surrounding  mob. 
Spear,  observing  his  son-in-law  Colonel  Samuel  Smith  placing  him- 
self at  the  head  of  the  mob,  left  your  memorialist  a  prey  to  their 
fury. 

"  The  inexperienced  infant.  Justice  Yanbibber,  though  he  re- 
fused to  act  in  the  honorable  character  of  magistrate  for  the 
most  noble  purpose,  degraded  himself  so  far  as  to  appear 
before  the  mob  as  an  evidence  against  y-our  memorialist,  to  relate 
a  private  conversation  he  had  accidentally  heard  between  Colonel 
Jenifer  and  him,  a  conversation  which  was  perfectly  innocent, 
though  aggravated  and  distorted  into  criminality.  Your  memori- 
alist was  then  left  to  the  mercy  of  the  judges  and  executioners  he 
has  already  described,  who  stood  ready  to  cart  him  through  the 
streets  with  a  halter  about  his  neck,  and  with  many  other  circum- 
stances of  inhuman  insult  and  indignity.  Unrestrained  by  law  or 
the  feelings  of  humanity,  they  proceeded  to  interrogate  your 
memorialist,  to  extort  under  the  above-mentioned  penalties  the 
secrets  of  his  business,  and  even  to  pillage  his  house  of  his  private 
correspondence,  which,  however,  atibrded  no  materials  for  their 
purpose.  To  elude  the  proposed  indignities  and  outrages  against 
his  j)erson,  his  friends  advised  him  to  submit  to  their  arbitrary  de- 
mands, and  even  to  sign  a  paper,  containing  the  most  ridiculous 
and  absurd  concessions,  altogether  foreign  to  the  language  of  his 
pen  and  his  heart,  and  for  which  he  is  persuaded  his  Excellency 
General  Washington  will  execrate  these  self-constituted  advocates 
and  champions.  Tour  memorialist  flattering  himself  that  in  such 
a  situation  no  man  of  honor  would  censure  for  his  condescension, 
he  reluctantly  submitted  to  the  detestable  tyranny  he  was  under. 
^y  these  means  your  memorialist  happily  extricated  himself  from 
their  power,  while  he  observed  with  anguish  of  soul  two  of  his 
less  fortunate  neighbors,  whose  sensibility  of  heart  got  the  better 
of  their  prudence,  dragged  (amidst  the  din  of  insulting  music)  in 
carts  through  the  streets,  with  halters  about  their  necks,  and  occa- 
sionally cudgelled  for  the  diversion  of  the  inhuman  part  of  the 
spectators.  One  of  these  hapless  men,  an  officer  in  the  militia, 
having  effected  his  escape,  fled  to  his  own  house  for  refuge.  His 
faithful  wife  in  attempting  to  secure  him  was  beaten  and  abused, 
with  circumstances  of  barbarity  that  must  have  melted  the  flinty 
heart  of  a  savage. 

"  When  your  memorialist  considers  the  17th  section  of  our  Bill 
of  Rights,  he  humbly  thinks  he  has  just  excuse  of  complaint 
against  the  magistrates  he  hath  named  for  their  criminal  delin- 


180  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

quency ;  he  doth  therefore  impeach  them  before  your  Excellency 
and  your  Honorable  Council  for  the  offences  he  hath  enumerated, 
and  which  he  stands  ready  to  prove  by  witnesses  of  unexceptional 
characters,  -whenever  the  parties  can  be  brought  face  to  face. 

"  Your  memorialist,  for  the  benefit  of  himself  and  the  commu- 
nity he  lives  in  (the  majority  of  whom  approve  his  conduct  and 
reprobate  that  of  his  persecutors,  though  awed  into  silence  by 
their  rage  and  licentiousness),  begs  leave  further  to  represent  to 
your  Excellency  and  your  Honorable  Council,  that  all  law  and 
government  are  now  at  an  end  in  Baltimore  Town,  and  that  the 
persons  and  property  of  your  memorialist  and  other  peaceable 
and  faithful  subjects  of  this  State,  friends  to  American  freedom, 
are  continually  exposed  to  the  wanton  fury  of  men  who,  hurried 
by  passion  and  blinded  by  prejudice,  see  not  their  own  or  their 
country's  good,  and  are  deaf  to  all  laws,  divine  and  human.  Your 
memorialist  therefore,  thinking  his  case  peculiarly  distressing,  en- 
treats your  Excellenc}''  to  extend  to  him  the  benefit  and  protection 
of  the  law  of  the  land  for  the  security  of  his  person  and  property. 
This  being  the  unhappy  situation  of  that  part  of  the  government 
committed  to  your  Excellency's  rule,  your  memorialist  doubts  not 
from  the  idea  he  entertained  of  your  justice  and  magnanimity,  as 
well  as  that  of  the  Honorable  Council,  that  your  Excellency's  ad- 
ministration will  be  rendered  memorable  and  glorious  by  your 
present  exertions  to  secure  to  your  injured  countrymen,  the  invalu- 
able blessings  of  law  and  liberty.  William  Goddard. 

"Annapolis,  July  13th,  1779." 

"  I  do  hereby  certify,  on  my  word  and  honor,  that  the  Memo- 
rial this  day  presented  to  his  Excellency  the  Governor  and  Council 
of  this  State,  by  Mr.  William  Goddard,  contains  a  faithful  and 
just  narrative  of  the  late  outrages  and  injustice  which,  to  the  dis- 
grace of  humanity,  lately  took  place  in  Baltimore  Town,  having 
been  an  eye-witness  to  the  shameful  scene. 

"  Eleazer  Oswald. 

"Dated  at  Annapolis,  this  14th  day  of  July,  1779." 

Gen.  Lee,  if  not  hostile  before,  became  after  the  battle  of  Mon- 
mouth, the  undisguised  enemy  of  General  Washington,  and  seemed 
to  have  embraced  every  occasion  to  manifest  this  hostility  towards 
him.  These  queries  were  about  the  first  of  his  vindictive  ebulli- 
tions, and  the  attempt  to  make  them  subserve  his  purpose  in  Balti- 
more, was  met  in  the  manner  which  Mr.  Goddard  related  in  his 
memorial  to  the  Governor.  Growing  out  of  this  difliculty,  the  fol- 
lowing sharp  correspondence  took  place  between  Col.  Oswald,  Mr. 
Goddard's  partner,  and  Gen.  Samuel  Smith,  which  Mr.  Oswald 
afterwards  published : 

"  Baltimore,  Sunday  morning,  8  o'clock,  11th  July,  1779. 
"aSiV — Not  doubting  but  my  friend  and  partner,  Mr.  Goddard, 


CHKONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE.  181 

will  obtain  from  the  energy  of  the  laws  of  this  State  and  the  jus- 
tice and  firmness  of  its  supreme  magistrates,  the  redress  which, 
for  the  benefit  of  that  community  of  which  he  is  a  member,  he  is 
perseveringly  seeking,  not  only  for  the  violence  and  outrage  com- 
mitted on  his  person  and  property  by  a  '  band  of  ruffians '  under 
your  direction,  but  for  your  villainous  attempt,  at  the  head  of  the 
band  I  have  mentioned,  to  subvert  the  freedom  of  the  press,  by 
compelling  him  to  deliver  up  his  private  correspondence  with 
General  Lee,  and  extorting  from  him  the  name  of  the  author  of 
certain  '  Queries,  Political  and  Military,'  with  concessions  for  their 
publication  —  concessions  which,  I  am  persuaded,  not  a  man  of 
your  confederacy  would  have  presumed  singly,  or  on  equal  terms, 
to  have  proposed  to  him  — 1  now  seriously  call  on  you,  sir,  per- 
sonally, for  that  satisfaction  which  one  gentleman  has  a  right  to 
demand  of  another  for  gross  insults  and  injuries.  Being  a  stranger 
in  the  town,  you,  in  a  base  and  ungenerous  manner,  under  cover  of 
a  deluded  mob  devoted  to  your  service,  made  an  unprovoked  attack 
on  my  reputation,  which,  I  flatter  myself,  stands  in  as  fair  a  point 
of  view  as  Colonel  Samuel  Smith's,  notwithstanding  he  is  styled 
the  '  Mud-Island  Hero,'  and  wears  a  double  portion  of  laurels,  com- 
posed of  the  brave  Major  Tbayre's  and  his  own.  Add  to  this  the 
efforts  you  have  made  and  are  still  meanly  pursuing  to  destroy  my 
future  prospects  in  business  in  this  town,  which,  thank  God,  did 
not  depend  on  you  or  your  infamous  associates.  Nothing,  sir,  but 
the  outrages  of  the  mob  you  had  the  glory  of  leading,  whom  you 
consider  as  your  weapons  and  your  fort,  prevented  me  from  doing 
myself  immediate  justice.  But,  as  it  is  my  unalterable  determina- 
tion that  no  man  shall  insult  me  with  impunity,  I  therefore  think 
it  becomes  my  honor,  on  this  occasion,  to  call  upon  you  to  meet 
me  as  early  as  possible,  armed  with  pistols,  and  attended  by  your 
friend  only,  at  any  place  you  may  appoint,  to  enter  into  such  an 
ecclaircissement  as  will  then  be  suitable  to  the  affair  in  question, 
and  which  I  consider  indispensable.  For  my  part,  I  am  this  mo- 
ment ready  to  attend  you  to  the  field,  or  to  meet  you  in  a  private 

room,  as  may  be  most  agreeable  to  yourself     My  friend  

will  wait  on  you  at  the  twelfth  hour  from  the  delivery  of  this,  for 
your  explicit  answer. 

"  I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 
"  To  Col.  Samuel  Smith.  Eleazer  Oswald." 

"  The  foregoing  letter  having  been  delivered,  Col.  Smith  rode 
out  with  my  friend,  to  the  place  where  I  was  waiting  his  answer. 
Here  he  endeavored  to  palliate  his  offences  by  various  mean  arts 
and  low  subterfuges,  but  appeared  averse  to  decide  our  dispute  by 
arms.  After  some  conversation,  he  acquainted  me  that  he  would 
send  an  immediate  answer  to  the  post-office.  "We  then  parted. 
Soon  after  we  met  again  in  the  street,  and,  taking  a  walk  on 
Church  Hill,  he  handed  me  the  following  letter,  which  is  indeed 
too  ridiculous  to  need  a  comment : 


182  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

"Sir — I  received  your  note  by  Mr.  Micnaraara,  in  which  you 
say  I  insulted  you  and  must  give  you  satisfaction.  That  I  cannot 
do  in  your  present  situation,  perhaps  (altho',  if  possible,  I  am  de- 
termined never  to  fight  a  duel),  yet  had  you  addressed  me  uncon- 
nected with  Mr.  Goddard,  I  might  have  thought  myself  obliged  to 
accept  your  invitation,  however  it  might  have  been  against  my 
inclination.  At  present  I  cannot  think  it  consistent  to  wait  on 
you.  I  should  be  sorry  to  think  I  had  insulted  you  intentionally. 
"  Yours,  Sam.  Smith. 

''  Col.  Oswald." 

"  On  perusal  of  the  above  letter,  I  acquainted  Col.  Smith  that 
its  contents  were  totally  unsatisfactory,  and  that  nothing  short  of 
the  most  ample  concessions  for  the  injustice  he  had  done  me,  should 
swerve  me  from  my  purpose  of  exposing  him  to  the  world,  since 
he  had  declined  fighting  me.  He  then  asked  me  whether  I  in- 
tended to  publish  the  transaction,  which,  on  assuring  him  I  would, 
he  requested  I  would  suspend  it  for  a  few  days,  to  give  him  an  op- 
portunity to  consider  farther  of  my  demand.  To  this  I  consented, 
80  far  as  not  to  publish  the  affair  in  Tuesday's  paper.  As  my  re- 
putation may  suffer  by  a  longer  silence,  I  think  it  now  becomes  me 
to  lay  this  short  statement  of  what  hath  happened  before  the  pub- 
lic, leaving  Colonel  Smith  to  exercise  his  address  and  ingenuity, 
in  strengthening  his  nerves  and  in  redeeming  his  character,  though 
it  appears  at  present  to  be  a  worthless  one.  A  celebrated  writer 
having  justly  observed  that  he  is  but  a  dauber  whp  writes  rogue 
and  rascal  under  his  picture.  I  shall  therefore,  after  exhibiting 
this  portraiture  of  Col.  Smith,  submit  it  to  the  public  to  fix  those 
epithets  upon  him  which  they  shall  think  he  merits. 
"  I  am,  the  public's  devoted  humble  servant, 
"  Annapolis,  \hth  July,  1779.  Eleazer  Oswald." 

Mr.  William  Goddard,  on  the  17th  of  July,  published  another 
declaration,  in  which  he  said  :  "  By  publishing  certain  queries,  po- 
litical and  military,  iii  the  Maryland  Journal  of  the  6th  inst.,  I  have 
not  transgressed  against  truth,  justice,  or  my  duty  as  a  good  citizen  ; 
and,  as  I  have  never  given  just  cause  or  offence  to  his  Excellency 
Gen.  Washington,  or  the  good  people  of  this  town,  I  have  no  re- 
paration to  make  them,  or  pardon  to  solicit." 

A  society  was  formed  by  the  principal  merchants,  and  contri- 
butions were  made  by  them  in  October,  to  the  amount  of  £93,000, 
to  be  employed  in  reducing  the  price  of  salt  by  retail,  which  article 
they  bought  and  sold  at  about  forty-five  pounds,  or  120  dollars 
per  bushel,  paper  money,  reserving  only  the  expenses. 

David  McMechen  and  Mark  Alexander,  Esqs.,  succeeded  Messrs. 
Smith  and  Chase  as  delegates,  and  Joseph  Baxter,  Esq.,  is  elected 
sheriff,  in  place  of  Mr.  Stevenson,  whose  term  had  expired. 

Mr.  Edward  Biddle,  one  of  the  representatives  of  Pennsylvania 
in  Congress,  died  here  while  on  a  visit  to  his  relatives. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  183 

We  find  the  following  publication  in  the  Maryland  Gazette  of 
Jan.  5th,  1779,  in  relation  to  Capt.  Norwood,  who  was  court- 
martialled  and  dismissed  from  service  for  disobedience  of  orders. 
It  was  followed  by  another  of  March  1st,  1780,  which  shows  the 
feeling  of  certain  Continental  officers  towards  Gen.  Smallwood: 

"  For  the  Maryland  Gazette  : 

"Mr.  Printer: — As  I  have  been  dismissed  from  a  service  to 
which  a  love  of  country  had  attached  me,  and  apprehensive  the 
public  would  not  (without  evidence  to  the  contrary)  discriminate 
between  me  and  those  who  have  been  dismissed  for  dishonorable 
conduct,  I  beg  leave  to  assure  them  through  your  paper,  that  I 
have  suffered  this  heavy  misfortune  for  only  saying  General  Small- 
wood  was  a  partial  man  and  no  gentleman.  The  following  certifi- 
cate voluntarily  given  me,  will  satisfy  them  of  the  general  tenor  of 
my  conduct,  and  I  reserve  myself  to  a  proper  time,  to  lay  open  to 
the  world  the  whole  proceedings  of  the  several  Courts  which  have 
led  to  my  dismission,  where,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  such  a  system  of 
despotism  wall  appear  to  be  springing  up  in  our  army,  that  an 
officer  who  does  his  duty  ever  so  exactly,  and  has  neglected  to  pay  a 
servile  court  to  a  haughty  superior,  holds  his  commission  by  a  very 
precarious  tenure.  I  am,  Sir,  yours  and  the  public's  most  humble 
servant,  "  Edward  Norwood. 

"  Dec.  2Sth,  1778." 

"  The  officers  of  the  2d  Maryland  brigade  do  testify  that  Captain 
Norwood,  (who  is  discharged  the  service  by  the  sentence  of  a  court- 
martial  on  a  disagreement  with  Gen.  Smallwood)  during  the  cam- 
paigns in  which  he  served  with  us,  has  ever  conducted  himself  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  command  our  w^armest  friendship  and  esteem, 
as  an  officer  and  a  man  of  honor ;  and  that  notwithstanding  his 
dismission,  is  and  ought  to  be,  esteemed  as  a  gentleman,  and  valued 
as  a  warm  friend  and  advocate  for  the  liberties  of  his  country. 

"Second  Eegiment:  Thomas  Price,  Col.;  Lilbourn  Williams, 
Capt. ;  James  McCalmont,  Surgeon ;  Hezekiah  Ford,  Ensign ;  Edward 
Edgely,  Adjutant;  John  Gassaway,  Lieut.;  Edward  Dyer,  Lieut, 
and  B.  Q.  M. ;  Benjamin  Price,  Lieut. ;  John  Bead,  Ensign ;  James 
Ewing,  Lieut. 

"Fourth  Eegiment:  Josias  Carvel  Hall,  Col.;  Samuel  Smith, 
Lieut.-Col,;  John  E.  Howard,  Major;  Alexander  L.  Smith,  Capt.; 
Thomas  Lansdale,  Capt. ;  Joseph  Burgess,  Capt. ;  Edward  Oldham, 
Capt.;  James  Smith,  Lieut.;  John  S.  Belt,  Lieut.;  Edward  Spur- 
rier, Lieut. ;  Thomas  Cromwell,  Lieut. ;  Adam  Hoops,  Lieut. ; 
Stephen  Shelmedine,  Lieut.;  John  Hamilton,  Ensign;  Nathaniel* 
Twining,  Ensign ;  John  Bowen,  Ensign ;  Parker  H.  Lee,  Ensign  ; 
John  Hartshorn,  Adjutant;  Eichard  Pindell,  Surgeon;  William 
Eiley,  Lieut. 

"Sixth  Eegiment:    Otho  H.  Williams,  Col;  Benjamin  Ford, 


184  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

Lieut.-Col. ;  Andrew  Hynes,  Capt. ;  Henry  Dobson,  Capt. ;  James 
Bruif,  Lieut. ;  Joshua  Miles,  Capt.;  Jacob  Norris,  Lieut.;  Richard 
Donovan,  Adjutant;  George  Jacobs,  Lieut.;  Benjamin  Wright, 
Lieut.;  Charles  Beaver,  Lieut.;  Thomas  Parran,  Surgeon. 

"  German  Regiment :  Ludwick  Weltner,  Lieut.-Col. ;  Daniel 
Buchores,  Major ;  George  Hubley,  Capt. ;  Peter  Boyer,  Capt. ; 
Charles  Baltzel,  Capt.;  Bernard  Hubley,  Capt.;  Michael  Boyer, 
Capt. ;  Martin  Shughart,  Lieut. ;  Christian  Myers,  Capt. ;  James  F. 
Armstrong,  Chaplain." 

"  Camp,  March  Ist,  1780. 
«  To  William  Smallwood,  Esq.,  Brigadier-General : 

^^Sir : — We  have  no  doubt  but  the  joint  assertion  of  a  small 
number  of  inferior  officers  will  be  as  much  credited,  by  that  part 
of  mankind  who  have  spirit  to  think  for  themselves,  as  the  mere 
ipse  dixit  of  a  brigadier ;  therefore,  choose  only  to  remark,  that 
your  scurrilous  observations  on  the  testimony  we  gave  of  our 
favorable  opinion  of  Capt.  Norwood,  discovers  the  malevolence  and 
presumption,  more  than  the  probity  and  liberality  of  your  mind. 
"  With  due  respect,  we  are  yours,  Otho  H.  Williams,  Benjamin 
Price,  Benjamin  Ford,  Edward  Edgerly,  John  E.  Howard,  Hezekiah 
Foard,  Harry  Dobson,  William  Reily,  James  Bruff,  Adam  Hoops, 
Thomas  Parran,  John  Hamilton,  R.  Donovan,  John  Hartshorn, 
Lil  Willi  Ams,  Richard  Pendleton,  John  Gassaway. 

"N.  B. — The  other  gentlemen,  whom  you  took  occasion  to 
abuse  in  your  ungentlemanly  performance  of  105  pages,  are  out  of 
camp." 

The  winter  of  1779  to  '80  being  the  severest  known  in  Baltimore 

up  to  this   time,  navigation  was   closed   by  ice  until  the  9th  of 

March.  The  suffering  poor  were  relieved  at  their  own  houses  by 

v^distributions  of  meal   and  fuel ;    £9000   being   subscribed   by   the 

more  fortunate  inhabitants  for  their  relief. 

Thomas  SoUers,  Esq.,  was  appointed  naval  officer,  and  was 
authorised  to  grant  registers  for  vessels. 

Matthew  Ridley,  Esq.,  of  the  house  of  Ridley  and  Pringle,  was 
authorised  to  borrow  and  negotiate  a  loan  in  Holland  for  the  use 
of  the  State.  Such  were  the  difficulties  attending  the  transition  of 
our  currency  to  another,  that  seizures  of  provisions  for  the  troops 
were  authorised,  which  in  ordinary  times  would  have  been  intoler- 
able; and  the  rate  of  the  levy  which,  in  the  early  part  of  the  year, 
had  been  fixed  at  one-fourth  of  the  whole  valuation  of  the  taxable 
property,  was  reduced  to  one  and  one-half  per  cent,  with  the  op- 
tion of  paying  wheat  at  seven  shillings  and  sixpence,  tobacco  at 
twenty  shillings,  &c.,  and  a  scale  of  depreciation  for  the  settlement 
of  public  and  private  contracts  was  established  on  equitable  prin- 
ciples. 

It  appears  that  no  body  of  men  ever  watched  over  the  interests 
of  a  community  of  which  they  were  members,  with  a  more  sleep- 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  185 

less  or  intense  anxiety,  than  did  the  merchants  of  Baltimore  dur- 
ing the  Eevolutionary  struggle.  They  were  among  the  first  to 
suggest  the  measures  which  were  necessary  to  be  adopted  to  meet 
the  crisis;  they  were  never  backward  with  their  means  in  giving 
efficacy  to  these  measures,  and  the  march  of  armies,  the  equip- 
ment of  vessels  of  war,  were  accelerated  by  their  unceasing  ex- 
ertions. Indeed,  such  was  the  reputation  they  had  acquired  for 
their  patriotism  abroad,  that  when  it  was  determined  that  a  de- 
tachment of  troops  from  Gen.  Washington's  army  should  be  sent 
to  the  south,  under  the  command  of  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  Con- 
gress confided  in  the  merchants  of  Baltimore  supplying  them  with 
such  flour  as  they  might  want  in  case  'of  need,  passing  through 
Baltimore,  which  was  on  their  way.  Mr.  Pickering,  at  that  time 
Quartermaster-Greneral,  and  Mr.  Charles  Stewart,  Commissary- 
G-eneral,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  Mr.  Samuel  Purviance,  advising  of 
this  intended  movement  of  the  army,  under  the  command  of  the 
Marquis,  says  :  "  We  shall  make  no  further  apology  at  present  for 
giving  you  this  trouble,  as  we  are  assured  of  your  readiness  to  do 
essential  service  to  your  country  on  every  occasion."  The  army 
of  the  Marquis  came  to  Baltimore,  on  its  way  to  Virginia,  and  re- 
ceived not  only  the  flour  which  the  above  letter  looked  to  have 
supplied  here,  but  a  considerable  sum  of  money  was  raised  by  sub- 
scription, and  paid  over  to  him  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  ma- 
terials for  the  clothing  of  his  army.  It  is  due  to  the  memory  of 
the  ladies  of  that  day,  in  our  town,  to  record  the  fact,  that  that 
clothing  was  principally  made  up  by  their  fair  hands.  When  the 
Marquis  reached  Baltimore,  his  destitution  was  not  confined  to  the 
want  of  flour,  but  for  nearl}^  all  the  equipments  without  which  no 
army  can  ever  be  efficacious.  There  was  but  little  money  at  that 
time  in  the  State  treasury,  and  the  supply  which  was  furnished  by 
the  patriotic  gentlemen  of  Baltimore,  is  thus  acknowledged  in  a 
letter  from  Thomas  Sim  Lee,  Esq.,  Governor  of  Maryland,  ad- 
dressed to  Eobert  Purviance,  Matthew  Eidley,  and  William  Pat- 
terson, Esqrs. :  "  We  very  much  applaud  the  zeal  and  activity  of 
the  gentlemen  of  Baltimore,  and  think  their  readiness  to  assist  the 
executive,  at  a  time  when  they  were  destitute  of  the  means  of 
providing  those  things,  which  were  immediately  necessary  for  the 
detachment  under  the  command  of  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette, 
justly  entitle  them  to  the  thanks  of  the  public." 

The  movements  of  Earl  Cornwallis  in  August  gave  reason  to 
apprehend  that  he  meant  to  make  an  invasion  of  Maryland  and 
possess  himself  of  Baltimore.  In  consequence  of  this  apprehen- 
sion, there  assembled  in  the  town  a  force  of  about  2800  men. 
These  came  from  this  and  adjacent  counties,  within  two  days  after 
the  alarm.  Advice  was  soon  after  received  that  the  destination  of 
Cornwallis  was  to  Virginia,  in  consequence  of  which  these  troops 
were  dismissed.  This  was  the  last  serious  alarm  which  excited 
the  people  of  Baltimore  during  the  war.     The  events  which  oc- 


186  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

curred  soon  after  in  Virginia  gave  a  hope  that  the  end  for  which 
they  struggled  was  near  at  hand. 

General  Lincoln  had  been  obliged  to  surrender  Charleston  12th 
May,  1780,  and  the  three  Southern  States  seemed  to  have  been  en- 
tirely lost  to  the  Union,  when  General  Gates  took  command  of  the 
Southern  army,  including  all  the  troops  from  Delaware  and  Mary- 
land south  ;  and  notwithstanding  the  determined  valor  of  these 
troops,  the  disasters  at  Camden  and  other  places,  where  the  Mary- 
land Line  suffered  severely,  made  it  necessary  to  recall  Major- 
General  Gates,  and  place  that  department  under  the  command  of 
Major-General  Kathaniel  Greene.  The  new  commander-in-chief 
of  the  Southern  army  passed  through  Baltimore  with  M.  Gen. 
Baron  Steuben  on  the  6th  of  November. 

The  following  letter  was  written  by  Major  David  Poe,  Quarter- 
master in  Baltimore,  of  whom  Gen.  Lafayette  always  spoke  so 
kindly  in  his  visits  to  this  city  : 

"  Baltimore  Town,  18th  February,  1780. 

"Sir  : —  I  make  bold  to  trouble  you  with  a  few  lines,  to  let  you 
know  that  my  situation  at  present  is  difficult  in  purchasing  forage 
to  supply  the  public  demand  in  this  place.  I  have  bought 
some  grain  and  hay  within  these  few  days,  but  am  under  some 
apprehension  that  I  may  be  troubled  for  acting,  as  I  have  not  re- 
ceived your  Excellency's  license  since  the  late  law  passed.  I  beg 
that  you  would  let  me  know  by  the  bearer  if  I  may  expect  them 
or  not,  that  I  may  conduct  myself  accordingly.  I  have  purchased 
what  is  done  with  my  own  money,  and  need  not  apply  to  the 
Quartermaster-General  for  cash  until  I  have  your  license.  This 
post  requires  a  large  quantity  of  forage  to  supply  it,  besides 
many  more  articles  in  the  department  a  wanting,  so  that 
a  supply  of  cash  in  a  short  time  will  be  necessary.  The 
recruits  at  this  place  are  in  great  want  of  camp-kettles ; 
there  is  not  one  belonging  to  the  United  States  in  this  town. 
If  you  would  please  to  send  an  order  to  Capt.  Keyport  to 
deliver  a  few  in  his  charge,  belonging  to  the  State,  it  would 
give  content  among  the  men.  Eelying  on  your  assistance  in  the 
above  matter, 

"  I  am,  with  due  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and 
humble  servant,  David  Poe. 

"  Thomas  Sim  Lee,  Esq." 

Mr.  Poe  was  a  faithful  officer,  and  was  held  in  great  estimation 
by  all  who  had  business  to  transact  with  him.  Such  was  his  devo- 
tion to  his  country  that  it  was  almost  proverbial;  and  so  unabated 
was  it,  long  after  the  peace  was  proclaimed,  that  by  the  public 
sentiment  he  became  a  brevetted  general,  and  in  his  latter  days 
was  better  known  as  General  Poe  than  by  any  other  name. 

During  this  year  the  Legislature  made  provision  for  the  defence 
of  the  bay  by  equipping  one  large  galley,  one  sloop  or  schooner,  and 


CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE, 


187 


four  large  barges,  and  for  recruiting  the  army,  besides  calling  out 
1200  militia  volunteers.  They  also  contributed  largely  among 
themselves  to  supply  the  soldiers  with  necessaries  for  a  campaign, 
as  the  following  subscription  list  will  show : 

"Annapolis,  June  IQthj  1780. 
"  The  General  Assembly  having,  by  the  act  for  a  loan,  called 
on  the  citizens  of  this  State  to  advance  paper  money,  tobacco,  or 
specie,  to  assist  their  country  in  the  present  hour  of  distress  and 
difficulty,  we,  the  subscribers,  members  of  the  Senate  and  House 
of  Delegates,  have  subscribed  the  sum  of  paper  money,  tobacco,  or 
specie,  to  our  names  respectively  annexed,  according  to  our  abili- 
ties and  circumstances,  to  be  paid  on  or  before  the  twentieth  day 
of  July  next : 

Specie. 


Paper  Money. 

Tobacco. 

Dan  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer, 

$2,000 

5  hhds. 

Mat.  Tilghman, 

Charles  Carroll,  of  Carrollton, 

4  hhds. 

10  hhds. 

T.  Stone, 

£  500  <;. 

3  hhds. 

Brice  B.  Worthington, 

2  hhds. 

Wm.  Hindman, 

2  hhds. 

Richard  Barnes, 

10  hhds. 

Joseph  Sim, 

600  c. 

4  hhds. 

Upton  Sheredine, 

750 

Jona  Beall, 

6  hhds. 

Samuel  Chew, 

10  hhds. 

Philip  Key, 

1500 

10  hhds. 

Thos.  F.  Euleston, 

2  hhds. 

John  L.  Wilmer, 

2000 

John  Mackall, 

8  hhds. 

Pere  Letherbury, 

875 

Wm.  Stevenson, 

500 

Nics  Worthington, 

8  hhds. 

Wm.  Fitzhugh, 

8  hhds. 

J.  Hall, 

375 

2  hhds. 

Nichs  Maccubbon,  Jr., 

1125 

Charles  Williamson, 

600 

Alex.  Ham.  Smith, 

2  hhds. 

Frisby  Freeland, 

2  hhds. 

JohnDigges, 

1  hhd. 

Warren  Dent, 

5  hhds. 

Samuel  Hanson  Jones, 

2  hhds. 

Rezin  Hammond, 

150 

H.  Banning, 

200 

Ihhd. 

Js.  Gibson, 

1  hhd. 

C.  Birkhead, 

1  hhd. 

Jno.  Winder, 

500 

2  hhds. 

Tim.  Kirk, 

187  10s. 

David  Crawford, 

1000 

2  hhds. 

Beni.  Hale, 
J.  Magruder, 

800 

2  hhds. 

1  hhd. 

W.  Bruff, 

2  hhds. 

John  Brown, 

1125 

R.  T.  Earle,  as  soon  as  he  receives 

his  money 

from  the  French  Agent, 

1250 

$3  00 


188  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Paper  Money.      Tobacco.     Specie. 


Jacob  Ringgold, 

3  hhds. 

Alln.  Quynn, 
Peter  Cliaille, 

1000 

750 

Jas.  McComas, 

Ihhd. 

Benjamin  Bradford  Norris, 

250 

John  Taylor. 

375 

Matthew  Swriver, 

375 

W.  Keene,  when  I  receive  my  money  for  my 

provision  cert.— 

375 

Hugh  McBryde, 

750 

David  McMeckin, 

500 

Mark  Alexander, 

2000 

4  hhds. 

John  StuU, 

750 

Jos.  Spriffg, 

1000 

James  Chasline, 

750 

Edward  Buriiiss, 

2  hhds. 

Thomas  Cramphin,  Jr., 

4  hhds. 

William  Bayly, 

225 

2  hhds. 

Jno.  Smoot, 

750 

Ihhd. 

£3 

1780.  In  this  year  an  Act  was  passed  by  the  General  Assembly, 
"  to  seize,  confiscate  and  appropriate,  all  British  property  within 
this  State."  Owing  to  the  large  number  of  valuable  lots  in  Balti- 
more and  estates  in  the  neighborhood  confiscated  under  this  law, 
internal  improvements  received  valuable  aid  by  the  sales.  Among 
the  records  we  find  the  following  names  and  property  of  individuals 
formerly  residing  in  Baltimore  Town,  which  was  confiscated.  The 
lot  on  which  Eeverdy  Johnson's  mansion  and  the  Gilmour  House 
now  stand,  then  belonging  to  the  estate  of  Edward  Fottrell,  was 
divided  into  six  lots,  fronting  on  Calvert  street  33  feet  each,  with 
a  depth  of  181  i  feet,  was  sold  at  public  auction,  on  the  4th  of  April, 
1781 ;  Mr.  John  McLure  purchasing  two  lots  for  the  sum  of  £780; 
General  Gist  purchasing  four  lots  for  £1340 ;  realizing  for  the  en- 
tire front  £2120.  The  two  squares  of  ground  fronting  on  the  east 
side  of  Calvert  street,  running  from  Baltimore  to  Lombard  streets, 
were  divided  into  thirteen  lots  and  sold  on  the  same  date,  realizing 
for  the  whole  £6790 — Messrs.  David  Poe,  Henry  Wilson,  Captain 
John  Swan,  Luther  Martin,  Dr.  Fred  Eidgely,  John  Sn^^der, 
Michael  Diffenderfer  and  Capt.  Aquila  Johns  being  the  purchasers. 
The  square  of  ground  on  the  south  side  of  Pratt  street,  running 
from  Charles  to  Light  street,  was  divided  into  three  parts  and  sold 
same  date,  realizing  for  the  whole  £1500  ;  Capt.  John  Dorsey  being 
the  purchaser.  "  Twenty  acres  meadow  near  Jones  Falls,  late  the 
property  of  Ed.  Fottrjell,"  was  sold  same  date  to  Messrs.  Benjamin 
Griffith,  Phillip  Halland,  Eichard  Lemmon,  for  the  sum  of  £2590  ; 
"  eight  acres  meadow,  late  the  property  of  James  Christie,  Jr.," 
same  date  sold  to  Matthew  Eidley,  for  the  sum  of  £1020.  "An 
undivided  half  of  the  wharf  and  warehouse,  late  the  property  of 
Messrs.  Christies,"  same  date  sold  to  Capt.  Aquila  Johns  for  the 
sum  of  £2560.  During  the  year  1781,  the  entire  property  on 
"  Whetstone  Point,"  then  called  Upton  Court,  containing  four  hun- 


CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE.  189 

dred  acres,  and  belonging  to  the  "  Principio  Company,"  was  sold. 
The  terms  of  all  the  above  sales  were  ''one  half  in  specie,  one  half 
in  paper  at  its  valae,  one  half  in  ten  days,  residue  in  six  weeks." 
Among  those  whose  property  was  confiscated,  we  find  the  names 
of  Eichard  Button's  estate  at  the  Point,  Dr.  Patrick  Kennedy, 
John  Lynde,  John  Lorah,  John  Macinheimer,  William  Smith,  "  a 
rope-walk  supposed  to  contain  three  acres,  with  all  buildings,"  James 
French,  William  Frost,  two  squares  of  ground  on  the  west  side  of 
Frederick  street,  from  Baltimore  street  to  the  Falls,  Daniel  Dulany, 
Capt.  Joe  Kichardson,  Dr.  Henry  Stevenson,  Eobert  Ballard, 
Charles  Wells,  John  Lynch,  Daniel  Carroll,  John  Weatherburn, 
Anthony  Bacon,  John  Eversfield,  George  and  Andrew  Buchanan, 
James  Brown  &  Co.,  Mackie,  Spiers  &  Co.,  Mackie,  Spiers,  French 
&  Co.,  heirs  of  Samuel  Hyde,  the  heirs  of  Thomas  Bladen,  and 
Mark  Alexander. 

1781.  The  inhabitants  of  the  town,  on  the  7th  of  August,  held  a 
meeting  at  the  court-house,  to  carry  into  execution  the  circulation 
of  the  new  paper  money,  known  as  the  "  red  money,"  and  John 
Dorsey,  Eichard  Eidgely,  Daniel  Bowly,  Isaac  Gist,  John  McClellan, 
James  Calhoun,  David  McMechen,  Mark  Alexander,  Joseph  Don- 
aldson, James  Tibbert,  John  Dorsey  and  David  Stoddart  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  execute  it.  A  complaint  was  lodged  by 
Thomas  White  against  Daniel  Deady,  shopkeeper,  for  attempting 
to  depreciate  the  new  money,  by  asking  four  to  one,  after  he  had 
signed  the  association  to  take  it  equal  to  gold  or  silver.  The 
charge  being  supported  by  the  oath  of  the  said  Thomas  White, 
it  was  resolved  "  that  the  said  Daniel  Deady  be  held  up  to  the 
public  as  a  violator  of  the  said  association,  and  as  a  man  whose 
conduct  is  destructive  to  public  good,  and  that  the  same  be  pub- 
lished in  the  Maryland  Journal,  &c." 

During  the  year.  Fell's  Prospect  was  first  laid  off  by  the  com- 
missioners, and  added  to  the  town  on  the  east,  and  the  18  acres  of 
Messrs.  Moale  and  Steiger,  lying  between  Bridge,  now  Gay,  and 
French  streets,  for  which  authority  had  been  given  eight  years 
before. 

The  weight  of  flour  per  barrel  was  now  fixed  at  the  present 
standard  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-six  pounds  nett,  with  some 
other  regulations  respecting  that  staple. 

On  the  4th  of  September,  about  10  o'clock  in  the  morning,  a 
Cutter  called  the  Serpent,  belonging  to  his  Most  Christian  Majesty, 
commanded  by  M.  Amie  de  la  Lanne,  arrived  in  our  harbor,  with 
despatches  for  General  Washington,  from  the  Count  De  Grasse, 
who  arrived  in  the  Chesapeake  on  the  26th  ult.,  with  a  formidable 
fleet  of  French  men-of-war,  consisting  of  28  sail  of  the  line,  4 
frigates,  and  the  cutter  above  mentioned. 

General  Washington,  on  the  8th  September,  accompanied  by 
Adjt.-General  Hand  and  other  officers  of  distinction,  arrived  in 
town,  and  stopped  at  the  Fountain  Inn  on  their  way  to  Virginia.    He 


190  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

was  received  in  the  vicinity,  and  escorted  to  bis  quarters  by  Capt. 
Moore's  troop  of  ligbt  dragoons.  Tbe  Baltimore  artillery  com- 
panies gave  bis  Excellency  a  bandsome  salute,  and  tbe  inhabitants 
in  general  seemed  to  vie  witb  eacb  other  in  testifying  their  respect 
and  affection  for  his  person  and  character.  In  the  evening  every 
part  of  the  town  was  elegantly  illuminated ;  Fell's  Point  in  par- 
ticular made  a  most  brilliant  appearance.  A  banquet  was  given  at 
Lindsey's  Coffee  House  in  consequence  of  tbe  arrival  of  tbe  French 
fleet,  and  many  toasts  were  drunk.  On  this  occasion,  tbe  following 
address  was  presented  to  Greneral  Washington,  and  bis  answer  pub- 
lished a  few  days  after : 

*'His  Excellency  George  Washington,  Esq.,  General  and  Com- 
mander-in-Chief of  the  armies  of  tbe  United  States  of  America. — 
May  it  please  your  Excellency,  the  citizens  and  inhabitants  of  Bal- 
timore, impressed  witb  tbe  warmest  sentiments  of  respect  and 
esteem,  and  witb  tbe  most  lively  sense  of  the  important  services 
rendered  by  you  to  them  and  their  country,  beg  leave,  through  us, 
to  congratulate  your  Excellency  upon  your  arrival  in  this  town, 
and  to  express  the  general  joy  diffused  through  every  breast  at 
the  return  of  your  Excellency  to  this  place. 

"  It  has  been  with  tbe  highest  satisfaction  we  have  found  our 
most  sanguine  expectations  from  your  military  talents  exceeded  by 
tbe  abilities  you  have  displayed  during  a  series  of  various  fortune, 
as  well  in  tbe  day  of  battle  as  the  hour  of  distress ;  your  fortitude 
and  perseverance  under  all  our  calamities,  the  wisdom  of  your 
counsels,  the  judicious  and  mild  regulation  of  tbe  army,  your 
sacred  attention  to  the  civil  powers  of  tbe  respective  States,  and 
the  great  address  with  which  our  military  operations  have  been 
conducted  under  your  Excellency's  direction,  demand  the  warmest 
effusions  of  gratitude  that  can  flow  from  tbe  hearts  of  a  free 
people.  Permit  us  also  to  congratulate  your  Excellency  upon  tbe 
many  signal  successes  that  have  lately  attended  tbe  American 
arms  in  the  Southern  States,  obtained  with  such  distinguished 
honors  to  our  gallant  officers  and  soldiers,  and  on  tbe  arrival  of 
tbe  fleet  of  our  magnanimous  ally,  aided  by  whose  noble  and  gene- 
rous exertions,  we  look  forward  witb  pleasing  hopes  to  the  day  of 
peace,  when  we  may  freely  enjoy  the  bounties  witb  which  All- 
gracious  Heaven  has  enriched  our  country. 

"  May  your  present  operations  prove  successful,  and  may  the 
grand  work  in  which  you  are  engaged  be  happily  terminated. 
Our  prayers  are  for  your  Excellency's  preservation,  that  you  may 
continue  approved  by  heaven,  esteemed  by  virtuous  men,  and 
dreaded  by  tyrants ;  and  on  the  restoration  of  public  tranquillity, 
that  you  may  in  peaceful  retirement  enjoy  that  satisfaction  of 
mind  which  tbe  sense  of  great  and  noble  deeds  always  inspires  j 
and  may  posterity,  in  tbe  full  possession  and  exercise  of  that  free- 
dom which  your  sword  has  assisted  to  establish,  venerate  and  do 
ample  justice  to  your  virtue  and  character  to  the  last  ages.     With 


CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  191 

sentiments  of  the  most  profound  esteem  and  respect,  we  are,  in  be- 
half of  the  citizens  and  inhabitants  of  Baltimore,  your  Excel- 
lency's most  obedient  and  most  humble  servants, 

"  Wm.  Smith, 
#       "  Samuel  Purviance,  Jr., 

"  John  Moale,  S-  Committee" 

"  John  Dorset, 

"  James  Calhoun, 

"  To  the  citizens  and  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Baltimore. — 
Gentlemen : — With  the  warmest  sense  of  gratitude  and  affection,  I 
accept  your  kind  congratulations  on  my  arrival  in  this  town. 
Permit  me,  gentlemen,  to  assure  you,  that  from  the  pleasure  which 
I  feel  in  having  this  opportunity  to  pay  my  respects  to  the  worthy 
inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Baltimore,  I  participate  in  your  sensa- 
tions of  joy.  If  during  the  long  and  trying  period  in  which  my 
services  as  a  soldier  have  been  employed  for  the  interests  of 
the  United  States  of  America  and  for  the  establishment  of  their 
rights,  I  have  acquitted  myself  to  the  acceptance  of  my  fellow- 
citizens;  if  my  various  fortunes,  if  my  attention  to  the  civil 
powers  of  the  States,  have  subserved  the  general  good  of  the 
public  in  these  things,  I  feel  myself  happy,  and  in  these  consider- 
ations I  rejoice  in  your  felicity. 

'*  The  happy  and  eventful  successes  of  our  troops  in  the  South- 
ern States,  as  they  reflect  glory  on  the  American  arms,  and  partic- 
ular honor  on  the  gallant  officers  and  men  immediately  concerned 
in  that  department,  tills  my  heart  with  pleasure  and  delight. 

"The  active  and  generous  part  our  allies  are  taking  in  our 
cause,  with  the  late  arrival  of  their  formidable  fleet  in  the  bay  of 
the  Chei^apeake,  call  for  our  utmost  gratitude,  and  with  the  smiles 
of  heaven  on  our  combined  operations,  gives  us  the  happiest  pre- 
sage of  the  most  pleasing  events — events,  which  in  their  issue,  may 
lead  to  an  honorable  and  permanent  peace. 

"  I  thank  you  most  cordially  for  your  prayers  and  good  wishes 
for  my  prosperity.  May  the  author  of  all  blessings  aid  our  united 
exertions  in  the  cause  of  liberty  and  universal  peace ;  and  may  the 
particular  blessing  of  heaven  rest  on  you  and  the  worthy  citizens 
of  this  flourishing  town  of  Baltimore. 

"I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

"  Geo.  Washington." 

Towards  the  close  of  the  summer  of  1779,  the  country  was 
greatly  agitated  by  the  existence  of  financial  embarrassments. 
Meetings  were  held  in  the  chief  cities  on  the  subject.  Congress 
was  powerless  to  stay  the  downward  tendency  of  the  paper  cur- 
rency; it  continued  to  depreciate,  and  prices  to  rise.  Early  in 
1780,  forty  paper  dollars  were  worth  only  one  in  specie.  The  com- 
missaries found  it  extremely  difficult  to  purchase  supplies  for  the 
army,  for  the  people  refused  to  exchange  their  articles  for  the  al- 


192  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

most  worthless  paper.  Direct  taxes  had  been  unsuccessfully  tried 
to  replenish  the  treasury,  and  as  supplies  could  not  be  obtained,  a 
speedy  dissolution  of  the  army  and  abandonment  of  the  rebellion 
seemed  inevitable.  Congress  was  obliged  to  open  new  resources 
for  the  supply  of  the  army,  and  required  eafh  State  to  furnish  a 
certain  quantity  of  beef,  pork,  flour,  corn,  forage,  and  other  articles, 
which  were  deposited  in  such  places  as  the  Commander-in-chief 
should  determine.  The  States  were  to  be  credited  for  the  amount 
at  a  fixed  valuation  in  specie.  This  scheme  was  utterly  imprac- 
ticable, from  the  want  of  authority  to  enforce  the  demands,  and 
the  distance  of  several  States  from  the  army,  and  Congress  speedily 
abandoned  it.  The  following  bill  of  items  is  preserved,  and  illus- 
trates the  value  of  the  Continental  bills  in  1781 : 

Captain  A.  McLane 

Bought  of  W.  NiCHOLLS, 

January  5th,  1781. 
1  pair  boots,  $  600 

6|  yds.  calico,  at  85  ds.  ...---  753 


6  yds.  chintz,  at  150  ds. 


900 
4f  yds.  moreen,  at  100  ds.  ...---  450 

4  hdks.,  at  100  ds.  .......  400 

8  yds.  quality  binding,  4  de.         -  -  -  -  -  -  33 

1  skein  of  silk,  ......  IQ 

$3,144 
If  paid  in  specie,  £18  10s. 

Received  payment  in  full  for  Wm.  Nicholls, 

JoNA  Jones. 

Sept.  9th,  the  Count  de  Eochambeau,  Major-General  and  com- 
mander of  the  French  troops  in  America,  (under  the  orders  of 
General  Washington)  with  his  suite,  arrived  in  Baltimore,  and 
after  a  short  stay,  proceeded  southward.  This  great  officer  re- 
ceived every  mark  of  respect  from  the  inhabitants  that  his  short 
stay  admitted.  The  same  evening  Brig.-Gen.  Marquis  de  Chastellux, 
of  the  French  army,  also  arrived.  Within  the  week  several  hun- 
dred wagons  and  carts  loaded  with  the  baggage,  provisions,  &c.,  of 
the  allied  army,  passed  through  town  on  their  way  to  Annapolis, 
to  embark  for  Yorktown.  A  brigade  of  New  York  State  troops, 
under  the  command  of  Gen.  James  Clinton,  embarked  and  sailed 
from  Fell's  Point.  Mr.  James  Kigsbury  unfortunately  received  a 
mortal  w^ound  in  the  discharge  of  one  of  the  cannon  that  were  fired 
as  a  salute  to  the  Count  de  liochambeau. 

David  McMechan  and  Henry  Wilson  were  el  jcted  delegates  to 
represent  the  town  in  the  General  Assembly. 

Messrs.  John  Cornthwait,  Gerard  Hopkins,  George  Mathews, 
John  and  David  Brown,  and  others  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  who 
until  now  had  held  their  meetings  at  the  house  on  the  Harford  road, 
buy  a  spacious  lot,  and  build  a  meeting-house  between  Baltimore 
and  Pitt  streets,  where  they  inter  their  deceased  members. 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  193 

The  following  letter  was  written  by  Gen.  La  Fayette  to  Gov. 
Thomas  Sims  Lee,  when  the  former  was  on  his  march  southward : 

"  Elk,  April  10,  1781. 

"  Sir : — I  have  received  your  Excellency's  favor  of  the  8th  in- 
stant, and  most  sincerely  lament  the  depredations  committed  by 
the  enemy.  This  cruel  and  savage  way  of  making  war  is  the  more 
exasperating,  as  it  is  out  of  our  power  either  to  punish  or  prevent 
these  devastations.  Every  town  lying  on  the  bay  or  the  rivers  is 
so  defenceless  and  exposed,  that  each  of  them  requires  a  force  to 
defend  it  superior  to  what  the  enemy  will  send  for  its  reduction. 
So  far  as  relates  to  armed  vessels  and  privateers,  I  should  think 
that  militia  could  be  collected  to  oppose  the  landing  of  a  few 
sailors.  As  to  the  movements  of  the  British  troops,  they  are  so 
rapid,  and  it  is  so  impossible  to  defend  both  shores  of  every  river, 
that  with  the  least  judgment  they  may  elude  our  opposition. 

"  I  have  made  preparations  for  an  immediate  movement,  and  if 
no  obstacles  occur,  shall  march  to-morrow  with  the  whole  detach- 
ment. The  new  latitude  added  to  my  instructions  gives  me  the 
liberty  of  doing  what  I  could  not  even  think  of  when  at  Annapolis. 
The  same  zeal  1  had  to  execute  my  first  orders  will  prompt  me 
to  advance  rapidly  into  the  Southern  States.  However  inadequate 
I  am  to  the  defence  of  Annapolis,  Baltimore  and  Alexandria  at 
once,  I  will  hasten  to  the  point  that  will  be  nearest  to  those  three 
places.  I  request  your  Excellency  to  furnish  me  speedy  minuted 
and  frequent  intelligence. 

"  It  will  be  necessary  that  a  collection  of  wagons  and  horses  be 
made  at  Baltimore,  in  order  to  relieve  those  which  we  take  from 
this  place.  I  beg  leave  to  requetst  your  Excellency  will  please  to 
order  that  a  quantity  of  live  cattle  and  flour  be  also  collected  at 
that  place  ;  the  rapidity  of  our  movements  wholly  depends  upon 
the  precautions  that  will  be  taken  for  our  transportation  and  subsis- 
tence. I  hope,  sir,  that  precautions  will  be  taken  for  the  safety  of 
our  stores  now  at  or  near  Indian  Landing.  General  Smallwood  will 
certainly  dispose  of  them  in  the  best  manner,  but  I  request  yoii 
will  acquaint  him  that  if  I  proceed  southward,  I  will  want  the 
musket  cartridges. 

"  When  I  was  coming  up  the  bay,  two  men  came  on  board  mj^ 
vessel,  which  then  was  full  of  my  troops,  and  a  part  of  the  fleet 
and  detachment  under  my  command.  Having  been  induced  to  mis- 
take us  for  British,  they  gave  us  every  intelligence  in  their  power; 
ofl'ered  to  guide  us  to  several  places  on  the  shore,  and  in  telling  us 
they  had  been  on  board  the  Hope,  and  had  supplied  the  enemjr 
with  provisions,  offered  to  pilot  us  to  a  place  where  they  had  a 
sloop  loaded  with  flour,  and  ready  to  slip  ofl"  to  Portsmouth.  One 
of  them  went  with  Major  McPherson,  whom  they,  took,  as  well  as 
every  one  of  us,  to  be  British  spies ;  the  other  was  put  in  irons 
immediately  after  the  departure  of  his  comrade  in  a  barge  with 
13 


194  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

my  aide-de-camp.  As  soon  as  Major  McPherson  arrives,  I  will 
have  both  of  them  tried  and  executed,  as  they  come  within  the 
description  of  spies,  giving  intelligence  to  the  enemy,  and  going  to 
them  for  imparting  the  remarks  they  have  made  among  us,  with 
an  oifer  to  guide  them  to  attack  our  people  in  consequence  of  the 
intelligence  which  they  have  collected  among  us  for  that  purpose. 
Maj.  McPherson  being  gone  with  the  spy  and  six  soldiers  (sup- 
posed by  that  man  to  be  British),  I  have  not  yet  heard  from  them. 
They  were  to  land  in  Gunpowder  creek,  and  I  request  your  Ex- 
cellency will  please  to  send  there,  as  I  am  uneasy  on  that  matter, 
and  I  am  afraid  something  has  happened  to  McPherson. 

"  In  requesting  my  best  regards  to  be  presented  to  Mrs.  Lee,  I 
have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.,  La  Fayette." 

When  La  Fayette  halted  in  Baltimore,  on  his  way  to  join  the 
army  at  the  South,  a  ball  was  given  in  honor  of  his  arrival.  One 
of  the  ladies,  observing  that  he  appeared  sad,  inquired  the  cause. 
"  I  cannot  enjoy  the  gayety  of  the  scene,"  the  Marquis  replied, 
"  while  so  many  of  the  poor  soldiers  are  in  want  of  clothes."  "We 
will  supply  them,"  was  the  prompt  response.  The  next  morning 
the  ball-room  was  turned  into  a  clothing  manufactory.  Fathers 
and  husbands  furnished  the  materials ;  daughters  and  wives  plied 
the  needle  at  their  grateful  task.  Mrs.  David  Poe  [see  La  Fay- 
ette's visit,  1824],  with  her  own  hands,  it  is  said,  cut  out  five  hun- 
dred garments  and  superintended  the  making  of  them.  Such  were 
the  women  of  the  Eevolution.  La  Fayette,  a  short  time  after  this, 
sent  the  following  grateful  letter,  never  before  published,  to  the 
Committee  of  Observation  in  Baltimore : 

"Mr.  Lyon's  Plantation,  20  miles  from  Williamsburg, 

''July  the  3d,  1781. 
*' Gentlemen— 'By  Major  McHenry  you  will  receive  some  papers 
that  relate  to  the  affair  in  which  you  have  so  kindly  assisted  me, 
but  I  claim  the  pleasure  personally  to  express  my  obligations  to 
you,  and  by  you  to  be  convinced  that  you  have  excited  the  most 
grateful  and  everlasting  sentiments  in  my  heart.  Permit  me  to 
request  my  respectful  thanks  may  be  presented  to  the  ladies  of 
Baltimore  — I  am  proud  of  my  obligations  to  them  —  not  only  from 
a  general  respect  to  the  fair  sex,  but  more  particularly  because  I 
know  the  accomplishment  of  those  to  whom  I  am  indebted.  I  am 
bappy  in  the  ties  of  gratitude  that  bind  me  to  them,  and  beg  leave 
once  more  to  assure  you  of  the  regard  and  attachment  I  have  the 
honor  to  bear. 

"  Your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

"  La  Fayette." 

The  followmg  address  was  presented,  on  the  5th  of  November, 
by  the  citizens  of  Baltimore,  to  the  Marquis  De  La  Fayette,  who 
passed  through  the  town  : 


CHBONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  195 

"  It  is  with  peculiar  satisfaction  that  the  citizens  of  Baltimore 
embrace  the  present  moment  to  express  a  gratitude  which  they 
will  always  owe  to  Maj.-Gen.  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  and  to 
congratulate  him  personally  on  the  late  important  events  in  Vir- 
ginia and  South  Carolina,  so  glorious  and  consequential  to  America. 
Among  the  first  in  our  cause,  you  early  found  a  way  to  our  affec- 
tions, with  him  who  has  struggled  with  our  various  difficulties 
since  their  beginning.  At  a  time  when  we  gained  an  ally,  your 
good  offices  could  not  but  increase  a  cordiality  which  must  render 
our  union  with  France  permanent.  In  particular,  we  cannot  suffi- 
ciently acknowledge  our  sense  of  your  late  campaign  in  Virginia, 
where,  with  a  few  regulars  and  militia,  you  opposed  the  British 
commander,  from  whose  large  army  and  military  talents  this  State 
had  serious  cause  of  apprehension.  These  things,  sir,  have  ren- 
dered you  dear  to  us,  and  we  feel  the  highest  gratification  in 
seeing  once  more  in  our  town  the  man  who  will  always  hold  a 
first  place  in  our  hearts." 

To  which  Major-Gen.  De  La  Fayette  answered  as  follows : 

*^  In  the  affectionate  attentions  of  the  citizens  of  a  free  town, 
I  would  find  a  reward  for  the  services  of  a  whole  life.  The  honor 
to  have  been  among  the  first  American  soldiers,  is  for  me  a  source 
of  the  greatest  happiness.  I  participate  with  you  in  the  glorious 
events  that  have  taken  place  under  his  Excellency  General  Wash- 
ington's immediate  command,  and  under  Gen.  Greene.  I  enjoy  the 
effects  these  will  have  on  the  success  of  our  noble  cause,  and  par- 
ticularly the  advantages  which  they  will  aff'ord  to  this  State.  The 
time  when  I  had  the  honor  to  command  the  army  in  Virginia, 
which  you  are  pleased  so  politely  to  mention,  has  only  shown  that 
the  courage  and  fortitude  of  American  troops  are  superior  to  every 
kind  of  difficulty.  My  campaign  began  with  a  personal  obligation 
to  the  inhabitants  of  Baltimore ;  at  the  end  of  it  I  find  myself 
bound  to  them  by  a  new  tie  of  everlasting  gratitude. 

"La  Fayette." 

General  Washington  and  lady  arrived  in  Baltimore  the  19th  day 
of  November,  from  Virginia,  and  the  next  morning  proceeded  on 
their  way  to  Philadelphia. 

The  13th  December  was  appointed  and  kept  as  a  day  of  general 
thanksgiving. 

The  period  limited  for  the  first  Senate  was  now  expiring,  and 
at  the  election  held  this  year,  Charles  Carroll,  Esq.,  barrister,  was 
re-elected  to  the  new  Senate,  with  Messrs.  John  Smith  and  James 
McHenry,  of  this  town. 

Thomas  C.  Deye,  John  B.  Howard,  Charles  Ridgely  of  Wil- 
liam, and  Samuel  Worthington,  Esqrs.,  were  elected  delegates  for 
the  county. 

Henry  Wilson,  Esq.,  succeeded  Mr.  Alexander  as  one  of  the 
members  for  the  town. 


196  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

Extracts  from  the  letters  of  Geo.  P.  Keeports,,  purchasing 
agent  in  Baltimore  Town,  to  Gov.  Thomas  Sims  Lee  in  1780-81  : 

"  There  is  about  40  dozen  df  excellent  stockings  to  be  had  if 
wanting,  at  £185  per  doz."  "  I  have  searched  the  town  over,  and 
cannot  find  any  trimmings.  There  may  be  had  about  two  pounds 
scarlet  buff  and  blue-colored  sewing-silk  at  £220  per  lb.,  which  is 
all  I  can  find."  "  Mr.  John  Hudson  has  a  quantity  (about  600) 
blankets ;  they  are  very  thick  and  a  good  quality,  but  some  rather 
small  —  not  more  than  five  feet  square.  His  price  is  £125  per 
piece."  "  I  have  bought  20  pairs  of  shoes  at  $50  per  pair,  to  supply 
the  immediate  wants  of  the  recruits.  I  have  engaged  buttons  for 
the  officers  with  one  Mr,  Evans,  who  makes  very  fine  buttons, 
and  marks  them  with  the  number  of  the  regiment  and  the  letter 
M.  The  coat-buttons  at  £18  per  dozen,  and  waistcoat-buttons  at 
£16  per  dozen."  Mr.  Evans  afterwards  raised  his  prices  to  £22  10s. 
for  coat-buttons  and  £18  per  dozen  for  jacket  buttons.  "  There  may 
be  about  800  yards  more  Olnaburgs  had  at  $19  per  yard,  and  some 
more  shoes  by  paying  the  money  down."  "  Hired  two  wagons  — 
all  I  could  get  in  town  —  one  at  £35  and  the  other  at  £40  per 
day."  Pewter,  $40  per  lb. ;  lead,  $30  per  lb.  ;•  and  shoes,  $140 
per  pair.     The  following  scale  of  depreciation  is  also  preserved  : 

Value  of  $100  in  Specie  in  Continental  Money. 

Months.  17T7.  1778.  1779.  1780.  1781. 

January 105  325  742  2934           7400 

February 107  350  868  8322           7500 

March 109  370  1000  8736 

April 112  400  1104  4000 

May 115  400  1215  4600 

June 120  400  1342  6400 

July 125  425  1477  8900 

August • 150  450  1630  7000 

Seutember 175  475  1800  7100 

October 275  500  2030  7200 

November 300  545  2308  7300 

December 310  634  2593  7400         Nothing. 

1782._  The  following  notice  from  the  Maryland  Journal  is  the 
first  intimation  we  have  of  the  wishes  of  the  citizens  of  Baltimore 
town  to  be  incorporated  as  a  city.  This  was  defeated,  however,  by 
the  laboring  classes.  "  April  2d,  notice  is  hereby  given  to  all 
whom  it  may  concern,  that  the  inhabitants  of  Baltimore  intend 
petitioning  the  ensuing  General  Assembly,  to  incorporate  said 
town." 

The  following  mills  were  appointed  by  William  McLaughlin, 
commissary  of  provisions  for  Baltimore  county,  to  receive  wheat 
that  may  be  paid  in  the  discharge  of  taxes:  Benjamin  Griffith's, 
Col.  James  Gittings',  Benjamin  Eogers*,  Capt.  Charles  Eidgely's, 
Thomas  Matthews',  Jacob  Lemmon's,  Arthur  Chinwith's,  Samuel 
Owings',  Doc.  William  Lyon's,  Solomon  Allen's,  and  Henry 
Brown's. 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  197 

On  the  2l8t  of  April,  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  upon 
the  Eev.  Patrick  Allison,  by  the  University  of  the  City  of 
Philadelphia. 

On  the  13th  of  June,  a  proclamation  was  issued  by  Thomas 
Sim  Lee,  Esq.,  Grovernor  of  Maryland,  announcing  the  birth  of  a 
Dauphin  of  France,  and  appointing  the  25th  of  the  same  month  as 
the  da}^  for  the  celebration  of  the  auspicious  event.  "I  cannot 
doubt,"  says  the  Governor,  "that  the  citizens  of  this  State  will 
unite  in  the  joy  which  an  occasion  so  nearly  affecting  the  happi- 
ness of  our  ally  will  not  fail  to  inspire,  while  they  experience  a 
new  source  of  satisfaction  on  the  birth  of  a  prince  from  whom  we 
have  every  reason  to  expect  a  continuance  of  the  blessings  of  our 
alliance — the  same  lively  attention  to  the  injured  and  oppressed, 
and  all  those  great  qualities  which  have  excited  our  admiration 
and  gratitude,  and  which  so  eminently  distinguished  his  illustrious 
father."  The  day  selected  by  the  Governor  was  celebrated  in 
Baltimore  by  an  elegant  dinner,  provided  at  a  place  called  the 
"Independent  Spring,"  at  which  were  present  the  Chevalier 
D'Anmour,  the  French  consul,  and  a  number  of  strangers  and 
French  gentlemen.  After  dinner,  many  toasts  were  drunk,  and 
the  entertainment  was  closed  with  that  harmony  and  good  humor 
which  in  a  peculiar  manner  distinguished  the  day.  This  was  in 
honor  of  the  unfortunate  Louis  XVI L,  the  victim  of  the  subse- 
quent French  Revolution. 

On  account  of  the  great  suffering  by  the  Maryland  Line  in  the 
Southern  army  for  the  want  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  the  following 
very  interesting  letter  was  written  by  Gen.  Williams  to  Gov.  Lee : 

"  Annapolis,  1th  July,  1782. 

^^  Sir : — My  attachment  to  the  service  of  my  country,  and  the 
interest  I  feel  in  whatever  concerns  the  honor  and  happiness  of 
my  fellow-soldiers,  are  the  only  considerations  which  induce  me  to 
communicate  to  your  Excellency  the  complaints  of  the  Maryland 
Line  now  with  the  Southern  army. 

"  It  is  known  and  acknowledged  that  the  troops  of  this  State, 
ever  since  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution,  have  participated 
in  the  greatest  fatigues  and  perseverance,  and  that  in  the  extremity 
of  their  sufferings  their  complaints  have  always  approached  the 
ear  of  civil  authority  with  humility  and  respect. 

"  It  is  also  known  that  since  the  Maryland  troops  have  served 
in  the  Southern  States  (which  is  now  more  than  two  years),  they 
have  upon  the  most  arduous  occasions  given  the  highest  satisfaction 
to  the  Generals  who  have  successively  commanded  the  Southern 
army,  and  particularly  to  their  present  enterprising  commanding 
officer,  General  Greene,  under  whom  they  have  performed  the  most 
gallant  services.  And  that  they  are  the  only  troops  who  have  con- 
stantly kept  the  field  under  every  difficulty,  since  the  spring  of  1780, 
without  a  shilling  of  pay  real  or  nominal,   without  a  supply  of 


198  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

clothing  at  any  time  equal  to  their  necessities ;  and  without  any- 
other  subsistence  than  what,  with  the  assistance  of  the  rest  of  the 
army,  they  have  occasionally  collected,  by  force  of  arras,  in  a  country 
once  entirely  in  subjection,  and  in  a  very  great  degree  attached  to 
the  enemy. 

"  No  distresses,  no  dangers  have  ever  shaken  the  firmness  of 
their  spirits,  nor  induced  them  to  swerve  from  their  duty.  They 
have  a  long  time  patiently  suffered  the  neglect  of  their  country, 
not  without  murmuring,  it  is  true,  but  without  mutiny  or  disaffec- 
tion, to  a  cause  which  they  are  endeavoring  to  maintain  with 
their  blood.  But  what  man  or  body  of  men  will  long  forbear  to 
express  their  apprehensions  of  injustice  when  they  find  some  of 
their  companions  disbanding  themselves  and  receiving  a  compensa- 
tion for  past  services ;  and  others  reinlisted,  or  new  levies,  in  the 
same  service,  receiving  large  bounties  in  specie,  for  three  years, 
which  they  who  have  already  served  twice  that  time  have  never 
received  nor  expected ;  and  that  every  corps  by  which  they  have 
been  reinforced,  from  time  to  time,  has  received  more  or  less  cash 
for  pay,  subsistence,  &c.,  before  they  could  be  induced  to  march 
from  the  State  in  which  they  were  incorporated. 

"  A  part  of  the  troops  now  with  the  Southern  army  has,  I  am 
well  informed,  received  pay  for  several  months,  and  some  corps 
belonging  to  the  Northern  army  have  received  pay  from  the  States 
in  which  they  were  raised. 

"  These  considerations,  and  similar  ones  which  might  be  added, 
will  and  do  naturally  occasion  jealousies  which  may  in  their  con- 
sequences produce  very  unhappy  effects. 

"  I  would  not  be  understood  to  insinuate  that  the  officers  have 
not  virtue  enough  to  submit  to  every  species  of  neglect,  injustice, 
and  partiality  that  can  be  imposed,  sooner  than  concur  in  anything 
fatal  to  the  community  they  serve ;  but  the  common  soldiers,  who 
are  men  of  less  consideration,  will  compel  them  to  waive  the  exer- 
cise of  their  authority,  or  reduce  them  to  the  unhappy  necessity 
of  maintaining  a  slavish  discipline  by  examples  dreadful  to  hu- 
manity. 

"I  therefore  most  humbly  solicit,  in  behalf  of  both  officers  and 
soldiers,  that  your  Excellency,  with  the  concurrence  of  your  Coun- 
cil, will  be  pleased  to  address  the  honorable  the  Congress  to  in- 
struct the  minister  of  finance  to  appropriate  a  part  of  the  specie 
tax  to  be  levied  in  this  State,  to  the  payment  of  the  Maryland 
troops ;  and  that  the  same  may  be  put  into  the  hands  of  a  proper 
person  for  that  purpose,  so  soon  as  it  is  collected. 

"  I  cannot  doubt,  if  this  should  be  granted,  and  the  good  people 
of  Maryland  should  be  advertised  of  the  purpose  for  which  the 
money  is  to  be  raised,  that  speedy  voluntary  payments  will  an- 
ticipate the  necessity  of  executing  property  for  the  tax  according 
to  the  act  of  Assembly,  and  prevent  those  calamitous  consequences 
that  may  attend  a  continuance  of  their  grievances. 


CHBONICLES  OF  BALTIMOBE.  199 

"  I  beg  that  the  occasion  may  be  my  apology  for  giving  your 
Excellency  this  trouble. 

"  With  the  greatest  respect  and  esteem,  I  am  your  Excellency's 
most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

"  O.  H.  Williams. 

"  His  Excellency  Governor  T.  S.  Lee," 

Count  de  Eochambeau,  on  the  10th  of  July,  with  his  suite, 
arrived  in  Baltimore  from  Virginia,  and  the  next  morning  set  off 
for  Philadelphia.  The  elegant  answer  of  this  great  and  gallant 
officer  to  an  affectionate  and  polite  address  of  the  corporation  of 
the  city  of  Williamsburg,  on  his  leaving  that  place,  contains  the 
following  paragraph  :  ''  Happy  to  serve  my  sovereign,  in  giving 
effect  to  those  noble  and  distinguished  principles  which  attach 
him  to  the  cause  of  America,  I  feel  an  additional  satisfaction  in 
having  fought  in  Virginia,  under  the  auspices  of  a  Virginia  Gen- 
eral, whose  glory,  equally  celebrated  in  both  hemispheres,  shines 
with  particular  lustre  in  his  native  country." 

The  Chesapeake  bay  was  visited  by  ships  of  war  of  France  and 
England  alternately ;  some  armed  barges  were  particularly  trouble- 
some to  the  coasters.  On  the  5th  of  July,  Capt  Simmons,  in  the 
brig  Ranger ^  goi"g  out  of  the  Potomac,  with  his  pikes  beat  off  and 
killed  Barry  and  wounded  Whaland,  two  famous  barge  men ;  but 
on  the  30th  of  November,  three  of  them  attacked,  and  after  killing 
Captain  Whalley,  killed  and  wounded  sixty-five  out  of  seventy- 
five  men ;  the  brave  survivors  being  without  small  cartridges, 
which  had  taken  fire  early  in  the  action,  were  captured,  with  the 
State's  galley.  This  was  said  to  be,  and  with  great  propriety  no 
doubt,  the  most  bloody  conflict  which  had  taken  place  during  the 
war. 

Samuel  Sterett,  Esq.,  was  appointed  Secretary  to  the  President 
of  Congress. 

A  deputation  of  the  merchants  of  Baltimore,  on  the  29th  of 
July,  waited  upon  his  Excellency  Count  de  Eochambeau,  then  in 
this  city,  and  presented  him  with  the  following  address : 

"  We,  the  merchants  of  this  Town  of  Baltimore,  impressed  with 
a  grateful  sense  of  the  important  services  rendered  by  your  Ex- 
cellency, and  the  gallant  forces  under  your  command,  to  the 
United  States,  and  more  particularly  to  the  State  of  Maryland, 
beg  leave  to  wait  upon  your  Excellency,  and  return  you  our  most 
sincere  thanks,  in  this  public  manner,  for  the  distinguished  aid  and 
protection  which  you  have,  from  time  to  time,  so  willingly  afforded 
to  the  commercial  interests  of  this  State ;  and  to  inform  your  Ex- 
cellency that  we  are  happy  in  the  opportunity  of  paying  you  this 
tribute  so  justly  due  to  distinguished  merit.  And  permit  us,  sir,  on 
this  occasion,  to  observe  that  when  the  distresses  of  this  country 
rendered  an  application  to  the  French  nation  for  assistance  neces- 
sary, the  wisdom  of  your  Sovereign  pointed  out  your  Excelleoicy 


200  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

as  the  grand  instniment  to  assist  in  our  salvation  ;  and  with  grati- 
tude, we  remark  that  the  objects  of  your  appointment  have  been 
fully  answered,  and  the  events  that  have  taken  place  since  your 
happy  arrival  in  America,  and  in  which  you  acted  so  distinguished 
a  part,  fully  evince  the  propriety  of  your  Sovereign's  choice,  and 
the  magnanimity  of  his  intentions  toward  us  —  for  we  have  seen 
a  British  army,  numerous  and  well  appointed,  become  prisoners  of 
war  to  the  united  exertions  of  the  combined  armies  of  France  and 
America,  an  event  that  was  considerably  accelerated  by  the  great 
experience  and  military  talents  of  your  Excellency,  and  the  value 
of  the  officers  and  soldiers  under  your  command,  and  which,  we 
trust,  will  tend  eventually  to  the  establishment  of  the  rights  and 
liberties  of  this  country,  the  purposes  for  which  you  have  so  gen- 
erously drawn  your  sword. 

"  And  we  beg  leave  also,  amidst  the  general  joy  diffused  by  the 
"birth  of  a  Dauphin  bf  France,  to  congratulate  your  Excellency  on 
that  auspicious  event ;  and  it  is  our  fervent  wish  and  prayer,  that 
Jie  may  long  live  to  tread  the  footsteps  of  his  illustrious  father,  in 
being  the  friend  of  the  distressed,  and  the  advocate  of  the  liberties 
of  mankind.  In  hopes  that  your  Excellency  will  enjoy  health  and 
happiness,  while  you  reside  among  us,  and  on  return  to  your 
native  country,  may  you  be  rewarded  by  your  sovereign  in  pro- 
portion to  your  merits  and  services.  We  remain,  with  sentiments 
of  gratitude  and  esteem,  on  behalf  of  the  merchants  of  Baltimore, 
your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servants, 

"  Samuel  Purviance, 

"  ElCHARD  CURSON, 

"  Samuel  Smith, 
"  Mark  Pringle, 
"  William  Patterson. 
"  Baltimore,  July  29,  1782." 

To  which  His  Excellency  was  pleased  to  return  the  following 
answer : 

"To' the  merchants  of  the  town  of  Baltimore: 
"  Gentlemen : — The  intentions  of  the  King,  my  master,  towards 
his  faithful  allies,  being  his  auxiliary  troops,  should  not  only 
protect  the  liberties  of  the  United  States,  but  watch  over  their 
commercial  interests,  as  often  and  as  much  as  it  would  be  in  their 
power.  I  have  felt  a  peculiar  pleasure  to  have  been  able  to  render 
Bome  services  to  your  State.  The  noblest  reward  for  me  is,  without 
doubt,  the  approbation  of  such  a  respectable  body  of  citizens. 
The  praises  which  you  are  able  to  bestow  on  my  conduct,  and  that 
of  the  officers  and  soldiers  under  my  command,  are  due,  in  a  great 
measure,  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  and  his  army,  to 
whose  exertions  wo  have  had  the  honor  to  co-operate,  in  the  re- 
duction of  the  British  army  at  Yorktown.  My  Sovereign  will 
certainly  be  impressed  with  a  grateful  sense  of  the  general  joy 


CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE.  201 

which  has  been  diffused  among  the  people  of  all  ranks  in  the 
United  States,  upon  the  birth  of  an  heir  to  his  kingdom.  I  shall 
not  fail  to  make  him  acquainted  with  your  patriotic  and  generous 
wishes.  I  embrace  with  pleasure,  gentlemen,  this  occasion,  to 
render  you  my  sincere  thanks  for  the  readiness  with  which  you 
have  taken  in  your  houses  our  staff-officers  and  others,  whose  duty 
and  station  render  the  convenience  of  a  house  absolutely  necessary 
to  them.  I  flatter  myself  that  they  will  maintain,  with  you,  that 
good  understanding  and  harmony  of  sentiments  which  we  have 
been  happy  enough  to  experience  till  now,  from  your  fellow-citizens 
in  the  different  States.  Le  Cte.  de  Eochambeau." 

At  the  first  session  of  the  Assembly  this  year,  Col.  Howard  laid 
off  part  of  the  tract  adjoining  his  father's  first  addition  and  that 
before  made  by  Mr.  Hall,  and  annexed  to  the  town  all  the  grounds 
east  of  the  street,  to  which  the  Colonel  gave  the  name  of  Eutaw 
street.  Beyond  that,  and  on  the  street  which  he  called  Lexington 
street,  he  laid  off  a  spacious  lot  for  a  public  market,  which  was  im- 
proved and  appropriated  to  that  purpose  twenty  years  after.  The 
Colonel  appropriated  another  spacious  lot  of  ground  bounded  by 
German,  Eutaw  and  Paca  streets  and  Cowpen  alley,  for  the  use  of 
the  State,  should  the  Greneral  Assembly  accept  and  make  it  the 
seat  of  government  within  that  period.  Though  an  effort  was  made 
to  carry  the  removal  in  the  House  of  Delegates  at  the  same  session, 
it  was  rejected  by  a  vote  of  twenty  to  nineteen,  and  has  failed  as 
often  as  it  was  proposed  as  well  during  the  twenty  years  limited 
as  afterwards ;  and  whether  it  is  or  is  not  a  matter  of  less  interest 
to  the  citizens,  it  is  cfertain  that  they  now  view  it  with  more  indif- 
ference than  they  do  the  proportion  of  representation  allowed  them. 
Until  this  time  none  of  the  streets  of  Baltimore  Town,  except  here 
and  there  on  the  sidewalks,  were  paved,  and  the  main  street  espe- 
cially, from  the  depth  of  soil,  was  actually  impassable  some  part  of 
the  spring  and  fall  seasons,  from  the  market-house  at  Gay  street  to 
Calvert  street.  Mr.  Robert  Gilmor,  before  his  death,  said  that  when 
the  army  passed  through  Baltimore  in  1781,  a  mounted  drummer 
boy  nearly  swamped  in  Baltimore  street  opposite  to  North  street, 
in  a  deep  mud-hole  from  which  the  rider  and  his  horse  were  with 
difficulty  extricated. 

In  this  year  the  streets  were  begun  to  be  paved,  especially  the 
main  or  Market  street.  Sidewalks  were  laid,  and  the  width  of  the 
cellar  doors  and  of  the  old-fashioned  porches  of  front  doors  limited, 
so  that  the* burghers  could  not  take  up  too  much  space  allowed  for 
pedestrians,  while  enjoying  their  evening  chat  or  pipe  before  their 
dwellings.  Wharves,  too,  were  built,  and  laws  made  to  guard  the 
streets  from  nuisances,  and  the  harbor  from  street  drainage,  while 
the  streets  themselves  were  only  to  be  used  by  vehicles  of  a  certain 
breadth  of  wheel.  To  defray  these  expenses,  an  auction  tax  was 
laid  on  the  sales  of  the  only  auctioneer  in  the  town,  Thomas  Yates; 


202  CHRONICLES    OF   BALTIMORE. 

a  tax  was  also  imposed  on  public  exhibitions  and  on  assessed  prop- 
erty ;  and  that  common  panacea,  an  annual  lottery,  was  authorized, 
to  bring  up  the  arrears  of  deficiencies  in  municipal  expenses.  The 
executive  of  this  system  was  a  board  of  commissioners,  with  ample 
powers  to  aid  the  town  commissioners,  so  that  the  new  board,  in 
fact  the  first  "  Civic  Fathers  "  of  Baltimore,  composed  of  William 
Spear,  James  Sterrett,  Engelhardt  Yeiser,  George  Linden berger, 
Jesse  Hollingsworth,  Thos.  Elliott  and  Peter  Hoifman,  was  made  a 
sort  of  body  politic  and  corporate,  authorized  to  fill  their  own 
vacancies,  appoint  a  treasurer,  collect  fines  for  the  use  of  the  town, 
appoint  constables,  and  to  report  their  accounts  to  the  town  com- 
missioners. At  the  ensuing  session  of  the  Legislature  it  was 
thought  that  the  powers  thus  conferred  on  a  self-appointing  and 
irresponsible  body  were  too  extensive ;  and  accordingly  provision 
was  made  for  the  removal  of  the  first  set,  and  the  selection  of 
others  every  five  years  by  elected  electors.  In  recording  these 
primordial  city  foundations,  it  is  due  to  the  memory  of  our  ex- 
cellent ancestry  in  town  government,  to  record  the  names  of  Wil- 
liam Smith,  John  Moale,  Eichard  Eidgely,  Daniel  Bowly,  Hercules 
Courtney  and  John  Sterrett,  who  then  filled  the  important  function 
of  town  commissioners  of  Baltimore. 

A  line  of  stage  coaches  were  established  between  Baltimore  and 
Philadelphia,  by  Mr.  Gabriel  P.  Yanhorne,  with  Mr.  Nathaniel 
Twining,  and  others.  They  afterwards  extended  the  line  to  Alex- 
andria. The  town  was  then  said  to  contain  8000  inhabitants,  and 
eight  places  of  worship,  viz :  Episcopalian,  Presbyterian,  Luthe- 
ran, Dutch  Calvinists,  Roman  Catholics,  Baptists,  Quakers  and 
Methodists,  one  for  each  society. 

^r.  Charles  Eidgely,  of  John,  and  others,  at  the  November  ses- 
sion of  the  Assembly,  procured  the  addition  to  the  town  of  those 
grounds  called  Gist's  Inspection  and  Timber  Neck,  lying  south  of 
the  former  additions  and  upon  the  middle  branch  ;  and  Mr.  Benja- 
min Eogers,  and  others,  those  which  lay  between  Fell's  Prospect 
and  Harris's  creek.  These  were  the  last  specific  additions  by  act 
of  Assembly,  and  the  power  given  to  the  corporation  to  admit 
other  grounds  by  the  consent  of  the  owners,  being  exercised  only 
in  one  instance  relating  to  some  lots  on  North  Howard  street,  be- 
tween Saratoga  and  Mulberry  street,  no  change  of  limits  was  ef- 
fected for  many  years,  nor  until  the  population  of  the  precincts 
had  become  equal  to  the  third  of  the  city  itself 

The  Hon.  Thomas  Sim  Lee,  Governor  of  this  State,  and  his 
lady,  accompanied  by  several  other  persons  of  distinction,  arrived 
in  Baltimore  on  the  3d  of  August  from  Annapolis,  and  on  the  next 
morning  was  saluted  (on  his  entrance  into  the  French  camp)  by  a 
discharge  of  twenty-one  pieces  of  cannon.  In  the  afternoon  the 
French  forces,  consisting  of  upwards  of  5000  men,  were  reviewed 
by  his  Excellency  the  Count  de  Eochambeau,  &c.,  in  the  presence 
of  his  Honor  the  Governor,  several  strangers  of  distinction,  an(^  a 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  203 

numerous  concourse  of  respectable  citizens.  The  appearance  and 
behavior  of  these  veteran  soldiers  reflected  the  highest  honor  on 
their  officers  as  well  as  themselves,  and  gave  the  greatest  satis- 
faction to  the  spectators. 

Count  Eoohambeau  returning  with  his  army  from  Yorktown, 
halted  in  Baltimore,  and  some  of  his  troops  remained  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  Besides  the  cavalry  and  infantry  of  the  legion 
of  the  Duke  De  Lauzun,  the  division  included  the  regiments  of 
Bourbonnois,  Deux  Fonts,  Saintonge,  and  Soissonnois.  The 
officers,  among  whom  were  Count  Dillon,  Baron  Yiomenil,  General 
Lavalette,  &c.,  were  lodged  with  private  families.  The  legion  en- 
camped on  the  ground  where  the  Cathedral  now  stands,  and  the 
rest  of  the  troops  on  that  eminence  near  the  York  Eoad  which 
the  deceased  John  McKim  improved  and  occupied. 

Samuel  Worthington,  Esq.,  was  elected  in  the  place  of  Mr  J. 
B.  Howard  for  the  county,  and  Wm.  Fell,  son  of  Edward  Fell, 
Esq.,  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Wilson,  late  delegate  for  the  town,  and 
William  McLaughlan,  Esq.,  was  elected  Sheriff. 

On  the  22d  of  August  the  cavalry  and  infantry  of  the  legion, 
the  regiment  of  Bourbonnois,  Deux  Fonts,  Saintonge,  and  Soissonois, 
composing  the  greater  part  of  the  French  troops,  marched  north- 
ward in  five  divisions.  The  good  wishes  of  all  ranks  of  citizens 
accompanied  them-.  Gen.  Count  de  Eochambeau,  on  the  24th  of 
August,  accompanied  by  several  officers  of  distinction,  left  Balti- 
more for  Fhiladelphia.  Before  leaving,  the  merchants  presented 
him  with  the  following  address  : 

^^Sir : — The  merchants  of  Baltimore  are  too  sensible  of  the  har- 
mony which  has  subsisted  between  the  troops  which  your  Excel- 
lency commands  and  all  orders  of  the  inhabitants,  not  to  feel 
anxious  to  make  known  their  satisfaction  before  your  departure. 
We  do  not  pretend  to  be  judges  of  the  discipline  of  armies,  but 
from  the  brilliant  and  signal  services  which  your  army  has  ren- 
dered this  country ;  from  the  watchful  attention  which  the  sol- 
diery have  had  over  every  species  of  our  property ;  from  the  de- 
corum and  order  which  they  have  uniformly  preserved  both  in  the 
camps  and  in  the  town  ;  and  from  the  great  politeness  of  the 
officers  on  every  occasion,  we  cannot  but  acknowledge  ourselves 
deeply  impressed  with  the  most  lively  ideas  of  its  perfection,  and 
with  a  gratitude  which  from  its  nature  must  be  perpetual ;  and  we 
are  happy  in  this  opportunity  to  declare,  that  had  the  prejudices 
against  the  French  nation  been  real  which  the  English  have  so 
pertinaciously  attributed  to  the  Americans,  the  residence  of  your 
Excellency  and  the  army  in  this  place  must  have  convinced  us  how 
little  credit  ought  to  be  given  to  the  popular  maxims  of  a  people 
who  have  never  been  sincerely  our  friends.  Permit  us,  Sir,  to 
assure  you,  that  the  only  regret  which  we  experience  is  on  the 
prospect  of  the  removal  of  the  army,  and  our  incapacity  to  make  a 


204  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

proper  return  for  its  great  services  and  distinguished  care  of  the 

privileges  of  citizens. 

"  In  behalf  of  the  merchants,  we  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the 

greatest  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servants, 

"William  Smith, 
"Samuel  Smith, 
"  Thorogood  Smith." 

"  To  the  merchants  of  the  City  of  Baltimore : 

"  Gentlemen : — It  cannot  but  be  very  agreeable  to  me  and  the 
troops  under  my  command,  to  perceive  that  the  discipline  observed 
by  them  and  the  inhabitants  of  this  city,  the  harmony  and  good 
understanding  which  we  have  always  been  anxious  to  maintain 
with  our  allies.  Your  willingness  to  receive  us  in  your  houses, 
your  attentive  politeness  to  us,  have  been  a  sufficient  return  for  the 
services  which  we  have  been  so  happy  as  to  render  you.  We  have 
had  our  full  reward,  in  fulfilling  to  our  mutual  satisfaction  the  in- 
tentions of  our  sovereign.  Le  Cte.  de  Eochambeau." 

After  the  departure  of  the  main  army,  there  remained  about 
500  French  troops  in  and  near  the  town,  under  the  command  of 
General  La  Yalette. 

The  loans  obtained  abroad,  and  the  payment  of  gold  and  silver 
to  the  French  troops,  procured  a  supply  for  circulation,  and  the 
Bank  of  North  America  being  opened,  the  paper  was  superseded 
altogether. 

At  this  period,  Delaware  bay  and  river  were  infested  by  numer- 
ous "  refugee  barges  and  privateers,"  which  were  committing  the 
most  extensive  depredations,  not  only  upon  the  commerce  of  Phil- 
adelphia, but  upon  the  peaceable  inhabitants  along  the  shores  of 
every  accessille  stream  that  emptied  into  these  waters.  In  order 
to  drive  off  these  plunderers — who  were  protected  by  the  presence 
of  several  of  His  Majesty's  ships — and  to  offer  that  assistance  to 
their  distressed  citizens  which  it  was  not  in  the  power  of  the  Gen- 
eral Government  to  afford,  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  had  determined 
to  fit  out,  at  its  own  expense,  a  number  of  armed  vessels,  the  ope- 
rations of  which  were  to  be  confined  within  the  great  thorough- 
fare to  their  capital.  At  this  time  Lieutenant  Barney  arrived  at 
Philadelphia,  and  was  honored  with  the  command  of  one  of  the 
vessels  to  be  equipped — a  small  ship,  mounting  16  six-pounders, 
and  carrying  110  men,  called  the  Hyder  Ally.  On  the  8th  of  April, 
he  received  instructions  to  convoy  a  fleet  of  merchantmen  to  the 
capes,  but  on  no  account  proceed  to  sea.  The  convoy  dropped 
down  to  Cape  May  road  ;  and  while  lying  there,  waiting  for  a  fair 
wind  to  take  them  to  sea,  two  ships  and  a  brig  were  discovered 
standing  for  them.  Capt.  Barney,  perceiving  them  to  be  a  part  of 
the  enemy's  force,  made  the  signals  to  this  convoy  to  get  under 
way  immediately  and  return  up  the  bay — orders  they  were  not 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  205 

slow  to  obey,  covered  in  their  retreat  by  the  Hyder  Ally.     An  ac- 
tion speedily  ensued  between  the  Hyder  Ally  and  one  of  the  ves- 
sels, which  proved  to  be  the  sloop-of-war  General  Monk,  mounting 
20  nine-pounders,  and  carrying  one  hundred  and  thirty-six  men, 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Eogers,  of  the  Eoyal  Navy — nearly 
double  his  own  force  of  metal,  and  nearly  one-fourth  superior  in  num- 
ber of   men  !     In  attemjiting  to  lutf  athwart  the  hawse  of  the 
enemy,  the  Hyder  Ally  ran  foul,  and  in  that  position,  within  pistol 
shot,  the  two  vessels  fought  desperately  for  half  an  hour,  when  the 
Monk  struck  her  colors.     Cooper,  in  his  Naval  History,  says :  "  This 
action  has  been  justly  deemed  one  of  the  most  brilliant  that  ever 
occurred  under  the  American  flag.     It  was  fought  in  the  presence 
of  a  vastly  superior  force  that  was  not  engaged,  and  the  ship  taken 
was  in  every  essential  respect  superior  to  her  conqueror."     We 
will  here  add  that  the  General  Monk  was  foniierly  the  American 
ship   General   Washington,  captured  by  Admiral  Arbuthnot,  and 
placed  in  the  King's  service  under  a  new  name.     Both  vessels  ar- 
rived at  Philadelphia  a  few  hours  after  the  action,  bearing  their 
respective  dead.     The  General  Monk  lost  20  men  killed,  and  had 
33  wounded.     Among  the  former  were  the  first  lieutenant,  purser, 
surgeon,  boatswain  and  gunner;  among  the  latter  were  Captain 
Rogers  himself,  and  every  officer  on  board,  except  one  midshipman  ! 
The  Hyder  Ally  had/owr  men  killed,  and  eleven  wounded.     The  old 
name  was  restored  to  the  prize,  and  Barney  made  a  cruise  in  her 
on  a  secret  mission  to  the  West  Indies.     Off  Turk's  Island  he  fell 
in  with  a  privateer  brig  of  16  guns,  under  enemy's  colors.  After  an 
exchange  of  several  broadsides,  one  of  the  enemy's  shot  cut  away 
his  ihainmast  at  the  moment  the  privateer  was  hauling  down  her 
colors.     The  privateer  took  advantage  of  this,  and  made  her  escape. 
As  soon  as  Captain  Barney  found  that  there  would  be  an  engage- 
ment, he  turned  to  one  of  his  passengers,  who  was  calmly  walking 
the  deck,  and  requested  him  to  go  below,  where  he  would  be  out  of 
danger.   The  gentleman  looked  at  him,  with  a  slight  curl  of  indig- 
nation moving  his  upper  lip,  but  did  not  move.     Soon  afterwards, 
in  the  preparation  for  action,  Barney  observed  him  at  the  arms- 
chest,  deliberately  examining  the  muskets,  which  he  took  up  one 
after  another,  brought  to  his  shoulder,  examining  the  flints,  and 
snapped  to  see  if  they  made  good  fire,  until  at  length  he  found  one 
that  seemed  to  please  him  ;  he  then  fixed  a  cartridge-box  over  his 
shoulder,  very  coolly  tied  a  handkerchief  around  his  head,  and  was 
the  first  man  that  fired  into  the  enemy.     During  the  whole  of  the 
fighting  he  took  his  post  in  that  part  of  the  ship  which  was  most 
exposed  to  the  enemy's  fire,  and  in  the  very  heat  of  it,  his  musket 
having  made  a  false  snap,  he  seated  himself  with  the  most  jDcrfect 
sangfroid  upon  the  arms-chest,  took  a  knife  or  key  from  his  pocket, 
and  picked  his  flint  until  he  brought  it  again  to  a  proper  edge.     He 
fired  oftener  than  any  other  man  on  board,  and  looked  the  whole 
time  as  cool  and  unconcerned  as  if  he  had  been  sitting  at  his  own 


206  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

fire-side.  This  man  was  James  H.  McCulloch — the  same  patriot 
and  hero  who  met  the  enemy  at  JNorth  Point  in  1814,  was 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  and  afterwards  the  venerable  and 
universally  respected  Collector  of  the  port  of  Baltimore. 

On  the  7th  of  October,  agreeably  to  the  constitution  and  forms 
of  government,  an  election  for  delegates,  &c.,  was  held  in  the  dif- 
ferent counties  of  this  State.  David  McMechan  and  Wm.  Fell 
were  elected  from  Baltimore  Town. 

Died  at  Annapolis,  on  the  29th  May,  aged  eighty-two  years, 
Charles  Carroll,  who  was  proprietor  of  that  part  of  Cole's  Harbor 
which  the  commissioners  purchased  of  him  forty-two  years  before, 
for  the  first  town.  On  the  14th  of  October,  in  this  town,  at  an 
advanced  age,  Thomas  Harrison,  one  of  the  town  commissioners 
in  1745.  At  Mount  Clare,  near  town,  the  23d  of  March,  Charles 
Carroll,  barrister,  one  of  the  framers  of  the  Constitution  and  sena- 
tors of  the  State ;  and  on  the  30th,  at  his  seat  in  the  county,  Walter 
Tolley,  formerly  a  member  of  the  House  of  Delegates,  and  of  the 
convention  of  1774. 

In  December,  Mr.  Daniel  Grant  removed  from  the  Indian 
Queen  Tavern  on  the  corner  of  Hanover  and  Baltimore  streets, 
into  "  his  large,  new,  and  elegant  house,  in  Light  lane,  between 
Market  street  and  Ellicott's  wharf,  where  the  Fountain  Inn  is  opened 
for  the  reception  and  entertainment  of  such  gentlemen  and  ladies, 
travellers  or  others,  as  shall  be  pleased  to  honor  his  house  with 
their  company." 

17§3.  Hostilities  were  suspended  on  11th  of  April,  by  Congress, 
and  the  joyful  news  of  peace  and  independence  was  celebrated  in 
Baltimore  on  the  21st,  with  great  enthusiasm.  At  night  the  town 
was  brilliantly  illuminated.  On  the  2d  of  May,  the  following  ad- 
dress was  presented  to  Brigadier-Gen.  La  Yalette,  commandant  of 
the  remnant  of  the  French  troops  who  for  some  time  were 
stationed  in  Baltimore : 

"/Sir; — We,  the  merchants,  and  others,  citizens  of  Baltimore, 
could  not  see  you  leave  this  town,  to  embark  for  France,  without 
expressing  our  acknowledgment  for  the  good  behavior  of  the 
troops  under  your  command,  and  the  politeness  their  oflScers  have 
discovered  on  every  occasion.  To  the  national  reasons  this  country 
had  for  a  union  with  yours,  the  residence  of  the  French  army  has 
added  others,  the  highest  personal  esteems  and  the  sincerest  at- 
tachments. The  blessings  of  peace,  we  are  persuaded,  will  not 
prevent  frequent  reviews  of  the  events  of  the  war ;  and  these  will 
serve  to  perpetuate  our  union  and  to  preserve  our  attachments. 
Whether  we  consider  the  acts  of  Louis  the  Sixteenth,  or  the 
achievements  of  his  army,  we  shall  find  cause  for  admiration  and 

fratitude.  Even  in  the  first  moments  of  the  war,  and  while  the 
oldness  of  our  undertaking  astonished  all  Europe,  and  made  the 
oldest  statesmen  tremble  for  our  safety,  gentlemen  of  your  nation, 
fired  at  the  prospect  of  a  virtuous  people  struggling  against  op- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  207 

pression,  embarked  for  America,  some  of  whose  lives  have  been 
sacrificed  for  our  liberty,  and  all  of  whose  services  have  assisted  to 
establish  our  independence.  We  trust.  Sir,  that  we  shall  never 
learn  the  art  to  forget  these  things,  or  the  various  obligations  of 
the  federal  republics  to  your  prince  and  to  his  people.  Permit  us 
to  wish  you,  and  the  officers,  and  your  troops,  a  safe  return  to 
France,  and  those  rewards  which  all  have  so  highly  merited. 

"  With  the  greatest  respect,  we  have  the  honor  to  be,  in  behalf 
of  the  merchants  and  others,  citizens  of  Baltimore,  Sir,  your  most 
obedient  servants, 

"Samuel  Purviance, 
"  James  Calhoun, 
"KicHARD  Carson." 

The  General  answered  as  follows: 

*'  Gentlemen : — Nothing  could  flatter  me  more  than  the  polite 
and  obliging  address  which  you  honor  me  with,  and  both  pride  and 
gratitude  will  prompt  me  to  make  known  the  kindness  and  civili- 
ties I  have  received  from  you  during  my  station  in  this  town. 
Perfectly  acquainted  with  the  sentiments  of  all  the  French  of- 
ficers under  my  command,  I  also  offer  you  their  sincere  thanks  for 
the  flattering  opinion  you  are  so  kind  as  to  entertain  of  them.  We 
look  upon  ourselves  infinitely  happy  to  have  had  it  in  our  power 
to  contribute  to  your  glorious  successes,  and  fulfill  the  intention  of 
his  most  Christian  Majesty  ;  and  we  pray  you  to  believe  that  we 
tlvnk  ourselves  sufficiently  rewarded  by  the  assurance  you  give  us, 
that  we  have  secured  some  right  to  your  esteem.  Permit  us,  gen- 
tlemen, to  lay  hold  of  this  opportunity,  to  assure  the  illustrious 
commander-in-chief  of  your  armies,  that  it  is  with  sincere  regret 
we  feel  ourselves  separated  from  him,  and  to  express  the  deepest 
respect  for  his  virtues  and  military  talents.  As  to  myself,  gentle- 
men, I  shall  never  forget  the  happy  days  I  have  passed  amongst 
you,  and  I  beg  you  will  believe  that  their  remembrance  will  be  for- 
ever dear  to  my  memory. 

"  I  am  with  respect,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  and  most 
obedient  servant,  Le  Chevalier  de  la  Yalette." 

On  Sunday,  June  12th,  Major  Burnet,  aide-de-camp  to  General 
Greene,  accompanied  by  Major  Edwards,  passed  through  town  on 
his  way  to  Philadelphia  with  dispatches  for  Congress,  announcing 
the  evacuation  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  by  the  British,  on  the  14th  of 
December,  1782,  and  on  the  13th  of  January  the  "Delaware  State 
regiment,  with  lank-lean  cheeks  and  war-worn  coats,  passed  through 
this  town  from  South  Carolina,  on  their  way  home." 

Messrs.  Samuel  Smith,  Samuel  Purviance,  Daniel  Bowley,  John 
Sterrett,  Thomas  Eussell,  Kichard  Eidgely,  Kobert  Henderson, 
Thomas  Elliott,  and  William  Patterson  were  appointed  wardens 
of  the  port  of  Baltimore  for  five  years,  to  b^  renewed  by  election 


208  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

of  the  electors  of  the  special  commissioners  every  five  years  in  suc- 
cession. They  elected  Mr.  Purviance  chairman,  and  were  author- 
ized to  make  a  survey  and  chart  of  the  basin,  harbor,  and  the 
Patapsco  river.  Also  to  ascertain  the  depth  and  course  of  the 
channel,  and  provide  for  cleaning  the  same;  and  the  sum  of  one 
penny  per  ton  was  imposed  upon  every  vessel  entering  or  clearing, 
which  was  raised  to  two  cents,  and  sanctioned  by  Congress,  after 
the  adoption  of  the  Constitution,  to  defray  the  expense.  They 
were  also  authorized  to  make  rules  respecting  wharves  and  wharf- 
age, and  keeping  them  in  repair.  There  was  still  no  public  wharf, 
but  that  of  about  100  feet  on  Calvert  street,  and  no  private 
wharves  extending  above  200  feet,  except  those  of  Messrs.  Spear, 
Smith,  and  Buchanan;  so  that  the  space  occupied  by  the  water  at 
that  time  was  perhaps  equal  to  double  the  surface  of  the  present 
basin  and  dock.  Messrs.  John  and  Andrew  EUicott  purchased  the 
water  lot  and  extended  a  wharf  on  Light  street,  for  the  filling  of 
which  they  used  a  drag,  and,  with  a  team  of  horses,  drew  the  oozy 
sediment  from  the  bottom  of  the  river.  They  also  procured  iron 
scoops  to  be  used  by  hand  or  windlass,  with  which  the  same  opera- 
tion was  performed,  and  was  improved  upon  by  Messrs.  Cruse  and 
Colver,  with  the  use  of  horses.  This  primitive  and  rude  process 
was  the  simple  mud-machine  of  our  ancestors. 

A  company,  chiefly  composed  of  Baltimoreans,  was  very  soon 
formed  and  incorporated  to  make  a  canal  on  the  Susquehanna ; 
and  in  the  year  1799,  another  corporation,  was  created  to  unite 
the  waters  of  the  Chesapeake  and  Delaware  by  the  same  meaijs. 

The  defects  of  the  original  plan  of  the  town  now  became  more 
burthensome,  and  on  the  petition  of  a  number  of  inhabitants,  a  law 
was  passed  authorizing  the  commissioners  of  the  town  to  make 
Hanover  lane  the  width  of  sixty-six  feet,  being  an  extension  to 
the  street  of  that  name  in  Mr.  Howard's  addition,  assessing  the 
damages  sustained  and  the  benefits  from  which  the  same  should 
be  paid.  By  the  consent  of  the  proprietors  of  the  grounds,  the 
commissioners  also  opened  Holliday  street  of  the  width  of  eighty 
feet;  Lemmon  street  thirty-three  feet;  Orange  lane  eighteen 
feet ;  and  widened  East  lane,  now  Fayette  street,  from  Holliday 
to  Gay  street,  to  forty  feet.  Holliday  street  was  extended  north- 
wardly fifty  feet  wide,  in  1810.  In  1787,  Light  lane  was  widened 
to  thirty-eight  feet  and  a  half;  a  street  called  Walnut  street,  then 
bounding  the  town  southwesterly,  was  entirely  closed,  and  Forrest 
street,  now  Sharp  street  alley,  north  of  Baltimore  street,  which 
had  been  laid  out  sixty-six  feet,  was  limited  to  a  lane  of  eighteen 
feet.  In  1792,  Tammany  and  Chatham  streets,  now  part  of 
Fayette  street,  were  opened  to  the  width  of  forty  feet ;  Charles 
street  was  extended  across  two  or  three  docks  from  Camden  to 
Barre  street  in  1796,  and  the  docks  filled  up;  and  from  thence 
Goodman  street,  now  Charles  Street,  was  opened  south.  Sharping 
Une  was  widened  to  forty-nine  and  a  half  feet  from  Gay  to  South 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  209 

streets,  and  called  Second  street,  of  which  it  was  an  extension,  in 
1798. 

An  attempt  to  establish  a  bank  failed;  but  a  better  project  — 
to  light  the  streets  — succeeded,  as  well  as  the  plan  of  a  day  police, 
and  a  night  watch  to  guard  the  villagers  while  they  slept.  Our 
8000  townsmen  of  that  day  were,  however,  so  exemplary  in  their 
demeanor,  both  in  daylight  and  darkness,  that  but  three  con-  ^ 
stables  were  required  for  hours  of  business,  and  but  fourteen^ 
watchmen  for  the  night. 

In  the  course  of  this  year  regular  lines  of  stage  coaches  were 
established  to  Fredericktown  and  Annapolis. 

Col.  Howard  commenced  his  improvements  at  Belvedere,  and 
William  Gibson  his  dwelling  west  of  the  town.  The  greater  part 
of  the  Baltimoreans  who  went  to  the  wars  and  held  commissions 
returned  as  permanent  residents  to  the  town,  and  were  soon  fol- 
lowed by  such  persons  as  General  Otho  Holland  Williams,  Colonel 
Ramsey,  Colonel  McHenry,  General  Swann,  Colonel  Bankson,  the 
Tilghmans,  Strickers,  Clemms,  Ballards,  and  Harrises,  Martin 
Eichelberger,  Yeiser,  Samuel  Sadler,  John  Lynch,  Clement  Skerrett, 
John  Brevet ;  also  Paul  Bentalon,  who  was  first  a  captain  of 
cavalry  in  Pulaski's  Legion,  and  had  become  chief  officer  and  com- 
mander of  the  survivors  of  that  gallant  corps,  and  in  whose  arms- 
the  brave  Pulaski  died  after  the  siege  of  Savannah.  Some  French^ 
gentlemen  established  commercial  houses  during  or  after  the  war,, 
viz :  Moubos,  Latil,  Zacharie,  Pascault,  Dumeste,  Delaporte  ;,  and 
the  Chevalier  D'Anmour,  the  French  Consul  for  Maryland  and 
Virginia,  made  his  residence  in  -Baltimore.  Directly  after  the  y" 
peace  several  merchants  from  other  parts  of  this  State  settled 
here,  who  were  Messrs.  Slubey,  James  Carey,  W.  Potts,  William 
West,  Haxall,  Y^n_Wyck,  Contee,  Dall,  Stouffer,  Starck,  Kimmel, 
Isaac  Solomon,  George  Evans,  ElisKa  Tyson,  Barton,  William 
Young,  Henry  Johnson,  and  Johonnot;  and  a  number  of  European 
gentlemen,  among  whom  were  Messrs.  S.  Wilson,  R.  Oliver,  A. 
Campbell,  Jamej^Buchanan,  Riddell,  S.  Liggatt,  J.  Salmon,  Carrere, 
G.  Salmon,  Mayer,  A^_^ewart,  A.  Bohinson,  Grundy,  J.  Hollins, 
Caton,  Coopman,  Hodgson,  Buckler,"'~McKolson,  Brune,  Neilson, 
Schroeder,  Seekamp,  Ghequiere,  Brantz,"~^tien,  Konecke,  Yon 
Kapff,  Labes,  McCausland,  Hackett, "  Zollickoffer,  and  Messonier,  * 
and  established  houses  of  trade. 

Bj  the  Minerva,  Capt.  Zelt,  Harmony,  Capt.  Lysle,  Paca,  Kell, 
and  other  vessels,  there  were  brought  here  a  great  many  Irish 
and  German  redemptioners,  and  a  society  for  the  aid  of  the  Ger- 
mans not  speaking  the  language  of  the  country  was  formed. 

Those  Justices  w^ho  resided  in  or  near  the  town,  and  most  fre- 
quently occupied  the  bench,  were  A.  Buchanan,  John  Moale,  W. 
Buchanan,  J.  Yanbibber,  A.  Yanbibber,  GeoTLindenberger,  James 
CalE^n,  William  Russell,  Thomas  Russell,  James  McHenry,  Peter 
Sheppard,  Henry  Wilson,  Thomas  Elliott,  John  Merryman,  Robert 
14 


210  CHKONICLES   OF  BALTIMOEE. 

Lemmon,  Thomas  Sellers,  and  Jesse  Busey,  Esqs.  j  and  the  gentle- 
men of  the  bar,  besides  the  Attorn ey-Greneral,  Samuel  Johnson, 
Kichard  Eidgely,  Aquilla  Hall,  Eobert  Smith,  Zeb  Hollingsworth, 
.James  Carroll,  W.  H.  Dorsey,  William  Moore,  Einald  Johnson, 
Archibald  Eobinson,  Eobert  Milligan,  Eobert  Goldsborough,  Henry 
Eidgely,  Peter  Carnes,  and  Thomas  Gittings,  Esqs.  The  doctors 
at  this  period  were  Johnson,  Goodwin,  Troup,  Andrews,  Coale, 
Gilder,  Brown,  Littlejohn,  Eoss,  A.  Wiesenthall,  and  Buchanan. 

In  May,  James  McHenry  was  appointed  a  member  of  Congress 
in  the  place  of  Edward  Giles,  deceased.  Zachariah  Allen  was  ap- 
pointed Notary  Public,  being  the  first  here ;  and  in  October,  John 
Sterrett  was  elected  a  delegate  to  the  Assembly  in  the  place  of 
Mr.  Fell. 

On  Wednesday,  Nov.  5th,  were  executed,  near  this  town,  John 
Lee  and  Eobert  Conaway,  for  felony,  and  on  the  12th,  Francis 
Piers  (a  Spaniard)  for  murder. 

Arrived  here  on  the  6th  of  November,  the  ship  Duke  of  JOeinster, 
Capt.  Devereux,  from  Dublin,  having  on  board  redemptioners  and 
servants. 

Now  that  the  war  was  over,  the  remnants  of  the  old  Line  and 
the  regiments,  having  already,  upon  the  scene  of  their  Southern 
exploits,  been  presented,  through  Gen.  Greene,  with  the  thanks  of 
both  Houses  of  the  Legislature  for  their  gallantry  and  good  con- 
duct, turned  their  footsteps  towards  their  native  State,  to  be  dis- 
banded, and  to  carry  to  their  homes  their  honorable  scars  and 
constitutions  broken  by  fatigue.  General  Nathaniel  Greene  speak- 
•ing  of  these  noble  patriots,  says  in  his  letter  to  Gov.  Lee  :  "  Many 
of  your  officers  are  on  their  return  home.  I  should  be  wanting  in 
gratitude  not  to  acknowledge  their  singular  merit  and  the  import- 
ance of  their  services.  They  have  spilt  their  blood  freely  in  the 
service  of  their  country,  and  have  faced  every  danger  and  difficulty 
without  a  murmur  or  complaint.  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  Col. 
Williams,  who  has  been  at  the  head  of  your  Line,  to  the  particular 
notice  of  your  State,  as  an  officer  of  great  merit  and  good  conduct. 
A  very  considerable  number  of  those  (Maryland  Line)  returned 
are  not,  nor  ever  will  be,  fit  for  service  again.  They  are  incapable 
of  doing  active  duty,  and  ought  to  be  turned  over  to  the  Invalid 
Corps." 

On  the  4th  of  November,  Mr.  Sterett's  brewery  was  burned 
down.  Overcome  by  this  second  distressing  calamity,  in  which  the 
citizens  warmly  sympathized  with  the  then  venerable  8ufi"erer,  Mr. 
Sterett  declined  business  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  But  Mr. 
Thomas  Peters  moved  from  Philadelphia,  and  erected  the  brewery 
near  Lombard  street  bridge  in  the  course  of  the  year,  which  was 
also  destroyed  by  fire  some  years  after  and  rebuilt. 

In  the  last  week  of  December  there  were  cleared  out  two 
ships,  three  brigs  and  two  schooners,  a  proof  of  enterprize  which 
did  not  escape  the  penetrating  eye  of  General  Washington,  who,  in 


CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  211 

answer  to  the  address  of  the  citizens,  on  the  18th  of  December,  at 
a  public  dinner  given  to  him  in  this  city  when  on  his  way  to 
Annapolis  to  resign  his  commission  to  Congress  there  assembled, 
that  body  being  threatened  at  Philadelphia  by  the  discontented 
troops  of  that  State  about  to  be  disbanded,  he  expressed  his  pious 
good  will,  a  good  will  which  Heaven  seems  to  have  blessed  in  our 
favor : 

"  Sir : — The  town  of  Baltimore  feels  a  universal  joy  on  your 
Excellency's  arrival,  and  willing  to  testify  in  an  acceptable  manner 
the  most  grateful  senses  of  your  eminent  services  and  superior 
abilities,  we  are  intrusted  to  congratulate  your  Excellency  on  the 
glorious  and  happy  conclusion  of  an  unequal,  precarious  and  bloody 
war,  through  which  you  have  successfully  commanded  the  armies 
of  the  United  States,  established  the  liberties  and  independence  of 
your  native  country,  and  gained  to  yourself  the  unrivalled  appella- 
tion of  its  most  illustrious  citizen.  May  your  Excellency  long 
survive  the  fatigues  and  calamities  of  war ;  may  health,  ease  and 
domestic  tranquillity  smooth  your  path  of  life,  and  Heaven  here- 
after grant  the  only  adequate  reward  of  your  exalted  merit. 

"  We  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  perfect  respect  and  esteem, 
your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servants, 

"  William  Smith, 
"  Samuel  Purviance, 
"  John  Sterrett, 
"  O.  H.  Williams." 

His  Excellency's  answer : 

"  Gentlemen  : — The  acceptable  manner  in  which  you  have  wel- 
comed ray  arrival  in  the  town  of  Baltimore,  and  the  happy  terms 
in  which  you  have  communicated  the  congratulations  of  its  inhabi- 
tants, lay  me  under  the  greatest  obligations.  Be  pleased,  gentle- 
men, to  receive  this  last  public  acknowledgment  for  the  repeated 
instances  of  your  politeness,  and  to  believe  it  is  my  earnest  wish 
that  the  commerce,  the  improvements  and  universal  prosperity  of 
this  flourishing  town,  may,  if  possible,  increase  with  even  more 
rapidity  than  they  have  hitherto  done. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  greatest  esteem,  gentlemen, 
your  most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 


"  G.  Washington. 


"  To  William  Smith, 
"  Samuel  Purviance, 
"  John  Sterrett, 
"  O.  H.  Williams, 


>  Esquires. 


Maj.-Gen.  G-reene,  accompanied  by  Maj.  Hyrne,  arrived  here 
on  the  30th  of  September,  from  Charleston,  South  Carolina.  An 
elegant  entertainment  was  provided  for  him  at  Grant's  tavern,  by 
the  citizens  of  the  town,  where  a  numerous  company  attended,  and 


212  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  ^ 

spent  the  day  with  the  greatest  joy  and  happiness,  in  the  course 
of  which  many  interesting  and  pleasing  reflections  and  observa- 
tions were  made  complimentary  to  their  "  illustrious  guest."  On 
this  occasion  the  following  address  was  presented : 

'*To  the  Honorable  Major-General  Greene: 
"  Sir : — The  citizens  of  Baltimore,  being  strongly  impressed 
with  a  grateful  sense  of  the  important  services  which  you  have 
rendered  to  your  country,  are  happy  in  an  opportunity  of  con- 
gratulating you  on  your  safe  return  to  this  place.  We,  who  have 
the  happiness  of  expressing  their  sentiments  on  this  pleasing  oc- 
casion, shall  not  attempt  to  recite  the  honors  of  your  brilliant  and 
successful  campaign,  already  written  in  indelible  characters  on  the 
hearts  of  your  grateful  countrymen.  We  trust  they  will  be  faith- 
fully transmitted  to  posterity  in  the  brightest  pages  of  our  history, 
which  shall  record  the  important  circumstances  of  the  glorious 
Eevolution,  to  which  your  services  have  so  greatly  contributed. 
It  afi'ords  us  particular  satisfaction  when  we  reflect,  that  the  gal- 
lant officers  and  soldiers  of  this  State  have  had  so  great  a  share  in 
the  brilliant  achievements  of  your  peaceful  command. 

"With  every  sentiment  of  personal  respect  for  you  and  those 
brave  men,  and  wishing  both  a  lasting  enjoyment  of  health,  peace, 
and  independence,  we  have  the  honor  to  be,  in  behalf  of  the  citizens 
of  Baltimore,  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servants, 

"  William  Smith, 
"  William  Spear, 
"  Samuel  Purviance, 
"  Abraham  Yanbibber, 
"  Samuel  Smith." 

The  General's  answer : 

"  Baltimore,  30th  September,  1783. 

"  Gentlemen  : — Nothing  can  be  more  welcome  than  your  kind 
congratulations  upon  my  return,  or  anything  more  flattering 
to  the  feelings  of  a  soldier  than  your  sentiments  of  the  Southern 
operations.  Every  opportunity  of  expressing  my  obligations  to 
the  officers  and  troops  of  this  State,  affords  me  the  highest 
satisfaction.  They  have  been  companions  with  me  in  the  hours 
of  adversity,  and  have  greatly  contributed  to  all  our  little  suc- 
cesses. Your  professions  of  respect  and  generous  wishes  for  my 
happiness,  excite  the  most  lively  emotions  of  a  grateful  mind, 
and  I  beg  leave  to  off*er  my  warmest  acknowledgments  upon  this 
occasion,  and  to  add  my  good  wishes  for  the  prosperity  and  hap- 
piness of  this  town. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  and 
humble  servant,  Nathaniel  Greene." 

-   On  the  27th  of  July,  Brigadier-General  Mordecai  Gist,  with 
the  remnants  of  the  Maryland  Line,  consisting  of  about  500  men, 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  213 

arrived  in   Ealtimore,   from   Annapolis,  having   arrived  there   in 
transports  from  Charleston,  S.  C. 

On  the  19th  of  October,  1781,  after  a  three  weeks*  siege,  Corn- 
wallis  surrendered  himself  and  his  army  prisoners  to  George 
Washington.  By  that  surrender  the  War  of  the  Eevolution  was 
virtually  ended,  and  the  independence  of  the  American  Colonies 
finally  consummated.  In  the  glorious  struggle  which  obtained 
that  independence,  no  State  bore  a  more  conspicuous  part  than  our 
own  Maryland,  and  no  county  of  Maryland  was  more  distinguished 
through  the  gallant  deeds  of  her  patriotic  sons  than  that  of  Balti- 
more. Throughout  the  whole  contest  Maryland  had  been  distin- 
guished for  its  zeal  in  support  of  the  common  cause,  ever  coming 
forward  with  readiness  at  the  call  of  the  Commander-in-Chief  In 
spite  of  the  difficulties  with  which  it  was  surrounded,  it  had  fur- 
nished during  the  war  to  the  Continental  army  fifteen  thousand 
two  hundred  and  twenty-nine  men,  in  addition  to  those  enlisted  in 
the  independent  corps,  the  State  companies,  the  marine  and  naval 
force,  and  five  thousand  four  hundred  and  seven  militia.  No 
troops  in  the  Continental  army  had  rendered  better  service,  en- 
dured more  fatigue,  or  won  greater  glory  than  the  Maryland  Line. 
In  proportion  to  their  number,  no  body  of  men  suffered  more 
severely.  They  were  the  first  to  use  the  bayonet  against  the  ex- 
perienced regulars  of  the  enemy,  and  that  in  their  earliest  battle ; 
and  throughout  the  succeeding  struggles  of  the  war,  they  were 
most  often  called  on  to  lead  with  that  effective  weapon  into  the 
ranks  of  the  foe.  They  seldom  shrank  from  the  encounter.  At 
Long  Island  a  fragment  of  a  battalion  shook  with  repeated  charges 
a  whole  brigade  of  British  regulars ;  at  White  Plains  they  held 
the  advancing  columns  at  bay ;  at  Harlaem  Heights  they  drove 
the  enemy  from  the  ground;  at  German  town  they  swept  through 
the  hostile  camp  with  their  fixed  bayonets  far  in  advance  of  the 
whole  army  ;  and  at  Cowpens  and  at  Eutaw  their  serried  ranks 
bore  down  all  opposition  with  unloaded  muskets ;  and  at  Guilford 
and  at  Camden,  though  victory  did  not  settle  on  their  banners, 
they  fought  with  a  courage  which  won  the  admiration  and  sur- 
prise of  their  enemies :  everywhere  they  used  the  bayonet  with 
terrible  effect.  Entering  into  the  war  two  strong  battalions,  they 
were  soon  reduced  to  a  single  company.  Again  swelled  up  to  seven 
regiments,  they  were  again  thinned  by  their  losses  to  a  single  regi- 
ment, and  before  the  campaign  had  well  passed  they  were  once 
more  promptly  recruited  to  four  full  battalions  of  more  than  two 
thousand  men.  There  is  something  strangely  affecting  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  on  announcing  to  our 
delegate  in  Congress  that  the  State  quota  of  troops  had  been 
raised,  when  we  recall  the  heroic  devotion  and  the  sad  fate  of  the 
noble  youths  who  filled  their  ranks  :  "  We  shall  have  near  four 
thousand  men  with  you  in  a  short  time.  This  exceeds  our  propor- 
tion for  the  flying  camp ;  but  we  are  sending  all  that  we  have  that 


214  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

/> 

can  be  armed  and  equipped ;  and  the  people  of  New  York,  for 
whom  we  have  great  affection,  can  have  no  more  than  our  all." 
Maryland  was  the  first  to  nominate  George  Washington  as  Com- 
mander-in-Chief of  the  American  forces,  and  she  ever  sustained 
him  with  a  devotion  unsurpassed  even  by  the  State  of  his  birth. 

The  richest  wealth  of  any  people  is  the  fame  of  their  great 
men.  All  other  evidences  of  their  existence  may  pass  away  — 
this  only  is  immortal.  Carthage  has  long  since  mouldered  into 
the  dust,  but  the  name  of  her  Hannibal  still  lives  and  reminds  us 
of  what  his  country  once  was.  Sparta  is  no  more,  but  the  name 
of  her  Leonidas  preserves  the  remembrance  of  her  ancient  glory. 
Athens  has  dwindled  to  an  unimportant  village,  but  the  fame  of 
her  Solon,  her  Demosthenes,  her  Themistocles,  and  many  others 
•distinguished  in  letters  or  in  arms,  remind  her  that  she  was  once 
the  freest  and  most  enlightened  nation  of  antiquity.  And  so  with 
ancient  Eome,  the  names  of  her  Cicero  and  her  Brutus,  of  her 
Caesar  and  her  Scipio,  hand  down  to  modern  times  the  remem- 
brance that  a  city  built  along  the  shores  of  the  muddy  Tiber,  and 
now  too  weak  to  defend  herself  against  the  invasion  of  any  petty 
army  of  French  or  Austrians  who  may  choose  to  take  possession, 
that  this  feeble  city  was  once  the  proud  mistress  of  the  civilized 
world.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  people  to  cherish  the  memory  of 
its  great  men,  whether  their  distinction  has  been  won  by  efforts  of 
intellect  or  by  deeds  of  heroism  in  arms.  The  renown  of  a  great 
statesman,  an  accomplished  scholar,  an  eloquent  orator,  or  a  suc- 
cessful warrior,  forms  a  portion  of  the  reputation  of  his  country, 
and  every  citizen  should  feel  a  just  pride  in  endeavoring  to  per- 
petuate its  remembrance.  Full  justice  has  never  been  done  to  the 
memory  of  the  noble  heroes  whom  Maryland  contributed  to  the 
army  of  the  Eevolution.  The  first  histories  of  that  eventful 
struggle  —  prepared  at  times  when  the  materials  for  accurate  nar- 
ratives were  accessible  —  were  generally  the  productions  of  citi- 
zens of  the  Northern  States.  The  men  of  the  South,  prompt  in 
action,  had  less  taste  than  their  Northern  iieighbors  for  writing 
accounts  of  their  achievements,  and  fewer  facilities  for  publishing 
such  histories,  even  if  they  had  been  disposed  to  write  them.  The 
result  was  that  the  historians  of  the  North,  without  meaning  to 
do  injustice  to  the  patriot  warriors  of  the  South,  gave  especial 
prominence  to  the  achievements  of  those  who  belonged  to  their 
own  section.  While  enlarging  with  a  just  pride  upon  the  gallant 
deeds  of  their  own  ancestors  and  neighbors,  they  passed  over  in 
comparative  silence  those  performed  by  the  soldiery  from  other 
sections  of  the  confederacy.  Thus  every  school-boy  in  Maryland 
for  the  last  fifty  years  has  been  taught  to  admire  the  heroism  of  a. 
Montgomery,  a  Greene,  a  Gates,  a  Putnam,  a  Sullivan,  and  a 
Wayne,  while  the  equally  glorious  services  of  the  patriot  soldiers 
of  his  own  State,  of  a  Smallwood,  a  Gist,  a  Howard,  a  Smith,  and 
a  Williams,  have  scarcely  been  heard  of,  or  communicated  as  if 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE.  215 

they  were  of  a  character  which  made  them  comparatively  unim- 
portant. It  is  fall  time  that  this  injustice  should  be  repaired. 
There  was  a  Smallwood,  than  whom  a  more  gallant  officer  was  not 
to  be  found  in  the  whole  American  army.  He  served  throughout 
the  war,  and  led  the  Maryland  columns  in  many  a  victorious 
charge.  Directly  after  the  close  of  the  contest,  the  Legislature  of 
his  State  testified  their  admiration  of  his  services  by  thrice  elect- 
ing him  her  Chief  Executive.  He  now  sleeps  under  the  sod  of  his 
native  county,  near  the  waters  of  the  Potomac,  with  not  even  a 
stone  to  mark  the  spot  where  the  remains  of  a  hero  are  laid. 
There  was  a  Willi-ams,  who  began  his  career  at  the  first  dawn  of  the 
Bevolution  as  a  lieutenant  in  a  rifle  company  raised  in  Frederick, 
and  marched  around  Boston.  He  came  out  of  the  war  a  brigadier- 
general,  and  no  soldier  ever  won  promotion  by  more  arduous, 
patriotic  and  gallant  achievements.  There  were  many  others 
from  other  parts  of  the  State  whose  names  are  worthy  of  our  re- 
membrance and  admiration  ;  of  these  we  have  not  space  to  give 
them  in  a  work  of  this  kind.  But  there  were  men,  not  less  dis- 
tinguished than  any  of  those  alluded  to,  who  stood  during  the  war 
among  the  columns  of  the  American  army  as  the  immediate  repre- 
sentatives of  the  patriotism  and  bravery  of  the  town  of  Baltimore. 
And  the  names  of  such  men  should  not  be  forgotten,  nor  their  ser- 
vices fail  to  be  remembered.  In  December,  1774,  a  convention 
of  delegates  from  all  parts  of  Maryland  assembled  at  Annapolis, 
and  recommended  to  their  fellow-citizens  to  prepare  for  the  con- 
test which  they  foresaw  was  soon  to  be  commenced.  A  few  weeks 
afterwards,  in  response  to  the  call,  a  band  of  patriots  assembled 
within  the  limits  of  Baltimore,  and  organized  as  the  "  Baltimore 
Independent  Company."  It  was  the  first  Revolutionary  corps  orga- 
nized in  Maryland,  and  a  young  man,  little  over  thirty  years  of  age, 
a  native  of  Baltimore,  was  chosen  its  Captain.  That  young  man 
was  Mordecai  Gist.  Three  months  afterwards  news  arrived  that 
the  war  had  actually  begun,  and  that  blood  had  already  been  shed 
at  Lexington  and  at  Concord.  On  the  27th  of  August,  1776,  Gen- 
eral Howe's  army  of  British  and  Hessians,  thirty  thousand  strong, 
were  on  Long  Island  advancing  to  attack  the  city  of  New  York. 
Gen.  Washington  was  there,  determined  to  defend  it ;  but  the 
forces  under  his  command  were  but  little  more  than  half  as  nu- 
merous as  those  of  the  invaders.  A  large  portion  of  the  American 
army  under  Putnam  were  stationed  around  Brookljm,  to  resist  the 
enemy  and  prevent  his  nearer  approach  to  New  York.  Far  in  ad- 
vance of  the  main  body  of  Putnam's  army  was  stationed  its  right 
wing  under  Stirling,  placed  there  to  defend  the  widest  and  most 
practicable  of  the  three  routes  to  Brooklyn.  In  this  wing  is  found 
a  battalion  of  Marylanders.  At  dawn  of  day  the  dense  columns 
of  the  British  forces  advance  upon  the  American  lines.  After  sus- 
taining for  a  time  the  attack  of  superior  numbers,  the  left  wing  of 
the  Americans  is  forced  to  retreat,  and  soon  the  centre,  under  Sul- 


216  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

livan,  also  gives  way.  "Driven  out  from  the  woods  upon  the  open 
plain  in  groups  of  fifty  or  sixty  men,  and  in  full  view  of  the  troops 
which  garrisoned  the  forts,  the  flying  Americans  were  met  by 
squadrons  of  British  dragoons,  followed  by  columns  of  infantry, 
which  completely  blocked  their  line  of  retreat.  Hurled  back  again 
upon  the  Hessian  line  by  the  dragoon  charges  which  smote  and 
crushed  them,  without  discipline,  or  officers  who  could  restore  it, 
exposed  to  equal  lines  of  fire  in  front  and  rear,  many  of  these  de- 
tached squads  attempted  to  surrender,  flinging  down  their  arms, 
or  reversing  them,  to  indicate  submission  ;  but  they  were  inclosed 
by  an  infuriated  enemy,  indifferent  to  these  tokens  of  surrender, 
and  were  inhumanly  cut  to  pieces."  The  British  advance  and  oc- 
cupy the  grounds  between  the  American  right  wing  and  their  en- 
trenchments at  Brooklyn.  And  there  stands  Stirling's  little  di- 
vision, almost  completely  surrounded  by  an  enemy  more  than  five 
times  its  numbers.  The  only  chance  of  escape  is  to  ford  a  broad 
and  dangerous  creek  before  considered  impassable.  In  a  valuable 
woi'k  published  by  the  Long  Island  Historical  Society,  called  the 
*'  Battle  of  Long  Island,"  the  following  appears : 

"  Fired  with  a  common  emulation  of  slaughter,  Hessian  and 
British  troops  were  now  pressing  forward  to  inclose  Stirling's  di- 
vision between  them  and  Grant,  in  the  same  fatal  embrace  which 
had  crushed  the  life  out  of  Sullivan's  corps.  The  right  wing  of  the 
enemy,  commanded  by  Lord  Cornwallis  in  person,  was  hastening 
forward  to  occupy  the  junction  of  the  Porte  and  Growanus  roads. 
Cornwallis  had  proceeded  as  far  as  the  Cartelyon  House,  which  is 
beyond  a  doubt  the  dwelling  sometimes  spoken  of  as  a  'stone'  and 
sometimes  as  a  '  brick '  house,  of  both  of  which  materials  it  is  con- 
structed. This  house  Cornwallis  proceeded  at  once  to  occupy  as  a 
redoubt.  It  thus  became  apparent  to  Lord  Stirling  that  his  posi- 
tion was  no  longer  defensible.  What  an  appalling  change  from  the 
confidence  and  elation  of  an  hour  before !  The  gigantic  extent  and 
the  consummate  skill  of  the  British  combination  was  aj^parent  to 
the  General  at  a  glance.  The  noble  soul  of  the  generous  soldier  at 
once  impelled  him  to  the  great  sacrifice  which,  at  such  an  hour,  is 
ftll  that  is  left  for  a  defeated  commander.  The  onset  of  the  victo- 
rious foe  must  be  checked  while  his  retreating  columns  toiled 
through  the  salt  marshes  and  across  the  deep  tide-water  creek  in 
their  rear.  To  the  heroic  mind  of  Stirling  there  was  no  necessity 
for  reflection  upon  the  decision.  In  such  minds  instinct  is  a  safer 
guide  than  is  the  maturest  judgment  in  others.  The  decision  is  a 
species  of  inspiration.  Fortunately  for  his  purpose,  the  noblest  in- 
struments for  his  design  were  at  hand.  The  Maryland  regiment, 
now  commanded  by  Major  Gist,  some  portions  of  which  had,  from 
the  peculiar  formation  of  Stirling's  line,  fought  on  the  right  wing, 
although  part  of  the  left,  was  still  nearly  intact,  and  was  burning 
with  j)atriotism  and  the  desire  for  distinction.  This  body  of  young 
menj  sons  of  the  best  families  of  Catholic  Maryland,  had  been  emu- 


CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE.  217 

lous  of  the  praise  of  being  the  best  drilled  and  disciplined  of  the 
Revolutionary  forces ;  and  their  high  spirit,  their  courage,  their 
self-devotion,  as  well  as  the  discipline  of  which  they  were  proud, 
were  now  to  be  proved  in  the  fierce  furnace  of  battle.  Flinging 
himself  at  the  head  of  these  brave  lads,  who  on  that  day  for  the 
first  time  saw  the  flash  of  an  enemy's  guns,  Stirling  determined  to 
stem  the  advance  of  the  foe.  The  little  band,  now  hardly  number- 
ing four  hundred  men,  prepared  for  an  assault  upon  five  times  their 
number,  of  the  best  troops  of  the  invading  army,  who  were  inflamed 
with  all  the  arrogance  of  successful  combat.  Forming,  hurriedly,  on 
ground  in  the  vicinity  of  Fifth  avenue  and  Tenth  street,  the  light 
column  advanced  along  the  Gowanus  road  into  the  jaws  of  battle, 
with  unwavering  front.  Artillery  'ploughed  the  fast-thinning 
ranks  with  the  awful  bolts  of  war,  infantry  poured  its  volleys  of 
musket-balls  in  almost  solid  sheets  of  lead  upon  them,  and  from 
the  adjacent  hills  the  deadly  Hessian  Yagers  sent  swift  messengers 
of  death  into  many  a  manly  form.  Still,  above  the  roar  of  cannon, 
musketry  and  rifles,  was  heard  the  shout  of  their  brave  leaders, 
'Close  up!  Close  up!'  and  again  the  staggering  yet  unflinching 
files,  grown  fearfully  thin,  drew  together,  and  turned  their  stern 
young  faces  to  their  country's  foe.  At  the  head  of  this  devoted 
band  marched  their  General,  to  whom  even  victory  had  now  be- 
come less  important  than  an  honorable  death  which  might  pur- 
chase the  safe  retreat  of  his  army.  Amid  all  the  terrible  carnage 
of  the  hour  there  was  no  hurry,  no  confusion,  only  a  grim  despair, 
which  their  coura.ire  and  self-devotion  dignified  into  martyrdom. 
The  advanced  bodies  of  the  enemy  were  driven  back  upon  the 
Cartelyon  House,  now  become  a  formidable  redoubt,  from  the 
windows  of  which  the  leaden  hail  thinned  the  patriot  ranks  as 
they  approached.  Lord  Cornwallis  hurriedly  brought  two  guns  into 
position  near  one  corner  of  the  house,  and  added  their  canister  and 
grape  to  the  tempest  of  death.  At  last  the  little  column  halted, 
powerless  to  advance  in  the  face  of  this  murderous  fire,  yet  disdain- 
ing to  retreat  with  the  disgrace  of  a  flight.  Again  and  again  these 
self-devoted  heroes  closed  their  ranks  over  the  bodies  of  their  dead 
comrades,  and  still  turned  their  faces  to  the  foe.  But  the  limit  of 
human  endurance  had  for  the  time  been  reached,  and  the  shattered 
column  was  driven  back.  Their  task  was  not,  however,  yet  fully 
performed.  As  Stirling  looked  across  the  salt  meadows,  away  to 
the  scene  of  his  late  struggle  at  Bluckie's  Barracks,  and  saw  the 
confused  masses  of  his  countrymen  crowding  the  narrow  causeway 
over  Freeke's  mill-pond,  or  struggling  through  the  muddy  tide- 
stream,  he  felt  how  precious  to  their  country's  liberty  were  the 
lives  of  his  retreating  soldiers,"  and  again  nerved  himself  for  a  combat 
which  he  knew  could  only  prove  a  sacrifice.  Once  more  he  called 
upon  the  survivors  of  the  previous  dreadful  assault,  and  again  the 
noble  young  men  gathered  around  their  General.  How  sadly  he 
must  have  looked  upon  them,  scarcely  more  than  boys,  so  young, 


218  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

80  brave,  and  to  meet  again  the  pitiless  iron  hail  I     The  impetus 
and  spirit  of  this  charge  carried  the  battalion  over  every  obstacle, 
quite  to  the  house.    The  gunners  were  driven  from  their  battery,  and 
Cornwallis  seemed  about  to  abandon  the  position  ;  but  the  galling 
fire  from  the-  interior  of  the  house   and  from  the  adjacent  high 
ground,  with  the  overwhelming  numbers  of  the  enemy  who  were 
now  approaching,  again  compelled  a  retreat.     Three  times  more 
the    survivors   rallied,  flinging  themselves   upon   the   constantly 
reinforced  ranks  of  the  enemy ;  but  the  combat,  so  long  and  so  un- 
equally sustained,  was  now  hastening  to  its  close.     A  few  minutes 
more  of  this  destroying  fire,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty-six  of  the 
noble  youth  of  Maryland  were  either  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  or  lay  side  by  side  In  that  awful  mass  of  dead  and  dying. 
The  sacrifice  had  been  accomplished,  and  the  flying  army  had  been 
saved  from  complete   destruction.     Amid  the-  carnage  Stirling  was 
left  almost  alone,  and  scorning  to  yield  himself  to  a  British  subject, 
he  sought  the  Hessian  General  De  Heister,  and  only  to  him  would 
he  surrender  his  sword.     On  the  conical  hill,  within  the  American 
lines,  stood  the  Commander-in-Chief,  G-en.  Washington ;  and,  as  he 
witnessed  the  assault,  the  repulse  and  the  massacre,  he  exclaimed 
in  agony  of  heart,  '  Great  God !  what  must  my  brave  boys  suff'er 
to-day.'     From  the  eminence  on  which  he  stood,  the  termination  of 
the  last  struggle  of  the  brave  Marylanders  was  plainly  and  pain- 
fully visible  to  him.     On  the  shore  of  Gowanus  Bay  sleep  the  re- 
mains of  this  noble  band.  .  .  .  Eebel  tongues  have  chanted  the  refrain 
of '  Maryland,  my  Maryland ; '  but  they  cannot  rob  the  nation  of 
the  sad  sweet  thought :  '  She  is  Maryland,  our  Maryland.    Her  dead 
on  the  field  of  battle  are  our  dead,  her  fame  and  her  glory  are 
our  pride  and  our  rejoicing.     We  weep  over  her  fallen  in  the  cause 
of  liberty,  and  we  do  not  cease  to  honor  them   because  of  their 
kinsmen  who  would  have  robbed  her  of  her  fame  by  allying  her  to 
the  coalition  of  liber ticides.    Dulce  et  decorum  est  pro  patria  mori.'' 
In   a   letter   written  Sept.  1st,  1776,  the   writer   says :     "  The 
Maryland  battalion  lost  two  hundred  and  fifty-nine  men,  amongst 
whom  twelve  were  officers :     Capts.  Yeasy  and  Bowie,  Lieuts.  But- 
ler, Sterrit,  Dent,  Coursey,  Morse,  Prawl,  Ensigns  Corts  and  Fer- 
nandis.    Who  are  killed  and  who  prisoners  is  yet  uncertain."     From 
the   Brooklyn    Union   of  Jan.  17th,  1867,  we   take  the  following: 
"  This  is  the  old  stone  house  which  stands  on  the  south-east  corner 
of  Third  street  and  Fifth  avenue,  (Prospect   Park)  which  was  at 
the  time  of  the  battle  a  British  redoubt,  and  marks  the  spot  where 
Stirling  and  his  heroic  band  of  Marylanders  made  the  stand  which 
saved  the  remnant  of  the  American  army  flying  across  the  Gow- 
anus marshes,  though  it  cost  the  lives  of  nearly  all.     Here  is  a 
place  with  a  kind   of  Thermopylae  glory  hovering  about  it.     We 
shall  be  negligent  of  our  duty  if  in  some  way  it  is  not  preserved 
to  the  people.     We  hope  that  the   Commissioners   will   also    be 
authorised  to  raise  a  plain  but  suitable  monument  to  the  noble 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  219 

band  of  Southerners  who  there  laid  down  their  lives  in  support  of  our 
common  liberties."  It  was  the  first  time  that  the  American  Con- 
tinentals had  dared  to  meet  in  the  fierce  encounter  of  bayonets 
the  regulars  of  Great  Britain,  and  it  was  Mordecai  Gist  who  first 
taught  his  countrymen  that  they  were  equal  to  the  sustainment  of 
such  a  conflict.  Shortly  afterwards  Gist  was  made  a  Colonel,  and 
in  1779  a  Brigadier-General.  At  Germantown  he  was  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fight ;  and  on  the  disastrous  field  of  Camden  it 
was  Gist  who  stood  side  by  side  with  the  noble  De  Kalb,  and  held 
the  enemy  in  check  long  after  Gates  with  the  rest  of  the  American 
forces  had  retreated  from  the  field.  Lee,  in  his  memoirs  of  the 
campaigns  of  the  South,  says :  "  Eawdon  could  not  bring  the 
brigade  of  Gist  to  recede ;  bold  was  the  pressure  of  the  foe — firm 
as  a  rock  the  resistance  of  Gist."  Here,  as  at  Brooklyn,  Gist's  com- 
mand formed  a  part  of  the  right  wing  of  the  patriot  army,  and 
here,  as  there,  he  was  the  last  officer  to  retire  from  the  field,  and 
was  able  to  do  so  and  escape  capture  only  by  cutting  his  way, 
with  a  mere  handful  of  devoted  followers,  through  the  midst  of 
the  enemy's  ranks.  Had  the  rest  of  the  army  displayed  half  the 
same  gallantry  as  the  Marylanders,  the  battle  of  Camden,  instead 
of  a  defeat,  would  have  been  one  of  the  most  glorious  victories  of 
the  American  arms.  There  fell  the  brave  De  Kalb,  covered 
with  wounds,  and  his  dying  moments  were  spent  in  expressing  his 
praise  of  the  noble  Maryland  regiments,  and  his  admiration  of  Gist 
and  its  other  gallant  officers. 

Among  those  officers,  standing  foremost  in  every  charge  upon 
that  bloody  field,  and  among  the  last  to  leave  it,  was  another  son 
of  Baltimore,  and  one  of  whose  achievements  on  many  other  oc- 
casions she  has  just  cause  to  be  proud.  "We  speak  of  the  gallant, 
the  lion-hearted  Howard.  John  Eager  Howard  was  born  in  Bal- 
timore County,  on  the  4th  of  June,  1752,  At  twenty-four  years 
of  age  he  joined  the  American  army  as  a  Captain  in  the  regiment 
of  Col.  J.  Carville  Hall,  raised  from  Baltimore  and  Harford 
Counties.  Soon  after  we  find  him  in  the  army  of  Washington  at 
the  battle  of  White  Plains.  At  the  battle  of  Germantown,  in  the 
absence  of  its  Colonel,  detained  by  sickness,  the  youthful  Howard 
had  command  of  his  regiment,  and  led  it  again  and  again  into  the 
thickest  of  the  fight.  He  was  with  Washington  at  Monmouth, 
with  Gates  at  Camden,  with  Greene  at  Guilford,  Hobkirk's  Hill, 
and  Eutaw;  and  at  Cowpens,  though  not  first  in  command,  was  the 
most  prominent  hero  of  the  day.  No  American  officer  during 
those  seven  years  was  more  frequently  engaged  in  desperate  con- 
flicts with  the  enemy,  and  by  none  were  performed  more  numerous 
acts  of  heroic  daring.  The  distant  cannonade  was  not  the  kind  of 
warfare  pleasing  to  his  ardent  temperament ;  he  delighted  to 
meet  the  foe  in  the  close  encounter  of  crossed  bayonets.  At  Cam- 
den, Cowpens,  Guilford,  and  Eutaw,  he  gave  evidences  of  his  un- 
equalled skill  in  the  use  of  that  dangerous  weapon.    At  Camden, 


220  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

after  Gates  had  fled  from  the  field,  Howard  at  the  head  of  his  regi- 
ment charged  upon  the  ranks  of  the  enemy,  drove  them  before 
him  with  his  keen  bayonets,  and  was  near  retrieving  the  fortunes 
of  the  day.  At  Cowpens,  cheering  on  his  men,  he  rushed  like  a 
thunderbolt  upon  the  British  infantry  while  advancing  as  if  to 
certain  victory.  The  shock  was  terrible — the  foe  were  unable  to 
stand  before  it.  Tarleton's  best  troops  recoiled — fled — and  Howard 
stood  master  of  the  field.  He  had  charged  without  orders;  and  as 
he  stood  with  the  swords  of  seven  British  officers  in  his  hands, 
whom  he  had  just  taken  prisoners,  Morgan  rode  up  to  him  and 
said  :  "  You  have  done  well,  for  you  are  successful ;  had  you  failed, 
I  would  have  shot  you."  After  this  victory  at  Cowpens,  G-en. 
Greene  gave  orders  that  the  Maryland  Line  should  use  the  bayonet 
in  every  battle.  At  Guilford  these  orders  were  nobly  executed, 
and  Howard,  with  his  Maryland  bayonets,  again  drove  before  him 
the  choicest  veterans"  of  the  British  army.  At  Eutaw,  when  a 
large  portion  of  his  army  began  to  waver  and  fall  back,  Greene 
ordered  the  Marylanders  and  Yii*ginian8  to  reserve  their  fire  and 
charge  with  the  bayonet.  That  desperate  charge,  made  in  the 
face  of  a  close  and  murderous  fire,  decided  the  fortunes  of  the  day. 
Howard's  regiment  was  received  by  the  "  Buffs,"  a  choice  Irish 
corps ;  and  here  was  witnessed  the  fiercest  encounter  of  that  hard- 
fought  field.  Eanks  mingled  together ;  bayonets  were  crossed ; 
and  for  a  time  there  was  between  these  two  brave  bands  the 
most  bloody  hand-to-hand  struggle.  But  the  "  Buffs  "  were  at  last 
forced  to  give  way.  General  Greene  rode  up  and  complimented 
Howard's  regiment  and  its  commander  in  the  warmest  terms.  In 
his  dispatches,  giving  an  account  of  the  battle,  Greene  said: 
"  Nothing  could  exceed  the  gallantry  of  the  Maryland  Line.  Cols. 
Williams  and  Howard,  and  all  the  officers,  exhibited  acts  of  uncom- 
mon bravery,  and  the  free  use  of  the  bayonet,  by  this  and  some 
other  corps,  gave  us  the  victory."  After  the  close  of  the  Eevolu- 
tion,  the  State  of  Maryland  testified  her  appreciation  of  Col.  How- 
ard's gallant  services  by  thrice  electing  him  her  Governor,  and  after- 
wards twice  sending  him  to  represent  her  in  the  Senate  of  the 
United  States.  General  "Washington  invited  him  to  a  seat  in  his 
Cabinet  as  Secretary  of  War,  which  high  honor  he  magnani- 
mously declined.  During  the  war  of  1812,  Howard  was  still  living. 
When  the  British  army,  flushed  with  their  easy  victory  at  Bladens- 
burg,  were  threatening  an  attack  upon  Baltimore,  some  of  the  more 
timid  of  its  inhabitants  proposed  to  purchase  the  safety  of  their 
property  from  impending  destruction  by  an  inglorious  capitulation. 
Howard  answered  the  proposition  indignantly,  with  a  response 
worthy  of  his  own  character  and  of  lasting  remembrance  :  "  I 
have,"  said  he,  "  as  much  property  at  stake  as  most  persons,  and  I 
have  four  sons  in  the  field  ;  but  sooner  would  I  see  my  sons  welter- 
ing in  their  blood,  and  my  property  reduced  to  ashes,  than  so  far 
disgrace  the  country." 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE .  221 

There  was  another  of  Baltimore's  representatives  in  the  armies 
of  the  Eevolution,  whose  name  should  not  be  forgotten.  Though 
not  born  on  her  soil,  he  had  lived  there  from  his  earliest  boyhood. 
Directly  after  the  first  news  of  the  conflict  at  Lexington,  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  of  Baltimore,  headed  by  its  chairman,  Mr.  Pur- 
viance,  took  the  bold  resolution  of  forthwith  arresting  the  British 
Governor  of  Maryland  (Eden)  then  at  Annapolis.  They  looked 
around  for  some  daring  spirit  willing  to  execute  their  perilous 
command,  and  found  the  agent  whom  they  sought  in  the  person 
of  Samuel  Smith,  then  commander  of  one  of  the  newly  raised  patriot 
companies.  Capt.  Smith,  then  a  youth  of  twenty-two,  proceeded 
at  oncre  to  the  execution  of  the  orders  of  the  committee.  But  these 
orders  were  disapproved  by  the  general  committee  of  the  State, 
and  Capt.  Smith  was  ordered  to  return  to  Baltimore.  This  gallant 
youth,  soon  after  promoted  to  a  colonelcy,  won  unfading  laurels  by 
his  noble  defence  of  Fort  Mifflin,  or  the  Mud  Fort,  ou  the  Schuyl- 
kill, through  a  seven  weeks'  siege,  against  the  powerful  land  and 
naval  forces  of  the  British,  seeking  to  open  the  communication 
between  Philadelphia  and  the  Atlantic.  He  endured  with  Wash- 
ington's army  the  privation's  of  the  winter's  camp  at  Valley 
Forge,  and  his  undaunted  courage  was  displayed  on  the  fields 
of  Brandy  wine  and  Monmouth.  After  the  adoption  of  the  Federal 
Constitution  he  was  frequently  elected  to  represent  his  district  in 
the  National  Congress ;  and,  for  the  almost  unexampled  period  of 
twenty-three  years,  filled  with  great  distinction  the  exalted  position 
of  Senator  of  the  United  States  from  Maryland.  In  1814,  when  the 
land  and  naval  forces  of  Great  Britain  made  their  attack  upon 
Baltimore,  General  Smith  was  the  commanding  officer  charged 
with  the  responsible  duty  of  its  defence ;  and  it  was  owing  chiefly 
to  the  prudence  and  firmness  displayed  by  him  on  that  occasion 
that  the  invaders  were  repulsed,  and  the  fair  Monumental  City 
saved  from  the  same  fate  which  had  just  before  befallen  the 
national  capital. 

These  patriot  heroes  are  now  no  more.  Gist  and  Howard,  Wil- 
liams and  Smith,  and  the  other  gallant  leaders  of  the  old  Maryland 
Line,  have  all  gone,  one  by  one,  to  their  final  resting-place.  But 
the  work  which  they  aided  to  accomplish  still  survives.  American 
liberty,  achieved  by  their  valor  and  consecrated  by  their  blood, 
still  blesses  their  native  land — the  richest  patrimony  which  they 
could  bequeath  to  their  descendants ! 

John  Jacob  Astor,  born  in  Germany,  in  the  village  of  Waldorf, 
near  Heidelberg,  July  17th,  1763,  died  in  New  York,  March  29th, 
1848.  At  the  age  of  20  years,  in  1783,  a  few  months  after  the  re- 
cognition of  the  independence  of  the  United  States  by  Great  Britain, 
he  sailed  for  Baltimore,  taking  with  him  a  few  hundred  dollars' 
worth  of  musical  instruments  to  dispose  of  on  commission.  The 
vessel  had  reached  Chesapeake  Bay  when  a  storm  threatened  ship- 
wreck.    Astor   surprised   the  passengers  by  appearing  on  deck 


222  CHBONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

arrayed  in  his  best  suit,  but  gave  a  satisfactory  answer  to  their 
inquiries.  "  If,"  said  he,  "  I  save  my  life,  it  shall  be  in  my  best 
clothes  ;  if  I  perish,  it  is  no  matter  what  becomes  of  them."  On 
the  voyage  he  made  acquaintance  with  a  shrewd  and  communica- 
tive furrier,  in  accordance  with  whose  suggestions  he  removed  to 
New  York,  where  he  exchanged  his  musical  instruments  for  furs, 
with  which  he  immediately  hastened  back  to  London,  where  he  dis- 
posed of  them  to  great  advantage.  At  his  death  his  fortune  was 
the  largest  ever  accumulated  in  America:  estimated  at  not  less 
than  $20,000,000.  He  gave  many  liberal  donations  during  his  life- 
time, and  his  will  contained  numerous  charitable  provisions.  The 
.crown  of  his  beneficence  is,  however,  the  Astor  Library  in  the  City 
of  New  York,  to  which  he  bequeathed  $400,000  for  its  establish- 
ment. # 

We  will  now  (so  far  as  facts  will  enable  us)  present  some 
memorials  of  the  habits  and  state  of  society  as  they  existed  in 
former  years,  and  chiefly  such  as  they  were  when  everything  par- 
took of  colonial  submission  and  simplicity,  when  we  had  not  learnt 
to  aspire  to  great  things.  To  this  end  we  shall  here  show  the 
state  of  the  past  "  glimmering  through  the  dream  of  things  that 
were." 

It  is  said  of  the  primitive  state  of  society,  prior  to  the  Eevolu- 
'^ion,  that  great  encouragement  and  ready  pay  were  given  to  all 
conditions  of  tradesmen  and  workingmen.  None  need  stand  idle. 
/Lawyers'  and  physicians'  services  were  little  required,  as  all  were 
peaceable  and  healthy.  Women's  wages  were  peculiarly  high,  for 
two  reasons :  the  sex  were  not  numerous,  which  tended  to  make 
^^'them  in  demand,  and  therefore  to  raise  the  price  of  their  labor. 
Besides,  as  these  generally  married  by  the  time  they  were  twenty 
years  of  age,  they  sought  to  procure  a  maid-servant  for  themselves 
in  turn.  Old  maids  were  not  to  be  met  with,  neither  jealousy  of 
husbands.  The  children  were  generally  well  favored  and  beautiful 
to  behold,  and  without  the  least  blemish.  Numerous  traditionary 
accounts  attest  the  fact  that  there  was  always  among  the  early 
settlers  a  frank  and  generous  hospitality.  Their  entertainments 
were  devoid  of  glare  and  show,  but  always  abundant  and  good. 
v^The  old  people  all  testify  that  the  young  of  their  youth  were  much 
more  reserved  and  held  much  more  restraint  in  the  presence  of 
their  elders  and  parents  than  now.  Bashfulness  and  modesty  in 
the  young  were  then  regarded  as  virtues,  and  the  present  freedom 
before  the  aged  was  not  then  countenanced.  Young  lovers  then 
listened  gravely,  and  took  side-long  glances  when  before  their 
parents  or  elders.  It  was  the  custom  in  early  days  for  the  young 
part  of  the  family,  and  especially  of  the  female  part,  to  dress  up 
neatly  towards  the  close  of  the  day  and  sit  in  the  street  porch. 
It  was  customary  to  go  from  porch  to  porch  in  neighborhoods  and 
sit  and  converse.  Young  gentlemen  in  passing  used  to  affect  to 
say  that,  while  they  admired  the  charms  of  the  fair  who  were  thus 


CHROKICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  223 

occupied,  they  found  it  a  severe  ordeal,  as  they  thought  they 
might  become  the  subject  of  remark.  This,  however,  was  a  mere 
banter.  Those  days  were  really  very  agreeable  and  sociable.  To 
be  so  easily  gratified  with  a  sight  of  the  whole  city  population 
must  have  been  peculiarly  grateful  to  every  travelling  stranger. 
This  custom  still  prevails  during  the  periods  of  our  hot  summer 
seasons,  when  the  whole  population  is  out  of  doors  in  the  evening, 
a  sight  which  always  excites  the  attention  of  strangers  from  the 
North.  It  was  customary  for  persons  to  live  on  the  same  spot 
where  they  pursued  their  business,  a  convenience  and  benefit  now">/ 
BO  generally  departed  from  by  the  general  clasg  of  traders.  Then 
wives  and  daughters  very  often  served  in  the  stores  of  their 
parents,  and  the  retail  dry-goods  business  was  mostly  in  the  hands 
of  widows  or  maiden  ladies.  In  early  days,  if  a  citizen  failed  in 
business  it  was  a  cause  of  general  and  deep  regret.  Every  man 
who  met  his  neighbor  spoke  of  his  chagrin.  It  was  a  rare  occur- 
rence, because  honesty  and  temperance  in  trade  were  then  univer- 
sal ;  and  none  embarked  then  without  a  previous  means  adapted  to 
their  business.  Dinners  and  suppers  went  the  round  of  every 
social  circle  at  Christmas,  and  they  who  partook  of  the  former 
were  also  expected  to  remain  for  the  supper.  Afternoon  visits 
were  made,  not  at  night,  as  now,  but  at  so  early  an  hour  as  to  per- 
mit matrons  to  go  home  and  see  their  children  put  to  bed.  Wo 
have  often  heard  aged  citizens  say  that  decent  citizens  had  a  uni-  ^__^ 
versal  speaking  acquaintance  with  each  other,  and  everybody -v/M 
promptly  recognized  a  stranger  in  the  streets.  The  tradesmen  ^^  ' 
before  the  Kevolution  (we  mention  this  fact  with  all  good  feeling) 
were  an  entirely  different  generation  of  men  from  the  present. 
They  did  not  then,  as  now,  present  the  appearance  in  dress  of  gen-^^^ 
tlemen.  Between  them  and  what  were  deemed  the  hereditary  ^^ 
gentlemen  there  was  a  marked  difference.  "  The  gentry  think 
scorn  of  leather  aprons,"  said  Shakspeare.  In  truth,  the  aristocracy 
of  the  gentlemen  then  was  noticed  if  not  felt.  In  that  day  the 
tradesmen  and  their  families  had  far  less  pride  than  now.  While 
at  their  work,  or  in  going  abroad  on  week  days,  all  such  as  fol- 
lowed rough  trades,  such  as  carpenters,  masons,  coopers,  black- 
smiths, &c.,  universally  wore  a  leathern  apron  before  them,  and 
covering  all  their  vest.  Dingy  buckskin  breeches,  once  yellow, 
and  check  shirts  and  a  red  flannel  jacket  were  the  common  wear  of 
most  workingmen ;  and  all  men  and  boys  from  the  country  were 
seen  in  the  streets  in  leather  breeches  and  aprons,  and  would  have 
been  deemed  out  of  character  without  them.  In  those  days, 
tailors,  shoemakers,  and  hatters  waited  on  customers  to  take  theirj 
measures,  and  afterwards  called  with  garments  to  fit  them  on  be- 
fore finished.  In  the  olden  time  all  the  hired  women  wore  short 
gowns  and  linsey-woolsey  or  worsted  petticoats.  Some  are  still 
alive  who  used  to  call  master  and  mistress,  who  will  no  longer  do 
it.     Before  the  Kevolution  no  hired  man  or  woman  wore  any  shoes 


224  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

SO  fine  as  calf-skin  j  that  kind  was  the  exclusive  propertj^  of  the 
Vgentry ;  the  servants  wore  coarse  neat's  leather.  The  calf-skin 
shoe  then  had  a  white  band  of  sheep-skin  stitched  into  the  top 
edge  of  the  sole,  which  they  preserved  white  as  a  dress-shoe  as 
long  as  possible. 
X  Men  and  women  then  hired  by  the  year — men  got  £16  to  £20, 

^'and  a  servant  woman  £8  to  £10.  Out  of  that  it  was  their  custom 
to  lay  up  money,  to  buy  before  their  marriage  a  bed  and  bedding, 
silver  tea-spoons,  and  a  spinning-wheel,  &c.  It  was  usual  in  the 
Gazettes  of  1760  to  1780,  to  announce  marriages  in  words  like  these, 
to  wit :  "  Miss  Jane  Low,  or  Miss  Sarah  Stevens'  a  most  agreeable 
lady  with  a  large,  'or  handsome  fortune,"  or  if  a  widow,  "  Mrs. 
Galloway,  a  widow  gentlewoman  of  great  worth  and  merit." 
The  wedding  entertainments  of  olden  time  were  very  expensive 
and  harassing  to  the  wedded.  The  house  of  the  parents  would  be 
filled  with  company  to  dine ;  the  same  company  would  stay  to  tea 
and  supper.  For  two  days  punch  was  dealt  out  in  profusion.  The 
gentlemen  saw  the  groom  on  the  first  floor,  and  then  ascended  to 
the  second  floor,  where  they  saw  the  bride ;  there  every  gentle- 
man, even  to  one  hundred  in  a  day,  kissed  her. 

A  distinguished  writer  says :  *•  It  may  surprise  some  of  the  pres- 
ent generation  to  learn  that  some  of  those  aged  persons  whom  they 
may  now  meet,  have  teeth  which  were  originally  in  the  heads  of 
others.  I  have  seen  a  printed  advertisement  of  the  year  1784, 
wherein  Doctor  Le  Mayeur,  dentist,  proposes  to  the  citizens  of 
Philadelphia,  to  transplant  teeth,  stating  therein,  that  he  has 
successfully  transplanted  123  teeth  in  the  preceding  six  months. 
At  the  same  time  he  offers  two  guineas  for  every  tooth  whieh  may 
be  ofl*ered  to  him  by  persons  disposed  to  sell  their  front  teeth,  or 
any  of  them.  This  was  quite  a  novelty  in  Philadelphia ;  the  . 
present  care  of  the  teeth  was  ill  understood  then.  He  had,  how- 
ever, great  success  in  Philadelphia,  and  went  ofl"  with  a  great  deal 
of  our  patricians'  money.  Several  respectable  ladies  had  them 
implanted.  I  remember  some  curious  anecdotes  of  some  cases. 
One  of  the  'Mischianza'  belles  had  such  teeth.  They  were,  in 
some  cases,  two  months  before  they  could  eat  with  them.  One 
lady  told  me  she  knew  of  sixteen  cases  of  such  perse  ns  among 
her  acquaintance."  Tooth-brushes  were  not  even  known,  and  the 
genteelest  then  were  content  to  rub  the  teeth  with  a  chalked  rag  or 
with  snuff.  Some  even  deemed  it  an  effeminacy  in  men  to  be  seen 
cleaning  the  teeth  at  all. 

Of  articles  and  rules  of  diet,  so  far  as  they  differed  from  ours  in 
the  earliest  time,  we  may  mention  coffee  as  a  beverage  was  used 
but  rarely  ;  chocolate  for  morning  and  evening,  or  thickened  milk 
for  children.  Cookery  in  general  was  plainer  than  now.  In  the 
country  morning  and  evening  repasts  were  generally  made  of  milk, 
having  boiled  therein,  or  else  thickened  with,  pop-robins  —  things 
made  up  of  flour  and  eggs  into  a  batter,  and  so  dropped  in  with 
the  boiling  milk. 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  225 

It  will  much  help  our  just  conceptions  of  our  forefathers  and 
their  good  dames  to  know  what  were  their  personal  appearances. 
Men  wore  three-square  or  cocked  hats,  and  wigs,  coats  with  large 
cuffs,  big  skirts  lined  and  stiffened  with  buckram.  None  ever  saw 
a  crown  higher  than  the  head.  The  coat  of  a  beau  had  three  or 
four  large  plaits  in  the  skirts,  wadding  almost  like  a  coverlet  to 
keep  them  smooth,  cuffs  very  large  up  to  the  elbows,  open  below 
and  inclined  down,  with  lead  therein  ;  the  capes  were  thin  and 
low,  so  as  readily  to  expose  the  close-plaited  neck-stock  of  fine 
linen  cambric  and  the  large  silver  stock-buckle  on  the  back  of  the 
neck ;  shirts  with  hand  ruffles,  sleeves  finely  plaited,  breeches 
closely  fitted,  with  silver,  stone,  or  paste  gem  buckles  ;  shoes  or 
pumps  with  silver  buckles  of  various  sizes  and  patterns,  thread, 
worsted  and  silk  stockings.  The  poorer  class  wore  sheep  or  buck- 
skin breeches  close  set  to  the  limbs.  Gold  and  silver  sleeve-but- 
tons set  with  stones  or  paste  of  various  colors  and  kinds,  adorned 
the  wrists  of  the  shirts  of  all  classes.  The  very  boys  often  wore 
wigs,  and  their  dresses  in  general  were  similar  to  that  of  the  men. 
The  women  wore  caps  (a  bare  head  was  never  seen),  stiff  stays, 
hoops  from  six  inches  to  two  feet  on  each  side,  so  that  a  full- 
dressed  lady  entered  a  door  like  a  crab,  pointing  their  obtruding 
flanks  end  foremost ;  high-heeled  shoes  of  black  stuff,  with  silk 
or  thread  stockings,  and  in  the  miry  time  of  winter  they  wore 
clogs,  galoshes,  or  pattens.  The  days  of  stiff  coats,  sometimes 
wire-framed,  and  of  large  hoops,  were  also  stiff  and  formal  in  man- 
ners at  set  balls  and  assemblages.  The  dances  of  that  day  among 
the  politer  class  were  minuets,  and  sometimes  country  dances ; 
among  the  lower  order  hipsesam  was  everything. 

As  soon  as  the  wigs  were  abandoned  and  the  natural  hair  was 
cherished,  it  became  the  mode  to  dress  it  by  plaiting  it,  by  queuing 
and  clubbing,  or  by  wearing  it  in  a  black  silk  sack  or  bag  adorned 
with  a  large  black  rose.  In  time  the  powder,  with  which  wigs 
and  the  natural  hair  had  been  severally  adorned,  was  run  into  dis- 
repute by  the  then  strange  innovation  of  "  Brutus  heads ; "  not 
only  then  discharging  the  long-cherished  powder  and  perfume,  and 
tortured  frizzle-work,  but  also  literally  becoming  "  Eound  Heads," 
by  cropping  off  all  the  pendant  graces  of  ties,  bobs,  clubs,  queues, 
&c.  At  one  time  young  men  of  the  highest  fashion  wore  swords; 
so  frequent,  it  was,  as  to  excite  no  surprise  when  seen.  They 
wore  also  gold-laced  cocked  hats,  and  similar  lace  on  their  scarlet 
vests.  Their  coat-skirts  were  stiffened  with  wire  or  buckram,  and 
lapped  each  other  at  the  lower  end  in  walking.  In  that  day  no 
man  wore  drawers,  but  their  breeches  (so  called  unreservedly) 
were  lined  in  winter,  and  were  tightly  fitted.  Yery  few  then 
could  get  coats  to  set  in  at  the  back.  Laced  ruffles  depending  over 
the  hand  were  a  mark  of  indispensable  gentility.  The  coat  and 
breeches  were  generally  desirable  of  the  same  material,  of  "  broad- 
cloth "  for  winter,  and  of  silk' camlet  for  summer.  No  kind  of 
15 


226  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

cotton  fabrics  were  then  in  use  or  known ;  hose  were,  therefore, 
of  thread  or  silk  in  summer,  and  of  fine  worsted  in  winter ;  shoes 
were  square-toed,  and  were  often  "  double  channelled."  To  these 
succeeded  sharp  toes  as  peaked  as  possible.  When  wigs  were 
universally  worn,  gray  wigs  were  powdered,  and  for  that  purpose 
sent  in  a  wooden  box  frequently  to  the  barber  to  be  dressed  on  his 
block-head ;  but  "  brown  wigs,"  so  called,  were  exempted  from 
the  white  disguise.  Coats  of  red  cloth,  even  by  boys,  were  con- 
siderably worn,  and  plush  breeches  and  plush  vests  of  various 
colors,  shining  and  slipping,  were  in  common  use.  Everlasting,  made 
of  worsted,  was  a  fabric  of  great  use  for  breeches  and  sometimes 
for  vests.  The  vest  had  great  depending  pocket-flaps,  and  the 
breeches  were  very  short  above  the  stride,  because  the  art  of  sus- 
pending them  by  suspenders  was  unknown.  It  was  then  the  boast 
of  a  well-formed  man  that  he  could  by  his  natural  form  readily 
keep  his  breeches  above  his  hips,  and  his  stockings  without  gart- 
ering above  the  calf  of  the  leg.  With  the  queues  belonged  frizzled 
side-locks,  and  toupes  formed  of  the  natural  hair,  or,  in  defect  of  a 
long  tie,  a  splice  was  added  to  it.  Such  was  the  general  passion 
for  the  longest  possible  whip  of  hair,  that  sailors  and  boatmen,  to 
make  it  grow,  used  to  tie  theirs  in  eel-skins  to  aid  its  growth. 
Nothing  like  surtouts  were  known,  but  they  had  coating  or  cloth 
great-coats,  or  blue  cloth  and  brown  camlet  cloaks,  with  green 
baize  lining  to  the  latter.  In  the  time  of  the  Eevolution,  many  of 
the  American  officers  introduced  the  use  of  Dutch  blankets  for 
great-coats.  The  sailors  in  the  olden  time  used  to  wear  hats  of 
glazed  leather  or  of  woollen  thrumps,  called  chapeaux,  closely  woven 
and  looking  like  a  rough-knap ;  and  their  "  small  clothes,"  as  we 
would  say  now,  were  immense  wide  petticoat-breeches,  wide  open 
at  the  knees,  and  no  longer.  At  one  time  our  workingmen  in  the 
country  wore  the  same,  having  no  falling  flaps,  but  slits  in  front ; 
they  were  so  full  and  free  in  girth  that  they  ordinarily  changed 
the  rear  to  the  front  when  the  seat  became  prematurely  worn  out. 
In  sailors  and  common  people,  big  silver  brooches  in  the  bosom 
were  displayed,  and  long  quartered  shoes  with  extreme  big  buckles 
on  the  extreme  front.  Gentlemen  in  the  olden  time  used  to  wear 
mufflers  in  winter ;  it  was  in  effect  a  little  woollen  muff  of  various 
colors,  just  big  enough  to  admit  both  hands,  and  long  enough  ta 
screen  the  wrists,  which  were  then  more  exposed  than  now ;  for 
they  then  wore  short  sleeves  to  their  coats,  purposely  to  display 
their  fine  linen  and  plaited  shirt-sleeves  with  their  gold  buttons, 
and  sometimes  laced  ruffles.  The  sleeve  cuffs  were  very  wide,  and 
hung  down  depressed  with  leads  in  them.  It  was  not  uncommon 
to  see  aged  persons  with  large  silver  buttons  to  their  coats  and 
vests — it  was  a  mark  of  wealth.  Some  had  the  initials  of  their 
names  engraved  on  each  button.  Sometimes  they  were  made  out 
of  real  quarter  dollars,  with  the  coinage  impression  still  retained ; 
these   were  used  for  the   coats,   and   the   eleven-penny  bits  for 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  227 

vests  and  breeches.  Others  often  used  conch-shell  buttons,  silver 
mounted. 

When  the  ladies  first  began  to  lay  off  their  cumbrous  hoops 
they  supplied  their  place  with  successive  succedaneums,  such  as 
these,  to  wit:  First  came  bishops,  a  thing  stuffed  or  padded  with 
horse-hair ;  then  succeeded  a  smaller  affair  under  the  name  of  cue 
de  Paris,  also  padded  with  horse-hair.  Next  they  supplied  their 
place  with  cut  cork,  and  with  silk  or  calimanco,  or  russell  thickly 
quilted  and  inlaid  with  wool,  made  into  petticoats;  then  these 
were  supplanted  by  a  substitute  of  half  a  dozen  petticoats.  Then 
we  had  the  "  skimmer-hat,"  made  of  a  fabric  which  shone  like 
silver  tinsel ;  also  the  "  horse-hair  bonnets,"  the  "  musk-melon," 
the  "  calash  bonnet,"  "  wagon  bonnet,"  and  the  "  straw  bee-hive 
bonnet.""  The  ladies  once  wore  "  hollow-breasted  stays  "  ;  then 
came  the  "  straight  stays."  At  one  time  the  gowns  worn  had  no 
fronts.  The  design  was  to  display  a  finely  quilted  Marseilles,  silk, 
or  satin  petticoat,  and  a  bare  stomacher  on  the  waist.  In  other 
dresses  a  white  apron  was  the  mode ;  all  wore  large  pockets  under 
their  gowns.  As  a  universal  fact,  it  may  be  remarked  that  no  other 
color  than  black  was  ever  made  for  ladies'  bonnets  when  formed  ©f 
silk  or  satin.  Fancy  colors  were  unknown,  and  white  bonnets  of 
silk  fabric  had  never  been  seen.  The  first  innovation  was  the. 
bringing  in  of  blue  bonnets. 

It  was  very  common  for  children  and  workingwomen  to  wear- 
beads  made  of  Job's  tears,  a  berry  of  a  shrub.  The  use  of  lace- 
veils  to  ladies'  faces  is  but  a  modern  fashion,  since  1800.  In  olden 
times  none  wore  a  veil  but  as  a  mark  and  badge  of  mourning,  and 
then  as  now,  of  crape  in  preference  to  lace.  It  was  no  unusual 
thing  for  ladies  to  attend  balls,  parties,  &c.,  in  full  dress  on  horse- 
back. Ancient  ladies  in  early  life  wore  blue,  red  and  green  stock- 
ings of  very  striking  appearance.  Until  the  period  of  the  Eevo- 
lution  every  person  who  wore  a  fur  hat  had  it  always  of  entire 
beaver.  Every  apprentice  at  receiving  his  "  freedom  "  received  a 
real  beaver,  at  a  cost  of  six  dollars ;  their  every-day  hats  were  of 
wool,  and  called  felts. 

In  the  old  time  shagreen-cased  watches  of  turtle-shell  and 
pinchbeck  were  the  earliest  kind  seen  ;  but  watches  of  any  kind 
were  much  more  rare  than  now.  It  was  so  rare  to  find  watches 
in  common  use  that  it  was  quite  an  annoyance  at  the  watch- 
maker's to  be  so  repeatedly  called  on  by  street  passengers  for  the 
hour  of  the  day.  Gold  chains  would  have  been  a  wonder  then  ; 
silver  and  steel  chains  and  seals  were  the  mode,  and  regarded  good 
enough. 

The  use  of  boots  has  come  in  since  the  War  of  Independence  ; 
they  were  first  with  black  tops  after  the  military,  strapped  up  in 
union  with  the  knee-bands;  afterwards  bright  tops  were  intro- 
duced. Ladies  shoes  were  then  made  mostly  of  white  or  russet 
rands,  stitched  very  fine  on  the  rand  with  white  waxed  thread; 


228  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE 

and  all  having  wooden  heels,  called  crosscut,  common  and  court 
heels ;  next  came  in  the  use  of  cork,  plug,  and  wedge,  or  spring 
heels.  The  sole-leather  was  all  worked  with  the  flesh  side  out. 
The  materials  for  the  uppers  were  of  common  woollen  cloth,  or 
coarse  curried  leather,  afterwards  of  stuffs,  such  as  cassimere, 
everlasting,  shalloon,  and  russet;  some  of  satin  and  damask, 
others  of  satin  lasting  and  florentine.  All  elderly  gentlemen  had 
gold-headed  canes ;  it  was  their  mark  of  distinction. 

Before  the  war  of  Independence,  marble  mantels  and  folding 
doors  were  not  known,  neither  were  sofas,  carpets,  side-boards,  or 
girandoles.  A  white  floor  sprinkled  with  clean  white  sand,  large 
tables  and  heavy  high-back  chairs  of  solid  walnut,  or  mahogany, 
decorated  a  parlor  sufficiently  enough  for  anybody.  Sometimes  a 
carpet,  not,  however,  covering  the  whole  floor,  was  seen  upon  the 
dining-room.  There  was  a  show-parlor  up  stairs,  not  used  but 
upon  gala  occasions,  and  then  not  to  dine  in.  Pewter  plates  and 
dishes  were  in  general  use.  China  on  dinner-table  was  a  great 
rarity,  in  fact  from  the  old  documents  prior  to  1700  we  find  no 
mention  of  China  dishes  at  all.  Plate,  more  or  less,  w^as  seen  in 
most  families  of  easy  circumstances,  not  indeed  in  all  the  various 
shapes  that  have  since  been  invented,  but  in  massive  silver  waiters, 
bowls,  tankards,  cans,  &c.  Class-tumblers  were  scarcely  seen. 
Punch,  the  most  common  beverage,  was  drunk  by  the  company 
from  one  large  bowl  of  silver,  pewter,  or  china,  and  beer  from  a 
tankard  of  silver.  When  china  was  first  introduced  among  us  in 
the  form  of  tea-sets,  it  was  quite  a  business  lo  take  in  broken 
china  to  mend.  It  was  done  by  cement  in  most  cases;  but  gene- 
rally the  larger  articles,  like  punch  bowls,  w^ere  done  with  silver 
rivets  or  wire. 

The  use  of  stoves  was  not  known  in  primitive  times,  neither  in 
families  nor  in  churches.  Prior  to  1800  there  was  not  over  half  a 
dozen  four-wheeled  carriages  kept  in  the  city.  Even  the  character 
sof  the  steeds  used  and  preferred  for  riding  and  carriages  has  un- 
dergone the  change  of  fashion  too.  In  old  time  the  horses  most 
valued  were  pacers,  now  so  odious  deemed !  To  this  end,  the 
breed  was  propagated  with  care,  and  pace  races  were  held  in 
preference.  Formerly,  livery  stables  and  hacks  (things  of  modern 
introduction)  were  not  in  use.  Those  who  kept  horses  and 
vehicles  were  much  restricted  to  those  only  whose  establishments 
einbraced  their  own  stables.  The  few  who  kept  their  horses  with- 
out such  appendages  placed  them  at  the  taverns.  They  who  de- 
pended upon  hire  were  accustomed  to  procure  them  of  such  per- 
sons as  had  frequent  use  for  a.  horse  to  labor  in  their  business, 
who,  to  diminish  their  expense,  occasionally  hired  them  in  the 
circle  of  their  acquaintance. 

The  conveniences  of  pumps  were  rarely  seen  for  many  years  in 
the  primitive  city ;  even  wells  for  the  use  of  families  were  gen- 
erally public  and  in  the  streets.     In  early  days  of  the  city  almost 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  229 

all  the  houses  of  good  condition  were  provided  with  balconies,  now 
80  rare  to  be  seen,  one  of  which  still  remains  in  Bank  lane,  between 
St.  Paul  and  Calvert  streets.  Before  the  invention  of  "  ten  plate 
stoves  "  and  the  like,  the  more  prudent  or  feeble  women  carried 
with  them  to  church  in  winter  seasons  "foot-stoves,"  on  which 
to  place  their  feet  to  keep  them  warm.  They  were  a  small  square 
box  of  wood  or  tin,  perforated  with  holes,  in  which  was  placed  a 
small  vessel  containing  coals. 

The  present  generation  is  scarcely  aware  of  how  little  their 
forefathers  knew  of  many  vegetables,  fruits,  and  flowers  which 
are  now  seen  to  be  so  abundant.  These  have  been  success- 
fully increased  among  us  by  the  many  gardeners,  florists,  &c. 
Tomatoes,  ochra,  and  artichokes  were  first  encouraged  by  the 
French  emigrants,  and  had  but  very  slow  favor  from  ourselves. 
Afterwards  came  in  cauliflowers,  head  salad,  egg  plants,  oyster 
plants,  cantelopes,  mercer  and  foxite  potatoes,  rhubarb,  sweet  corn, 
&c.  The  seed  of  the  cantelope  was  brought  to  this  country  from 
Tripoli,  and  distributed  by  Com.  James  Barron.  Formerly  we  had 
only  a  few  fox  and  other  grapes  ;  we  have  since  several  foreign 
varieties,  and  have  discovered  and  propagated  among  ourselves 
the  Elsinboro,  Catawba  and  Isabella.  Once  we  had  only  one  sort 
of  small  strawberries,  and  now  we  have  many  kinds  and  large.  We 
had  only  the  small  blue  plum,  and  now  we  have  them  and  gages 
of  great  size.  We  have  now  greater  varieties  of  pears,  peaches, 
apricots,  and  apples.  The  peaches  were  wholly  unmolested  by  the 
worms.  Our  former  garden  flowers  and  shrubberies  were  confined 
to  lilacs,  roses,  snow  balls,  lilies,  pinks  and  some  tulips.  Jerusalem 
cherries  was  a  plant  once  most  admired,  aud  now  scarcely  seen. 
Now,  we  have  greatly  increased  our  garden  embellishments,  by 
such  new  things  as  altheas,  seringas,  cocoras,  geraniums,  verbenas, 
and  numerous  new  varieties  of  roses,  including  champigneas  and 
cluster  roses,  with  many  nevv  beauties  in  the  class  of  tulips  and 
other  bulbous  roots.  In  olden  time,  the  small  flower-bed  stood 
"  solitary  and  alone "  in  most  family  gardens,  and  sun  flowers, 
and  gay  and  rank  hollihocks,  and  other  annual  productions,  were 
the  chief  articles  for  a  greater  display.  Morning  glories  and  the 
gourd  vino  were  the  annual  dependence  for  cases  of  required 
shade. 

The  dancing  assembly  among  the  gentry  had  high  vogue  after 
the  Eevolution.  The  subscription  was  £3  15s. ;  admitting  no 
■gentleman  under  21  years,  nor  lady  under  18  years.  The  supper 
consisted  of  tea,  chocolate  and  rusk.  Everything  was  conducted 
by  rule  of  six  married  managers,  who  distributed  places  by  lot, 
dnd  partners  were  engaged  for  the  evening,  leaving  nothing  to 
the  success  of  forwardness  or  favoritism,  (jrentlemen  always  drank 
tea  with  the  parents  of  the  ladies  who  were  their  partners,  the  day 
after  the  assembly  —  a  sure  means  of  producing  a  more  lasting  ac- 
quaintance, if  mutually  desirable.     It  is  worthy  of  remark,  now 


230  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

that  we  have  such  elegaut  devices  in  the  form  of  visiting  and  ad- 
mission cards,  that  nearly  all  the  cards  of  those  early  days  were 
written  or  printed  upon  common  playijig  cards ;  this  from  the  cir- 
cumstance that  blank  cards  were  not  then  in  the  country,  and  none 
but  playing  cards  were  imported  for  sale.  We  have,  at  least,  a 
dozen  in  our  possession  which  are  very  curious.  One  of  these  is  an 
invitation  from  a  leading  gentleman  of  that  day  requesting  Miss 
Cox's  company,  written  on  the  back  of  the  queen  of  hearts — no 
doubt  a  proper  compliment  to  a  charming  belle  of  the  past. 
Another  is  an  invitation  of  the  "Juvenile  Amicable  Society"  to  the 
same  young  lady,  printed  on  the  back  of  the  deuce  of  diamonds, 
requesting  her  company  "  at  a  ball  to  be  held  at  six  o'clock  P.  M., 
at  the  room  formerly  occupied  by  the  Sociable  Society,  in  Lovely 
lane,"  signed  by  E.  Towson  and  T.  Fisher,  managers,  and  dated 
March  22,  1793.  Miss  Cox,  November  22,  1792,  received  an  invi- 
tion  "  to  Mr.  Curlej^'s  ball,  at  6  P.  M.,"  printed  on  the  back  of  the 
four  of  spades.  The  "  honor  of  Miss  Cox's  company  "  is  also  re- 
quested in  red  letter  printing  and  border  on  the  back  of  the  six 
of  diamonds,  date  not  specified.  On  the" 30th  of  April,  1794,  Miss 
Cox  is  invited  to  Mr.  Mansell's  ball  by  J.  Nichols,  J.  Scott,  J.  Whit- 
tington,  J.  Binggold,  printed  in  black  on  the  nine  of  hearts.  One 
invitation  of  the  Baltimore  Dancing -Assembly,  November,  1797,  is 
printed  on  plain  card-board,  from  which  it  appears  that  Miss  Cox's 
company  "  is  requested  for  the  season  at  Mr.  Bryden's  Fountain 
Inn,"  signed  by  M.  Pringle,  C.  Kidgely  of  H.,  W.  Yan  Wyck,  E. 
Kruson,  Jr.,  S.  Walker,  J.  Carruthers,  J.  Sterett  and  J.  S.  Buchanan, 
managers.  It  was  one  of  the  features  of  the  times  that  guests 
often  rode  to  balls  in  full  dress  on  horseback.  A  favorite  place  of 
assembly  was  in  the  hall  then  opposite  to  and  controlled  by  the 
Fountain  Inn,  on  Light  street,  next  door  to  the  old  Light  Street 
Methodist  church,  both  of  which  have  been  swept  away.  It  was 
not  unfrequent  that  the  gay  people  of  the  world  and  the  austere 
men  and  women  of  religion  held  assemblies  on  the  same  evening 
next  door  to  each  other,  the  singing  of  praise  and  the  growl  of  the 
bass  viol  intermingling  in  curious  discord.  Two  other  prominent 
assembly  rooms  were  on  Lovely  lane,  which,  since  the  late  South- 
ern war,  have  been  obliterated  by  German  street.  Lovely  lane 
was  the  site  of  many  of  the  fine  residences  of  Baltimore  in  the 
village  days. 

Mr.  Eddis,  in  his  letters  written  before  the  Eevolution  from  An- 
napolis to  London,  says :  "  Besides  our  regular  assemblies,  every 
mark  of  attention  is  paid  to  the  patron  saint  of  each  parent  do- 
minion ;  and  St.  G-eorge,  St.  Andrew,  St.  Patrick,  and  St.  David, 
are  celebrated  with  every  partial  mark  of  national  attachment. 
General  invitations  are  given,  and  the  appearance  is  always  nu- 
merous and  splendid.  The  Americans  on  this  part  of  the  continent 
have  likewise  a  saint,  whose  history,  like  those  of  the  above  vener- 
able characters,  is  lost  in  sable  uncertainty.     The  first  of  May  is, 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  231 

however,  set  apart  to  the  memory  of  Saint  Tamina,  on  which  oc- 
casion the  natives  wear  a  piece  of  a  buck's  tail  in  their  hats,  or  in 
some  conspicuous  situation.  During  the  course  of  the  evening,  and 
generally  in  the  midst  of  a  dance,  the  company  are  interrupted  by 
the  sudden  intrusion  of  a  number  of  persons  habited  like  Indians, 
who  rush  violently  into  the  room,  singing  the  war-song,  giving  the 
whoop,  and  dancing  in  the  style  of  those  people  ;  after  which  cere- 
mony a  collection  is  made,  and  they  retire  well  satisfied  with  their 
reception  and  entertainment." 

In  a  pleasant  colloquial  lecture,  entitled  "  Baltimore  Long 
Ago,"  delivered  a  few  years  since,  Mr.  John  P.  Kennedy  reverts  to 
the  aspect  and  social  traits  of  his  native  city,  in  the  days  of  his 
youth,  with  much  zest  and  humor : 

"  It  was  a  treat  to  see  this  little  Baltimore  town  just  at  the  ter- 
mination of  the  War  of  Independence,"  he  writes,  "  so  conceited, 
bustling  and  debonair,  growing  up  like  a  saucy  chubby  boy,  with 
his  dumpling  cheeks  and  short  grinning  face,  fat  and  mischievous, 
and  bursting  incontinently  out  of  his  clothes  in  spite  of  all  the 
allowance  of  tucks  and  broad  salvages.  Market  street  had  shot, 
like  a  Nuremberg  snake  out  of  its  toy  box,  as  far  as  Congress  Hall, 
with  its  line  of  low-browed,  hip-roofed  wooden  houses  in  disor- 
derly array,  standing  forward  and  back,  after  the  manner  of  a  reg- 
iment of  militia  with  many  an  interval  between  the  files.  Some 
of  these  structures  were  painted  blue  and  white,  and  some  yellow ; 
and  here  and  there  sprang  up  a  more  magnificent  mansion  of  brick, 
with  windows  like  a  multiplication  table  and  great  wastes  of  wall 
between  the  stories,  with  occasional  court-yards  before  them ;  and 
reverential  locust  trees,  under  whose  shade  bevies  of  truant  school- 
boys, ragged  little  negroes  and  grotesque  chimney-sweeps,  *  shied 
coppers '  and  disported  themselves  at  marbles. 

"  In  the  days  I  speak  of,  Baltimore  was  fast  emerging  from  its 
village  state  into  a  thriving  commercial  town.  Lots  were  not  yet 
sold  by  the  foot,  except  perhaps  in  the  denser  marts  of  business ; 
rather  by  the  acre.  It  was  in  the  rus-in-urbe  category.  That  fury 
for  levelling  had  not  yet  possessed  the  souls  of  City  Councils.  We~-^ 
had  our  seven  hills  then,  which  have  been  rounded  off  since ;  and 
that  locality  which  is  now  described  as  lying  between  the  two 
parallels  of  North  Charles  street  and  Calvert  street,  presented  a 
steep  and  barren  hill-side,  broken  by  rugged  cliffs  and  deep  ravines, 
washed  out  by  the  storms  of  winter  into  chasms  which  were 
threaded  by  paths  of  toilsome  and  difficult  ascent.  On  the  summit 
of  one  of  these  cliffs  stood  the  old  church  of  St.  Paul's,  some  fifty 
paces  or  more  to  the  eastward  of  the  present  church,  and  sur- 
rounded by  a  brick  wall  that  bounded  on  the  present  lines  of  Charles 
and  Lexington  streets.  This  old  building,  ample  and  stately, 
looked  abroad  over  half  the  town.  It  had  a  belfry  tower  detached 
from  the  main  structure,  and  keeping  watch  over  a  grave-yard  full 
of  tomb-stones,  remarkable  to  the  observation  of  the  boys   and 


232  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

girls,  who  were  drawn  to  it  by  the  irresistible  charm  of  a  popular 
belief  that  it  was  '  haunted,'  and  by  the  quantity  of  cherubim 
that  seemed  to  be  continually  crying  about  the  death's-heads  and 
cross-bones  at  the  doleful  and  comical  epitaphs  below  them — 
images  long  since  vanished,  without  a  trace  left ;  devoured  by  the 
voracious  genius  of  brick  and  mortar.  The  rain-washed  ravines 
from  this  height  supplied  an  amusement  to  the  boys  which  seemed 
to  have  been  the  origin  of  a  sport  that  has  now  descended  to  their 
grandchildren  in  an  improved  and  more  practical  form.  These 
same  hills  are  now  cut  down  into  streets  of  rapid  descent,  which 
in  winter,  when  clothed  in  ice  and  snow,  are  filled  with  troops  of 
noisy  sledders,  who  shoot  with  the  speed  of  arrows  down  the 
slippery  declivity.  In  my  time  the  same  pranks  were  enacted  on 
the  sandy  plains  of  the  cliff,  without  the  machinery  of  the  sled, 
but  on  the  protected  breeching  of  corduroy;  much  to  the  discon- 
tent of  mothers  who  had  to  repair  the  ravage,  and  not  always 
without  the  practice  of  fathers  upon  the  same  breeching  by  way 
of  putting  a  stop  to  this  expensive  diversion.  After  all,  give  me 
the  antiques !  Perhaps  it  is  in  the  vanity  of  mine  age  that  I  speak 
it ;  but  in  sober  seriousness,  the  belles  of  the  days  of  the  old  court- 
house, and  the  court-house  days  themselves,  have  had  more  spice 
than  all  the  rest  besides.  Those  glorious  days  when  Old  Francis 
played  Harlequin  and  bounded  after  Columbine  through  hogsheads 
of  fire,  and  when  the  cobbler  lived  in  his  little  shop,  like  the  tub 
of  Diogenes,  on  the  brow  of  the  precipice  which  overhung  the 
Falls. 

"  This  was  a  famous  building,  this  old  court-house,  which  to 
my  first  cognizance  suggested  the  idea  of  a  house  perched  upon  a 
great  stool.  It  was  a  large  dingy  square  structure  of  brick,  ele- 
vated upon  a  massive  basement  of  stone,  which  was  perforated  by 
a  broad  arch.  The  buttresses  on  either  side  of  the  arch  supplied 
space  for  a  stairway  that  led  to  the  Hall  of  Justice  above,  and 
straddled  over  a  pillory,  whipping-post,  and  stocks  which  were 
sheltered  under  the  arch,  as  symbols  of  the  power  that  was  at 
work  up  stairs.  This  magisterial  edifice  stood  precisely  where 
the  Battle  Monument  now  stands  on  Calvert  street.  It  has  a 
notable  history,  that  old  court-house.  When  it  was  first  built  it 
overlooked  the  town  from  the  summit  of  the  hill  some  fifty  feet 
or  more  above  the  level  of  the  present  street,  and  stood  upon  a  cliff 
which,  northward,  was  washed  at  the  base  by  Jones  Falls — in  that 
primitive  day  a  pretty  rural  stream  that  meandered  through 
meadows  garnished  with  shrubbery  and  filled  with  browsing  cattle, 
making  a  pleasant  landscape  from  the  court-house  windows.  The 
new  court-house  arose,  a  model  of  architectural  magnificence  to 
the  eye  of  that  admiring  generation,  only  second  to  the  national 
Capitol,  and  the  old  one  was  carted  away  as  the  rubbish  of  a  past 
age.  Calvert  street  struggled  onward  to  the  granite  hills.  People 
wonder  to  hear  that  Jones  Falls  ever  rippled  over  a  bed  now  laden 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  233 

with  rows  of  comfortable  dwellings,  and  that  cows  once  browsed 
upon  a  meadow  that  now  produces  steam-engines,  soap  and  candles, 
and  lager  beer." 

The  following  extracts  from  the  reminiscent  discourse  of  Mr. 
Kennedy  bring  clearly  to  our  minds  the  life  and  manners  of  that 
day,  and  the  changes  which  the  author  lived  to  witness  and  record : 
"  As  communities  grow  in  density  and  aggregation,  the  individu- 
ality of  men  diminishes.  People  attend  to  their  own  concerns  and 
look  less  to  their  neighbors.  Society  breaks  into  sets,  cliques,  and. 
circles,  and  these  supersede  individuals.  In  the  old  time,  society 
had  its  leaders,  its  models  and  dictators.  There  is  always  the 
great  man  of  the  village — seldom  such  a  thing  in  the  city.  It  was 
the  fashion  then  to  accord  reverence  and  authority  to  age.  That 
is  all  gone  now.  Young  America  has  rather  a  small  opinion  of  its^^ 
elders,  and  does  not  patronize  fathers  and'mothers.  It  knows  too 
much  to  be  advised,  and  gets  by  intuition  what  a  more  modest 
generation  found  it  hard  enough  to  get  by  experience.  If  we  could 
trace  this  notion  through  all  its  lodgments,  we  should  find  that  this 
want  of  reverence  and  contempt  of  obedience  is  the  deepest  root 
of  this  mad  rebellion.  Baltimore  had  passed  out  of  the  village 
phase,  but  it  had  not  got  out  of  the  village  peculiarities.  It  had 
its  heroes  and  its  fine  old  gentlemen,  and  its  accomplished  lawyers, 
divines  and  physicians,  and  its  liberal,  public-spirited  merchants.  ^^ 
Alas  !  more  then  than  now.  The  people  all  knew  them  and  treated 
them  with  amiable  deference.  How  sadly  we  have  retrograded 
in  these  perfections  ever  since!  Society  had  a  more  aristocratic 
air  than  now — not  because  the  educated  and  wealthy  assumed 
more,  but  because  the  community  itself  had  a  better  appreciation 
of  personal  worth,  and  voluntarily  gave  it  the  healthful  privilege  ofv^ 
taking  the  lead  in  the  direction  of  manners  and  in  the  conducting 
of  public  afiairs.  This  was,  perhaps,  the  lingering  characteristic  of 
colonial  life,  which  the  Eevolution  had  not  effaced, — the,  as  yet, 
unextinguished  traditional  sentiment  of  a  still  older  time,  of  which 
all  traces  have  been  obliterated  by  the  defective  discipline  of  suc- 
ceeding generations. 

"  I  have  a  long  score  of  pleasant  recollections  of  the  friend- 
ships, the  popular  renowns,  the  household  charms,  the  bonhomie^ 
the  free  confidences  and  the  personal  accomplishments  of  the  day. 
My  memory  yet  lingers  with  affectionate  delay  in  the  wake  of  past 
notabilities,  male  and  female,  who  have  finished  their  voyage,  and 
long  ago,  I  trust,  found  a  safe  mooring  in  that  happy  haven  where 
we  fondly  expect  to  find  them  again  when  we  ourselves  shall  have 
furled  our  sails  and  secured  an  anchorage  on  that  blessed  shore. 
In  the  train  of  these  goodly  groups  came  the  gallants  who  upheld 
the  chivalry  of  the  age — cavaliers  of  the  old  school,  full  of  starch 
and  powder:  most  of  them  the  iron  gentlemen  of  the  Eevolution, 
with  leather  faces — old  campaigners  renowned  for  long  stories  ;  not 
long  enough  from  the  camp  to  lose  their  military  brusquerie  and 


234  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

dare-devil  swagger ;  proper  roystering  blades,  who  had  not  long  ago 
got  out  of  harness  and  begun  to  affect  the  elegancies  of  civil  life. 
Who  but  they! — -jolly  fellows,  fiery  and  loud,  with  stern  glance  of 
the  eye  and  brisk  turn  of  the  head,  and  swashbuckler  strut  of 
defiance,  like  game-cocks,  all  in  three-cornered  cocked-hats  and 
powdered  hair  and  cues,  and  light-colored  coats  with  narrow  capes 
and  marvellous  long  backs,  with  the  pockets  on  each  hip,  and  small- 
clothes that  hardly  reached  the  knee,  with  striped  stockings  with 
great  buckles  in  their  shoes,  and  their  long  steel  watch-chains  that 
hung  conceitedly  half-way  to  the  knee,  with  seals  in  the  shape  of  a 
sounding-board  to  a  pulpit;  and  they  walked  with  such  a  stir, 
striking  their  canes  so  hard  upon  the  pavement  as  to  make  the 
little  town  ring  again.  I  defy  all  modern  coxcombry  to  produce 
anything  equal  to  it  —  there  was  such  a  relish  of  peace  about  it, 
and  particularly  when  one  of  these  weather-beaten  gallants  ac- 
costed a  lady  in  the  street  with  a  bow  that  required  a  whole  side 
pavement  to  make  it  in,  with  the  scrape  of  his  foot,  and  his  cane 
thrust  with  a  flourish  under  his  left  arm  till  it  projected  behind, 
along  with  his  cue,  like  the  palisades  of  a  chevaux-de-frise ;  and 
nothing  could  be  more  piquant  than  the  lady  as  she  reciprocated 
the  salutation  with  a  curtsey  that  seemed  to  carry  her  into  the 
earth,  with  her  chin  bridled  to  her  breast  and  such  a  volume  of 
dignity." 

"  This  avenue  [Market  street]  was  enlivened  with  apparitions 
of  grave  matrons  and  stirring  damsels,  moving  erect  in  stately 
transit  like  the  wooden  and  paste-board  figures  of  a  puppet-show 
—  our  present  grandmothers,  arrayed  in  gorgeous  brocade  and 
taffeta,  luxuriantly  displayed  over  hoops,  with  comely  boddices, 
laced  around  that  ancient  of  armor  the  stay,  disclosing  most 
perilous  waists,  and  with  sleeves  that  clung  to  the  arm  as  far  as 
the  elbow,  where  they  took  a  graceful  leave  in  ruffles  that  stood  off 
like  the  feathers  of  a  bantam.  And  such  faces  as  they  bore  along 
with  them !  so  rosy,  so  spirited  and  sharp !  with  the  hair  all  drawn 
back  over  a  cushion,  until  it  lifted  the  eyebrows,  giving  an  amaz- 
ingly fierce  and  supercilous  tone  to  the  countenance,  and  falling  in 
cataracts  upon  the  shoulders.  Then  they  stepped  away  with  such 
a  mincing  gait,  in  shoes  of  many  colors,  with  formidable  points  to 
the  toes,  and  high  tottering  heels  fancifully  cut  in  wood;  their 
tower-built  hats  garnished  with  tall  feathers  that  waved  aristo- 
cratically backward  at  each  step,  as  if  they  took  a  pride  in  the  slow 
paces  of  the  wearer. 

"  It  was  a  comfort  itself  to  see  a  good  housewifely  matron  of 
that  merry  time  trudging  through  town,  in  bad  weather,  wrapped 
in  her  great  roquelaire,  with  both  arms  thrust  into  a  muff,  and  a 
huge  tippet  wound  about  her  neck  in  as  many  folds  as  the  serpent 
of  Laocoon,  with  her  beaver  hat  flapped  down  over  her  ears,  and 
her  feet  bound  in  pattens  that  lifted  her  some  inches  above  all  im- 
pediments of  ice  and  rain,  clanking  on  the  pavement  with  the  foot- 
fiall  of  the  '  Bleeding  Nun.' 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOKE.  235 

"  Even  the  seasons  were  on  a  scale  of  grandeur  unknown  to  our 
day.  There  were  none  of  your  soft  Italian  skies  and  puny  affec- 
tation of  April  in  December.  But  winter  strutted  in  like  a  peremp- 
tory swaggerer  into  a  bar-room,  that  knew  his  rights  and  kept 
possession  in  good  earnest,  flinging  his  snowy  cloak  upon  the 
ground  to  lie  there  until  he  chose  to  take  it  up  and  continue  his 
journey.  And  the  nights  seemed  to  be  made  on  purpose  for 
frolics — they  were  so  bright  and  brisk — while  the  mad-cap  spirits 
of  the  time,  crowded  in  sleighs,  sped  like  laughing  phantoms 
through  every  highway,  echoing  back  the  halloes  of  groups  of  boys 
and  vacant  apprentices  who  shouted  from  the  corners  as  they 
passed  amid  volleys  of  snow-balls,  and  the  horse-bells  jangling  out 
the  music  of  revelry  from  many  a  distant  quarter,  told  of  the  uni- 
versal thoughtlessness  and  mirth  that  maj'ked  the  career  of  the 
old-fashioned  winter." 

1784.^  The  winter  of  1783-4  proved  exceedingly  severe ;  the  bay 
waVclosed  by  ice  almost  to  the  mouth  of  it,  and  the  harbor,  which 
closed  the  2d  of  January,  was  not  clear  to  admit  vessels  until  the 
25th  of  March — nor  then,  but  with  much  labor  in  cutting  passages — 
which  was  sixteen  days  later  than  in  1780.  At  both  periods  much 
injury  was  sustained  by  the  shipping  in  the  bay  and  on  the  coast, 
and  considerable  sums  were  collected  to  relieve  the  poor.  It  was 
stated  that  the  winter  had  been  very  moderate  in  Nova  Scotia, 
while  at  New  Orleans  the  river  Mississippi  was  fast  closed  with 
ice,  which  had  not  been  known  there  before.  During  the  year,  the 
Roman  Catholic  congregation  having  much  increased,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Charles  Sewall  settled  in  Baltimore,  and  a  considerable  addition 
was  made  to  their  church  on  Saratoga  street. 

William  Murphy,  a  bookseller,  succeeded  in  establishing  a  cir- 
culating library  on  the  south  side  of  Baltimore  street,  one  door 
east  of  Calvert,  which  was  soon  after  purchased  and  continued  by 
Mr.  Hugh  Barkley. 

Peter  Carnes,  Esq.,  exhibited  the  novel  spectacle  of  raising  a 
balloon  from  Howard's  Park. 

Up  to  this  period,  the  old  and  single  market-house  at  the  corner 
of  Gay  and  Baltimore  streets  had  sufficed  for  Baltimore,  but  now 
the  inhabitants  of  Old  Town  and  Fell's  Point,  those  on  Howard's 
Hill,  and  those  in  the  centre  of  the  settlements,  began  to  dispute 
about  the  site  for  enlarged  accommodations  for  the  traffic  in  pro- 
visions. It  was  soon  seen  that  one  market  would  no  longer  satisfy 
the  three  widely-separated  classes  of  population,  and  it  was  there- 
fore wisely  resolved  that  each  should  be  accommodated.  In  early 
times  it  had  been  intended  to  get  rid  of  "  the  marsh  "  on  Mr.  Har- 
rison's property  at  the  junction  of  Harrison  and  Baltimore  streets, 
by  thoroughly  excavating  it  so  as  to  form  a  dock  connecting  with 
the  Basin,  and  extending  the  whole  distance  thence  to  our  prin- 
cipal street.  This  scheme  was  now  abandoned,  and  the  executors 
of  Mr.  Harrison   offering  to  appropriate  the  space  in  Harrison 


236  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

street,  the  inhabitants  of  the  neighborhood  subscribed  money  to 
erect  a  market-house  on  the  site  of  our  present  Maryland  Insti- 
tute. It  was  accordingly  resolved  to  build  one  market-house  in 
Hanover  street,  one  at  Fell's  Point,  and  the  chief  and  largest  of  the 
three  on  Harrison  street  upon  the  bed  of  the  old  swamp.  These 
improvements  were  undertaken  and  completed  at  once.  A  great 
benefaction  was  conferred  upon  the  town  by  the  draining  of  the 
marsh,  which  was  successfully  accomplished.  A  large  force  of  ma- 
sons and  carpenters  was  employed  to  raise  the  building,  and  lo ! 
where  the  bulrush  and  the  water-lily  grew,  and  the  wild  fowl  fed, 
and  the  ortolan  and  rail  flocked  amongst  reeds,  a  grand  structure 
arose  and  loomed  upon  the  sight  of  admiring  citizens.  A  vast 
roof,  supported  on  brick  pillars,  spread  out  its  broad  shelter  over  a 
pavement  of  brick ;  and  behold,  a  new  architectural  glory  !  Full 
many  a  good-living,  pi*t)vident  townsman,  fond  of  creature  com- 
forts, and  skilful  to  discern  their  qualities,  has,  since  that  day,  re- 
plenished his  basket  and  store  with  the  choicest  of  this  world's 
dainties  at  the  stalls  of  the  Marsh  market;  officially  this  is  known 
as  the  Centre  market,  but  the  draining  of  the  swamp  lingered  so 
strongly  upon  the  memory  of  the  last  generation,  and  so  struck  its 
fancy,  that  they  were  not  willing  to  give  up  a  name  which  so  sig- 
nificantly suggested  its  origin.  The  three  market-houses  yet  sur- 
vive, enlarged  and  improved,  to  contribute  to  the  comfort  of  the 
city,  and  to  remind  us  of  the  thrift  and  foresight  of  our  ancestors. 

A  new  survey  was  now  ordered  to  be  made  of  the  town,  and 
the  inhabitants  began  to  discuss  the  necessity  of  a  charter. 

Messrs.  Garts  and  Leypold  erected  a  sugar  refinery  on  Peace 
alley,  the  east  side  of  Hanover  street,  between  Conway  and  Cam- 
den streets  ;  and  John  Frederick  Amelung  arrived  with  a  number 
of  glass  manufacturers  from  Germany,  and  erected  an  extensive 
factory  on  the  Monocacy,  and  in  1799  was  established  by  his  son 
on  the  south  side  of  the  basin. 

We  have  heretofore  mentioned  that  young  Barney  was  the 
first  individual  to  unfurl  the  banner  of  the  Union  in  his  native 
State,  in  October,  1775;  it  is  a  remarkable  coincidence  that  he 
was  also  the  last  officer  to  quit  its  service,  in  July,  1784,  having 
been  for  many  months  before  the  only  officer  retained  by  the 
United  States.  His  native  city,  Baltimore,  was  the  scene  of  both 
incidents. 

Mr.  James  Eumsey,  of  Cecil  county,  procured  the  exclusive 
privilege  of  this  State  for  making  and  vending  boats  to  be  propelled 
with  or  against  currents  by  steam,  then  lately  invented.  During 
this  year  a  man  navigated  a  large  canoe  from  the  Susquehanna  into 
the  basin,  by  turning  a  crank  with  a  water-wheel  on  each  side, 
which  mechanism,  as  then  applied,  is  like  the  construction  of  our 
present  steamboats.  Five  years  after  Mr.  Cruse  erected  a  steam 
mill  near  Pratt  street  wharf,  but  the  experiment  failed. 

The  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  visiting  General  Washington,  was 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  237 

entertained  in  Baltimore  by  a  public  dinner  on  the  first  of  Sep- 
tember, and  received  and  answered  the  following  congratulatory  ad- 
dress from  the  citizens ;  at  which  time  the  Legislature  declared 
the  Marquis  and  his  heirs  male  forever  citizens  of  Maryland : 

^^Sir: — While  the  citizens  of  Baltimore  embrace  the  present 
occasion  of  expressing  their  pleasure  in  again  seeing  you  among 
them,  they  feel  the  liveliest  emotions  of  gratitude  for  the  many 
services  you  have  rendered  their  country.  They  can  never  forget 
the  early  period  in  which  you  engaged  in  our  cause,  when  our  dis- 
tressed and  precarious  situation  would  have  deterred  a  less  noble 
and  resolute  mind  from  so  hazardous  an  enterprise :  nor  the  per- 
severance and  fortitude  with  which  you  shared  the  fatigues  and 
sufferings  of  a  patriotic  army.  They  especially  shall  never  cease 
to  remember  that  the  safety  of  their  town  is  owing  to  those 
superior  military  virtues  which  you  so  conspicuously  displayed 
against  a  formidable  enemy  during  your  important  command  in 
Virginia.  But  your  love  for  this  country  has  not  terminated 
with  the  war.  You  have  laid  us  under  fresh  obligations  by  your 
successful  representations,  to  free  trade  from  those  shackles  that 
abridge  mutual  intercourse.  To  that  profound  veneration  and 
gratitude  which  we  entertain  for  the  singular  interposition  of  your 
nation  and  its  illustrious  monarch,  we  have  only  to  add  our  sincere 
wishes  that  you  may  long  enjoy  that  glory  which  you,  in  particu- 
lar, have  so  justly  merited. 

"  In  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Baltimore,  we  have 
the  honor  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  the  greatest  respect,  Sir,  your 
most  obedient  servants, 

"John  Smith, 
"  Samuel  Purviance, 
"James  Calhoun, 
"Tench  Tilghman, 
"Nicholas  Eogers." 
The  General's  answer: 

"  Gentlemen : — Your  affectionate  welcome  makes  me  feel  doubly 
happy  in  this  visit,  and  I  heartily  enjoy  the  flourishing  situation 
in  which  I  find  the  town  of  Baltimore.  Amidst  the  trying  times 
which  you  so  kindly  mention,  permit  me  with  a  grateful  heart  to 
remember,  not  only  your  personal  exertions  as  a  volunteer  troop, 
your  spirited  preparations  against  a  threatening  attack,  lut  also  a 
former  period  when,  by  your  generous  support,  an  important  part 
of  the  army  under  my  command  was  forwarded — that  army  to 
whose  perseverance  and  bravery,  not  to  any  merit  of  mine,  you  are 
merely  indebted.  Attending  to  American  concerns,  gentlemen,  it 
is  to  me  a  piece  of  duty  as  well  as  a  gratification  to  my  feelings. 
In  the  enfranchisement  of  four  ports  and  their  peculiar  situation, 
it  \vas  pleasing  to  France  to  think  a  new  convenience  is  thereby 
offered  to  a  commercial  intercourse,  which  every  recollection  must 


238  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

render  pleasing,  and  which  from  its  own  nature  and  a  mutual  good- 
will, cannot  fail  to  prove  highly  advantageous  and  extensive. 
Your  friendly  wishes  to  me,  gentlemen,  are  sincerely  returned, 
and  I  shall  ever  rejoice  in  every  public  and  private  advantage  that 
may  attend  the  citizens  of  Baltimore. 

"  With  every  sentiment  of  an  affectionate  regard,  I  have  the 
honor  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  obedient  humble  servant, 

"La  Fayette." 

During  the  year  it  was  found  necessary  to  secure  the  ground 
in  front  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  on  the  corner  of  l!^orth 
and  Fayette  streets,  with  a  brick  wall.  It  was  at  first  sloped  and 
graded,  and  enclosed  with  a  wood,  paling,  and  then  the  brick  wall 
was  erected,  and  the  steps  and  paved  walks  were  made. 

A  company  was  incorporated  to  cut  a  canal  from  the  basin  at 
Charles  street  to  the  cove  in  Eidgely's  Addition,  and  which  could 
have  been  then  effected,  as  was  then  supposed,  by  the  brick-makers 
of  the  vicinity,  free  from  expense  to  the  public,  if  not  opposed  by 
some  of  the  proprietors  of  the  ground  through  which  the  canal 
would  pass. 

In  November  the  General  Assembly  passed  an  Act  for  the  estab- 
lishment and  regulation  of  a  night  watch,  and  the  erection  of  lamps 
in  Baltimore  town. 

1785.  John  O'Donnell,  Esq.,  arrived  from  Canton  in  the  ship 
Pallas,  on  the  9th  of  August,  with  a  full  cargo  of  China  goods,  be- 
ing the  first  direct  importation  from  thence  into  this  port,  the  value 
of  which  he  realised  here.  Mr.  O'Donnell  gave  the  name  of  Can- 
ton to  that  section  of  Baltimore  still  called  so  from  its  Chinese 
rival. 

Eegular  packets  to  and  from  Norfolk,  Ya.,  were  established  by 
Capt.  Joseph  White,  and  others  of  this  place,  during  this  year. 

Mr.  Harrison's  wharf  before  spoken  of,  was  extended  each  side 
of  South  street,  by  Daniel  Bowley,  one  of  his  executors,  and  it 
thence  became  known  by  the  name  of  Bowley's  wharf.  Messrs. 
Purviance,  McLure,  Thomas,  and  Samuel  Hollingsworth,  William 
Smith,  and  Jesse  Hollingsworth's  wharves,  and  the  private  wharves 
generally,  with  Cheapside,  were  extended,  and  piles,  with  the  ma- 
chine for  driving  them,  were  introduced  by  the  builders  of  wharves. 

During  this  year,  steps  were  taken  by  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  for  procuring  the  burial-ground  on  the  corner  of  Greene 
and  Fayette  streets. 

Eichard  Eidgely,  Esq.,  who  had  moved  from  Anne  Arundel 
County,  and  been  some  time  a  member  of  the  Baltimore  bar,  was 
appointed  one  of  the  delegates  of  this  State  in  Congress. 

Col,  Howard,  and  George  Lux,  Esq.,  presented  the  commis- 
sioners a  lot  of  ground  on  the  west  side  of  the  town,  for  the  inter- 
ment of  strangers,  which  is  sanctioned  by  Act  of  Assembly. 

No  companies  were  yet  chartered  for  insuring  vessels  and  pro- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  239 

perty  at  sea,  but  policies  prepared  by  Hercules  Courtenay  were 
subscribed  by  merchants  and  other  individuals,  to  very  large 
amounts.  Similar  insurances  were  effected  afterwards  on  policies 
prepared  by  Capt.  Keeports. 

Capt.  Philip  Graybell  was  elected  sheriff  for  the  ensuing  year, 
by  a  poll  for  the  town  and  county  of  984  votes,  after  a  severe  con- 
test with  Henry  Stevenson,  who  had  859  votes,  and  Capt.  Edward 
Oldham  837,  and  several  other  candidates ;  but  no  opposition  was 
made  to  the  return  of  the  sitting  members  of  the  Assembly. 

The  general  meetings  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  or  Quakers, 
in  Maryland  continued  to  be  held  at  West  Kiver  and  Treadhaven 
until  the  4th  of  the  6th  month,  1785,  when,  in  accordance  with  a 
minute  of  adjournment  of  the  previous  yearly  meeting  at  Third- 
haven,  as  it  was  now  called,  it  was  for  the  first  time  held  at  Balti- 
more Town.  It  had  now  become  strictly  an  annual  or  yearly 
meeting,  and  was  held  the  next  year,  1786,  at  Thirdhaven  ;  in 
1787  again  at  Baltimore  Town  ;  in  1788  at  Thirdhaven ;  and  in 
the  6th  month,  1789,  for  the  third  time  at  Baltimore  Town,  and 
from  that  period  has  continued  to  be  held  in  this  city,  the 
autumn  being  chosen  for  the  time,  instead  of  early  summer 
as  heretofore.  The  present  meeting-house,  at  the  corner  of  Ais- 
quith  and  Fayette  streets,  was  built  in  1780,  and  the  particular 
meeting  moved  thereto  in  January,  1781,  from  an  older  house 
which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  Quaker  burying-ground  on  the 
Harford  turnpike,  a  short  distance  beyond  the  present  city  limits. 
The  older  meeting  was  called  "  Patapsco,"  and  the  lot  of  ground 
it  occupied  was  given  by  Joseph  Taylor.  This  meeting  is  first 
mentioned  in  the  old  manuscripts  in  1703  ;  but  it  was  then  prob- 
ably held  at  a  private  house.  Mr.  John  Giles,  the  first  of  the  family 
of  that  name,  who  have  since  occupied  a  prominent  position  in 
the  State  of  Maryland,  settled  near  the  present  site  of  Baltimore 
about  1700,  and  at  his  house  the  Quakers  held  their  meetings. 
His  son,  Jacob  Giles,  erected  a  large  brick  dwelling  about  three 
miles  from  Havre  de  Grace,  which  is  still  standing,  and  in  its  octa- 
gon hall  the  Friends  of  Harford  County  held  their  meetings  for 
many  years.  'No  vestige  of  the  building  known  as  Patapsco  Meet- 
ing now  remains ;  but  the  ground  is  still  used  as  a  cemetery  by 
both  of  the  sections  into  which  the  Society  is  now  divided.  Aged 
persons  recollect  the  earliest  yearly  meetmgs  in  this  city,  when 
the  throngs  attending  were  so  great  that  a  large  tent  was  erected 
for  their  accommodation  on  the  then  green  lots  south  of  the  present 
site  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  at  the  corner  of  East 
Baltimore  and  Lloyd  streets.  The  Quaker  meeting-house  on  the 
south  side  of  Lombard  street,  between  Howard  and  Eutaw  streets, 
was  erected  in  1805,  and  the  one  at  the  northwest  intersection  of 
Saratoga  and  Courtland  streets  was  erected  in  1830. 

17^.  At  the  extreme  northern  end  of  Calvert  street,  one  sees 
at  this  date,  1873,  on  a  bank  elevated  some  twenty  feet  or  more 


240  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

above  the  level  of  the  street,  a  spacious  and  venerable  mansion. 
It  consists  of  a  stately  pile  in  the  centre  two  stories  in  height, 
with  a  colonnade  or  portico  in  the  rear,  connecting  wdth  a  wing  on 
either  hand,  these  wings  themselves  as  large  as  many  of  the  modern 
dwelling-houses.  This.noble  residence  at  once  arrests  the  eye,  stand- 
ing as  it  does  at  cross  angles  with  the  lines  of  the  adjacent  streets ;  it 
further  interests  the  visitor  as  a  building  which  dates  back  to  Revo- 
lutionary days,  erected  as  it  was  by  Colonel  John  Eager  Howard, 
one  of  the  famous  officers  of  the  "  old  Maryland  Line."  Shorn  of 
its  former  wide  domain,  it  still  seems  to  bid  defiance  to  the  enclos- 
ing city,  from  which  it  was  once  remote,  although  it  is  evident 
that  its  destruction  is  only  a  question  of  time.  Some  prosaic  city 
surveyor  will  at  length  condemn  it,  for  the  line  of  Calvert  street 
passes  directly  through  the  site  of  the  house ;  and  some  ruthless 
commissioner  of  paving  will  drive  his  carts  and  set  his  curb-stones 
beneath  the  spot  on  which  the  mansion  stands.  Bounded  by  the 
square  formed  by  North,  Chase,  and  Eager  streets,  and  on  the 
north  by  an  alley;  with  some  few  lordly  forest-trees  still  remain- 
ing like  guardians  of  the  past,  is  all  that  yet  belongs  to  the  once 
princely  estate  of  "  Belvedere." 

When  Col.  Howard,  at  the  successful  close  of  the  Revolutionary 
war,  came  back  to  his  ancestral  seat,  laying  aside  the  sword  for 
the  peaceful  pleasures  of  the  country  gentleman,  he  determined  on 
building  a  "  proper  house  and  home,"  and  accordingly  the  north 
wing  of  the  present  mansion  was  erected  in  1786.  The  family  re- 
sided in  this  and  the  southern  wing  for  some  years,  the  centre  or 
main  house  not  being  completed  until  1794.  The  front  of  the 
mansion  faced  the  northwest,  the  colonnade  in  the  rear  looked  to 
the  southeast,  but  in  all  directions  noble  vistas  of  park  scenery 
opened  to  the  view.  The  vast  estate,  part  of  the  original  "  How- 
ard's Patent,"  stretched  from  near  the  line  of  Pratt  street  to  South 
street  and  Eutaw  streets  inclusive,  thence  northerly  to  the  lines 
of  Jones  Falls ;  and  although  the  growing  "  Baltimore  Town " 
had  greatly  encroached  on  this  domain,  still  at  the  period  when 
Col.  Howard  built  his  house  it  w^as  a  country  seat,  the  forest  trees 
covering  all  the  lines  of  the  present  North,  Mulberry,  and  Eutaw 
streets ;  while  to  Jones  Falls  and  far  beyond  no  speculators  in  cor- 
ner lots  had  dreamed  of  a  city.  In  1781  the  Duke  de  Lauzan's 
legion  encamped  where  the  Cathedral  now  stands,  and  even  a  num- 
ber of  years  later  one  of  the  principal  gates  to  Belvedere  was  on 
the  line  of  Franklin  street,  and  about  where  the  Maryland  Club 
now  stands.  Had  the  Howard  family  been  possessed  of  the  com- 
mercial spirit  of  the  Rothschilds  or  the  Marquis  of  Westminster, 
their  estates  this  day  would  be  worth  many  millions  of  dollars, 
for  all  the  great  lines  of  Eutaw,  Howard,  Park,  Cathedral,  Charles, 
St.  Paul's,  Calvert  and  North  streets,  with  the  crossing  avenues, 
peopled  by  the  wealthiest  men  of  Baltimore,  would  produce  pro- 
digious sums  in  ground  rents  alone.     But  in  this  country  at  least. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  241 

it  is  rare  that  vast  landed  estates  are  managed  with  that  skill  and 
foresight  which  ensure  wealth  to  successive  generations. 

Uniting  the  triumphs  of  the  patriot  soldier  to  princely  fortune, 
Colonel  Howard  was  most  happy  in  his  domestic  relations.  His 
wife,  Margaret  Chew,  was  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Chew,  of 
Philadelphia,  who  was  of  loyalist  principles  during  the  Hevolution. 
She  was  a  lady  of  much  animation  of  character  and  of  genial  man- 
ners, so  that  Belvedere  was  celebrated  during  her  lifetime  for  the 
kindly  welcome  of  its  hostess  to  all  who  had  the  right  of  entree. 
It  is  an  interesting  fact,  and  one  by  no  means  generally  known, 
that  the  most  friendly  relations  existed  between  her  and  the  cele- 
brated and  unfortunate  Major  John  Andre,  Adjutant-General  of  the 
British  army,  and  the  lamented  victim  of  Arnold's  treason.  Major 
Andre  visited  her  father's  house  on  terms  of  the  most  cordial  inti- 
macy, and  he  wrote  for  her  a  full  account  of  the  "  Meschianza,"  or 
the  celebrated  tournament  and  festival  which  the  British  officers  in 
Philadelphia  planned  and  consummated  for  the  amusement  of  their 
fair  admirers.  This  description  of  the  revel,  entirely  in  Major 
Andre's  own  handwriting,  is  now  in  possession  of  Col.  Howard's 
grandson,  Mr.  Wm.  George  Eead  of  Baltimore. 

Not  less  hospitable  than  his  wife.  Col.  Howard  took  the  great- 
est delight  in  his  friends  and  in  stranger  visitors.  Very  few 
houses  in  the  country,  and  certainly  none  in  Maryland,  have  re- 
ceived as  many  distinguished  personages  as  Belvedere.  It  was 
long  before  the  days  of  steamboats  and  railroads,  and  hospitality 
was  then  part  of  the  religion  of  wealth.  Not  only  all  the  best  so- 
ciety of  Baltimore  itself  thronged  the  halls  of  the  mansion,  but  all 
worthy  strangers  from  the  North  or  South,  representatives  of  noted 
families,  were  entertained  there.  The  friends  and  fellow-soldiers  of 
the  Eevolution  were  welcomed  ever;  there  were  Generals  Williams, 
Smith,  Small  wood,  Gist,  &c.,  of  the  old  Maryland  Line ;  Judge  Samuel 
Chase,  the  bosom  friend  of  Col.  Howard ;  the  illustrious  Carroll, 
destined  to  be  the  last  surviving  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence; the  Catons,  afterward  united  to  British  nobles;  and  all 
the  flower  of  Maryland.  Then  there  were  as  stranger  sojourners 
the  Middletons,  the  Pinckneys,  the  Lowndeses,  the  Hugers  and  the 
Rutledges  of  the  South;  the  Quincys,  the  Adamses,  the  Winthrops 
and  the  Otises  of  the  North.  La  Fayette,  on  his  second  visit  to 
America  in  1823,  was  entertained  at  an  elegant  dejeuner;  and 
scarce  a  Senator  or  Pepresentative  of  note  from  the  Eastern  States, 
on  their  periodic  visits  to  Washington,  but  delighted  to  visit  this 
chosen  seat.  The  earlier  Archbishops  of  Baltimore,  and  eminent 
Protestant  clergymen.  Bishop  Kemp  and  Dr.  Allison,  and  the  bril- 
liant lights  of  the  Baltimore  bar,  Pinkney,  Harper,  Wirt,  Winder 
and  Taney,  were  frequent  guests.  Indeed  nearly  every  celebrity, 
whether  of  local  or  foreign  reputation,  found  a  welcome.  The  later 
heroes  of  the  war  of  1812  won  the  cordial  friendship  of  the  old 
victor  of  Cowpens  and  Eutaw,  and  it  was  not  until  1827  that  he 
ceased  fopever  to  dispense  his  hospitality. 
16 


242  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

His  son,  the  late  General  Benjamin  C.  Howard,  inherited  Bel- 
vedere, and  for  a  number  of  years  continued  the  same  generous 
mode  of  living  to  which  he  was  born.  At  length  in  1841,  the 
estate  passed  out  of  the  possession  of  the  family,  being  purchased 
by  the  late  John  S.  McKim.  By  this  time  it  had  become  much 
curtailed:  the  enclosing  city,  like  an  enemy  investing  a  fortress, 
mined  and  entrenched  and  carried  by  assault  outwork  after  out- 
work, still  drawing  his  lines  continually  closer  around  the  doomed 
citadel,  the  grand  old  mansion.  Only  some  twenty  years  have 
elapsed  since  the  great  forest  trees  filled  what  is  now  Charles 
street  north  of  Madison  street ;  and  on  the  very  line  of  Charles 
street,  near  the  corner  of  Bead  street,  the  ancient  spring-house 
and  dairy  of  Belvedere  were  buried  intact,  when  the  grade  of  the 
modern  avenue  left  them  some  fifteen  feet  beneath  the  surface. 

All  the  modern  glories  of  "Druid  Hill "  can  never  compensate  the 
venerable  and  middle-aged  Baltimoreans  for  the  delights  of  dear  old 
"  Howard's  Park."  The  haunts  of  our  childhood,  the  sweet  lawns  and 
the  shaded  dingles,  the  rambles  on  the  hill-sides,  the  picnics  in  the 
dells,  the  leafy  nooks  where  lovers  whispered,  and  the  broad  spaces 
where  troops  manoeuvred,  are  known  no  more  forever ;  and  even  the 
very  bounds  of  the  estate  can  hardly  now  be  recalled  to  memory. 
In  close  proximity  to  Belvedere  was  the  ruined  Chase  house, 
destroyed  by  fire  very  many  years  before,  picturing  in  its  de- 
solation those  lines  of  Eogers  : 

"  Mark  yon  old  mansion  frowning  thro'  the  trees, 
Whose  hollow  turret  wooes  the  whistling  breeze. 
The  mouldering  gateway  strews  the  grass-grown  court, 
Once  the  calm  scene  of  many  a  simple  sport; 
When  all  things  pleased,  for  life  itself  was  new, 
And  the  heart  promised  what  the  fancy  drew." 

Those  too  were  the  days  of  processions  and  encampments   and 
fourth  of  July  orations,  when  the  speakers  really  believed  in  the 

f  lories  of  the  Eepublic,  and  all  these  things  belonged  to  "  Howard's 
•ark ; "  as  well  as  the  great  political  gatherings,  including  the 
famous  "  Jackson  Barbecue,"  when  an  ox  was  roasted  whole,  and 
even  the  little  truant  school-boys  were  welcome  to  carve  and  come 
again.  But  now,  in  closing  the  sketch  of  this  interesting  and 
historic  mansion,  which  must  erelong  wholly  disappear,  it  is 
with  a  feeling  of  deep  regret  that  so  much  of  the  brilliant  life 
which  illumined  its  salons  for  half  a  century  had  not  been 
chronicled  in  a  complete  and  worthy  manner  by  the  late  Gen. 
Benjamiri  C.  Howard,  as  he  intended  doing;  and  that  except 
in  our  imperfect  record,  the  long  array  of  noble  names  con- 
nected with  Belvedere  must  fade  away. 

After  Mr.  Harrison's  addition  to  the  town  in  1747,  it  became 
the  practice  to  dispose  of  lots  by  leases  for  long  terms,  mostly 
ninety-nine  years,  renewable  for  ever. 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE.  243 

The  youth  of  Baltimore  intended  for  the  learned  professions 
hitherto  were  sent  abroad,  and  mostly  to  schools  in  Pennsylvania ; 
but  now  an  academy  was  established  under  the  patronage  of  the 
Kev.  Doctors  Carroll,  West  and  Allison,  on  Charles  street,  where 
Edward  Langworthy  taught  the  classics,  and  Andrew  Ellicott  of 
Joseph,  Surveyor  of  the  United  States,  the  mathematics,  natural 
philosophy,  &c.,  which  unfortunately  was  not  long  continued. 

James  McHenry  resigned  his  seat  in  the  Senate  early  in  1786. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Daniel  Bowley,  and  at  the  senatorial  election 
afterwards,  John  Smith  was  re-elected,  with  Captain  Charles 
Eidgely,  Col.  John  E.  Howard,  and  Richard  Eidgely  electors 
for  this  county  and  town ;  and  in  1788,  James  Carroll,  who  had 
moved  here  from  Annapolis,  was  chosen  to  fill  a  vacancy,  and 
in  November,  1789,  Daniel  Bowley  was  again  chosen  to  fill  another 
in  the  Senate. 

Died  on  Wednesday,  February  22d,  Richard  Moale,  in  the  46th 
year  of  his  age. 

Jesse  Hollingsworth,  Esq.,  was  elected  one  of  the  delegates  in 
the  place  of  Mr.  Sterrett. 

On  the  12th  of  March,  1786,  died  at  his  residence  in  the  county, 
Andrew  Buchanan,  many  years  Presiding  Justice  of  the  County 
Court,  General  of  the  militia,  and  a  most  meretorious  citizen  and 
merchant  of  Baltimore.  William  Fell,  Esq.,  son  of  Edward  who 
laid  out  the  Point,  and  lately  a  delegate  in  the  Assembly,  also, 
died. 

Owing  to  the  great  impositions  which  daily  arose  from  the  ex- 
portation and  sale  of  unsound  salted  provisions,  and  there  not 
being  any  regulations  for  the  prevention  of  such  frauds,  the 
General  Assembly  passed  an  Act  for  the  inspection  of  salted  pork, 
beef  and  fish  exported  and  imported  from  and  to  the  town  of  Bal- 
timore. 

According  to  the  Gazette  of  this  year,  there  were  entered  in 
the  port  of  Baltimore  50  ships,  57  brigs,  and  160  schooners  and 
sloops  ;  there  were  cleared  for  foreign  ports  20  ships,  57  brigs,  and 
150  schooners  and  sloops. 

On  Friday,  the  3d  of  March,  a  number  of  the  citizens  of  Balti- 
more Town  assembled  at  Grant's  tavern,  and  formed  a  society 
for  the  purpose  of  "  encouraging  and  improving  agriculture  and 
other  branches  of  rural  economy."  Harry  Dorsey  Gough  was  ap- 
pointed president,  and  Zebulon  Hollingsworth  secretar}^  After 
the  adoption  of  a  constitution,  the  following  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  prepare  an  address  to  the  public,  after  which  the  meet- 
ing adjourned :  Hqn.  Daniel  Bowley,  Hon.  Benjamin  Nicholson,  Col. 
Nicholas  Rogers,  Zebulon  Hollingsworth,  Hon.  Richard  Ridgely, 
Harry  Dorsey  Gough,  Samuel  Purviance. 

The  Association  of  Tradesmen  and  Manufacturers  in  Balti- 
more Town,  from  a  true  patriotic  spirit,  determined  to  clothe 
themselves  with  home'  manufactures.     To  promote  a  valuable  but 


244  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

much  neglected  manufacture,  they  ordered  a  considerable  number 
of  buckskin  breeches  to  be  made  for  the  use  of  the  Association, 
"  who  hope  to  find  American  woollen  and  linen  sufficient  to  clothe 
their  families." 

The  following  is  taken  from  The  Maryland  Grazette,  of  October 
10th,  1786  :  "  It  would  far  exceed  the  limits  of  our  time  and  paper 
to  give  an  ample  detail  of  the  devastation  made  by  the  dreadful 
swelling  of  the  rivers  and  runs,  by  means  of  the  late  rains,  on 
Thursday  evening  last,  October  5th,  in  that  part  of  this  town  near 
Jones's  Falls,  and  in  the  country  adjacent.  Indeed,  there  are  few 
pens  in  any  degree  capable  of  giving  a  just  description  of  so  awful 
a  scene,  and  which  so  strikingly  evidences  the  power  of  that  great 
Being  who  bade  the  waters  flow.  At  present  we  can  only  observe, 
in  general,  that  this  alarming  flood,  which  deluged  several  streets 
in  the  town,  hath  far  exceeded,  by  its  destructive  progress,  any 
event  of  the  kind  that  hath  taken  place  in  these  parts  in  the 
memory  of  the  oldest  inhabitant  living,  and  that  the  damage  to 
this  town,  in  houses,  stores,  bridges,  wharves,  merchandise,  and 
other  valuable  property,  and  to  the  country  within  the  compass  of 
25  miles,  in  mills,  mill-dams,  bridges,  lumber,  stock,  &c.,  &c.,  &c.,  is 
estimated,  by  competent  judges,  at  one  hundred  thousand  pounds, 
specie,  at  least.  But  the  loss  of  the  lives  of  several  hapless  people, 
who  were  hurried  into  eternity  by  the  resistless  force  of  the  mighty 
waters,  is  an  aff'ecting  addition  to  the  calamity.  It  is  much  to  be 
lamented  that  the  new  German  Calvinist  Church,  an  elegant  dome, 
vwhich  hath  lately  arisen  to  adorn  the  town,  near  the  spot  where 
Market  street  bridge  lately  stood,  was  amongst  the  buildings  which 
were  materially  injured  by  the  recent  flood."  Among  the  unfortu- 
nate persons  who  perished,  we  find  the  names  of  the  following: 
Mr.  Alexander  Grant,  cooper ;  Mr.  John  Boyce,  attorney-at-law ; 
and  Mr.  Edward  Eyan,  butcher. 

Colonel  Tench  Tilghman  took  an  early  and  active  part  in  the 
great  contest  that  secured  the  independence  of  the  United  States 
of  America.  He  was  aide-de-camp  to  his  Excellency  General 
George  Washington,  commander-in-chief  of  the  American  armies, 
and  was  honored  with  his  friendship  and  confidence  in  an  unusual 
degree.  He  died  after  a  short  illness  in  this  city  on  the  18th  of 
April,  1786,  in  the  42d  year  of  his  age,  and  his  remains  were  interred 
in  St.  Paul's  churchyard.  Several  of  General  Washington's 
correspondents  spoke  of  his  death  with  much  warmth  of  feeling. 
Eobert  Morris  said :  "  You  have  lost  in  him  a  most  faithful  and 
valuable  friend.  He  was  to  me  the  same.  I  esteemed  him  verj' 
much,  and  I  lament  his  loss  exceedingly."  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Tilghman,  whilst  aide  to  Washington,  rode  express  to  Philadelphia 
to  cany  the  dispatches  of  the  chief,  announcing  the  joyful  tidings 
to  Congress  of  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis.  It  was  midnight 
when  he  entered  the  city,  October  23d,  1781.  Thomas  McKean 
was  then  president  .of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  resided  in 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  .       245 

High  street,  near  Second.  Tilghman  knocked  at  his  door  so  vehe- 
mently that  a  watchman  was  disposed  to  arrest  him  as  a  disturber 
of  the  peace.  Mr.  Kean  arose,  and  presently  the  glad  tidings  were 
made  known.  The  watchmen  throughout  the  city  proclaimed  the 
hour,  adding  "  and  Cornwallis  is  taken  !  "  The  annunciation  ring- 
ing out  upon  the  frosty  night-air,  aroused  thousands  from  their 
beds.  Lights  were  seen  moving  in  almost  every  house,  and  soon 
the  streets  were  thronged  with  men  and  women  all  eager  to  hear 
the  details.  It  was  a  night  of  great  joy  in  Philadelphia,  for  the 
people  had  anxiously  awaited  intelligence  from  Yorktown.  The 
old  State  House  bell  rang  out  its  notes  of  gladness,  and  the  first 
blush  of  morning  was  greeted  with  the  booming  of  cannon.  Con- 
gress assembled  at  an  early  hour,,  and  the  grave  orators  of  that 
august  body  could  hardly  repress  their  huzzas.  Secretary  Thomp- 
son read  the  letter  from  Washington  announcing  the  capitulation 
of  Cornwallis.  On  motion  of  Edmund  Eandolph,  Congress  re- 
solved to  go  in  procession  at  two  o'clock  the  same  day,  October 
24th,  to  the  Dutch  Lutheran  Church,  "  and  return  thanks  to  Al- 
mighty God  for  crowning  the  allied  armies  of  the  United  States 
and  France  with  success." 

1787.  In  this  year  Messrs.  Septimus  Noel,  Isaac  Yanbibber, 
Robert  Henderson,  Thomas  Johnson,  Jeremiah  Yellot,  James 
Clarke  and  Thomas  Elliot,  were  constituted  a  board  to  examine 
and  license  pilots,  with  power  of  renewals,  &c.,  and  the  rates  of 
pilotage  were  established. 

The  Grand  Jury,  Stephen  "Wilson,  Esq.,  foreman,  had  re- 
presented the  state  of  the  roads  as  a  public  grievance,  and 
that  the  usual  method  of  repairs  was  insufficient.  The  evil 
had  increased,  and  the  Frederick,  Eeisterstown  and  York  roads 
were  laid  out  anew,  for  which  special  and  permanent  taxes 
were  laid  and  turnpike  gates  established  with  rates  of  toll, 
towards  defraying  the  expense  of  the  county  in  making  and 
repairing  them. 

It  was  also  in  1787  that  Baltimore  street  was  extended  west- 
wardly  beyond  Col.  Howard's  addition,  and  an  attempt  was  made 
to  raise  a  company  to  introduce  into  the  town  a  copious  supply 
of  wholesome  water  by  pipes,  but  was  not  effected  for  several 
years. 

Mr.  Asbury  and  the  council  of  the  Methodist  Church  make 
some  progress  in  establishing  Sunday  schools  for  persons  of  all 
descriptions,  free  of  expense. 

To  procure  the  country  a  greater  unanimity  in  council,  the 
protection  of  domestic  manufactures  and  security  to  its  revenue 
and  intercourse  with  foreign  nations,  a  new  form  of  confederacy 
was  happily  resorted  to,  and  the  Constitution  of  the  present  General 
Government,  which  was  formed  in  1787,  was  signed  by  James 
McHenry,  Esq.,  of  this  city,  one  of  the  members  of  the  convention, 
though  opposed  by  his  colleague  Mr.  Martin. 


246      .  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

On  the  Ist  of  January,  1787,  died  John  Sterett,  late  Delegate 
and  formerly  Captain  of  the  Independent  Company. 

Captain  Gr.  P.  Keeports  is  appointed  Notary  Public.  Samuel 
Chase,  Esq.,  having  moved  from  Annapolis,  is  elected  delegate  in 
the  place  of  Mr.  Hollingsworth,  and  Col.  Howard  appointed  mem- 
ber of  Congress. 

On  the  3l8t  of  *I)ecember,  Mr.  D.  Stodder  is  robbed  between 
town  and  Point,  and  after  pursuit,  five  persons  were  taken  and 
tried,  and  two,  Ponelly  and  Mooney,  were  condemned  and  executed. 

On  the  15th  of  May,  an  Act  was  passed  by  the  General  Assembly 
"  for  the  more  effectual  remedy  to  extinguish  fire  in  Baltimore 
Town."  By  this  Act,  every  householder  was  obliged  to  keep  two 
leather  buckets  hung  up  near  the  door  of  his  house,  arid  the 
commissioners  of  the  town  were  authorised  to  dig  wells  and  erect 
pumps  on  the  sides  of  the  streets. 

On  Saturday,  November  24th,  was  launched  at  Harris  Creek,  in 
this  town,  by  Mr.  Stodder,  the  ship  Goliath,  of  six  hundred  tons, 
the  property  of  Abraham  Yanbibber,  who  destined  her  for  the 
East  India  trade. 

Mr.  Oliver  Evans'  newly  invented  steam  carriage,  elevator  and 
hopper-boy,  were  patented  by  "the  Assembly,  and  the  two  last  gener- 
ally introduced  into  the  mills  about  Baltimore,  although  some  of 
the  mill-owners  claimed  originality. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committees  from  the  several  fire  companies 
in  Baltimore  Town,  viz. :  The  Mechanical,  Mercantile,  Union,  and 
Friendship,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Daniel  Grant,  on  Saturday  evening, 
March  17th,  1787,  William  Smith,  Esq.,  in  the  chair,  they  ''Resolved, 
That  this  committee  recommend  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  town, 
that  they  put  lights  in  their  windows  in  time  of  fire  in  the  night, 
not  onl}^  near  where  the  fire  is,  but  generally  throughout  the 
town,  for  the  convenience  of  those  who  are  repairing  to  the  fire.  Re- 
solved, That  it  be  recommended  to  every  housekeeper,  where  one  of 
the  family  is  not  enrolled  in  some  fire  company,  to  provide,  as  soon 
as  possible,  two  good  leather  buckets,  marked  with  the  owner's 
name,  and  that  they  send  them  to  the  place  of  fire  immediately  on 
the  alarm  being  given.  Resolved,  That  each  fire  company  appoint 
any  number  of  men  of  their  own  company,  for  lane-men,  who 
shall  each  be  distinguished  by  a  white  staff  eight  feet  long,  whose 
business  it  shall-  be  to  form  lanes  for  the  purpose  of  handing  the 
water.  Resolved,  that  each  fire  company  appoint  any  number  of 
men  of  their  own  company,  for  property-men,  who  shall  each  be 
distinguished  by  having  the  crown  of  his  hat  painted  white,  and 
whose  business  it  shall  be  to  take  the  charge  of  property  to  be  re- 
moved in  time  of  fire.  The  secretary  of  each  company  is  desired 
to  transmit  to  each  secretary  of  other  companies,  a  list  of  the 
names  of  those  who  shall  be  appointed  to  the  offices  of  lane-men 
and  propert3^-men  of  his  company.  John  Weatherburn,  Secretary." 
About  this  year  a  military  coraj)any  was  raised  by  Captain, 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  247 

afterwards  Col.  Mackenheimer,  of  the  ContiDental  army,  which 
company  was  afterwards  commanded  for  many  years  by  Captain 
John  Schrim.  The  uniform  was  light-blue,  faced  with  white. 
They  paraded  on  the  ground  now  covered  by  the  Front  Street 
Theatre,  and  when  the  Western  insurrection  broke  out,  they  vol- 
unteered their  services  in  a  body,  and  served  through  that  short 
campaign,  occupying  the  honorable  post,  it  is  said,  of  Washington's 
body-guard.  They  took  the  name  of  "  The  First  Baltimore  Light 
Infantry,"  which  name  they  retained  for  a  great  number  of  j^ears, 
and  occupied  the  right  of  the  first  battalion  of  the  old  5th  regi- 
ment. About  the  year  1792  several  companies  were  raised. 
Among  these  were  the  Independent  Company,  Capt.  Strieker ;  the 
Mechanical  Company,  Captain  Coulson ;  the  Baltimore  Sana 
Culottes,  Capt.  Jas.  A.  Buchanan  ;  a  Eifle  Company,  Capt.  Jessup ; 
and  some  other  names  not  now  known.  These,  when  the  State 
militia  was  organized,  constituted  the  Fifth  Eegiment.  About  the 
same  time  another  association  was  formed,  which  had  the  name 
of"  The  First  Baltimore  Battalion,"  under  the  command  of  Major, 
subsequently  Col.  Lowry.  This  contained  a  company  of  grena- 
diers, Capt.  Hugh  Thompson  ;  two  companies  of  batmen  (as  they 
were  called)  wearing  cocked-hats ;  and  a  company  of  light  in- 
fantry, Capt.  Wm.  Kobb.  This  association  adopted  a  beautiful 
French  uniform  —  blue,  faced  with  red  and  edged  with  white, 
white  vest  and  breeches,  black  knee-bands,  short-laced  boots,  and 
white  cotton  hose.  There  was  associated  with  them  a  troop  of 
horse,  commanded  by  Captain  Jehu  Bowen  ;  uniform  green,  faced 
with  red.  This  body  on  parade  made  a  splendid  appearance,  and 
were  drilled  twice  a  week  in  citizen's  dress,  on  the  west  side  of 
Harford  run,  near  old  Trinity  Church  —  this  afterwards  became 
the  27th  Eegiment.  The  first  rifle  company  adopted  the  dress  of 
Morgan's  Eiflemen  of  the  Continental  army  —  hunting  shirt,  with 
a  profusion  of  fringe.  The  second  rifle  company  was  raised  by 
Capt.  Eeese,  father  of  Mr.  John  Eeese,  who  was  for  many  years 
President  of  the  Firemen's  Insurance  Company;  uniform  green 
faced  with  yellow.  There  was  also  at  this  time  a  splendid  troop 
of  horse,  commanded  by  Captain  Euxton  Moore  ;  uniform  blue 
and  buff.  In  this  troop  were  several  gentlemen  who  had  belonged 
to  Pulaski's  Legion.  The  uniform  of  the  Sans  Culottes,  after- 
wards called  the  Independent  Blues,  was  copied  from  the  marine 
uniform  of  the  frigate  Astrea,  then  lying  in  our  port.  It  was  worn 
buttoned  close  to  the  body,  with  the  cartouche-belt  inside.  It  was 
the  first  company  that  adopted  pantaloons,  breeches  and  stockings 
being  then  universally  worn. 

In  the  year  1794  the  Western  insurrection  broke  out,  and  a  re- 
quisition for  Baltimore  troops  was  made  by  the  Governor,  in  con- 
sequence of  a  report  that  the  insurgents,  as  they  were  called,  had 
assembled  in  considerable  numbers  near  Cumberland,  and  that  their 
design  was  to  seize  the  arms  belonging  to  the  State,  deposited  in 


248  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE, 

an  arsenal  near  Frederick.  The  order  came  on  Sunday  while  the 
people  were  at  their  several  places  of  worship;  and  Gen.  Samuel 
Smith,  who  was  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  was  called  out 
by  an  express.  'When  the  service  was  over  the  drums  were  beat- 
ing to  arms,  and  the  troops  were  ordered  to  assemble  on  the 
parade-ground  near  Harford  run  ;  the  Governor's  letter,  was  read, 
and  the  several  companies  volunteered  on  the  spot.  Those  of  the 
Fifth  Eegiment  were  ordered  to  parade  at  the  court-house  on  Mon- 
day morning  at  nine  o'clock,  and  to  furnish  themselves  with  knap- 
sacks and  blankets.  They  paraded  according  to  order,  and  took 
up  the  line  of  march  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Strieker ;  the 
Twenty-seventh  Eegiment  followed  on  Tuesday  morning.  Knap- 
sacks of  coarse  linen  were  made  on  the  spur  of  the  occasion  (for 
the  troops  were  not  at  that  time  furnished  with  them),  and 
marked  with  the  members'  respective  names  in  ink. 

In  the  year  1798,  on  a  prospect  of  a  war  with  France,  a  con- 
siderable revival  took  place  among  the  volunteers ;  old  companies 
were  filled  up  and  new  ones  were  formed.  A  meeting  of  the  Sans 
Culottes  was  called,  the  name  changed  to  "  The  Baltimore  Inde- 
pendent Blues,"  and  a  number  of  new  members  added.  Captain 
buchanan  having  been  promoted  to  a  major,  Lieutenant  Eeuben 
Etting  was  chosen  captain,  and  Standish  Barry  lieutenant,  and 
Swallen  Barry  ensign.  Shortly  after  a  band  was  formed  in  the 
company,  which  made  it  very  popular,  and  it  continued  to  increase 
more  and  more  until  the  attack  on  the  Chesapeake  in  1806,  when 
another  revival  took  place,  and  shortly  after  it  became  necessary 
to  form  it  into  two  companies.  Additional  officers  were  elected, 
and  the  company  provided  themselves  w4th  painted  knapsacks, 
numbered  and  lettered.  It  was  in  the  year  1798,  when  on  his  way 
to  Trenton  to  organize  the  army,  that  the  troops  were  reviewed 
by  General  "Washington.  The  line  was  formed  in  Market  (now 
Baltimore)  street,  the  l.eft  resting  on  the  corner  of  Light  street, 
and  the  right  near  South  street.  The  General,  accompanied  by 
Generals  Smith  and  Swann,  passed  the  line  on  foot.  He  was  not 
in  uniform,  but  in  a  plain  suit  of  black,  with  his  hair  in  a  black 
silk  bag  with  a  rosette.  The  line  afterwards  passed  him  while 
standing  on  the  steps  of  the  Fountain  Inn,  then  kept  by  Briden. 

178B^The  ship  Chesapeake^  of  Baltimore,  was  the  first  Ameri- 
can vessel  allowed  to  hoist  the  colors  of  the  United  States  in  the 
river  Ganges,  and  to  trade  there.  This  was  in  the  fall  of  1788. 
Lord  Cornwallis  was  then  Gov.-General  of  the  British  possessions  in 
India,  and  being,  at  the  time  of  the  ship's  arrival,  at  a  great  dis- 
tance in  the  interior,  he  was  applied  to  by  letter,  to  know  in  what 
manner  the  flag  of  the  new  nation  of  America  was  to  be  received. 
He  answered,  on  the  same  footing  with  those  of  other  nations. 

On  Saturday,  May  17th,  Capt.  John  de  Corse  was  killed  in  a 
schooner  belonging  to  him,  employed  as  a  packet  between  this  city 
and  Chestertown.     Two  men,  Patrick  Cassidy  and  John  Webb, 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  249 

were  shortly  after  arrested  for  the  commission  of  the  deed,  and 
were  executed. 

The  Legislature  elected  Col.  Howard,  Governor  of  the  State  in 
November,  1788,  and  he  was  re-elected  the  two  succeeding  years. 

James  McHenry  and  Doctor  John  Coulter  were  elected  to  the 
Assembly  after  a  warm  contested  election,  600  to  500  votes,  and 
Thomas  Eutter  was  elected  sheriff. 

On  the  6th  of  July,  the  lightning  killed  a  woman  and  two  chil- 
dren between  town  and  Point. 

A  criminal  court  was  organized  for  the  county  and  town,  con- 
sisting of  five  justices,  Samuel  Chase  beinsj  appointed  chief  justice, 
John  Moale,  William  Eussell,  Otho  H.  Williams,  and  Lyde  Good- 
win ;  and  last  of  whom  were  George  Salmon,  George  G.  Presbury, 
Job  Smith,  and  Nicholas  Kogers.  William  Gibson,  clerk  of  the 
county,  was  clerk  and  the  sheriff  for  the  time  being,  and  sheriff  of 
this  court  also.  This  court  appointed  the  constables,  and  super- 
intended the  night-watch,  &c.,  &c. 

On  the  17th  of  September,  1787,  the  delegates  from  the  several 
States,  who  had  been  appointed  to  meet  in  convention  at  Phila- 
delphia for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  constitution  for  the  United 
States,  completed  their  work,  and  sent  it  forth  to  their  respective 
constituents  for  approval  or  rejection.  In  the  State  of  Maryland, 
there  was  found  a  powerful  party  opposed  to  the  adoption  of  the 
constitution,  and  in  the  election  of  delegates  to  a  State  convention, 
by  whom  the  important  question  of  concurrence  was  to  be  decided, 
the  contest  between  the  Federalists^  or  those  who  were  in  favor  of 
adopting  the  constitution,  and  the  Anti-Federalists,  or  those  who 
were  for  rejecting  it,  was  carried  on  with  a  warmth  and  violence 
that  threatened  to  break  asunder  all  social  ties  and  relations. 
General  Washington,  writing  to  Thomas  Johnson  of  Maryland, 
says :  "  I  have  but  one  public  wish  remaining.  It  is,  that  in  peace 
and  retirement,  I  may  see  this  country  rescued  from  the  danger 
that  is  pending,  and  rise  into  respectability,  maugre  the  intrigues 
of  its  public  and  private  enemies."  At  length  the  day  of  election 
came,  and  the  Federalists  were  victorious  ;  a  delegate  (Mr.  Mc- 
Henry) friendly  to  the  proposed  constitution  was  elected  to  the 
convention  by  a  large  majority,  which  was  considered  a  triumph 
over  the  enemies  of  the  country.  On  the  28th  of  April,  17^,  the 
State  convention,  after  an  able  and  animated  debate,  which  forms 
a  rich  and  lasting  monument  of  the  talents  that  then  adorned  and 
enlightened  the  councils  of  Maryland,  passed  a  resolution  to  adopt 
the  constitution  without  amendments.  In  July  of  the  same  year, 
eleven  of  the  States  having  in  the  meantime  declared  in  favor  of 
the  adoption,  the  instrument  was  confirmed  and  ratified  by  Con- 
gress. The  people  everywhere  testified  their  joy  at  this  happy 
event  by  some  public  demonstration  ;  in  Baltimore,  a  procession 
was  formed  on  Philpot's  Hill  under  the  direction  of  Captains  Moore 
and  Plunket,  in  which  both  parties,  forgetting  their  recent  feuds, 


250  CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

joined  in  fraternal  harmony.  The  mechanical  trades,  the  liberal 
professions,  all  united  in  the  procession,  and  respectively  displayed 
their  appropriate  banners.  Commodore  Barney  performed  a  con- 
spicuous part  on  this  occasion.  He  had  a  small  boat  fifteen  feet  in 
length,  completely  rigged  and  perfectly  equipped  as  a  ship,  which 
was  called  the  Federalist^  which  being  mounted  upon  four  wheels 
and  drawn  by  the  same  number  of  horses,  took  its  place  in  the 
procession ;  he  commanded  the  ship,  and  was  honored  with  a  crew 
of  captains,  who  at  his  word  and  the  boatswain's  pipe  went  through 
all  the  various  manoeuvres  of  making  and  taking  in  sail,  to  the 
great  delight  of  the  crowded  windows,  doors,  and  balconies  by 
which  they  passed.  The  ship  was  immediately  followed  by  all  the 
captains,  mates  and  seamen  at  that  time  in  the  port  of  Baltimore. 
It  was  paraded  through  all  the  principal  streets  of  Fell's  Point,  and 
the  other  portions  of  the  city,  and  f^Y\sMy  anchored  on  the  beautiful 
and  lofty  bank  southwest  of  the  Basin,  which  from  that  occurrence 
received,  and  has  ever  since  borne  the  name  of  "  Federal  Hilly 
On  this  spot  a  dinner  had  been  provided,  at  which  four  thousand 
persons  sat  down  together,  and  made  the  welkin  ring  with  shouts 
of  *'  huzza  for  the  constitution  !  "  This  idea  of  carrying  a  full  rigged 
ship  in  procession,  originated  entirely  with  Captain  Barney. 
The  evening  was  ushered  in  by  a  bonfire  on  Federal  Hill,  and  fire- 
works. After  the  pageant  was  over,  it  was  resolved  to  present 
the  ship  to  General  Washington  in  the  name  of  the  merchants  and 
ship-masters  of  Baltimore.  It  was  launched  and  navigated  by 
Commodore  Barney,  down  the  Chesapeake  Bay  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Potomac,  and  thence  up  the  river  to  Mount  Yernon.  General 
Washington  received  it  with  the  following  letter : 

"  To  William  Smith  and  others,  of  Baltimore : 

"  Mount  Yernon,  Sth  June,  1788. 
"  Gentlemen : — Captain  Barney  has  just  arrived  here  in  the 
miniature  ship,  called  The  Federalist,  and  has  done  me  the  honor  to 
offer  that  beautiful  curiosity  as  a  present  to  me  on  your  part.  I 
pray  you,  gentlemen,  to  accept  the  warmest  expressions  of  my 
sensibility  for  this  specimen  of  American  ingenuity,  in  which  the  ex- 
actitude of  the  proportions,  the  neatness  of  the  workmanship,  and 
the  elegance  of  the  decorations,  which  make  your  present  fit  to  be 
preserved  in  a  cabinet  of  curiosities,  at  the  same  time  that  they 
exhibit  the  skill  and  taste  of  the  artists,  demonstrate  that  Amer- 
icans are  not  inferior  to  any  people  whatever  in  the  use  of  me- 
chanical instruments,  and  the  art  of  ship-building.  The  unanimity 
of  the  agricultural  State  of  Maryland  in  general,  as  well  as  of  the 
commercial  town  of  Baltimore  in  particular,  expressed  in  their  re- 
cent decision  on  the  subject  of  a  general  government,  will  not,  I 
persuade  myself,  be  without  its  due  efficacy  on  the  minds  of  their 
neighbors,  who,  in  many  instances,  are  intimately  connected,  not 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  251 

only  by  the  nature  of  their  produce,  but  by  the  ties  of  blood  and 
the  habits  of  life.  Under  these  circumstances,  I  cannot  entertain 
an  idea,  that  the  voice  of  the  Convention  of  this  State,  which  is 
now  in  session,  will  be  dissonant  from  that  of  her  nearly  allied 
sister,  who  is  only  separated  by  the  Potomac.  You  will  permit 
me,  gentlemen,  to  indulge  my  feelings  in  reiterating  the  heart-felt 
wish,  that  the  happiness  of  this  country  may  equal  the  desires  of 
its  sincerest  friends,  and  that  the  patriotic  town,  of  which  you  are 
inhabitants,  and  in  the  prosperity  of  which  I  have  always  found 
myself  strongly  interested,  may  not  only  continue  to  increase  in 
the  same  wonderful  manner  it  has  formerly  done,  but  that  its  trade, 
manufactures,  and  other  resources  of  wealth,  may  be  placed  per- 
manently in  a  more  flourishing  situation  than  they  have  hitherto 
been  in.  I  am,  with  respect,  &c., 

"  Geo.  Washington." 

Intelligence  having  been  received  in  Baltimore  town  on  Satur- 
da}^  June  28th,  of  the  adoption  of  the  Federal  Constitution  by  the 
Virginia  Convention,  the  news  was  received  with  the  greatest 
demonstrations  of  patriotic  joy.  A  discharge  of  artillery  took 
place  on  Federal  Hill,  and  on  board  several  vessels  in  the  harbor, 
with  a  display  of  fire-works  from  the  court-house.  After  which  a 
number  of  citizens  partook  of  an  elegant  entertainment  at  the 
Fountain  Inn,  where  a  number  of  patriotic  toasts  were  drunk  on 
the  happy  occasion. 

On  Wednesday,  July  23d,  this  town  was  the  scene  of  one  of 
the  most  violent  storms  ever  experienced  here.  The  wind  at  E. 
N.  E.,  blew  with  unabated  fury,  accompanied  with  heavy  rain  for 
upwards  of  twelve  hours,  which  occasioned  a  most  dreadful  inun- 
dation of  the  sea,  that  deluged  all  the  wharves,  stores,  and  low 
grounds  near  the  basin  and  at  Fell's  Point ;  producing  a  scene  of 
devastation  and  horror  never  before  known.  "  The  industrious 
merchant  beheld  with  unavailing  regret  the  fruits  of  his  toil  and 
enterprise,  in  one  moment,  destroyed  by  the  rage  of  combined  ele- 
ments. Immense  quantities  of  sugar,  rice,  salt,  dry-goods,  and 
other  valuable  merchandise  were  entirely  ruined.  The  damage 
cannot  at  present  be  ascertained  with  precision,  but  it  is  estimated 
at  fifty  thousand  pounds,  specie."  Mr.  James  Mackintosh  unfortu- 
nately lost  his  life  in  crossing  a  wharf  overflowed  with  water.  He 
was  swept  by  the  force  of  the  waves  into  an  adjacent  dock  where 
he  perished.  It  is  asserted  that  40  sail  of  vessels,  large  and  small, 
were  on  that  day  forced  ashore  at  Norfolk,  Ya. 

j78^  General  Washington,  having  been  unanimously  chosen 
President  of  the  United  States,  arrived  in  Baltimore  on  his  way  to 
Congress  at  New  York,  on  the  17th  of  April,  with  Charles  Thomson, 
Esq.,  and  Colonel  Humphries.  He  was  met  some  miles  from  town 
by  a  large  bodj^  of  respectable  citizens  on  horseback,  and  conducted, 
under  a  discharge  of  cannon,  to  Mr.  Grant's  tavern  through  crowds 


252  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

of  admiring  spectators.  At  six  o'clock,  a  committee  chosen  in 
consequence  of  a  late  notification  to  adjust  the  preliminaries 
for  his  reception,  waited  upon  him  with  an  address  which  is 
given  hereafter.  A  great  number  of  citizens  were  presented, 
and  were  graciously  received  by  this  illustrious  and  truly  great 
man.  Having  arrived  too  late  for  a  public  dinner,  he  accepted 
an  invitation  to  supper,  from  which  he  retired  a  little  after 
ten  o'clock.  The  next  morning  he  was  in  his  carriage  at  half 
past  five  o'clock,  when  he  left  town  under  a  discharge  of  cannon, 
and  attended  as  on  his  entrance,  by  a  body  of  citizens  on  horse- 
back. These  gentlemen  accompanied  him  seven  miles,  when 
alighting  from  his  carriage,  he  would  not  permit  them  to  pro- 
ceed any  further,  but  took  leave,  after  thanking  them  in  an 
afi'ectionate  and  obliging  manner  for  their  politeness. 

Address  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  of  America : 
"  Sir : — We  feel  the  honor  you  have  this  day  conferred  on 
the  town  of  Baltimore  by  favoring  it  with  your  presence,  in- 
finitely heightened  and  enhanced  by  the  desirable  event  which 
has  produced  it.  Happy  to  behold  your  elevation,  permit  us 
to  reassure  you  of  our  purest  love  and  affection.  In  consider- 
ing the  occasion  that  has  once  more  drawn  you  from  scenes 
of  domestic  ease  and  private  tranquillity,  our  thoughts  naturally 
turn  on  the  situation  of  our  country  previous  to  the  expedient 
of  the  late  general  convention.  When  you  became  a  member 
of  that  body  which  framed  our  new  and  excellent  constitution, 
you  dissipated  the  fears  of  good  men  who  dreaded  the  disunion 
of  States,  and  the  loss  of  our  liberties  in  the  death  of  our  en- 
feebled and  expiring  confederation.  And  now.  Sir,  by  accepting 
the  high  authorities  of  President  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
you  teach  us  to  expect  every  blessing  that  can  result  from  the 
wisest  recommendations  to  Congress,  and  the  most  prudent 
and  judicious  exercise  of  those  authorities ;  thus  relieving  us 
in  the  one  instance,  from  the  most  gloomy  apprehensions,  as 
when,  in  a  different  capacity,  you  recrossed  the  Delaware; 
and  in  the  other  opening  to  our  view  the  most  animating 
prospects,  as  when  j^ou  captured  Cornwallis.  But  it  is  from 
the  tenor  of  your  whole  life,  and  your  uniform  and  upright 
political  principles  and  conduct,  that  we  derive  the  fullest  as- 
surance that  our  hopes  will  be  realized. 

"Believing  that  a  faithful  performance  of  public  engagements 
is  essential  to  the  prosperity  of  a  people,  and  their  implicit  reliance 
oji  the  promises  of  government  to  its  stability,  we  recollect  with 
pleasure  your  well-known  sentiments  on  this  subject;  and  have 
no  doubt  but  the  other  branches  of  Congress  will  concur  with 
you  in  placing  public  credit  on  the  most  solid  foundation.  We 
have  also  every  reason  to  conclude,  that  under  the  administration 
of  a  Washington,   the   useful   and   ingenious   arts   of  peace,  the 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMOEE.  263 

agriculture,  commerce  and  manufactures  of  the  United  States 
will  be  duly  favored  and  improved,  as  being  far  more  certain 
sources  of  national  wealth  than  the  richest  mines,  and  surer 
means  to  promote  the  felicity  of  a  people  than  the  most 
successful  wars.  Thus,  Sir,  we  behold  a  new  era  springing  out 
of  our  independence,  and  a  field  displayed  where  your  talents 
for  governing  will  not  be  obscured  by  the  splendor  of  the 
greatest  military  exploits.  We  behold,  too,  an  extraordinary 
thing  in  the  annals  of  mankind:  a  free  and  enlightened  people, 
choosing  by  a  free  election,  without  one  dissenting  voice,  the 
late  Commander-in-Chief  of  their  armies,  to  watch  over  and 
guard  their  civil  rights  and  privileges. 

"  We  sincerely  pray  that  you  may  long  enjoy  your  present 
health,  and  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  have  frequent 
opportunities  to  testify  their  veneration  of  your  virtues,  by 
continuing  you  through  many  successive  elections  in  the 
first  station  of  human  honor  and  dignity.  In  these  expressions 
of  affection  and  attachment,  we  are  sensible  we  do  not  speak 
the  wishes  of  a  town  only,  but  the  united  feelings  of  a  whole 
people. 

"  In  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Baltimore,  we  have  the  honor  to 
be,  &c.,  &c., 

"  James  McHenry,  R.  Smith, 

"  Nicholas  Eogers,  O.  H.  Williams, 

"  Joshua  Barney,  Thorowgood  Smith, 

"  Paul  Bentalau,  William  Clemm, 

"John  Bankson,  J.  Swan." 

"Isaac  Griest, 

President  Washington  gave  to  the  committee,  the  following 
answer : 

"  Gentlemen  :  The  tokens  of  regard  and  affection  which  I  have 
often  received  from  the  citizens  of  this  town,  were  always  accept- 
able, because  I  believed  them  always  sincere.  Be  pleased  to  re- 
ceive my  best  acknowledgments  ior  the  renewal,  of  them  on  the 
present  occasion.  If  the  affectionate  partiality  of  my  fellow-citi- 
zens has  prompted  them  to  ascribe  greater  effects  to  my  conduct 
and  character  than  were  justly  due,  I  trust  the  indulgent  sentiment 
on  their  part  will  not  produce  any  presumption  on  mine. 

"I  cannot  now,  gentlemen,  resist  my  feelings  so  much  as  to 
withhold  the  communication  of  my  ideas  respecting  the  actual 
situation  and  prospect  of  our  national  affairs.  It  appears  to  me 
that  little  more  than  common  sense  and  common  honesty  in  the 
transactions  of  the  community  at  large,  would  be  necessary  to 
make  us  a  great  and  happy  nation.  For  if  the  general  govern- 
ment, lately  adopted,  shall  be  arranged  and  administered  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  acquire  the  full  confidence  of  the  American  people,  I 


254  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

sincerely  believe  they  will  have  greater  advantages  from  their 
natural,  moral  and  political  circumstances,  for  public  felicity,  than 
any  other  people  ever  possessed.  In  the  contemplation  of  those 
advantages,  now  soon  to  be  realized,  I  have  reconciled  myself  to 
the  sacrifice  of  my  fondest  wishes,  so  far  as  to  enter  again  the 
stage  of  public  life.  I  know  the  delicate  nature  of  the  duties  inci- 
dent to  the  part  which  I  am  called  to  perform,  and  I  feel  my  in- 
competence, without  the  singular  assistance  of  Providence,  to  dis- 
charge them  in  a  satisfactory  manner.  But  having  undertaken  the 
task  from  a  sense  of  duty,  no  fear  of  encountering  difiiculties,  and 
no  dread  of  losing  popularity,  shall  ever  deter  me  from  pursuing 
what  I  conceive  to  be  the  true  interests  of  my  country." 

In  a  report  made  on  the  26th  of  May  by  Kobert  Walsh, 
John  Hammond,  Leonard  Harbough,  George  Franciscus,  and 
Michael  Diffenderffer,  Commissioners  of  Baltimore  town,  we 
find — "  For  amount  of  expenses  paid  from  10th  January,  1788, 
to  18th  May,  1789,  for  paving  and  repairing  the  streets,  buildings, 
and  repairing  bridges,  surveys,  clerk  and  collectors'  wages,  &c., 
£2,799." 

James  McHenry  and  Samuel  Sterritt  were  elected  without 
opposition  delegates  to  the  General  Assembly, 

The  wife  of  General  Washington  arrived  in  Baltimore  town  on 
Tuesday  evening,  May  19th,  and  set  out  early  next  morning  to  join 
her  husband  in  New  York.  She  was  met  at  Hammond's  Ferry  by 
several  of  the  citizens,  and  received  with  great  demonstrations  of 
affection  and  respect  as  her  short  stay  admitted.  Fire- works  were 
discharged  before  and  after  supper,  and  she  was  serenaded  by  "  an 
excellent  band  of  music  conducted  by  gentlemen  of  the  town.  We 
shall  only  add,  that,  like  her  illustrious  husband,  she  was  clothed 
in  the  manufacture  of  our  country,  in  which  her  native  goodness 
and  patriotism  appeared  to  the  greatest  advantage." 

Died  on  Mondaj^,  June  1st,  Dr.  Charles  Frederick  Wiesenthal, 
in  the  63d  year  of  his  age,  after  having  practised  physic  in  this 
town  for  34  years. 

During  this  year  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  had  recourse  to 
lotteries  on  every  occasion,  to  raise  means  for  private  and  public 
improvements.  We  find  the  following,  with  the  sums  proposed  to 
be  raised : 

The  Episcopal  Parsonage  house £3000 

Pratt  Street  Wharf 600 

George  Dowing's  Plate  Lottery 1400 

Fell's  Point— Paving  Streets. .' 6500 

German  Parsonage  house 1750 

Grist  Mill  to  be  worked  by  a  Steam  Engine 2000 

Circulating  Library 2727 

Centre  Market 2727 

Presbyterian  Clmrch 2780 

Baltimore  Canal  (f^traightening  Jones  Falls) 965 

George  Dowing's  Second  Lottery • 2000 

Set  of  Bells,  German  Reformed  Church 637 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  255 

The  physicians  of  Baltimore,  agreeably  to  notice,  met  on  the 
6th  of  November  for  the  purpose  of  forming  themselves  into  a 
body  which  they  agreed  to  distinguish  by  the  name  of "  The 
Medical  Society  of  Baltimore,"  when  the  following  gentlemen 
were  elected  officers  for  the  first  year  :  President,  Doctor  Edward 
Johnson  ;  Secretary,  Treasurer  and  Librarian,  Dr.  Andrew  Wiesen- 
thal ;  Court  of  Correspondence,  Dr.  John  Boyd,  Eeuben  Gilder, 
George  Buchanan,  George  Brown.  The  body  of  Cassidy,  lately 
executed,  was  obtained  for  dissection,  but  was  discovered  by  the 
populace,  and  taken  from  the  gentlemen  who  were  then  studying 
anatomy  and  surgery  in  the  town.  Dr.  George  Buchanan  de- 
livered a  course  of  lectures  on  obstetrics.  The  ensuing  year 
Dr.  Andrew  AYiesenthal  delivered  a  course  of  lectures  on  anatomy  ; 
George  Brown,  on  the  theory  and  practice  of  physic  ;  Lyde  Good- 
win, on  the  theory  and  practice  of  surgery;  and,  by  Samuel  Coale, 
on  chemistry  and  materia  medica. 

During  this  year  a  great  many  persons  joined  the  Methodist 
congregation,  and  for  the  first  time  a  preacher  is  stationed  here, 
and  a  church  built  on  Exeter  near  Gay  street,  which  met  with 
great  success. 

Messrs.  Englehard  Yeiser  and  others,  owning  the  grounds, 
cut  a  new  channel  for  Jones  F'alls  from  the  lower  mill  at  Bath 
street  across  the  Meadow  to  Gay  street  bridge,  of  which  channel 
the  bounds  are  fixed  by  ordinance  of  the  city  in  1803,  and  the  old 
course  of  the  Falls  by  the  court-house  gradually  filled  up.  After 
which  it  became  a  dispute  to  whom  the  ground  thus  made  be- 
longed, which  was  finally  divided  between  the  parties  owning  the 
adjoining  lands  where  there  were  distinct  owners. 

The  first  anti-slavery  society  in  the  State  of  Maryland  —  the 
fourth  in  the  United  States,  and  the  sixth  in  the  world  —  was  in- 
augurated in  Baltimore,  September  8th,  1798 ;  the  first  society 
having  been  formed  in  Philadelphia,  April  14,  1775;  the  second 
in  New  York,  January  25,  1785  ;  the  third  in  London,  July  17, 
1787;  the  fourth  in  Paris,  February,  1788;  and  the  Delaware 
society  the  same  year.  "  The  Maryland  Society  for  Promoting 
the  Abolition  of  Slavery,  and  the  Belief  of  Free  Negroes  and  others 
unlawfully  held  in  Bondage,"  was  organized  by  the  election  of  the 
following  officers:  President,  Philip  Rogers ;  Vice-President,  James 
Carey ;  Secretary,  Joseph  Townsend ;  Treasurer,  David  Brown ; 
Counsellors,  Zebulon  Hollingsworth,  Archibald  Robinson  ;  Honor- 
ary Counsellors,  Samuel  Chase,  Luther  Martin ;  Electing  Commit- 
tee, James  Ogleby,  Isaac  Greist.  Geo.  Matthews,  George  Presst- 
man,  Henry  Wilson,  John  Bankson,  Adam  Fonerden,  James  Eichel- 
berger,  William  Hawkins,  William  Wilson,  Thomas  Dickson,  Ger. 
Hopkins ;  Acting  Committee,  John  Brown,  Elisha  Tyson,  James 
McCannon,  Elias  EUicott,  William  Trimble,  George  Dent.  In  the 
library  of  the  Boston  AthensBum  there  is  a  pamphlet  from  the 
library  of  General  Washington  which  is  so  rare  that  after  a  search- 


256  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

of  over  fifteen  years  there  is  but  one  other  copy  known  to  be  in 
existence.  Its  title  is :  "  An  oration  upon  the  moral  and  political 
evil  of  slavery.  Delivered  at  a  public  meeting  of  the  Maryland 
Society  for  promoting  the  Abolition  of  Slavery  and  the  relief  of 
free  JSegroes  and  others  unlawfully  held  in  Bondage.  Baltimore, 
July  4,  1791.  By  George  Buchanan,  M.  D.,  Member  of  the  Ameri- 
can Philosophical  Society,  Baltimore.  Printed  by  Philip  Edwards, 
MDCCXCIII."  Twenty  pages,  octavo.  A  Fourth-of-July  oration 
in  Baltimore,  on  the  moral  and  political  evils  of  slavery,  only  four 
years  after  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution,  is  an  incident  worthy 
of  historical  recognition  and  a  place  in  anti-slavery  literature. 
The  following  extracts  will  give  an  idea  of  its  style  and  range  of 
thought : 

"  God  hath  created  mankind  after  His  own  image,  and  granted 
them  liberty  and  independence ;  and  if  varieties  may  be  found  in 
their  structure  and  color,  these  are  only  to  be  attributed  to  the  na- 
ture of  their  diet  and  habits,  as  also  to  the  soil  and  the  climate 
they  may  inhabit ;  and  serve  as  flimsy  pretexts  for  enslaving  them. 
"What !  will  you  not  consider  that  the  Africans  are  men  ?  That  they 
have  human  souls  to  be  saved?  That  they  are  born  free  and  in- 
dependent ?  A  violation  of  these  prerogatives  is  an  infringement 
upon  the  laws  of  God.  Possessed  of  Christian  sentiments,  they 
fail  not  to  exercise  them  when  opportunity  offers.  Things  pleas- 
ing rejoice  them  and  melancholy  circumstances  pall  their  appetites 
for  amusements.  They  brook  no  insults,  and  are  equally  prone  to 
forgiveness  as  to  resentments.  They  have  gratitude  also,  and  will 
even  expose  their  lives  to  wipe  off  the  obligation  of  past  favors ; 
nor  do  they  want  any  of  the  refinements  of  taste,  so  much  the 
boast  of  those  who  call  themselves  Christians.  The  talent  for 
music,  both  vocal  and  instrumental,  appears  natural  to  them ; 
neither  is  their  genius  for  literature  to  be  despised.  Many  instances 
are  recoided  of  men  of  eminence  among  them.  Witness  Igna- 
tius Sancho,  whose  letters  are  admired  by  all  men  of  taste ;  Phillis 
Wheatley,  who  distinguished  herself  as  a  poetess;  the  Physician 
of  New  Orleans ;  the  Virginia  Calculator;  Banneker,  the  Maryland 
Astronomer,  and  many  others,  whom  it  would  be  needless  to  men- 
tion. These  are  sufficient  to  show,  that  the  Africans  whom  you 
despise,  whom  you  inhumanly  treat  as  brutes,  and  whom  you  un- 
lawfully subject  to  slavery,  are  equally  capable  of  improvement 
with  yourselves.  This  3^011  may  think  a  bold  assertion  ;  but  it  is 
not  made  without  reflection,  nor  independent  of  the  testimony  of 
many  who  have  taken  pains  in  their  education.  Because  you  see 
few,  in  comparison  to  their  number,  who  make  any  exertion  of 
ability  at  all,  you  are  ready  to  enjoy  the  common  opinion  that 
they  are  an  inferior  set  of  beings,  and  destined  to  the  cruelties  and 
hardships  you  impose  upon  them.  But  be  cautious  how  long  you 
hold  such  sentiments ;  the  time  may  come  when  you  will  be  obliged 
to  abandon  them.     Consider  the  pitiable  situation  of  these  most 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  257 

distressed  beings,  deprived  of  their  liberty  and  reduced  to  slavery. 
Consider  also  that  they  toil  not  for  themselves  from  the  rising  of 
the  sun  to  its  going  down,  and  you  will  readily  conceive  the  cause 
of  their  inaction.  What  time  or  what  incitement  has  a  slave  to 
become  wise?  There  is  no  great  art  in  hilling  corn  or  in  running 
a  furrow ;  and  to  do  this  they  know  they  are  doomed,  whether 
they  seek  into  the  mysteries  of  science  or  remain  ignorant  as  they 
are.  To  deprive  a  man  of  his  liberty  has  a  tendency  to  rob  his 
soul  of  every  spring  to  virtuous  actions ;  and  were  slaves  to  be- 
come fiends,  the  wonder  could  not  be  great.  *  Nothing  more  as- 
eimilates  a  man  to  a  beast,'  says  the  learned  Montesquieu,  'than 
being  among  freemen,  himself  a  slave  ;  for  slavery  clogs  the  mind, 
perverts  the  moral  faculty,  and  reduces  the  conduct  of  man  to  the 
standard  of  brutes.'  What  right  have  you  to  expect  greater  things 
of  these  poor  mortals  ?  You  would  not  blame  a  brute  for  commit- 
ting ravages  upon  his  prey  ;  nor  ought  you  to  censure  a  slave  for 
making  attempts  to  regain  his  liberty,  even  at  the  risk  of  life  itself. 
Such  are  the  eftects  of  subjecting  man  to  slavery,  that  it  destroys 
every  human  principle,  vitiates  the  mind,  instills  ideas  of  unlawful 
cruelties,  and  subverts  the  springs  of  government.  What  a  dis- 
tressing scene  is  here  before  us !  America,  I  start  at  your  situa- 
tion !  These  direful  effects  of  slavery  demand  your  most  serious 
attention.  What!  shall  a  people  who  flew  to  arms  with  the  valor 
of  lioman  citizens  when  encroachments  were  made  upon  their 
liberties  by  the  invasion  of  foreign  powers,  now  basely  descend  to 
cheritvh  the  seed  and  propagate  the  growth  of  the  evil  which  they 
boldly  sought  to  eradicate  ?  To  the  eternal  infamy  of  our  country 
this  will  be  handed  down  to  posterity,  written  in  the  blood  of 
African  innocence.  If  your  forefjithers  have  been  degenerate 
enough  to  introduce  slavery  into  your  country  to  contaminate  the 
minds  of  her  citizens,  you  ought  to  have  the  virtue  of  extirpating 
it.  In  the  first  struggles  for  American  freedom,  in  the  enthusiastic 
ardor  of  attaining  liberty  and  independence,  one  of  the  most  noble 
sentiments  that  ever  adorned  the  human  breast  was  loudly  pro- 
claimed in  all  her  councils.  Deeply  penetrated  with  the  sense  of 
equality,  they  held  it  as  a  fixed  principle,  'that  all  men  are  by 
nature,  and  of  right  ought  to  be  free;  that  they  were  created 
equal,  and  endowed  by  their  Creator  with  certain  inalienable  rights, 
among  which  are  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness.' 
Nevertheless,  when  the  blessings  of  peace  were  showered  upon 
them ;  when  they  had  obtained  these  rights  which  they  had  so 
boldly  contended  for,  then  the}^  became  apostates  to  their  principles, 
and  riveted  the  fetters  of  slavery  upon  the  unfortunate  African. 
Fellow-countrymen,  let  the  hand  of  persecution  be  no  longer  raised 
against  you ;  act  virtuously,  '  do  unto  all  men  as  you  would  that 
they  should  do  unto  you,'  and  exterminate  the  pest  of  slavery  from 
the  land." 

This  remarkable  oration  suggests  some  interesting  questions 
17 


258  CHBONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

of  historical  inquiry.  How  far  do  these  opinions  represent  the 
current  sentiments  of  that  time  on  the  subject  of  slavery?  It 
will  be  seen  that  thfey  are  of  the  most  radical  type.  We  are  not 
aware  that  Wendell  Phillips  or  Wm.  Lloyd  Garrison  ever  claimed 
that  the  negro  race  was  equal  in  its  capacity  for  improvement  to 
the  white  race.  Forty-four  years  later  (October  2l8t,  1835),  Mr. 
Garrison  was  waited  upon,  in  open  day,  by  a  mob  of  most  respect- 
able citizens,  while  attending  a  meeting  of  the  Boston  Female 
Anti-Slavery  Society,  dragged  through  the  streets  of  Boston  with 
a  rope  around  his'body,  and  locked  up  in  jail  by  the  mayor  of  that 
sedate  city  to  protect  him  from  his  assailants.  On  the  4th  of  July, 
1834,  a  meeting  of  the  American  Anti-slavery  Society  was  broken 
up  in  New  York,  and  the  house  of  Lewis  Tappan  was  sacked  by 
mob  violence.  A  month  later,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  a  mob 
against  anti-slavery  and  colored  men  raged  for  three  days  and 
nights.  On  the  28th  of  July,  1836,  a  committee  of  thirteen  citi- 
zens of  Cincinnati,  appointed  by  a  public  meeting,  of  whom  Jacob 
Burnet,  late  United  States  Senator  and  judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Ohio,  was  chairman,  waited  upon  Mr.  James  G.  Birney 
and  other  members  of  the  executive  committee  of  the  Ohio  Anti- 
slavery  Society,  under  whose  direction  the  "  Philanthropist,"  an 
anti-slavery  newspaper,  was  printed  there,  and  informed  them  that 
unless  they  desisted  from  its  publication  the  meeting  would  not  be 
responsible  for  the  consequences.  Judge  Burnet  stated  that  the 
mob  would  consist  of  five  thousand  persons ;  and  that  two-thirds 
of  the  property-holders  of  the  city  would  join  it.  The  committee 
gave  Mr.  Birney  and  his  friends  till  the  next  day  to  consider  the 
question,  when  they  decided  to  make  no  terms  with  the  rioters, 
and  to  abide  the  consequences.  That  night  the  office  was  sacked 
and  the  press  of  the  "  Philanthropist  "  was  thrown  into  the  Ohio 
river.  But  here  was  an  oration  delivered  in  the  city  of  Baltimore 
in  the  year  1791,  advancing  the  most  extreme  opinions,  and  it 
created  not  a  ripple  on  the  surface  of  Southern  society.  That  the 
opinions  of  the  oration  did  not  offend  those  to  whom  it  was  ad- 
dressed, the  official  action  of  the  society,  which  is  printed  on  the 
third  page,  attests.  It  is  as  follows :  "At  a  special  meeting  of  the 
Maryland  Society  for  promoting  the  abolition  of  slavery  and  the 
relief  of  free  negroes  and  others  unlawfully  held  in  bondage,  held  at 
Baltimore,  July  4th,  1791,  unanimously  Resolved^  That  the  pres- 
ident present  the  thanks  of  the  society  to  Dr.  George  Buchanan,  for 
the  excellent  oration  by  him  delivered  this  day,  and,  at  the  same 
time,  request  a  copy  thereof  in  the  name  and  for  the  use  of  the 
society.  Signed — Samuel  Sterett,  president;  Alex.  McKim,  vice- 
president  ;  Joseph  Townsend,  secretary."  The  oration  was  dedi- 
cated "  To  the  Honorable  Thomas  Jefferson,  Esq.,  Secretary  of 
State." 

Dr.  George  Buchanan  was  bom  in  Baltimore  county,  Septem- 
ber 19th,  1763,  and  for  many  years  was  a  practising  physician  in 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  259 

Baltimore  city.  He  was  a  son  of  Andrew  Buchanan,  who  was  also 
born  in  Maryland,  and  was  General  in  the  Continental  troops  of 
Maryland  during  the  Eevolution.  Dr.  George  Buchanan  studied 
medicine,  and  took  a  degree  at  Philadelphia.  He  then  went  to 
Europe  and  studied  medicine  at  Edinburgh,  and  later  at  Paris,  tak- 
ing degrees  at  both  places.  Eeturning  to  Baltimore,  he  married 
on  Thursday,  June  18th,  1789,  Letitia,  second  daughter  of  the 
Hon.  Thomas  McKean,  an  eminent  jurist,  who  was  a  member  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  and  was  (xovernor  of  Pennsylvania  from  1799  to 
1806.  In  1806  Dr.  Buchanan  removed  to  Philadelphia,  and  died 
the  next  year  of  yellow  fever,  in  the  discharge  of  his  official  duties 
as  Lazaretto  physician.  His  eldest  son  was  paymaster  McKean 
Buchanan,  senior  paymaster  of  the  United  States  navy,  since 
deceased.  His  youngest  son  was  Franklin  Buchanan,  Captain  in 
the  United  States  navy  till  he  resigned,  April  19th,  1861,  and  went 
into  the  Confederate  navy.  He  was,  with  the  rank  of  Admiral, 
in  command  of  the  iron-clad  Merrimac,  and  was  wounded  in  the 
conflict  of  that  vessel  with  the  monitor  Ericsson  at  Hampton 
Eoads,  March  9th,  1862,  and  was  later  captured  by  Admiral  Far- 
ragut  whilst  in  command  of  the  Confederate  fleet  in  Mobile  bay. 
The  first  convention  held  by  the  abolition  societies  of  the 
United  States  met  at  Philadelphia  in  the  city  hall,  January  1st, 
1794,  and  was  several  days  in  session.  The  "  Maryland  Society  " 
was  represented  by  the  following  delegates :  Samuel  Sterett,  James 
Winchester,  Joseph  Townsend,  Adam  Fonerden,  and  Jesse  HoUings- 
worth.  The  "  Chestertown "  (Md.)  society  was  represented  by 
Joseph  Wilkinson,  James  Maslin,  and  Abraham  Ridge ly.  A  con- 
vention met  in  the  depth  of  winter,  and  as  travelling  was  then  ex- 
pensive and  difficult,  it  is  evidence  of  a  deep  interest  in  the  subject 
that  the  delegates  attended.  On  the  7th  of  January,  1795,  the 
abolition  societies  again  met  in  Philadelphia,  and  continued  in  ses- 
sion till  the  14th  of  that>  month.  The  Maryland  society  was  re- 
presented by  Samuel  Sterett,  Adam  Fonerden,  Joseph  Townsend, 
Joseph  Thornburgh,  George  Buchanan,  John  Bankson,  and  Philip 
Moore;  the  Chestertown  society  by  Edward  Scott  and  James 
Houston.  The  fourth  annual  convention  of  the  abolition  societies 
of  the  United  States  was  held  in  the  Senate  chamber  at  Philadel- 
phia, May  3d,  1797.  The  Maryland  society  was  represented  by  the 
following  delegates,  viz :  Francis  Johonnett,  Jesse  Tyson,  Gerard 
T.  Hopkins.  The  several  societies  reported  their  membership  in 
1797,  and  we  find  the  Maryland  society  to  have  two  hundred  and 
thirty-one  members,  and  the  third  largest  in  the  United  States.  In 
1827  there  were  one  hundred  and  thirty  abolition  societies  in  the 
United  States,  and  only  four  in  New  England  and  New  York.  Of 
these  societies,  eight  were  in  Virginia,  eleven  in  Maryland,  two  in 
Delaware,  two  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  eight  in  Kentucky, 
twenty-five  in  Tennessee,  with  a  membership  of  one  thousand,  and 


260  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

fifty  in  North  Carolina,  with  a  membership  of  three  thousand 
persons. 

Mr.  Eobert  Smith  was  elected  one  of  the  eight  electors  for 
President  and  Vice-President  of  the  United  States.  Mr.  Wm. 
Smith  was  elected  a  delegate  to  Congress. 

The  following  advertisement  appeared  in  the  Maryland  Journal 
and  Baltimore  Advertiser  of  Peb.  10th,  1789:  "We  learn  with 
pleasure  that  the  merchants  and  others  of  this  place  are  sub- 
BCribing  to  a  provisional  loan  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  in  this 
town,  a  house  for  holding  the  sessions  of  Congress,  and  other 
proper  buildings  for  the  great  offices  of  the  United  States.  This 
loan,  we  understand,  is  to  be  handed  to  our  Kepresentatives,  to  be 
communicated  by  them  to  Congress  on  the  first  meeting." 

1790.  As  a  relief  to  the  pecuniary  distresses  of  the  inhabitants, 
an  association  was  formed  by  Messrs.  Caton,  Yanbibber,  A.  McKim, 
Townsend  and  others,  to  carry  on  the  manufacture  of  cotton  upon  a 
small  scale,  and  some  jeans  and  velvets  were  also  made. 

At  the  November  session  of  the  Legislature,  Messrs.  Samuel 
Smith,  William  Patterson,  Jeremiah  Yellot,  Englehardt  Yeiser, 
Eobert  Gilmor,  Thorowgood  Smith,  Charles  Garts,  Thomas  Hol- 
lingsworth,  James  Edwards,  James  Carey,  Otho  H.  Williams,  and 
Nicholas  Sluby,  were  authorized  to  take  subscriptions  for  the  Bank 
of  Maryland.  $200,000  were  subscribed  in  shares  of  $100  each,  in 
fourteen  days,  being  two-thirds  of  the  capital,  which  was  paid  in 
during  the  ensuing  year,  and  the  institution  went  into  operation 
upon  a  portion  of  the  capital — William  Patterson  being  elected 
president,  and  Ebenez,er  Mackie  cashier.  The  entire  capital  of 
$300,000  was  afterward  paid  in.  The  State  granted  peculiar  ad- 
vantages to  this  institution,  which  was  perpetual,  and  reserved  no 
part  of  the  stock  or  direction.  The  exorbitant  dividends  made  by 
this  bank  indicated  the  want  of  another,  notwithstanding  the  loans 
afforded  by  the  office  of  the  United  States  Bank,  which  had  opened 
a  branch  here  in  1792,  of  which  Mr.  George  Gale  was  president, 
and  David  Harris  cashier;  but  by  their  means,  a  much  larger  sum 
was  obtained,  with  much  less  difficulty,  for  a  new  one.  Accordingly, 
in  1795,  the  "  Bank  of  Baltimore  "  was  chartered,  after  an,  inef- 
fectual attempt  to  increase  the  capital  of  the  first  bank.  The 
capital  of  this  was  $1,200,000;  George  Salmon  president,  and 
James  Cox  cashier.  The  charter  of  this  bank  was  limited  to 
twenty  years,  and  the  State  reserved  the  right  to  subscribe  for 
6000  shares  at  $300  each,  and  appointed  two  of  seventeen  directors 
annually  chosen.  The  charter  of  this  bank  has  been  a  model  for 
others,  and  has  been  itself  renewed.  By  an  act  passed  the  same 
session,  Messrs.  John  Hollins  and  Joshua  Barney  were  appointed 
auctioneers,  and  commenced  business  under  the  firm  of  John 
Hollins  &  Co.,  after  which  the  limitation  was  removed,  and,  by  the 
charter,  the  auctions  are  licensed  by  the  city. 

On  the  7th  of  May,  the  first  session  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  the 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  261 

United  States  for  this  district  was  held  here,  by  John  Blair,  of 
Virginia,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  William 
Paca,  District  Judge. 

Samuel  Sterrett  was  elected  one  of  the  six  representatives  in 
Congress.  David  McMechen  and  Col.  Samuel  Smith  were  re- 
turned to  the  House  of  Delegates  without  opposition.  Charles 
Eidgely,  one  of  the  framers  of  the  Constitution,  died  at  his  resi- 
dence near  town  on  the  28th  of  June. 

On  Wednesday,  September  8th,  President  Washington  and  his 
wife,  attended  by  their  suite,  arrived  here  from  Philadelphia  on 
their  way  to  Mount  Yernon.  On  their  entrance  into  town  they 
were  received  and  saluted  by  a  federal  discharge  from  Captain 
Stodder's  artillery  company,  and  such  other  public  demonstrations 
were  manifested  by  the  citizens  as  showed  the  most  unfeigned  af- 
fection and  veneration  for  the  illustrious  travellers.  On  Thursday 
forenoon  the  President  was  waited  on  by  a  number,  of  the  citizens, 
whom  he  received  with  his  usual  politeness  and  attention,  and  at 
four  o'clock  he  honored  the  merchants  with  his  company  at  an 
elegant  entertainment  prepared  at  Mr.  Grant's  tavern,  at  which 
his  suite  and  several  other  gentlemen  were  present.  During  the 
same  week  General  Gates  and  wife  also  passed  through  this  town 
from  Virginia,  on  their  way  to  take  possession  of  their  new  resi- 
dence on  the  banks  of  the  East  river,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city 
of  New  York. 

About  this  time  papering  the  walls  of  the  houses  was  first_in- 
troduced;  whitewash  having  been  previously  used,^ 

1791>  Messrs.  Kobert  Gilmor,  John  O'Donnell,  Stephen  Wilson, 
Charles  Ghequiere,  John  Holmes,  and  others  erected  a  powder- 
house  on  Gwinn's  Falls,  which  was  continued  by  the  same  or 
others  until  the  17th  of  September,  1812;  it  was  blown  up  a 
second  time  and  not  rebuilt.  Other  mills  were  built  on  th€  same 
stream  at  different  times,  some  of  which  blew  up,  and  on  each  oc- 
casion several  lives  were  lost. 

Benjamin  Nicholson  was  appointed  Chief  Judge  of  Baltimore 
Town,  with  General  Williams  and  James  Carroll  as  associates.  Judge 
Nicholson  died  one  year  after  his  appointment,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Joshua  Seney,  who  resigned  in  1796,  and  Henry  Eidgely  succeeds. 
In  1792  Col.  Howard  and  William  Eussell  were  appointed  the  as- 
sociate judges  of  this  court,  and  successively  Samuel  Sterrett, 
William  Owings,  William  Winchester,  Edward  Johnson,  and  Elias 
Glenn,  the  two  last,  with  Judge  H.  Eidgely,  forming  the  court 
when  reorganized  in  1805. 

Messrs.  William  Buchanan,  Campbell  Smith  and  George  Chase 
took  commissions  under  the  General  Government  for  the  defence 
of  the  frontiers.  On  the  4th  of  November  Gen.  St.  Clair  with  a 
part  of  his  army  were  surrounded  by  an  immense  number  of  In- 
dians near  the  Miami,  but  defended  themselves  with  great  bravery, 
and  finally  fought  their  way  through  the  enemy,  but  lost  in  killed 


262  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

and  wounded  above  800  men.  Ensign  Chase  of  Baltimore  was 
killed  and  Captain  Buchanan  wounded.  Capt.  Smith  was  after- 
wards wounded  under  Gen.  Anthony  Wayne. 

James  Calhoun  and  William  Eussell  and  Colonel  N.  Eogers 
were  appointed  Justices  of  the  Orphans'  Court  for  the  ensuing 
year.  Colonel  Smith  and  Mr.  Mechen  were  again  returned  to  the 
Assembly,  and  Eobert  Gorsuch  was  elected  Sheriff. 

Samuel  Sterrett,  agent  of  Messrs.  Yanstaphorst  &  Co.,  pro- 
cured from  the  State  and  paid  them  the  amount  borrowed  during 
the  Eevolutionary  War. 

At  the  periodical  election  of  1791,  John  O'Donnell  was  chosen  an 
elector  of  the  Senate,  and  John  E.  Howard,  Samuel  Chase  and  James 
McHenry  were  elected  members  of  the  Senate  of  Maryland.  Mr. 
Chase  declined,  and  Daniel  Bowley  was  chosen  in  his  place,  and 
he  resigning  in  1793,  was  succeeded  by  Eobert  Smith. 

On  the  27th  of  December  the  General  Assembly  authorized 
Elisha  Tyson,  William  and  Charles  Jessop,  John  Ellicott,  George 
Leggett,  Eobert  Long,  Jacob  Hart,  and  John  Strieker,  to  lay  out 
a  road,  not  exceeding  forty  feet  wide,  from  their  mill-seats  on 
Jones  Falls  in  Baltimore  County  to  Baltimore  Town,  now  known 
as  the  Falls  road. 

On  the  30th  of  December  Alexander  Eigdon,  John  Stump, 
John  Carlile,  John  Weston,  Samuel  Eaine,  John  Treadway,  and 
James  Johnson  were  appointed  commissioners  by  the  General  As- 
sembly to  lay  out  the  Philadelphia,  Belair  and  Harford  roads  as 
public  roads. 

On  Friday  morning,  April  29th,  in  "Howard's  Park,"  Mr. 
David  Sterrett,  aged  26  years,  was  killed  in  a  duel  with  Mr. 
Thomas  Hadfield. 

yin  the  course  of  the  year  1791,  there  arrived  in  the  port  of 

Baltimore  as  follows:  68  ships  and  barques,  159  scows  and  brigs, 

94  schooners,  45  sloops,  and  370  coasters,  making  in  the  whole  746 

vessels  entered  at  the  Custom  House ;  and  there  were  cleared  out 

>^f  that  office  387  for  foreign  ports,  and  662  coasters. ^)(^ 

1792.  A  number  of  respectable  retailers  having  met  on  the  4th 
of  July  and  considered  the  great  inconvenience  attending  the 
circulation  of  copper  cents,  agreed  that  it  would  be  improper 
to  pass  them  in  future  for  less  than  four  to  one. 

In  pursuance  to  notice,  the  citizens  of  the  town  met  on  the 
27th  of  July  and  adopted  resolutions  expressive  of  their  dis- 
approbation of  the  proposed  treaty  with  Great  Britain  (Jay's.) 
David  McMechen,  Solomon  Etting,  Alexander  McKim,  David 
Stodder,  James  A.  Buchanan,  Adam  Fonerden,  and  John  Steel 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  forward  the  same  to  the>  President 
of  the  United  States,  General  Washington. 

Died,  Thursday,  March  8th,  Captain  Jacob  Keeports,  in  the 
74th  year  of  his  age.  He  was  formerly  purchasing  agent  for 
the  State  in  Baltimore  during  the  Eevolutionary  War. 


CHBONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  263 

On  the  23d  of  December,  the  General  Assembly  passed  an  Act 
allowing  the  Maryland  Insurance  Company  a  number  of  privileges, 
amongst  which  was  an  Act,  "  To  supply  the  town  with  water  by 
pipes  from  a  sufficient  reservoir  or  source,"  and  that  it  may  be 
distinguished  by  the  name  and  style  of  The  Baltimore  Water 
Company.  An  Act  was  also  passed  to  enable  John  McKim  and 
John  Brown,  of  Baltimore  County,  to  convey  a  tract  of  land 
containing  about  thirty  acres,  called  Darley  Hall,  in  Baltimore 
County,  "  to  the  use  of  the  religious  society  of  people  called 
Quakers,  in  Baltimore  town."  An  Act  was  also  passed  on  the 
22d  of  December,  regulating  the  width  of  chimneys,  and  im- 
posing a  penalty  on  all  chimneys  catching  fire  within  the  town — 
of  three  pounds  if  a  three-story  house,  of  twenty  shillings  if  a  two- 
story  house,  and  fifteen  shillings  ff  a  house  of  one  story. 

The  first  New  Jerusalem  Church  was,  by  permission,  opened  in 
the  Court  House  of  this  towm,  by  the  Kev.  Mr.  Wilmer,  amidst  a 
large  assemblage  of  hearers  of  various  denominations.  The  Hon. 
Judge  Chase  was  present,  as  well  as  several  other  liberal  and  en- 
lightened gentlemen  of  the  bar. 

^Several  of  the  inhabitants  petitioned  to  the  General  Assembly 
"  that  there  are  no  other  commodious  ways  for  the  inhabitants  of  the 
western  part  of  Baltimore  Town,  and  the  parts  adjacent,  to  ap-  K'iiy-^ 
proach  the  Centre  market,  but  through  Baltimore,  commonly  called  ^ 

Market  street,  which  is  so  often  crowded  with  carts,  wagons,  and 
drays,  that  there  is  not  sufficient  room  for  the  inhabitants  to  pass 
and  repass  to  and  from  the  said  market,  without  incommoding  and 
mutually  obstructing  each  other^nd  have  prayed  that  an  Act  may 
pass,  empowering  and  appointing  commissioners  to  extend  and 
open  the  following  streets  to  communicate  with  each  other :  that 
is  to  say,  Fayette  street,  in  Howard's  addition  to  the  said  town, 
to  King  Tammany  street,  from  thence  to  Chatham  street,  and  from 
thence  to  Calvert  street,  and  that  by  opening  the  said  streets, 
nearly  a  direct  communication  with  the  aforesaid  market  will  be 
obtained."  This  act  was  passed  on  the  22d  of  December,  and 
Messrs.  Stephen  Wilson,  Charles  Crookshanks,  Hercules  Courtenay, 
John  Holmes  and  John  Mickle  were  appointed  commissioners  to 
lay  off  and  open  the  following  streets  of  the  width  of  forty  feet : 
that  is  to  say,  from  Fayette  street,  which  ran  west  from  Liberty 
street,  to  King  Tammany  street,  which  ran  from  Liberty  to  Charles 
street,  where  Chatham  street  began,  and  thence  east  to  Calvert 
street.  From  time  immemorial  there  had  been  a  road  leading  from 
Baltimore  Town  to  the  town  of  Frederick,  by  Dillon's  field,  EUi- 
cott's  upper  mills,  Cummings'  new  buildings.  Fox's,  the  Eed-House 
tavern.  Cook's  tavern  and  the  Poplar  Spring,  but  it  had  never  been 
made  a  public  road  by  law,  and  sundry  inhabitants  of  Baltimore, 
Anne  Arundel,  and  Frederick  counties,  who  had  been  deprived  of 
the  benefit  and  utility  of  the  same,  to  their  great  injury  and  in- 
convenience, petitioned  the  General  Assembly  to  establish  the  road 


264  CHKONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

as  a  public  one,  which  was  granted;  and  on  the  22d  of  December, 
Charles  Alexander  Warfield,  Levin  Lawrence,  and  Thomas  Hobbs, 
were  appointed  commissioners  for  the  aforesaid  road  for  Anne 
Arundel  County,  and  Thomas  Worthington,  Zachariah  Maccubbin, 
and  Daniel  Carroll  for  Baltimore  County,  who  were  empowered  to 
lay  out  said  road  40  feet  wide,  &c. 

In  October,  Mr.  Potts  resigned  the  office  of  Attorney  of  the 
United  States  for  this  district,  and  was  succeeded  by  Zebulon  Hol- 
lingsworth. 

In  this  year  the  clergymen  and  ministers  of  the  different  sects 
or  churches  were  incorporated,  to  receive  alms  for  the  poor  of 
every  society.  The  Eoman  Catholic  clergy  were  incorporated 
trustees  of  that  Church  this  year  ;  also  the  German  Eeformed.  In 
1797,  the  German  Evangelical  Eeformed  and  Presbyterian  Churches, 
and  in  1798  the  Baptist  congregation  and  the  vestry  of  every 
parish ;  in  1800  the  Methodist  and  Lutheran,  and  in  1802  every 
Christian  Church  in  the  State. 

Col.  Samuel  Smith  was  elected  one  of  the  eight  members  of  Con- 
gress the  State  was  entitled  to.  Messrs.  William  Smith  and  J.  E. 
Howard  were  elected  two  of  the  ten  electors  of  President  for  this 
State. 

Seldom  more  than  three  of  the  Justices  attended  the  Orphans' 
Court,  and  the  Governor  and  Council  were  directed  to  appoint  that 
number  only,  any  two  of  whom  to  act;  and,  by  special  commission, 
Colonel  N.  Eogers,  G.  Salmon,  and  William  McLaughlan  were  ap- 
pointed. 

John  O'Donnell  was  elected  delegate  to  the  Assembly. 

On  Wednesday,  Oct.  10,  President  Washington,  with  his  wife 
and  suite,  arrived  in  Baltimore  from  Mount  Yernon,  on  his  way  to 
Philadelphia,  and  the  same  evening  favored  a  number  of  merchants 
and  other  gentlemen  with  his  company  at  an  elegant  supper  at 
Mr.  Grant's,  at  which  many  patriotic  toasts  were  drunk,  amid  the 
discharge  of  artillery  by  Capt.  Stodder's  company.  The  next 
morning  the  President  started  on  his  journey,  escorted  by  Capt. 
Mackenheimer's  light  infantry  company  and  many  citizens. 

Mordecai  Gist  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  in  1743.  His 
ancestors,  early  emigrants  to  Maryland,  were  English.  He  was 
educated  for  commercial  pursuits,  and  was  engaged  in  the  vocation 
of  a  merchant  when  the  storm  of  the  Eevolution  began  to  lower. 
The  young  men  of  Baltimore  associated  under  the  title  of  the 
^'Baltimore  Independent  Company,"  and  elected  Gist  captain. 
This  was  the  first  company  raised  in  Maryland  for  the  defence  of 
popular  liberty.  Gist  was  appointed  major  of  a  battalion  of  Mary- 
land regulars  in  1776,  and  was  with  them  in  the  battle  near  Brook- 
lyn, at  the  close  of  the  summer  of  that  year.  In  January,  1779, 
Congress  appointed  him  a  brigadier  in  the  Continental  army,  and 
he  was  honored  with  the  command  of  the  2d  Maryland  brigade. 
He  fought  bravely,  and  suffered  defeat  in  the  battle  near  Camden, 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  265 

in  1780.  Gist  was  present  at  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis,  and 
afterward  joined  the  Southern  army  under  Greene.  When  that 
commander  remodeled  the  army  in  1782,  while  lying  near  Charles- 
ton, he  gave  General  Gist  the  command  of  the  "light  corps."  It 
was  a  part  of  his  command,  under  Colonel  Laurens,  that  dealt  one 
of  the  last  blows  upon  the  enemy,  in  an  engagement  upon  the 
banks  of  the  Combahee.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  retired  to  a 
plantation  which  he  bought  near  Charleston,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Charleston  on  the  2d  of  August, 
1792.  General  Gist  had  but  two  children,  sons ;  one  he  named 
Independent,  and  the  other  States. 

William  Smallwood  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  was  among 
the  patriots  of  that  colony  who  earliest  expressed  their  attachment 
to  Eepublican  principles.  He  was  appointed  a  Brigadier  by  the 
Continental  Congress  in  October,  1776,  and  Major-General  in  Sep- 
tember, 1780.  He  was  in  the  battle  near  Brooklyn,  in  August, 
1776,  where  his  command  suffered  severely.  It  was  chiefly  com- 
posed of  young  men  from  Maryland,  many  of  them  members  of 
the  most  respectable  families  of  the  State.  He  was  in  the  Brandy- 
wine  and  Germantown  battles  in  1777.  He  accompanied  Gates  to 
the  South,  and  shared  in  the  mortification  of  defeat  near  Camden. 
It  was  a  month  after  that  event  that  Congress  promoted  him  to 
Major-General.  He  was  elected  a  delegate  in  Congress  for  Mary- 
land in  1785,  and  the  same  year  was  chosen  to  succeed  William 
Paca  as  Governor  of  the  State.  He  was  succeeded  in  office  by 
John  Eager  Howard  in  1788.  General  Smallwood  died  on  the  12th 
of  February,  1792,  at  the  "  Wood-Yard,"  in  Prince  George's  County, 
aged  about  60  years.  A  distinguished  writer  says:  "Colonel 
Smallwood's  battalion  was  one  of  the  finest  in  the  army,  in  dress, 
equipment,  and  discipline.  Their  scarlet  and  buff  uniforms  and 
well-burnished  arms  contrasted  strongly  with  those  of  the  New 
England  troops,"  and  were  "distinguished  at  this  time,"  says  Gray- 
don,  "  by  the  most  fashionable  cut  coat,  the  most  macaroni  cocked 
hat,  and  hottest  blood  in  the  Union."  Another  writer  says :  "  Small- 
wood's  regiment  arrived  in  Philadelphia  about  the  middle  of  July, 
1776,  the  day  after  the  York,  Pennsylvania,  militia  got  there.  I 
happened  to  be  in  Market  street  when  the  regiment  was  marching 
down  it.  They  turned  up  Front  street,  till  they  reached  the  Quaker 
meeting-house,  called  the  Bank  meeting,  where  they  halted  for 
some  time,  which  I  presumed  was  owing  to  a  delicacy  on  the  part 
of  the  officers,  seeing  they  were  about  to  be  quartered  in  a  place  of 
worship.  After  a  time  they  moved  forward  to  the  door,  where  the 
officers  halted,  and  their  platoons  came  up  and  stood  with  their 
hats  off,  while  the  soldiers  with  recovered  arms  marched  into  the 
meeting-house.  The  officers  then  retired,  and  sought  quarters 
elsewhere.  The  regiment  was  then  said  to  be  eleven  hundred 
strong;  and  never  did  a  finer,  more  dignified,  and  braver  body  of 
men  face  an  enemy.     They  were  composed  of  the  flower  of  Mary- 


266  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEB. 

f 

land,  being  young  gentlemen,  the  sons  of  opulent  planters,  farmers 
and  mechanics.  From  the  Colonel  to  the  private,  all  were  attired 
in  hunting -shirts.  I  afterwards  saW  this  fine  corps  on  their  march 
to  join  General  Washington.  In  the  battle  of  Long  Island,  Small- 
wood's  regiment,  when  engaged  with  an  enemy  of  overwhelmingly 
superior  force,  displayed  a  courage  and  discipline  that  sheds  upon 
its  memory  an  undying  lustre,  while  it  was  so  cut  to  pieces  that 
in  October  following,  when  I  again  saw  the  regiment,  its  remains 
did  not  exceed  a  hundred  men.  The  wreck  of  the  once  superb 
regiment  of  Smallwood  fought  in  the  battles  of  the  White  Plains, 
and  the  subsequent  actions  in  the  Jerseys,  and  in  the  memorable 
campaign  of  1776,  terminating  with  the  battle  of  Princeton,  Jan- 
uary 1777,  where  the  remains  of  the  regiment,  reduced  to  a  little 
more  than  a  company,  were  commanded  by  Captain,  afterward 
Governor  Stone,  of  Maryland."  Another  distinguished  writer  says: 
^'Smallwood's  battalion  of  Marylanders  were  distinguished  in  the 
field  by  the  most  intrepid  courage,  the  most  regular  use  of  the 
musket,  and  the  judicious  movements  of  the  body.  When  our 
party  was  overpowered  and  broken  by  superior  numbers  surround- 
ing them  on  all  sides,  three  companies  of  the  Maryland  battalion 
broke  the  enemy's  lines  and  fought  their  way  through.  Captain 
Yeazey  and  Lieutenant  Butler  are  among  the  honorable  slain. 
The  Mar^iand  battalion  lost  200  men  and  twelve  officers — severe 
fate.     It  is  said  our  whole  loss  is  five  or  six  hundred." 

1793.  The  agents  of  the  French  Convention  at  Cape  Francois 
having  tendered  liberty  to  such  slaves  as  should  take  arms  against 
the  French  government  of  Hispaniola,  General  Galbaud  and  Ad- 
miral Gambis  attacked  the  town,  and  it  was  plundered  and  burnt 
by  the  seamen  and  negroes  on  the  twenty-first  of  June ;  and  on  the 
ninth  of  July,  fifty-three  vessels  bearing  about  1000  white  and  500 
people  of  color  flying  from  disaster,  arrived  in  Baltimore.  Many 
were  quartered  in  the  houses  of  the  citizens,  and  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  solicit  subscriptions  for  their  relief,  consisting  of 
^y  Robert  Gilmor,  George  Presstman,  Philip  Eogers,  Samuel  Hol- 
lingsworth,  Jeremiah  Yellott,  James  Carey,  James  McHenry, 
Eobert  Smith,  Zebulon  Hollingsworth,  Thomas  McElderry,  Ste- 
phen Wilson,  John  O'Donnell,  Adam  Fonerden,  and  Thomas 
Coulson.  The  Yice-Consul  of  the  Republic  also  appointed  the 
following  gentlemen  to  co-operate  with  him:  Col.  Daniel  Smith, 
Mr.  David  Plunkett,  Mr.  Samuel  Sterrett,  Mr.  Toucher,  Mr.  Caza- 
nave,  and  Mr.  Bentalou.  They  succeeded  in  raising  above  $12,000 
for  the  relief  of  such  as  were  destitute.  Those  more  fortunate  who 
brought  capital  entered  into  trade,  others  introduced  new  arts  of 
cultivation  in  the  neighborhood,  and  with  succeeding  arrivals  from 
the  southern  and  western  parts  of  the  island,  contributed  to  in- 
crease the  wealth  as  well  as  the  population  of  the  town. 

A  French  sloop-of-war,  mounting   eighteen  guns,  brought  in 
with  her  as  a  prize  a  Dutch  ship,  which  she.  intercepted   on   her 


I 


CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMOEE.  267 

passage  to  this  port.  There  were  also  several  other  prizes  brought 
in  by  the  French  fleet,  among  which  was  a  Dutch  ship  loaded  with 
coffee,  &c.,  &c. 

Philadelphia  being  visited  by  the  "yellow  fever,"  Governor  Lee 
interdicted  all  direct  intercourse  with  that  city  and  the  admission 
of  infected  vessels,  and  appointed  Doctors  John  Ross  and  John 
Worthington  to  be  health  officers  ;  a  temporary  hospital  to  be 
procured  for  mariners  of  such  vessels ;  and  a  duty,  confirmed  by 
Congress,  of  one  cent  per  ton  was  granted  towards  the  expense. 

Messrs.  Daniel  Bowley  and  Thomas  Yates  commenced  their 
improvements  on  the  water  between  the  Falls  and  Harford  run. 
Messrs.  Cumberland  Dugan  and  Thomas  McElderry  commenced 
their  wharves  below  the  Centre  Market,  extending  from  Lombard 
street  to  the  north  side  of  the  channel,  a  distance  of  1600  feet. 
Nine  years  after,  Judge  Chase  commenced  his  wharf,  binding  on 
the  west  side  of  the  Falls. 

Since  the  last  notice  in  1783,  there  had  been  a  great  accession 
of  settlers,  amongst  whom  were  Messrs.  Hugh  Thompson,  Edward 
Ireland,  William  Lorman,  Thomas  Tenant,  John  Holmes,  Joseph 
Thornburgh,  Dr.  Andrew  Aitkin,  Eobert  Miller,  John  Donnell, 
Luke  Tiernan,  Solomon  Birkhead,  Solomon  Betts,  James  H. 
McCulloh,  Steuart  Brown,  Leon  Changeur,  John  Carrere,  Henry 
Didier,  A.  McDonald,  J.  P.  Pleasants,  Barclay  and  McKean,  S. 
Etting,  James  Corrie,  James  Annstrong,  &c. 

The  subject  of  a  city  charter,  which  had  generally  occupied 
the  writers  in  the  papers  and  the  citizens  for  nearly  ten  years, 
was  taken  up  by  the  Legislature  in  1793,  and  an  Act  passed  on  the 
28th  of  December  for  consideration  ;  but  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Point,  and  the  mechanics,  the  carpenters,  and  republican  societies, 
then  lately  formed  for  other  purposes,  took  part  in  opposition,  and 
it  was  not  carried  into  effect. 

There  was  an  effort  made  by  a  number  of  merchants  to  open 
an  exchange  for  the  transaction  of  business,  and  the  buildings  at 
the  southwest  corner  of  Lombard  and  Commerce  streets  were  fitted 
up  and  used  for  the  purpose,  but  after  some  time  was  discontinued. 

The  Vice-Consul  for  Maryland,  Edward  Thornton,  takes  up  his 
residence  in  Baltimore. 

By  an  Act  of  Assembly  passed  December  28th,  Messrs.  John 
Eager  Howard,  John  O'Donnell,  William  Smith,  Henry  Dorsey 
Gough,  Samuel  Owings  of  Samuel,  Charles  Ridgely  of  William, 
Daniel  Bowley,  and  Andrew  Eobinson  were  appointed  commis- 
sioners, with  full  power  to  purchase  ten  acres  of  land,  in  or  near 
Baltimore  Town,  and  to  lay  out  the  same  into  small  lots,  with 
proper  enclosures  and  stalls  for  the  reception  of  cattle,  and  Thurs- 
day in  every  week  to  be  held  as  a  market  day  for  the  sale  of  horses, 
sheep,  hogs  and  live  cattle  of  every  kind,  and  a  general  market  to 
be  held  two  or  more  days  in  each  year. 

Men  of  the  present  age,  seeing  the  immense  use  of  cigars, 


268  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

might  think  they  were  always  so  used  ;  but  not  so.  They  began 
with  the  fevers  which  were  very  prevalent  about  this  time,  and 
were  first  used  along  the  streets,  to  keep  off  the  yellow  fever. 

1794.  Freemasons'  lodges  in  America  are  of  recent  date  in  com- 
parison with  other  countries.  Upon  application  of  a  number  of 
brethren  residing  in  Boston,  a  warrant  was  granted  by  the  Eight 
Honorable  and  Most  Worshipful  Anthony  Lord  Yiscount  Mon- 
tague, Grand  Master  of  Masons  in  England,  dated  the  30th  of 
April,  1733,  appointing  the  Eight  Worshipful  Henry  Price  Grand 
Master  of  North  America,  with  full  power  and  authority  to  ap- 
point his  deputy  and  other  Masonic  officers  necessary  for  forming 
a  grand  lodge,  and  also  to  constitute  lodges  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  as  often  as  occasion  should  require.  In  consequence  of 
this  commission  the  Grand  Master  opened  a  grand  lodge  in  Boston 
(which  is  sometimes  called  "  The  Grand  Lodge  oi  Modern  Masons") 
on  the  30th  of  July,  1733,  in  due  form,  and  appointed  the  Eight 
Worshipful  Andrew  Bealcher  Deputy  Grand  Master,  the  Worship- 
ful Thomas  Kennelly  and  John  Quann  Grand  Wardens.  The 
grand  lodge  being  thus  organized,  under  the  designation  of  8t. 
John's  Grand  Lodge^  proceeded  to  grant  warrants  for  instituting 
regular  lodges  in  various  parts  of  America ;  and  from  this  grand 
lodge  originated  the  first  lodges  in  Massachusetts,  New  Hamp- 
shire, Ehode  Island,  Connecticut,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Mary- 
land, Virginia,  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Barbadoes,  Anti- 
gua, Newfoundland,  Louisburg,  Nova  Scotia,  Quebec,  Surinam,  and 
St.  Christopher's.  In  1775  hostilities  commenced  between  Great 
Britain  and  America ;  Boston  became  a  garrison,  and  was  aban- 
doned by  many  of  its  former  inhabitants.  The  regular  meetings 
of  the  grand  lodges  were  terminated,  and  the  brethren  of  St. 
John's  Grand  Lodge  held  no  assembly  until  after  the  re-establish- 
ment of  peace.  There  was  at  that  time  also  a  grand  lodge  held  at 
Boston  upon  the  ancient  establishment,  under  the  designation  of 
*'  The  Massachusetts  Grand  Lodge,"  which  originated  as  follows  : 
In  1755  a  number  of  the  order  residing  in  Boston,  who  were  An 
cient  Masons,  in  consequence  of  a  petition  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Scotland,  received  a  dispensation,  dated  November  30th,  1752, 
from  Sholto  Charles  Douglas,  Lord  Aberdour,  then  Grand  Master, 
constituting  them  a  regular  lodge,  under  the  title  of  "  St.  An- 
drew's Lodge,  No.  82,"  to  be  held  at  Boston.  This  establishment 
was  discoui-aged  and  opposed  by  the  St.  John's  Grand  Lodge,  who 
thought  their  privileges  were  infringed  upon  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Scotland  ;  they  therefore  refused  to  have  any  intercourse  with 
St.  Andrew's  Lodge  for  several  years.  The  prosperous  state  of 
St.  Andrew's  Lodge  soon  led  its  members  to  make  great  exertions 
for  the  establishment  of  an  ancient  lodge  in  America,  which  was 
soon  eff'eeted  in  Boston  by  the  assistance  of  travelling  lodges  be- 
longing to  the  British  army  who  were  stationed  there.  On 
the  27th  of  December,  1769,  when  the  order  was  assembled  to 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORB.  269 

celebrate  the  Festival  of  the  Evangelists,  a  commission  vraa  re- 
ceived from  the  Eight  Honorable  and  Most  Worshipful  Greorge 
Earl  of  Dalhonsie,  Grand  Master  of  Masons  in  Scotland,  dated  the 
30th  of  May,  1769,  appointing  Joseph  Warren  to  be  Grand  Master 
of  Masons  in  Boston,  and  he  was,  according  to  ancient  usage,  duly 
installed  into  that  office.  The  Grand  Master  then  appointed  and 
installed  the  other  grand  officers,  and  the  grand  lodge  was  at  this 
time  completely  organized.  Between  this  period  and  the  year 
1791  this  grand  lodge  granted  warrants  of  constitution  for  lodges 
to  be  held  in  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire,  Connecticut,  Ver- 
mont, and  New  York.  In  the  year  1773  a  commission  was  re- 
ceived from  the  Eight  Honorable  and  Most  Worshipful  Patrick 
Earl  of  Dumfries,  Grand  Master  of  Masons  in  Scotland,  dated 
March  3d,  1772,  appointing  the  Eight  Worshipful  Joseph  Warren, 
Esq.,  Grand  Master  of  Masons  for  the  Continent  of  America.  In 
1775  the  meetings  of  the  grand  lodge  were  suspended  by  the  town 
of  Boston  becoming  a  garrison.  At  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill, 
on  the  17th  of  June,  1775,  Masonry  and  America  met  with  a 
heavy  loss  in  the  death  of  Grand  Master  Warren,  who  was  slain 
contending  for  the  liberties  of  his  country.  His  death  shed  a 
gloom  throughout  the  community.  He  was  exceedingly  beloved 
by  all  classes  for  the  mildness  and  affability  of  his  deportment  and 
the  virtues  of  his  private  life.  As  a  statesmen  he  was  able  and 
judicious ;  as  an  orator  eloquent ;  as  a  man,  of  uncompromising  in- 
tegrity and  undaunted  bravery;  and  the  first  officer  of  rank  that 
fell  in  the  contest  with  Great  Britain.  The  glory  of  Bunker  Hill 
is  interwoven  with  the  reputation  of  Major-General  Warren. 

Soon  alter  the  evacuation  of  Boston  by  the'  British  army,  and 
previous  to  any  regular  communication,  the  Masons,  influenced  by 
a  pious  regard  to  the  memory  of  their  late  Grand  Master,  were  in- 
duced to  search  for  his  body,  which  had  been  rudely  and  indiscrimi- 
nately buried  in  the  field  of  slaughter.  They  accordingly  repaired 
to  the  place,  and  by  direction  of  a  person  who  was  on  the  ground 
at  the  time  of  his  burial,  a  spot  was  found" where  the  earth  had 
been  recently  turned  up.  Upon  moving  the  turf  and  opening  the 
grave,  which  was  on  the  brow  of  a  hill,  and  adjacent  to  a  small 
cluster  of  sprigs,  the  remains  were  discovered  in  a  mangled  condi- 
tion, but  were  easily  ascertained  by  an  artificial  tooth  ;  and  being 
decently  raised,  wei-e  conveyed  to  the  State  House  in  Boston,  from 
whence,  by  a  large  and  respectable  number  of  Masons,  with  the 
late  grand  officers  attending  in  procession,  they  were  carried  to  a 
Btone  chapel,  where  an  animated  eulogium  was  delivered  by  Perea 
Morton  of  the  Masonic  order.  The  body  was  then  deposited  in 
the  silent  vault. 

On  the  8th  of  March,  1777,  the  Masons  who  had  been  dispersed 
in  consequence  of  the  war,  again  assembled  and  proceeded  to  the 
formation  of  a  Grand  Lodge,  and  elected  and  installed  the  most 
worshipful  Joseph  Webb    their    Grand  Master.     On  the  5th  of 


270  CHBONICLES   OF  BALTIMOEE. 

December,  1791,  a  committee  was  appointed  agreeably  to  a  vote  of 
the  second  of  March,  1791,  "to  confer  with  the  officers  of  St. 
John's  Grand  Lodge  upon  the  subject  of  a  complete  Masonic  union 
throughout  the  commonwealth,"  which  was  consummated  on  the 
19th  of  June,  1792,  when  the  officers  of  the  two  grand  lodges  met 
in  conjunction,  agreeably  to  previous  arrangements,  and  installed 
the  Most  Worshipful  John  Cutler  Grand  Master ;  and  resolved, 
"  that  this  Grand  Lodge  organization  as  aforesaid,  shall  forever 
hereafter  be  known  by  the  name  of  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
Most  Ancient  and  Honorable  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons 
for  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts.'' 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Hampshire  was  first  formed  the  8th 
of  July,  1789  ;  Ehode  Island  was  organized  on  the  25th  of  June, 
1791 ;  Connecticut  was  constituted  on  the  8th  day  of  July,  1789, 
by  fifteen  lodges  which  then  existed  in  the  State ;  Vermont  was 
constituted  at  Eutland,  on  the  14th  day  of  October,  1794;  New 
York  was  first  constituted  by  a  warrant  from  the  Duke  of  Athol, 
dated  London,  5th  of  September,  1781 ;  New  Jersey  was  constituted 
at  the  city  of  New  Brunswick,  on  the  18th  of  December,  1786.  On 
the  24th  of  June,  1734,  upon  the  petition  of  several  Masons  resid- 
ing in  Philadelphia,  a  warrant  of  constitution  was  granted  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Boston,  for  holding  a  lodge  in  that  place ;  ap- 
pointed the  Et.  Worshipful  Benjamin  Franklin  their  first  Master ; 
which  is  the  beginning  of  Masonry  in  Pennsylvania.  The  Grand 
Lodge  of  England  granted  a  grand  warrant,  bearing  date  the  20th 
of  June,  1764,  to  the  M.  W.  William  Bell  and  others,  authorising 
them  to  hold  a  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  The 
Grand  Lodge  of  Delaware  was  established  at  the  Town  Hall,  in 
the  borough  of  Wilmington,  on  Friday,  June  6th,  1806 ;  Virginia 
began  its  operations  October  30th,  1778;  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Kentucky  was  established  on  the  30th  of  October,  1800 ;  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  North  Carolina  was  first  constituted  by  virtue  of  a 
charter  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland,  1771 ;  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  State  of  South  Carolina  was  instituted  and  established  at 
Charleston  on  the  24th  of  March,  1787 ;  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio 
was  instituted  the  first  Monday  of  January,  1808 ;  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Georgia  on  the  16th  of  December,  1786. 

Until  the  year  1783,  the  lodges  in  Maryland,  which  had  become 
numerous,  derived  their  authority  from  and  were  subordinate  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  ;  on  the  17th  day  of  June,  in  the 
same  year,  a  convention  was  called,  who  held  their  session  at  Tal- 
bot court-house,  to  take  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  estab- 
lishing a  statistical  jurisdiction.  Among  other  proceedings  a  reso- 
lution was  unanimously  passed,  that  the  convention  deemed  it  a 
matter  of  right,  and  that  they  ought  to  form  a  Grand  Lodge  for 
the  State  of  Maryland,  independent  of  any  other  jurisdictiou.  At 
a  grand  convention  held  at  the  same  place,  on  the  31st  of  July,  in 
the  same  year,  the  respective  representatives  being  clothed  witti 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOKE.  271 

full  powers,  proceeded  to  the  formation  of  a  Grand  Lodge,  by  elect- 
ing grand  officers,  when  the  following  gentlemen  were  selected,  viz  : 
John  Coates,  G.  M. ;  James  Kent,  D.  G.  M. ;  Thomas  Boiirke,  S.  G.  W. ; 
William  Forrester,  J.  G.  W. ;  Charles  Gardiner,  G.  S. ;  and  William 
Perry,  G,  T.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  continued  to  hold 
their  sessions  at  the  town  of  Talbot,  until  the  year  1794,  when 
Masonry  having  by  this  time  extended  its  influence  throughout  the 
State,  a  number  of  lodges  having  been  established  in  the  town  of 
Baltimore  and  on  the  western  shore  of  the  State,  it  became  con- 
venient to  remove  the  Grand  Lodge  to  Baltimore.  The  first  session 
under  the  new  arrangement  was  held  in  the  month  of  May,  1794, 
and  has  since  continued  to  meet  here. 

Under  the  auspices  of  the  Eev.  John  Crawford,  M.  D.,  who  for 
a  long  series  of  years  presided  as  Grand  Master,  Masonry  continued 
to  flourish.  The  death  of  this  venerable  seer  was  attended  with 
such  circumstances  as  will  not  soon  be  eradicated  from  the  minds 
of  his  brethren,  who,  with  the  community  at  large  with  whom  he 
associated,  were  wont  to  respect  him  for  his  Christian  and  Masonic 
virtues ;  perhaps,  since  the  days  of  the'  celebrated  Howard,  that 
man  has  not  appeared  on  the  stage  of  life  whose  character  has  so 
nearly  approached  that  celebrated  philanthropist  as  Dr.  Crawford. 
The  circumstances  alluded  to  are  as  follows  :  At  the  last  session  he 
delivered,  as  was  his  custom,  an  original  charge,  lengthy  and  lumin- 
ous, the  production  of  his  own  rich  imagination,  couched  in  the 
most  affectionate  and  parental  language,  at  the  conclusion  of 
which  he  intimated  to  his  brethren  his  wish  to  retire  from  office, 
pleading  his  long  services  and  advanced  age.  He  then  resigned 
the  Oriental  chair  to  his  associate,  and  passing  through  the  adja- 
cent room,  gave  the  Tyler  an  aff'ectionate  shake  by  the  hand,  ob- 
serving that  the  door  which  had  just  closed  upon  him  would  never 
again  be  opened  for  his  reception,  wishing  him  at  the  same  time 
happiness  here  and  hereafter.  The  first  act  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
and  it  was  the  spontaneous  act  of  each  individual  composing  it, 
was  to  give  him  a  unanimous  vote  of  continuance;  but  Heaven 
had  decreed  what  the  venerable  man  seemed  to  have  a  full  presenti- 
ment of,  that  his  work  was  finished ;  for  the  same  Grand  Lodge 
who  heard  his  valedictory  address,  who  unanimously  recalled  him 
to  the  chair,  were  called  upon  before  the  session  adjourned  to 
follow  his  remains  to  the  tomb.  He  was  born  in  Ireland  on  the 
3d  of  May,  1746,  and  rendered  up  his  soul  to  his  Creator  on  the 
9th  of  May,  1813. 

A  company  of  mounted  volunteers  put  themselves  under  the 
command  of  Capts.  Plunket  and  Moore,  of  which  Samuel  HoUings- 
worth,  who  had  been  an  officer  in  the  troop,  became  commander. 
A  volunteer  company  of  artillery  was  formed,  commanded  by 
Captain  Stodder,  and  a  company  of  riflemen  by  Captain  James 
Allen. 

The  neutrality  being  much  infringed  by  the  maritime  powers 


272  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

at  war,  the  President  announced  a  general  embargo  for  thirty 
days  by  Congress;  and  the  news  was  received  here  with  much 
satisfaction  on  the  twenty-eighth  of  March — on  the  expiration  of 
which,  a  Captiiin  Ramsdel],  who  in  a  fit  of  intoxication  had  hoisted 
his  colors  half-mast,  was  violentl}^  seized  by  the  populace  and  tarred 
and  feathered,  as  well  as  a  young  ship-carpenter  named  Sintorn, 
who  had  been  an  apprentice  of  Mr.  Stodder. 

•  The  extraordinary  pretensions  and  naval  power  of  the  British 
rendered  them  most  obnoxious,  and  it  was  thought  a  war  with 
them  could  scarcely  be  avoided ;  but  as  the  surest  means  of  pre- 
serving peace  with  honor,  the  President  invited  serious  preparations 
here,  both  for  offence  and  defence,  whilst  his  minister,  Mr.  Jay, 
with  the  terms  of  accommodation  prescribed,  was  waiting  in 
London  their  acceptance.  The  fort  at  Whetstone  Point  was 
repaired  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  and  the  Star  Fort  of  brick- 
work added.  The  ground  was  afterwards  ceded  to  the  United 
States,  and  the  work  called  Fort  McHenry,  in  honor  of  Colonel 
James  McHenry  of  Maryland,  then  Secretary  of  War. 

Agreeably  to  the  Act  of  Congress  of  the  year  before,  and  the 
provisions  made  by  the  Legislature,  Governor  Stone  appointed 
Colonel  Smith  Major-General  of  the  Third  Division, — Colonel  Hall 
and  Howard  declming ;  and  Colonel  Swann  and  Charles  Kidgely  of 
Hampton,  Brigadier-Generals;  the  first  for  the  Third  Brigade  and 
the  latter  for  the  Eleventh  Brigade  of  Maryland  Militia,  and  a 
general  enrolment  takes  place.  In  1807,  a  new  law  was  passed, 
and  General  Swann's  declining  health  obliged  him  to  resign,  when 
Colonel  Strieker  was  appointed  Brigadier-General  in  his  place, 
the  cavalry  being  placed  under  their  own  field  officers.  In  1809 
General  Eidgely  resigned,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Tobias  E. 
Stansbury. 

Captain  Barney  having  resigned  the  office  of  Clerk  of  the  Dis- 
trict Court,  took  command  of  a  merchant  vessel,  in  which  he  was 
made  prisoner  by  the  British.  They  took  him  to  Jamaica,  con- 
demned his  vessel,  and  affected  to  try  him  for  piracy  ;  but  he  was 
acquitted  at  the  moment  he  was  demanded  by  the  President,  and 
indemnity  was  received  for  the  vessel  afterwards.  Capt.  Barney 
was  selected  to  command  one  of  the  frigates  to  be  built  by  the 
General  Oiovernment,  but  not  being  satisfied  in  respect  to  rank,  he 
declined  soon  after,  and  went  to  France,  where  he  entered  into  the 
service  of  that  republic.  Commanding,  in  1797,  on  the  St.  Domingo 
station,  he  visited  the  Chesapeake,  eluded  the  British  and  returned 
to  the  capes  in  safety.  Capt.  Barney  was  succeeded  by  Philip 
Moore  as  Clerk  of  the  District  Court. 

The  Government  intending  to  fit  out  several  vessels  of  war  at 
this  port,  Capt.  Jeremiah  Yellot  was  appointed  navy  agent,  and  Mr. 
David  Stodder  builder. 

The  Criminal  Court  was  abolished  in  this  year,  the  Justices  of 
the  county  court  being  then  Joshua  Seney,  Chief  Justice ;  William 
BuBsell,  and  William  Owings,  associates. 


CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEB.  273 

President  Washington  having  called  upon  Maryland  for  her 
quota  of  militia  to  quell  the  "  Whiskey  Insurrection  of  Pennsyl- 
vania," over  five  hundred  men  from  Baltimore  assembled  at  Cum- 
berland under  the  command  of  Maj.-Gen.  Smith,  the  whole  under 
the  command  of  Gen.  Eichard  Henry  Lee,  or  Light  Horse  Harry 
of  the  Eevolution,  as  he  is  sometimes  called.  The  march  of  the 
army  produced  a  salutary  effect ;  a  bloodless  victory  was  every- 
where obtained,  many  of  the  ringleaders  were  taken,  and  the  in- 
surrection having  been  completely  crushed,  the  troops  .were  dis- 
missed to  their  homes.  Gen.  Lee  acknowledged  the  services  of  the 
Marj  land  troops  in  the  following  letter  to  Governor  Lee,  which 
has  never  before  been  published : 

"  Headquarters,  Nov.  2Qth,  1794. 

"  Sir  : — The  period  having  arrived  when  the  army  entrusted  to 
my  direction  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  having  accom- 
plished the  object  of  their  advance  into  this  country,  are  about  to 
return  home,  i  should  commit  violence  on  my  own  feelings  were  1 
not  to  express  to  your  Excellency  my  very  high  ideas  of  their 
merit.  Suddenly  brought  into  the  field,  they  were  unprepared  for 
the  hardships  which  they  encountered.  Nevertheless  disregarding 
the  distress  to  which  they  were  consequently  in  a  greater  degree 
exposed,  they  continued  to  evidence,  with  firmness  and  zeal,  the 
purity  of  the  principles  by  which  they  were  moved,  and  terminated 
their  campaign  in  perfect  correspondence  with  the  patriotism  which 
impelled  them  to  exchange  domestic  enjoyments  for  the  toils  and 
privations  inseparable  from  military  life.  To  all  is  due  the  tribute 
of  applause  which  ever  attends  the  faithful  and  animated  discharge 
of  duty ;  but  to  one  class  something  more  is  due.  Those  inesti- 
mable and  friendless  citizens  who  till  the  ranks  seem  to  have  been 
scarcely  noticed  in  the  legal  provisions  for  compensation. 

"  If  the  example  exhibited  by  my  companions  in  arms  is  deemed 
worthy  of  attention,  I  derive  great  consolation  from  my  hopes 
that  the  State  Legislature  will  take  into  consideration  the  inequality 
which  at  present  exists  in  the  pay  allowed  to  the  officers  and  to 
the  soldiers ;  and  so  far  as  respects  the  faithful  army  under  my 
orders,  will  be  pleased  to  manifest  their  sense  of  the  conduct  of 
the  troops,  by  rendering  the  pecuniary  compensation  of  the  soldier 
proportionate  to  that  given  to  the  officer.  The  justice  and  policy 
of  such  interposition  are  alike  evident,  and  will  be  peculiarly  ac- 
ceptable. 

"  Another  point,  in  which  both  officers  and  soldiers  are  inter- 
ested, claims,  in  my  humble  opinion,  legislative  notice.  Although 
the  wise  and  temperate  system  adopted  by  the  President  of  the 
L^nited  States  averted  the  heaviest  of  all  human  calamities,  and 
saved  the  effusion  of  blood,  yet  the  suflerings  which  the  army 
experienced  from  the  extreme  severity  of  the  weather  have 
deprived  many  families  of  their  dearest  friend  and  chief  support. 
18 


274  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEB. 

To  alleviate  their  miseries,  by  extending  to  them,  with  equity  and 
liberality,  the  public  aid,  is  the  only  possible  retribution  which  can 
be  made  by  the  community,  and  I  flatter  myself  it  is  only  necessary 
to  make  known  the  existence  of  such  cases  to  secure  to  the  sufferers 
the  requisite  legal  provision. 

"  I  forbear  to  gratify  my  affectionate  attachment  to  my  fellow- 
citizens  in  arms,  with  me,  by  yielding  to  my  solicitude  for  their 
welfare,  and  subjoining  the  many  observations  which  my  knowledge 
of  their  virtue  and  sufferings  crowds  upon  my  mind,  in  the  confi- 
dence that  their  conduct  best  bespeaks  their  worth,  and  that  the 
Greneral  Assembly  will  take  pleasure  in  manifesting  their  respect 
to  real  merit. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  great  respect,  your  most  obt. 
servt,  EcH.  Hy.  Lee." 

The  following  unpublished  letter  was  written  to  Gov.  Lee  by 
Alexander  Hamilton,  then  Secretary  of  War : 

"  War  Department,  November  24ithj  1794. 

"Sir : —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  a  letter 
of  the  18th  instant  from  the  Executive  Council  of  Maryland,  and 
to  congratulate  you  and  them  on  the  disappearance  of  the  insur- 
rection in  Maryland. 

"  The  President  has  seen  with  great  satisfaction  the  laudable 
vigor  with  which  it  was  met  by  the  Government,  the  excellent 
disposition  manifested  by  the  citizens,  and  the  speedy  termination 
of  the  disturbance.  Such  an  example  cannot  but  have  the  best 
effect. 

•'  Though  severity  towards  offenders  is  to  be  avoided  as  much 
as  can  consist  with  the  safety  of  society,  yet  impunity  in  such 
cases  is  apt  to  produce  too  much  promptitude  in  setting  the  laws 
at  defiance.  Repeated  instances  of  such  impunity  in  Pennsylvania 
are  perhaps  the  principal  cause  of  the  misfortune  which  now  af- 
flicts itself,  and  through  it  the  United  States.  The  disturbers  of 
the  peace  familiarly  appeal  to  the  past  experience  of  unpunished 
offences  as  an  encouragement  to  the  perpetration  of  new  ones. 
This  general  reflection  will  no  doubt  be  duly  adverted  to  by  the 
judiciary  and  other  authorities  of  Maryland. 

"  With  great  respect  and  esteem,  I  have  the  honor  to  be.  Sir, 
your  most  obedient  servant,  Alexander  Hamilton. 

" His  Excellency  Thomas  Sim  Lee,  Governor  of  Maryland" 

Before  the  departure  of  the  troops  from  Baltimore  to  suppress 
the  "  Whiskey  Insurrection,"  the  yellow  fever  made  its  appear- 
ance in  the  town,  and  Messrs.  Gustavus  Scott,  George  Salmon,  Jos. 
Townsend,  Alexander  McKim,  Jesse  Hollingsworth,  Thomas  John- 
son, and  Thomas  Dixson  were  appointed  a  Committee  of  Health. 
There  were  344  deaths  by  the  feVer  and  other  diseases  during  the 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE.  275 

months  of  August  and  September.  The  malady  did  not  cease  until 
the  15th  of  October.  Capt.  James  Allen,  who  had  conducted  his  com- 
pany of  riflemen  as  far  as  Frederick  to  protect  the  State  Arsenal 
from  the  insurgents,  returned  an  invalid,  and  with  other  meritorious 
citizens  fell  a  victim  to  the  fatal  disease.  The  Commissioners  of 
Health  selected  a  site  for  the  hospital  from  Capt.  Yellot,  which 
was  improved  and  continued  to  be  used  as  a  hospital  for  strangers 
and  seafaring  men  until  1808,  when  it  was  leased  on  certain  con- 
ditions to  Doctors  Smyth  and  Mackenzie.  It  was  at  this  period, 
and  particularly  on  account  of  the  fever,  that  many  citizens  fled 
from  the  town  with  their  families,  where  it  appears  the  fever  did 
not  reach  them,  and  some  of  them  erected  country  residences 
which  now  ornament  the  vicinity. 

On  the  25th  of  December  the  General  Assembly  passed  "An 
Act  to  alter  such  parts  of  the  Constitution  and  form  of  govern- 
ment which  prevented  persons  conscientiously  scrupulous  of  tak- 
ing an  oath  from  being  members  of  the  Legislature,  electors  of 
the  Senate,  or  to  hold  offices  of  profit  and  trust."  By  this  Act  a 
member  of  either  of  the  religious  sects  or  societies  called  Quakers, 
Menonists,  Tunkers  or  Nicolites,  or  New  Quakers,  by  affirming 
may  hold  office,  &c. 

Otho  Holland  Williams  was  born  in  Prince  George's  county,, 
Maryland,  in  March,  1749.  His^ancestors  were  Welsh,  and  came 
to  America  soon  after  Lord  Baltimore  became  proprietor  of  the 
province  of  Maryland.  He  was  left  an  orphan  at  twelve  years  of 
age.  He  was  a  resident  of  Frederick  county  when  the  war  of  tho 
Eevolution  began,  when  he  entered  the  military  service  as  lieu- 
tenant of  a  rifle  corps  under  Colonel  Michael  Cresap,  and  with  that 
officer  he  went  to  Boston  in  1775.  He  was  afterwards  promoted 
to  the  command  of  his  company.  In  1776  he  was  promoted  to 
major,  and  fought  at  Fort  Washington  with  distinction.  In  that 
engagement  he  was  wounded  and  captured,  and  for  fifteen  months 
experienced  the  horrors  of  the  provost  prison  of  New  York.  He 
was  afterwards  exchanged  for  Major  Ackland,  captured  at  Sara- 
toga. During  his  captivity  he  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  a 
regiment  in  the  Maryland  Line.  He  was  Gates'  adjutant-general 
during  the  campaign  of  1780.  When  Gates  collected  the  remnant 
of  his  army,  scattered  at  Camden,  the  Marylanders  were  formed 
into  two  battalions,  constituting  one  regiment.  To  Williams  was 
assigned  the  command,  with  John  Eager  Howard  as  his  lieutenant. 
When  Greene  assumed  the  command  of  the  Southern  army  he 
perceived  the  value  of  Williams,  and  appointed  him  adjutant- 
general.  In  Greene's  memorable  retreat,  and  the  subsequent  battle 
at  Guilford,  Williams  greatly  distinguished  himself,  and  at  Eutaw 
Springs  he  led  the  celebrated  charge  which  swept  the  field  and 
gained  the  bloody  victory.  Congress  promoted  him  to  the  rank  of 
brigadier,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  he  received  the  appointment 
of  collector  of  customs  at  Baltimore,  which  office  he  held  until  his 


276  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

death,  which  occurred  on  Tuesday,  the  15th  of  July,  1794,  at  Mil- 
lerstown,  in  Virginia,  when  on  his  way  to  the  Sweet  Springs  for 
the  benefit  of  his  health,  in  the  46th  year  of  his  age.  His  body 
was  conveyed  to  Springfield,  now  Wiliiamsport,  and  deposited  in 
the  family  graveyard.  Gen.  Williams  left  a  widow  and  four  small 
children,  all  sons.  Upon  Major  Otho  Williams  receiving  the  ap- 
pointment of  Colonel,  he  wrote  the  following  characteristic  letter 
to  Governor  Johnson : 

"  Fred'k  Town,  March  6th,  1778. 

"  Sir :  —  The  very  honorable  appointment  which  the  Assembly 
of  the  State  of  Maryland  hath  been  pleased  to  make  me,  adds  an 
obligation  to  my  natural  duty  and  inclination  to  serve  my  country 
with  my  best  abilities.  I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  a  state 
of  the  resfiment  which  I  expect  the  honor  to  command,  but  from 
the  best  information  learn  there  is  not  above  one  hundred  effec- 
tive men  with  Lt.-Col.  Ford,  and  those  very  indifferently  clothed. 
The  laws  for  recruiting  and  equipping  men  in  this  State  (of  them- 
selves deficient)  I  find  very  badly  executed,  and  I  could  wish  it  in 
my  power  to  afford  some  assistance,  which  I  cannot  possibly  do 
until  I  am  instructed  where  to  get  cash  and  how  to  subsist  the  re- 
cruits till  they  are  equipped  and  fit  for  duty.  It  would  give  me 
great  pleasure  to  be  advised  on  this  subject.  I  heartily  desire  to 
join  the  army  as  soon  as  possible,  out  certainly  it  had  better  be  re- 
inforced by  a  regiment  without  a  colonel  than  by  a  colonel  without 
a  regiment. 

"  I  am  your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

"  Otho  H.  Williams. 

"  His  Excellency  Thomas  Johnson,  Esq.,  Governor  of  Md." 

General  Williams  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  oflicers  of 
the  Eevolutionary  period,  and  was  beside,  in  private  life,  a  truly 
lovable  and  interesting  character.  He  was  a  man  of  very  decided 
genius,  of  noble  and  magnanimous  nature,  singularly  handsome  in 
person,  a  warm  friend,  and  fondly  affectionate  in  all  his  family  re- 
lations. He  was  succeeded  as  Collector  of  the  Port  by  Eobert 
Purviance. 

George  G.  Presbury  was  appointed  one  of  the  justices  of  thq 
Orphans'  Court. 

Alexander  McKim  and  James  Winchester  are  elected  delegates 
to  the  Assembly,  and  Henry  Stevenson  is  again  elected  Sheriff'. 

Died,  on  the  ninth  of  June,  John  Smith,  one  of  the  framers  of 
the  Constitution,  and  lately  a  Senator  in  the  State  Legislature. 

Col.  Nathaniel  Eamsay  becoming  Naval  Officer  in  the  place  of 
Mr.  Purviance,  promoted  to  Collector,  Jacob  Graybell  is  appointed 
Marshal  of  this  district.  He  was  succeeded  by  Messrs.  Eeuben 
Etting,  Thomas  Enter,  and  Col.  Paul  Bentalou. 

On  the  26th  of  December  the  General  Assembly  passed  an  Act 
to  incorporate  "  The  Baltimore  Equitable  Society "  for  insuring 
houses  from  loss  by  fire. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  277 

1795.  Died  at  New  York,  on  Wednesday,  September  30th,  Col. 
Eleazer  Oswald,  lately  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Maryland  Journal. 
He  served  in  the  army  of  France  under  Dumonriir,  and  gained 
merited  applause  at  the  famous  battle  of  Jemmape.  He  also 
served  gallantly  in  the  Continental  army. 

y  In  this  year.  Judge  Jones,  who  resided  at  North  Point  on  the 
Patapsco,  counted,  in  passing  to  Baltimore,  no  less  than  109  ships, 
162  brigs,  350  sloops  and  schooners,  and  5,4fi4  of  the  "bay  craft," 
or  small  coasters  so  well  known  in  the  traffic  between  the  eastern 
and  western  shores  of  the  Chesapeake.  The  shad,  herring,  oyster 
and  other  fisheries  had  grown  to  consequence,  as  may  be  judged 
from  the  large  number  of  these  smaller  vessels  Vand,  according  to 
the  published  reports,  the  value  of  merchandise  entered  at  our 
Custom  House  for  exportation  from  1st  October  1790  to  1st 
October  1791,  was  $1,690,930  ;  same  period  in  1792,  $1,782,861 ;  in 
1793,  $2,092,660;  in  1794,  $3,456,421;  in  1795,  $4,421,924;— making 
in  all  $13,444,796;  while  the  exports  from  the  whole  State  of  Mary- 
land for  the  same  time  were  $20,026,126 ;  showing  that  our  town 
already  exported  two-thirds  of  the  whole  amount  sent  forward  by 
t*he  State. 

The  demand  abroad  for  our  flour  stimulated  the  "  milling 
interests,"  and  the  abundant  water-power  on  Jones  Falls  was 
taken  advantage  of  by  the  ei^ection  of  a  new  mill  within  a 
mile  of  navigation,  while  Gwynn's  Falls  was  also  improved  by  a 
mill-race,  with  sufficient  fall  in  succession  for  at  least  three  mills 
within  three  miles  of  the  city's  wharves.  In  consequence  of  these 
enterprises  of  the  Penningtons,  EUicott's,  Taggerts,  Tysons,  and 
Hollingsworths,  the  manufacture  of  flour  was  greatly  increased, 
80  that  but  little  wheat  in  bulk  was  subsequently  exported  from 
our  city.  Nor  should  we  forget  in  this  enumeration  of  the  material 
progress  of  Baltimore,  that  our  merchants  and  intellectual  men 
did  not  neglect  their  minds,  nor  the  minds  of  their  children,  in 
this  prosperous  period.  The  Eight  Kev.  Bishop  Carroll,  the  Eev. 
Doctors  Patrick  Allison  and  Joseph  G.  J.  Bend,  Doctor  George 
Brown,  Messrs.  Eichard  Caton,  Thomas  Poultney,  James  Carroll, 
George  W.  Field,  Eobert  Gilmor,  Nicholas  Brice,  David  Harris, 
and  others,  established  the  old  Library  Company,  and  made  that 
splendid  collection  of  the  best  works  of  the  day  and  age  which, 
within  a  few  years  past,  was  merged,  and  is  still  preserved  in  the 
collections  of  the  Maryland  Historical  Society. 

John  B.  Bernabeau  was  appointed  French  Consul  for  Maryland, 
and  resided  here. 

David  McMechan  was  Elected  one  of  the  delegates  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  in  the  place  of  Alexander  McKim. 

An  Act  was  passed  by  the  General  Assembly,  on  the  24th  of 
December,  to  incorporate  the  Bank  of  Baltimore  ;  and  on  the  same 
day  the  Maryland  Fire  Insurance  Company  was  also  incorporated. 

On  the  27th  of  July,  a  town  meeting  was  held  at   the  court- 


278  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEB. 

house,  and  a  committee  was  chosen  to  address  the  President  on 
the  subject  of  a  treaty  with  England,  adverse  to  the  ratification. 
The  answer  of  the  President  referred  the  citizens  to  his  answer  to 
the  select  men  of  Boston ;  in  which,  being  disposed  to  adopt  the 
treaty,  he  appeals  to  the  principles  of  conscious  rectitude  contained 
in  his  answer  to  the  address  of  this  town  on  his  first  election  to 
the  Presidency,  and  hopes  that  experience  will  justify  him. 

1796.  The  following  letter  was  written  by  President  Washing- 
ton to  Col.  James  McHenry,  of  Baltimore,  formerly  private  secre- 
tary on  his  staff  during  the  Eevolution  : 

"  Philadelphia,  20th  January,  1796. 

"  My  Dear  Sir : — ^Let  this  letter  be  received  with  the  same  friend- 
ship and  frankness  with  which  it  is  written.  Nothing  would  add 
more  to  the  satisfaction  this  would  give  me,  than  your  acceptance 
of  the  offer  I  am  going  to  make.  Without  further  preface,  then, 
will  you  suffer  me  to  nominate  you  to  the  office  of  Secretary  of 
War?  That  I  may  give  evidence  of  the  candor  I  have  professed 
above,  I  shall  inform  you  that,  for  particular  reasons,  more  fit  far 
an  oral  than  a  written  communication,  this  office  has  been  offered 
to  General  Pii^ckney,  of  South  Carolina,  Colonel  Carrington,  of 
Yirginia,  and  Governor  Howard,  of  Maryland,  and  that  it  would 
now  give  me  sincere  pleasure  if  you  would  fill  it.  After  making 
this  declaration,  I  can  press  you  no  farther ;  but  I  press  for  an  im- 
mediate answer,  as  the  public  service  is  suffering  much  for  want  of 
a  head  to  the  department  of  war.  If  you  consent  to  this  nomina- 
tion, prepare  to  come  on  as  soon  as  it  is  made,  for  the  reason  just 
mentioned ;  although,  at  this  season  of  the  year,  and  in  the  present 
state  of  the  roads,  you  should  not  find  it  convenient  to  bring  Mrs. 
McHenry  and  your  family  along  with  you.  Sound,  I  pray  you, 
and  let  me  know  without  delay,  if  Mr.  Samuel  Chase  would  ac- 
cept a  seat  on  the  supreme  judicial  bench  of  the  United  States, 
made  vacant  by  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Blair.  If  his  decision  is  in 
the  affirmative,  he  will  at  once  perceive  the  necessity  of  being  here, 
if  possible,  by  the  first  Monday  in  the  next  month,  at  which  time 
that  court  is  to  sit  in  this  city.  Although  these  subjects  are  both 
of  an  interesting  nature,  I  will  add  no  more  on  them  at  present, 
but  assure  you  of  the  sincere  friendship  and  affectionate  regard  of, 
&c.,  George  Washington." 

Mr.  McHenry  and  Mr.  Chase  both  consented  to  the  proposal, 
and  were  accordingly  appointed. 

The  Baltimore  Library  Company  opened  their  library  for  the 
use  of  the  members  on  the  evening  of  October  22d,  at  the  house 
of  Mr.  Williams,  Lemon  street. 

Messrs.  Thompson  and  Walker  issue  the  first  directory  published 
in  Baltimore,  containing  the  names,  occupations  and  places  of 
abode  of  the  inhabitants  of  Baltimore  Town  and  Fell's  Point. 
Messrs.  Pechin  &  Co.,  printers. 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  279 

On  the  20th  of  November,  1783,  the  officers  of  the  Maryland 
Line,"  agreeably  to  the  request  of  Major-General  Smallwood,  met 
at  Mr.  Mann's  tavern,  in  Annapolis.  In  consequence  of  the  ab- 
sence of  General  Smallwood  and  General  Gist,  the  two  senior  offi- 
cers, the  meeting  was  adjourned  to  the  evening  of  the  following 
day.  The  aforesaid  officers  not  appearing.  General  Otho  Holland 
Williams  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Eccleston 
appointed  secretary.  The  institution  of  the  order  of  "  The  Society 
of  the  Cincinnati "  was  read  and  adopted,  when  they  proceeded  to  the 
election  of  officers.  Whereupon  Major-General  Smallwood  was 
elected  president ;  Brigadier-General  Gist,  vice-president ;  Briga- 
dier-General Williams,  secretary ;  Colonel  Eamsey,  treasurer ;  and 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Eccleston,  assistant  treasurer.  The  represen- 
tatives elected  to  the  General  Society  were  General  Smallwood, 
General  Williams,  Governor  Paca  and  Colonel  Eamsey.  The  first 
meeting  of  the  members  of  the  society  in  Baltimore  was  held  at 
the  "  Indian  Queen  "  hotel,  which  stood  on  the  southwest  corner 
of  Sharp  and  Baltimore  streets,  then  kept  by  Mr.  William  Evans, 
on  the  4th  of  July,  1796.  At  this  meeting  Colonel  John  H.  Stone 
was  re-elected  president,  and  Colonel  John  Eager  Howard,  vice- 
president  ;  Eobert  Denny  was  re-elected  secretary  and  treasurer. 
The  officers  of  the  Maryland  society  at  the  present  day  are :  Tench 
Tilghman,  president ;  William  Williams,  vice-president ;  W.  Carvel 
Hall,  treasurer ;  and  Eichard  J,  Manning,  secretary. 

On  Sunday,  December  4th,  Baltimore  Town  witnessed  such  a 
scene  as  to  threaten  at  one  time  the  destruction  of  a  greater  part 
of  it.  About  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  a  fire  broke  out  in  a 
frame  building  on  the  west  side  of  Light  street,  occupied  as  a 
shop  by  Dr.  Goodwin.  The  flames  immediately  caught  the  frame 
buildings  of  Messrs.  Wilkinson  &  Smith's  cabinet  manufactory  on 
the  south  side,  and  Mr.  Hawkins'  two  three-story  brick  houses. 
On  the  north  they  communicated  to  the  "  magnificent  structure," 
the  Baltimore  Academy,  and  the  Methodist  meeting-house.  The 
fierce  element  had  now  got  to  such  a  height  as  to  put  it  out  of  the 
power  of  the  citizens  to  save  the  six  buildings  on  fire ;  and  there- 
fore, to  prevent  its  spreading  still  further,  they  threw  down  the 
roof  of  the  Eev.  Mr.  Reed's  house  and  demolished  some  back 
buildings,  by  which  means  the  flames  were  got  under  control. 
"  Mr  Bryden's  Fountain  Inn,  directly  opposite,  was  with  difficulty 
preserved  by  wetting  the  roof,  and  spreading  wet  blankets  by  a 
gentleman  traveller,  (Mr.  Francis  Charlton,  of  Yorktown,  Ya.)  on 
a  shed  adjoining  the  inn,  which  was  on  fire  several  times  previous 
to  this"  experiment."  The  fire  originated  with  some  boys,  who 
set  fire  to  some  shavings  in  the  back  part  of  the  house. 

Judge  Seney  resigned,  and  Henry  Eidgely  was  appointed  Chief- 
Justice  of  the  judicial  district.  Dr.  Andrew  Wiesenthall  is  ap- 
pointed one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Orphans'  Court. 

The  Charitable  Marine  Society  was  formed  and  incorporated 


280  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

in   the   name   of  Thomas  Elliott,   David  Porter,   Thomas   Cole, 
Daniel  Howland,  and  others,  masters  of  vessels,  or  their  friends. 

At  length,  on  the  last  day  of  the  year  1796,  a  law  is  passed  to 
constitute  the  town  a  city,  and  incorporate  the  inhabitants  by  the 
name  of  "  The  Mayor  and  City  Council  of  Baltimore  "  ;  and  that 
the  best  means  were  sought  by  our  legislators  to  restrain  the 
errors  and  promote  the  happiness  of  a  numerous  and  mixed  so- 
ciety, is  proved  by  the  enlightened  views  which  they  have  con- 
cisely expressed  in  the  following  preamble  :  "  Whereas,  it  is  found 
by  experience  that  the  good  order,  health  and  safety  of  large 
towns  and  cities  cannot  be  preserved,  nor  the  evils  and  accidents 
to  which  they  are  subject  avoided  or  remedied,  without  an  internal 
power  competent  to  establish  a  police,  and  regulations  fitted  to 
their  particular  circumstances,  wants  and  exigencies."  It  required 
no  little  exertion  of  the  talents  and  influence  of  Messrs.  McMechen, 
McHenry,  Eobert  Smith,  and  Winchester,  the  Senators  and  Dele- 
gates at  the  time,  to  reconcile  the  citizens  to  the  charter,  such  as 
it  was,  especially  those  of  the  Point,  or  Deptford  Hundred,  who 
were  conciliated  by  an  exception  from  any  tax  towards  deepening 
the  upper  harbor  or  basin.  Still  the  Act  was  introduced  as  an  ex- 
periment for  a  year  only,  and  another  was  passed  the  ensuing 
session  to  give  it  perpetual  duration,  with  an  enumeration  of  some 
of  the  principal  powers. 

James  Winchester  was  chosen  Elector  of  the  Senate  for  the 
City.  Col.  Howard  and  Charles  Eidgely  of  Hampton  were  elected 
members  of  the  Senate  of  the  State,  but  the  Colonel  having  been 
appointed  a  member  of  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  is  suc- 
ceeded by  David  McMechen.  Eobert  Smith  was  elected  to  the 
House  of  Delegates  in  the  place  of  Mr.  McMechen. 

An  Act  of  Assembly  was  passed  on  the  30th  of  December, 
authorising  the  filling  up  of  the  west  side  of  the  Basin  from  Forrest 
(now  Charles)  to  the  east  side  of  Light  etreet,  and  the  extension  of 
Lee,  Barre,  Conway,  and  Camden  streets  to  Light.  Also  on  the 
31st  of  December,  an  Act  was  passed  by  the  General  Assembly  to 
lay  out  and  establish  a  turnpike  road  from  the  City  of  Washington 
to  Baltimore  town. 

1797.  *'  In  virtue  of  an  appointment  by  the  Governor  and  Council, 
bearing  date  the  5th  day  of  January,  1797,  to  divide  the  City  of 
Baltimore  into  eight  wards,  agreeably  to  the  Act  to  erect  Baltimore 
town,  in  Baltimore  county,  into  a  city,  and  to  incorporate  the  in- 
habitants thereof,  we  have  made,  and  do  declare  the  following 
division  of  the  said  city  into  eight  wards, — viz.: 

"  The  first  ward  to  comprise  all  that  part  of  the  City  Of  Balti- 
more to  the  westward  of  Hanover  street  and  McClellan's  alley,  in- 
cluding the  west  side  of  said  street  and  alley,  and  all  the  west  side 
of  Charles  street  north  of  the  place  where  said  alley  intersects  it. 

*'The  second  ward:  the  east  side  of  Hanover  street  and  McClel- 
lan's alley,  to  the  west  side  Light  street  and  St.  Paul's  lane  in- 
clusive. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  281 

"  The  third  ward :  the  east  side  of  Light  street  and  St:  Paul's 
lane,  to  the  west  side  of  Calvert  street  inclusive. 

"  The  fourth  ward  :  the  east  side  of  Calvert  street  to  the  west 
side  ox' South  street  and  North  lane  inclusive. 

"  The  fifth  ward  :  the  east  side  of  South  street  and  North  lane, 
to  the  west  side  of  Gay  street  inclusive. 

"  The  sixth  ward :  the  east  side  of  Gay  street  to  Jones  Falls 
inclusive. 

"  The  seventh  ward:  the  east  side  of  Jones  Falls  and  the  north 
side  of  Wilkes  street  inclusive. 

"  The  eighth  ward :  all  that  part  of  Fell's  Point  to  the  south- 
ward of  "Wilkes  street,  including  the  south  side  of  said  street. 

"  Given  under  our  hands  in  the  City  of  Baltimore,  this  9th  day 
of  January,  1797: 

"John  Stricker,  Alexander  McKim, 

"Philip  Eogers,  James  Calhoun, 

"Emanuel  Kent,  James  Stodder." 

Agreeably  to  the  Act  of  Assembly  for  incorporating  the  City 
of  Baltimore,  the  inhabitants  of  the  several  wards  met  on  the  16th 
of  January,  1797,  for  the  purpose  of  electing  two  councilmen  for 
each  ward  and  eight  electors  for  the  choice  of  a  Mayor;  when 
the  following  gentlemen  were  returned  as  duly  elected : 

First  Ward  Councilmen: — James  Carey,  Ephraim  Eobinson. 
Elector,  George  Eeinecker. 

Second  Ward : — Dr.  George  Buchanan,  Samuel  Owings.  Elec- 
tor, William  Gibson. 

Third  Ward: — Zebulon  HoUings worth,  James  McCannon. 
Elector,  Jesse  Hollingsworth. 

Fourth  Ward : — Hercules  Courtenay,  William  Wilson.  Elector, 
Jeremiah  Yellott. 

Fifth  Ward  : — Thomas  Hollingsworth,  Adam  Fonerden.  Elec- 
tor, Philip  Eogers. 

Sixth  Ward: — James  A.  Buchanan,  Peter  Frick.  Elector, 
Englehard  Yeiser. 

Seventh  Ward: — James  Edwards,  David  Brown.  Elector,  John 
Brown. 

Eighth  Ward: — Joseph  Biays,  William  Trimble.  Elector,*John 
Coulter. 

The  General  Assembly,  on  the  20th  of  January,  passed  an  Act 
incorporating  "  The  Library  Company  of  Baltimore,"  now  merged 
in  the  Maryland  Historical  Society.  On  the  same  day  the  As- 
sembly incorporate  "The  Presbyterian  Church, in  the  city  of  Balti- 
more," with  a  committee  consisting  of  William  Smith,  Eobert 
Purviance,  James  Calhoun,  David  Stewart,  Eobert  Gilmor,  Samuel 
Smith,  William  Patterson,  Christopher  Johnson,  George  Brown, 
John  Swann,  William  Eobb  and  James  A.  Buchanan. 

A  meeting  was  held  on  the  21st  of  February,  of  the  electors  of 


282  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

a  Mayor  and  eight  members  for  the  Second  Branch  of  the  City 
Council,  when  the  following  gentlemen  were  declared  to  be  duly 
elected  :  James  Calhoun,  Mayor.  First  Ward,  William  Goodwin ; 
Second  Ward,  Col.  Nicholas  Eogers ;  Third  Ward,  John  Merryman  ; 
Fourth  Ward,  Henry  JSTicholls;  Fifth  Ward,  Eobert  Gilmor;  Sixth 
Ward,  Eichard  Lawson  ;  Seventh  Ward,  Edward  Johnson  ;  Eighth 
Ward,  Job  Smith,  who  chose  John  Merryman  their  President.  On 
the  same  day  the  citizens  for  the  several  wards  held  an  election  for 
sixteen  members  of  the  First  Branch  of  the  City  Council,  when  the 
following  gentlemen  were  elected :  First  Ward,  James  Carey  and 
Ephraim  Eobinson  :  Second  Ward,  Samuel  Owings  and  Dr.  George 
Buchanan ;  Third  Ward,  Zebulon  HoUingsworth  and  James  McCan- 
non;  Fourth  Ward,  Hercules  Courtenay  and  David  McMechen; 
Fifth  Ward,  Thomas  HoUingsworth  and  Adam  Fonerden ;  Sixth 
Ward,  Baltzer  Schaeifer  and  Peter  Frick;  Seventh  Ward,  James 
Edwards  and  Frederick  Schaeffer ;  Eighth  Ward,  Joseph  Biays  and 
Will'am  Trimble.  Hercules  Court6nay,Esq.,  was  chosen  President 
of  this  Branch. 

On  the  20th  of  January  the  General  Assembly  passed  an  Act "  to 
lay  out  and  establish  a  turnpike  road  from  the  City  of  Baltimore 
through  Frederick-town  in  Frederick  county,  to  Elizabeth-town 
and  Williams-port  in  Washington  county."  Luke  Tiernan,  Peter 
Hoffman,  and  Hezekiah  Claggett,  were  appointed  managers  for 
taking  subscriptions  for  stock  in  Baltimore  City. 

One  of  the  first  acts  of  the  Corporation  was  an  expression  of 
approbation,  gratitude,  and  good  wishes  toward  Gen.  Washington, 
passing  through  the  city  homeward  after  the  expiration  of  the 
second  period  of  his  presidential  term,  in  an  address  dated  the  14th 
of  March,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy : 

"  To  George  Washington,  Esq. : 

"  Sir :  —  To  partake  of  the  prosperity  arising  from  your  un- 
wearied attention  to  the  welfare  of  your  country — ^to  admire  that 
firmness  which  has  never  been  disconcerted  in  the  greatest  diffi- 
culties, and  which  has  acquired  vigor  in  proportion  to  the  exi- 
gency— to  feel  that  honorable  ascendency  you  have  obtained  in 
the  well-founded  opinion  of  your  fellow-citizens,  by  a  wise  adminis- 
tration, and  the  exercise  of  the  virtues  of  a  private  life,  and  to 
suppress  our  admiration  and  acknowledgment,  would  be  wanting 
to  our  own  individual  sensation,  and  the  just  expectation  of  those 
we  represent. 

"  Permit,  therefore,  the  Mayor  and  City  Council  of  Baltimore, 
amongst  the  first  exercises  of  their  corporate  capacity,  to  gratify 
themselves  and  their  constituents,  in  the  sincere  expressions  of 
regret  for  your  retirement ;  their  lively  gratitude  for  your  public 
services,  their  affectionate  attachment  to  your  private  character, 
their  heartfelt  farewell  to  your  person  and  family,  and   their  un- 


OHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOKE.  283 

ceasing  solicitude  for  your  temporal  and  eternal  happiness.    In 
behalf  of  the  corporation  of  the  city  of  Baltimore, 

"  James  Calhoun,  Mayor." 

To  which  was  returned  the  following  reply : — 
*'  To  the  Mayor  and  City^  Council  of  Baltimore  : 

^^  Gentlemen: — 1  receive  with  grateful  sensibility  the  honor  of 
your  address. 

"  To  meet  the  plaudits  of  my  fellow-citizens  for  the  part  I  have 
acted  in  public  life,  is  the  highest  reward,  next  to  the  consciousness 
of  having  done  my  duty,  to  the  utmost  of  my  abilities,  of  which 
my  mind  is  susceptible;  and  I  pray  you  to  accept  my  sincere 
thanks  for  the  evidence  you  have  now  given  me  of  your  approba- 
tion of  my  past  services.  For  these  regrets  which  you  have  ex- 
pressed on  the  occasion  of  my  retirement  to  private  life,  and  for 
the  affectionate  attachment  you  have  declared  for  my  person,  let 
me  reciprocate  most  cordially  all  the  good  wishes  you  have  been 
pleased  to  extend  to  me  and  my  family,  for  our  temporal  and 
eternal  happiness.  "  George  Washington." 

Eichard  H".  Moale  was  appointed  by  the  Mayor  and  City  Council 
to  "  receive  for  safe-keeping  the  records,  papers,  proceedings,  and 
accounts  of  the  commissioners  of  Baltimore  town,  port  wardens,  &c., 
until  the  corporation  shall  further  order."  William  Gibson  was 
appointed  to  "  receive  for  safe-keeping  all  the  moneys  in  the  hands  of 
the  commissioners  of  Baltimore  town,  &c.,  until  the  corporation 
shall  further  order." 

At  the  navy-yard  of  David  Stodder,  Harris  Creek,  on  the  9th 
of  September,  was  launched  the  United  States  frigate  Constellation, 
of  36  guns.  Capt.  Thomas  Truxton  was  appointed  to  command 
her. 

)( Captain  David  Porter,  Sr.,  established  the  signal-house  on 
Federal  Hill,  opposite,  but  near  to,  and  in  sight  of  the  town,  by 
which  the  approach  of  public  and  private  vessels  to  the  Bodkin  and 
North  Point  is  immediately  known.>(^ 

In  this  year  a  subscription  was  gotten  up  for  a  hall  for  dancing, 
and  the  building  was  erected  and  is  still  standing  on  the  north-east 
corner  of  Fayette  and  Holliday  streets,  from  a  design  by  Colonel 
N.  Eogers — Messrs.  Kobert  C.  Long,  James  Donaldson,  Hessington, 
and  Lander,  builders  —  which  was  called  the  "Assembly  Eoom." 

Mr.  George  Keating,  published  a  small  plan  of  the  city,  and  two 
years  after  another  was  published  by  Mr.  Charles  Yarle,  which  in- 
cluded some  of  the  environs,  with  views  of  the  buildings.  Messrs. 
Dugan  and  McElderry  commenced  their  improvements  in  Market 
Space. 

Colonel  Howard  having  completed  the  senatorial  term,  is  re-ap- 
pointed Senator  of  the  United  States  for  the  ensuing  six  years. 
Adam  Fonerden,  Esq.,  is  elected  a  delegate  to  the  Assembly  in  the 
place  of  Mr.  McMechen ;  and  Cornelius  H.  Gist  is  elected  sheriff. 


284  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Died  in  this  city,  on  the  19th  of  March,  at  an  advanced  age, 
Daniel  Dulaney,  barrister,  formerly  secretary  of  the  Province  and 
member  of  the  Council,  and  of  the  Upper  House  under  the  Proprie- 
tary government. 

An  Act  was  passed  on  the  20th  of  January,  by  the  General 
Assembl}',  incorporating  the  Eejsterstown  Turnpike  Company,  and 
authorizing  Samuel  Smith,  Joseph  Thornburgh,  Jesse  Hollingsworth, 
and  Philip  Grable,  to  receive  subscriptions  to  the  stock  in  Balti- 
more City. 

On  the  same  day,  the  General  Assembly  appointed  Samuel 
Owings,  James  Carroll,  John  Merryman,  James  Carey,  and  Nicholas 
Eogers,  commissioners  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  new  jail,  and  they 
purchased  ground  and  built  on  the  site  of  the  present  one.  An  Act 
was  passed  at  the  next  session  to  sell  the  ground  now  occupied  by 
the  City  Court,  formerly  old  Masonic  Hall,  and  the  proceeds  to 
be  applied  in  the  erection  of  the  new  jail  on  the  east  side  of  Jones 
Falls.     It  was  finished  and  occupied  in  1802. 

1798.  The  difficulties  which  had  arisen  in  Europe  out  of  the 
French  Revolution,  soon  extended  themselves  in  this  country.  The 
cloud  soon  passed  away,  and  nothing  was  heard  but  distant  rum- 
blings. 

On  the  7th  of  IsTovember,  Gen.  Washington,  who  had  accepted 
the  command  of  the  army  again,  designated  Col.  Howard  to  be  one 
of  the  Brigadier-Generals,  and  arrived  here  and  reviewed  General 
Swann's  brigade.  On  this  last  visit  of  the  beloved  chief  and  brother, 
the  R.  W.  Mr.  William  Belton,  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Maryland,  presented  a  copy  of  their  constitution  then  just  re- 
vised, and  an  address,  to  which  the  General  returned  an  answer 
highly  commendatory  of  the  benevolent  purposes  of  the  institu- 
tion. 

Two  new  companies  of  volunteer  cavalry  were  raised,  one  on 
the  Point,  commanded  by  Captain  James  Biays,  and  one  in  town 
by  Captain  Paul  Bentalou. 

In  July,  Congress  voted  an  addition  to  the  army  and  naval 
forces,  and  authorized  the  seizure  of  French  vessels  which  were 
armed.  The  ships  Baltimore  and  Montezuma^  merchant  vessels  of 
this  port,  were  fitted  out  with  twenty  guns  each,  the  first  com- 
manded by  Captain  Isaac  Philips,  and  the  last  by  Captain  Alex. 
Murray.  On  the  16th  of  November,  the  Baltimore  having 
convoyed  a  number  of  American  vessels  near  Havana,  was  met  by 
a  British  squadron  under  Admiral  Loring,  who  invited  Captain 
Philips  on  board  his  ship,  and  in  his  absence,  had  above  fifty  men 
brought  away  from  the  Baltimore^  as  British  seamen,  which  Cap- 
tain Philips  resented  strenuously  and  offered  up  his  ship.  Upon 
this  Loring  returned  all  the  men  but  five,  and  Captain  Philips  be- 
ing without  a  commission  for  his  ship,  and  thinking  the  Government 
would  find  some  better  means  of  redress,  hoisted  his  flag  and  pro- 
ceeded, but  was  dismissed  the  service  on  his  return  without  atrial 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  285 

by  an  order  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy.  John  Eogers  and  An- 
drew Sterett  were  appointed  Lieutenants  in  the  navy,  and  David 
Porter,  Jr.,  Midshipman,  were  on  board  the  Constellation  and  con- 
tributed by  their  gallant  behavior  to  the  capture  of  the  Insurgente 
French  frigate,  on  the  9th  of  February,  1799.  Besides  the  above 
Baltimore  gentlemen,  there  also  entered  the  navy  about  this  period, 
Messrs.  John  Ballard,  William  Peterken,  Charles  Ridgely,  John 
and  Joseph  Nicholson,  and  George  Levely  ;  and  another  ship  was 
fitted  out  and  called  the  Patapsco,  to  be  commanded  by  Captain 
Greddes. 

To  relieve  the  county  courts  from  duties  not  judiciary,  Levy 
courts  were  organized  by  law,  and  eleven  justices  appointed  for 
this  city  and  county,  who  took  charge  of  the  property  and  finances. 
The  tobacco  inspectors  formerly  nominated  by  the  vestries,  and 
latterly  by  the  courts  of  justice,  are  now  by  this  court,  as  are  the 
county  constables  and  overseers  of  the  roads.  The  Legislature 
also  passed  an  Act  to  prevent  abuses  in  the  practice  of  medicine 
and  surgery,  the  want  of  which  had  been  announced  ten  years  be- 
fore, incorporating  the  faculty,  prohibiting  any  from  commencing 
practice  thereafter  without  a  license  from  a  board  of  examiners. 
This  restriction  was  so  far  modified  in  1816  as  to  permit  the  gradu- 
ates of  reputed  seminaries  or  colleges  to  practice  without  other 
license. 

The  form  and  dimensions  of  brick  for  building  or  sale  were  es- 
tablished. 

The  property  of  the  city  subject  to  taxes  was  valued  at  £699,- 
519  9su  2d.,  pursuant  to  a  general  assessment  law,  and  five  com- 
missioners for  the  city,  and  five  for  the  county,  appointed. 

At  a  town  meeting  on  the  7th  of  September,  it  was  resolved 
that  a  subscription  should  be  opened  for  money  to  aid  the  distressed 
inhabitants  of  Philadelphia,  then  afflicted  by  the  yellow  fever,  and 
on  the  15th  the  Mayor  suspended  communication  between  the  two 
cities. 

Wm.  Wilson  and  Archibald  Buchanan,  Esqs.,  are  elected  dele- 
gates. 

On  the  5th  of  July,  John  Moale,  Esq.,  many  years  presiding 
justice  of  the  county  court,  and  member  of  the  convention  in  1774 
for  the  county,  departed  4his  life  at  an  advanced  age ;  on  the 
eleventh  of  September,  also  at  an  advanced  age,  Alexander  Lawson, 
Esq.,  formerly  clerk  of  Baltimore  county  court;  and  on  the 
twentieth  of  October,  at  his  then  residence  in  Queen  Anne 
County,  Joshua  Seney,  Esq.,  late  chief-justice  of  this  district,  and 
formerly  member  of  Congress. 

An  Act  was  passed  by  the  General  Assembly,  on  the  15th  of 
January,  to  extend  and  open  Sharping  lane,  now  called  Second 
street,  to  the  breadth  of  forty-nine  feet  six  inches  from  Gay  to 
South  street. 

1799.  Agreeably  to  the  powers  of  the  corporation,  an  addition 


286  CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

was  made  to  the  city  of  a  small  parcel  of  ground  situated  north  of 
Saratoga  street,  and  the  bounds  of  Harford  street  and  Canal  were 
fixed,  together  with  the  channel  of  the  Basin. 

On  the  28th  of  May  a  very  destructive  fire  broke  out  on  the 
west  side  of  South  street,  in  the  bake-house  of  Patrick  Millian,  and 
consumed  fourteen  warehouses,  and  much  valuable  property  be- 
tween that  street  and  Bowley's  wharf.  The  following  persons 
were  the  principal  losers :  James  Piper,  William  Jessop,  William 
Woods,  Y.  Kapff  &  Anspach,  Benjamin  Williams,  Eogers  &  Owens, 
Solomon  Betts,  James  Corrie,  Eedmond  Berry,  M.  Larew,  William 
Eyland,  John  McFadden,  A.  W.  Davey,  Mrs.  Lawson,  John  Strieker, 
Pat.  Millian,  Jarard  Toepken,  J.  Masey,  Lewis  Pascault. 

In  this  year  the  Eev.  John  Hargrove,  who  had  espoused  the 
doctrines  of  Baron  Swedeijborg,  and  others  of  that  faith,  erect  the 
New  Jerusalem  Temple  at  the  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Exeter 
streets,  which  was  dedicated  the  ensuing  year. 

Heretofore  the  citizens  had  witnessed  much  confusion  and  tur- 
bulence by  the  multitudes  of  people  assembled  at  elections  for  ih& 
town  and  county.  The  Legislature  therefore  changed  the  constitu- 
tion in  this  respect,  by  dividing  both  into  districts,  the  wards  of 
the  city  serving  for  districts  ;  two  years  after,  the  manner  of  vot- 
ing was  limited  to  ballots,  instead  of  voice,  and  these  seasons  ceased 
to  be  riotous  as  they  had  been. 

At  the  session  of  1799,  a  new  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  is 
organized  for  Baltimore  city  and  county,  and  Walter  Dorsey  ap- 
pointed chief-justice;  George  Presbury  and  Job  Smith,  associate 
justices.  In  1808  Judge  Dorsey  resigns,  and  is  succeeded  by  John 
Scott,  who,  dying  in  1813,  is  succeeded  by  Luther  Martin.  In  this 
year  James  Winchester  was  appointed  judge  of  the  district  court, 
in  place  of  Mr.  Paca  deceased.  . 

The  Insurgents^  a  French  frigate,  was  captured  by  Captain 
Truxton,  U.  S.  N.,  brought  here  and  fitted  out,  but  was,  with 
Capt.  Patrick  Fletcher  and  all  the  crew,  lost  at  sea  the  ensuing 
winter. 

On  the  petition  of  the  proprietors,  Pratt  street  from  Franklin 
Lane  was  directed  to  be  opened  to  the  Falls,  and  it  was  then  opened 
from  Frederick  street,  and  a  bridge  erected  by  ordinance  of  the 
corporation  to  connect  Pratt  street  witlj  the  one  called  Queen,  now 
Pratt  street,  east  of  the  Falls.  Pratt  street  had  been  opened  west- 
wardly  as  early  as  1795,  and  in  1811  a  law  was  passed  for  extend- 
ing it  eastwardly  across  Cheapside,  Hollingsworth,  and  EUicott's 
docks,  but  this  was  not  effected  until  another  one  was  passed  in 
1816,  including  that  part  of  the  new  street  only  which  runs  from 
Light  street  to  Franklin  lane, — when  another,  law  was  passed  to 
open  and  extend  North  lane,  which  was  called  Belvedere,  now  North 
street ;  and  another,  to  extend  Lombard  street  eastwardly,  which 
was  not  carried  into  eifect  for  a  number  of  years  after.  In  1807 
an  Act  was  passed  to  open  Centre  street  eastwardly  from  Howard 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  287 

street  to  the  Falls,  and  a  bridge  was  built  there;  and  in  1811,  St« 
Paul's,  now  Saratoga  street,  was  extended  from  Charles  to  Fish, 
now  Saratoga,  in  front  of  the  African  Bethel  Church.  In  1809 
Mr.  Christopher  Hughes  obtained  a  license  to  extend  his  grounds 
on  the  south  side  of  the  Basin,  northward  to  Lee  street,  and  from 
Forest,  now  Charles,  to  Johnson  street  eastwardly. 

The  port  wardens  had  determined  the  width  of  the  Falls,  before 
the  city  was  chartered,  at  60  feet  above  Baltimore  Street  bridge 
and  80  feet  below  it,  and  now  complete  the  survey  of  the  harbor, 
which  the  corporation  confirmed  in  1805  and  1807 ;  and  in  1815,  a 
resolution  was  passed  to  sanction  the  deepening  of  the  bed  and 
walling  in  the  sides  of  the  Fails. 

Archibald  Buchanan  and  George  Johannot,  Esqs.,  are  elected  to 
represent  the  town  in  the  House  of  Delegates. 

On  the  15th  of  December,  the  sad  news  arrived  of  the  decease 
of  General  Washington,  which  happened  the  day  before,  and  on  the 
1st  of  January,  1800,  funeral  rites  were  celebrated.  The  military, 
including  the  regulars  then  stationed  at  Fort  McHenry,  and  the 
citizens,  including  many  from  the  county,  formed  a  procession  at 
the  head  of  Baltimore  street,  when  an  appropriate  address  was  de- 
livered by  the  Eev.  Dr.  Allison.  From  thence  the  procession  re- 
turned to  Christ  Church,  and  when  the  bier  had  entered,  the 
funeral  service  Was  performed  by  the  Kev.  Dr.  Bend  before  an 
immense  concourse,  deeply  afi'ected  at  the  loss  which  they  had 
sustained,  and  anxious  to  manifest  the  grateful  sentiments  by  which 
they  were  animated  towards  the  memory  of  the  hero  who  had  so 
often  testified  his  regard  for  them,  and  rendered  the  most  important 
services  to  their  country. 

On  Monday,  June  3d,  the  United  States  sloop-of-war  Mary- 
land was  launched  from  the  ways  at  Price's  ship-yard.  Fell's 
Point.  This  vessel  carried  20  guns,  and  was  built  by  the  merchants 
of  Baltimore  and  presented  to  the  United  States  Government. 

On  Tuesday,  June  4th,  the  Baltimore  races  commenced  at  the 
new  course  on  Whetstone  Point.  There  was  an  immense  number 
of  spectators  present  of  both  sexes  and  all  conditions.  Mr.  Hanson's 
horse  Hamlet  was  the  winner  of  the  four-mile  race  in  seven 
minutes  and  forty-seven  seconds. 

On  Friday,  June  20th,  was  launched  from  the  ways  at  De  Eoch- 
broom's  ship-yard.  Fell's  Point,  the  U.  S.  sloop-of-war  Chesapeake, 

On  Monday  morning,  July  Ist,  a  number  of  seamen,  lately  be- 
longing to  the  Constellation^  to  evince  their  respect  to  their  former 
lieutenant,  John  Kogers,  carried  him  through  the  principal  streets 
of  Baltimore  on  a  chair  elegantly  decorated.  On  passing  Market 
street  (Broadway),  Fell's  Point,  the  procession  was  saluted  by  a 
discharge  of  cannon. 

On  the  24th  of  July,  the  following  gentlemen  having  been  ap- 
pointed a  committee  on  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Baltimore,  pub- 
lished an  appeal  to  raise  by  subscription  among  the  citizens  of  the 


288  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEB. 

city  sufficient  means  to  finish  the  fortification  (Fort  McHenry)  at 
"Whetstone  Point :  Eobert  Gilmor,  George  Sears,  Bobert  Oliver, 
William  Patterson,  David  Stewart,  Jeremiah  Yellott,  Mark  Pringle, 
Archibald  Campbell,  Thomas  Coale. 

A  summary  description  of  Baltimore  as  taken  from  an  old  paper 
of  the  year: 

"  Baltimore,  the  largest  and  most  flourishing  commercial  city 
in  the  State  of  Maryland,  is  situated  in  a  county  of  its  own  name, 
and  on  the  N.  W.  branch  of-  Patapsco  river.  It  extends  from  Har- 
ris's creek  on  the  S.  E.,  until  it  reaches  a  branch  of  the  western 
branch,  over  which  there  are  three  wooden  bridges.  In  the  city 
the  streets  extend  from  east  to  west,  along  the  north  side  of  the 
basin,  and  these  are  again  intersected  by  others  at  right  angles, 
extending  north  from  it;  except  a  few  which  run  in  different  di- 
rections. At  Fell's  Point  the  streets  also  in  general  extend  from 
east  to  west,  and  are  crossed  by  others  at  right  angles  ;  but  imme- 
diately on  the  Point  there  are  a  few  which  run  in  various  directions, 
as  circumstances  would  admit  of  On  the  side*  Jones  Falls,  there 
are  some  which  extend  parallel  to  it,  and  vary  their  course  from 
the  former.  The  number  of  streets,  lanes  and  alleys,  is  about 
130 ;  but  several  of  these  are  yet  without  a  building.  The  build- 
ings are.  principally  placed  between  Howard  street  and  the  Falls. 
The  main  street  is  80  feet  Avide,  and  extends  from  east  to  west 
about  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  and  is  called  Baltimore  street. 
Pratt,  Water,  Second  and  East  street  (Fayette)  have  the  same  di- 
rection, and  are  from  40  to  60  feet  wide.  These  are  intersected  at 
right  angles  by  Market  street,  150  feet  wide,  Frederick,  Gay,  South, 
Calvert,  Charles,  Hanover,  and  Howard  streets,  which  are  from  66 
to  80  feet  wide,  and  compactly  built.  There  are  others  partly 
built,  as  Holliday  street  100  feet  wide,  where  the  new  theatre 
stands-,  Lovely  and  St.  Paul's  lanes  thirty  feet  wide,  &c.  The 
public  buildings  are  a  court-house,  jail,  market-houses,  a  poor- 
house,  which  stands  on  the  northwest  side  of  the  town,  besides 
three  banks  and  exchange,  and  a  theatre  already  mentioned; 
these  last  are  private  property.  The  Bank  of  Maryland  stands 
in  South  street,  between  Walnut  street  and  Lovely  lane,  and  was 
incorporated  in  1791 ;  its  capital  is  $300,000.  The  branch  Bank 
of  the  United  States  stands  at  the  corner  of  Second  and  South 
Gay  streets.  The  Baltimore  Bank  stands  in  Baltimore  street  — 
No.  154.  The  court-house  is  a  brick  building  erected  upon  an 
arch  in  the  north  end  of  Calvert  street.  In  the  next  square,  a 
little  to  the  northwest,  is  the  jail  (now  record-office).  The  houses 
for  public  worship  are  eleven,  viz :  one  for  Episcopalians,  one  for 
Presbyterians,  one  for  German  Lutherans,  one  for  German  Cal- 
vinists,  one  for  the  Keformed  Germans,  one  for  Nicolites  or  New 
Quakers^  one  for  Baptists,  one  for  Boman  Catholics,  and  two  for 
Methodists,  one  of  which  stands  at  Fell's  Point.  The  Precsbyte 
rian  church  stands  in  East  street  (northwest  corner  of  North  and 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  289 

Fayette  streets),  has  a  handsome  portico,  and  is  supported  by  six 
pillars  in  front.  It  is  well-finished,  and  is  one  of  the  most  elegant 
churches  in  America.  The  houses  as  numbered  in  1787  were  1955 ; 
about  1200  of  these  were  in  the  town  and  the  rest  at  Fell's  Point. 
The  number  of  houses  at  present  is  about  3500:  the  greater  part 
of  these  are  brick,  and  many  of  them  handsome  and  elegant. 
The  number  of  warehouses  is  about  170,  chiefly  placed  contiguoTis 
to  the  harbor;  and  the  number  of  inhabitants,  according  to  the 
census  taken  in  1791,  was  13,758,  of  whom  1255  were  slaves;  but 
this  must  be  far  short  of  the  present  number. 

"  The  basin  is  on  the  south  side  of  the  town,  in  which  the  water 
at  common  tides  is  from  eight  to  nine  feet  deep.  The  harbor  at 
Fell's  Point  is  deep  enough  to  admit  ships  of  500  tons  burthen. 
The  situation  of  part  of  the  town  is  low,  and  was  unhealthy  until 
a  large  marsh  was  reclaimed  about  twenty-seven  years  ago,  since 
which  time  the  town  has  been  as  healthy  as  any  other  in  the 
United  States.  Where  the  marsh  formerly  was  there  is  a  market 
space  150  feet  wide,  which  we  have  mentioned  above ;  on  each 
side  is  a  row  of  buildings,  with  the  market-house  in  the  centre. 
Perhaps  the  increase  of  houses,  and  consequently  of  smoke,  to- 
gether with  the  improvements  which  have  been  made  in  paving 
the  streets  and  keeping  them  clean,  may  also  have  contributed  in 
rendering  it  so  healthy.  The  articles  manufactured  here  are  sugar, 
rum,  tobacco,  snuff,  cordage,  paper,  wool  and  cotton-cards,  nails, 
sa idles,  boots,  shoes,  ship-building  in  all  its  various  branches,  be- 
sides a  variety  of  other  articles.  "Within  eighteen  miles  of  the 
town  there  are  fifty  capital  merchant-mills,  one  powder-mill,  and 
two  paper-mills,  besides  several  furnaces  and  two  forges.  Twelve 
of  the  merchant-mills  are  within  four  miles  of  the  town,  on  Jones 
Falls,  and  four  others  are  about  the  same  distance  on  two  other 
streams.  Adjoining  the  town  is  a  large  mill,  with  four  pairs  of 
stones  six  feet  in  diameter,  capable  of  manufacturing  150  barrels 
of  flour  in  a  day ;  the  water-course  is  about  a  mile  in  length,  one- 
third  part  of  which  is  cut  out  of  the  solid  rock  :  in  this  distance 
the  water  gains  sixty-five  feet  fall.  The  rapid  increase  of  Balti- 
more has  even  surprised  its  friends,  and  it  now  ranks  as  the  third 
commercial  port  in  the  Union.  There  were  belonging  to  it  in 
1790,  27  ships,  1  scow,  31  brigantines,  34  schooners,  and  9  sloop  s  : 
total  102  vessels,  containing  13,564  tons.  In  the  year  ending  the 
last  day  of  December,  1797,  the  shipping  amounted  to  59,837  tons. 
The  exports  in  1790  amounted  to  $2,027,770,  and  the  imports  to 
$1,945,899  ;  balance  in  favor  of  Baltimore,  $81,971.  In  the  year 
ending  September,  1794,  the  exports  amounted  to  $5,0^,248,  and 
in  1798,  ending  September  30th,  $12,000,000  and  upwards.  Mr. 
Morse,  in  his  Gazetteer^  says  of  Baltimore : 

"  On  what  authority  he  makes  the  first  part  of  his  publications 
we  know  not.     In  looking  into  his  own  observations,  we  find  he 
contradicts  himself;  for  he  allows  a  greater  population  to  Charles- 
19 


290  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

ton,  which,  when  the  census  was  taken  in  1791,  was  the  fourth  in 
size,  and  contained  about  three  thousand  people  more  than  Balti- 
more. We  believe  Baltimore  has,  since  that  period,  increased  more 
in  wealth  and  population  than  any  town  in  the  United  States;  but 
whether  it  exceeds  Charleston  in  population  at  the  present  day,  he 
has  no  authority  we  presume  for  saying  it,  because  no  census  was 
taken  since  1791,  and  therefore  it  must  be,  with  him,  mere  con- 
jecture. With  respect  to  his  asserting  it  is  '  in  commerce  the  fifth 
in  rank  in  the  United  States;'  he  in  this  discovers  either  a  want  of 
recollection,  or  a  total  ignorance  of  the  subject.  In  looking  over 
the  exports  of  the  United  States,  published  by  Mr.  Coxe,  commis- 
sioner of  the  revenue,  in  1796,  for  five  years  ending  September 
30th,  1795,  we  find,  in  a  commercial  view,  Pennsylvania  ranks  first, 
New  York  second,  Massachusetts  third,  Maryland  fourth,  and  South 
Carolina  fifth.  Massachusetts  has  more  sea-ports  than  any  State 
in  the  Union,  from  which  commerce  is  carried  on  with  foreign 
countries.  These  necessarily  lessen  the  exports  of  Boston,  so  that 
we  find  in  1794,  Baltimore  exported  to  the  amount  of  $2,512,545 
more  than  Boston,  and  $1,447,856  more  than  Charleston,  the  ex- 
ports of  which  exceed  Boston  $1,064,689;  yet  Boston  he  ranks  as 
the  third  commercial  town  in  the  Union.  Perhaps  he  will,  in  the 
next  edition  of  his  Gazetteer,  make  another  advance  towards  truth, 
and  place  Baltimore  in  its  proper  rank  as  the  third  commercial 
city  in  the  United  States.  It  is  peopled  from  various  parts  of  the 
Union,  and  from  difi'erent  countries  in  Europe.  The  inhabitants 
by  mixing  together  in  a  social  and  friendly  manner,  have  a  polite- 
ness in  their  address  and  conversation  which  renders  them  pleasant 
and  agreeable  companions.  It  contains  more  men  of  wealth  and  of 
probity  in  commercial  transactions,  in  proportion  to  its  population, 
than  any  of  the  seaport  towns  in  the  Union.  This  is  demonstrated 
from  its  exports  being  greater  than  either  Boston  or  Charleston, 
each  of  whose  population  was  more  numerous  in.  1791.  Its  exports 
are  much  larger  in  proportion  to  its  population  than  either  Phila- 
delphia or  New  York;  for  if  population  be  the  standard  of  wealth, 
each  of  these  cities  ought  to  export  twice  the  amount  that  Balti- . 
more  does.  This  reasoning  is  obvious,  and  proves  what  we  have 
stated,  that  Baltimore  possesses  a  larger  proportion  of  men  of 
wealth  or  of  probity  in  commercial  aff*airs  than  any  of  the  seaport 
towns,  as  its  trade  is  so  much  greater  in  proportion  to  its  popu- 
lation; for  it  is  self-evident  that  all  commercial  transactions  are 
carried  on  by  means  either  of  wealth  or  of  credit,  which  last  is 
founded  on  probity  and  punctuality ;  and  when  the  commerce  of  a 
people  surpasses  the  ordinary  proportion,  it  is  of  itself  a  proof  that 
they  possess  either  one  or  other  of  these  in  a  great  degree. 

"  Baltimore  was  incorporated  and  declared  a  city  I)y  an  Act  of 
the  Legislature  of  Maryland,  passed  on  the  31st  day  of  December, 
1796.  It  is  governed  by  a  Mayor,  and  City  Council  consisting  of 
two  Branches.     The  First  Branch  is  composed  of  two  members 


CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE,  291 

from  each  ward;  at  present  there  are  sixteen  members  in  this 
Eraneh.  The  Second  Branch  consists  of  eight  members.  A  mem- 
ber of  the  First  Branch  must  be  twenty-one  years  of  age,  a  citizen 
of  the  United  States,  three  years  resident  in  Baltimore  before  his 
election,  and  rated  on  the  assessor's  books  at  one  thousand  dollars. 
The  voters  for  this  Branch  must  have  the  same  qualifications  as 
those  who  vote  for  members  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Maryland. 
The  election  is  annual,  and  made  viva  voce,  A  member  of  the 
Second  Branch  must  be  twenty-five  years  of  age,  a  citizen  of  the 
United  States,  four  years  a  resident  in  the  city  previous  to  his 
election,  and  rated  on  the  assessor's  books  at  two  thousand  dollars. 
The  members  of  this  Branch  are  chosen  every  second  year  by  the 
First  Branch.  The  Mayor,  who  is  elected  by  the  First  Branch 
also,  continues  in  office  two  years,  must  be  twenty-five  years  of  age, 
ten  years  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  five  years  a  resident 
of  the  place  before  his  election.  His  salary  is  fixed  by  an  ordi- 
nance of  the  corporation:  last  year  it  was  two  thousand  four 
hundred  dollars.  He  appoints  all  officers  of  the  corporation  j  the 
Second  Branch,  in  case  of  a  vacancy,  nominates  two  citizens,  one 
of  whom  the  Mayor  commissions." 

1800.  President  Adams  passed  through  the  city  on  the  15th  of 
June,  from  the  seat  of  government,  then  lately  moved  to  Washing- 
ton, and  the  corporation  presented  him  an  address  of  congratula- 
tion. 

Doctor  John  B.  Davidge,  who  had  been  educated  in  Europe, 
and  some  time  settled  in  Baltimore,  commenced  a  course  of  lec- 
tures on  the  principles  and  practice  of  Midwifery,  to  which  the 
next  session  he  added  practical  surgery,  and  the  third  session 
demonstrative  anatomy.  These  lectures  were  delivered  at  his 
residence ;  and  though  they  were  never  attended  by  a  dozen 
students,  the  Doctor  erected  an  anatomical  hall  near  the  south- 
east corner  of  Liberty  and  Saratoga  streets,  being  joined  by  Doctor 
James  Cocke  in  the  lectures  on  anatomy  and  physiology,  and 
by  Doctor  John  Shaw,  who  delivered  lectures  on  chemistry  at  his 
own  dwelling.  The  anatomical  lectures  had  scarcely  commenced 
in  the  new  hall  when  a  clamor  was  raised  by  some  ignorant  neigh- 
bors ;  it  was  demolished  bjjr  the  populace,  and  the  Doctor's  prepa- 
rations destroyed,  upon  which,  'and  for  two  or  three  years  after,  the 
anatomical  and  surgical  lectures  were  delivered  at  the  county  alms- 
house. 

Mr.  Marcus  McCausland  erects  a  brewery  in  HoUiday  street, 
and  a  new  powder  magazine  is  erected  on  the  south  side  of  the 
river  by  the  corporation. 

A  number  of  gentlemen  form  a  society,  which  they  call  '*  The 
Society  of  St.  George,"  to  relieve  emigrants  from  England;  and 
the  Kt.  Eev.  Bishop  Carroll,  the  Eev.  Dr.  Bend,  Mr.  James  Priestly, 
Doctor  Crawford,  and  others  form  a  society  by  the  name  of  "  The 
Maryland  Society  for  promoting  useful  knowledge,"  both  of  which 
societies  were  discontinued  after  a  few  years. 


292  CHRONICLES  -  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Eobert  Smith  and  James  H.  MeCulloch,  Esqs.,  are  elected  dele- 
gates, and  James  Wilson,  Esq.,  sheriif. 

By  the  new  census,  the  city,  without  the  precincts,  contained 
white  males,  11,294;  females,  9,606;  other  free  persons,  2,771; 
frlaves,  2,843;  precincts  supposed,  5,000;  total,  31,514,  being  an  in- 
crease of  18,011  persons  in  the  last  ten  years. 

In  this  year  an  agreement  was  made  by  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  and  the  city  authorities  with  reference  to  opening  North 
lane  and  reducing  the  ground.  This  ground  had  been  used  for  a 
number  of  years  for  burial  purposes.  The  congregation  reserved 
the  right  to  continue  the  parsonage  in  the  bed  of  the  present 
North  street  as  long  as  it  suited  them,  not  exceeding  ten  years. 
They  retained  it  till  1805. 

An  Act  was  passed  by  the  Legislature,  on  the  19th  of  Decem- 
ber, "  to  enable  the  Mayor  and  City  Council  of  Baltimore  to  intro- 
duce water  into  the  said  city." 

1801.  Innoculation  with  vaccine  matter  having  been  discovered 
as  a  preventative  from  small-pox  by  Dr.  Jenner  five  years  before,  in 
1801  Mr.  William  Taylor,  merchant,  received  from  his  brother,  Mr. 
John  Taylor,  then  in  London,  a  quantity  of  matter  for  propagation  ; 
and  being  delivered  through  Dr.  M.  Littlejohn,  physician  of  Mr. 
^Taylor,  to  Dr.  James  Smith,  he  introduced  it  generally  and 
successfully.  Upon  the  application  of  Dr.  Smith,  the  Legislature 
of  Maryland  became  the  first  to  sanction  the  distribution ;  and  in 
1809  he  is  granted  a  lottery  to  raise  a  certain  compensation  for 
the  distribution  of  matter  gratuitously  during  six  years;  and  in 
1810,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bend,  Wm.  Gwynn,  Dr.  Smith,  and  others  form 
a  society  for  promoting  vaccination  generally ;  but  this  society  was 
discontinued  and  another  erected  in  1822,  of  which  Dr.  James 
Stewart  was  President. 

In  1801,  the  Legislature  authorised  the  building  of  a  Lazaretto, 
which  was  accordingly  put  up  by  the  corporation  on  the  point 
opposite  Fort  McHenry,  which  has  since  become  one  of  the  bounds 
of  the  city  eastward. 
\y/  Messrs.  Emanuel  Kent,  Elisha  Tyson,  William  Maccreery, 
^  Eichardson  Stewart,  and  others,  formed  a  society  to  furnish 
medicinal  relief  to  the  poor  gratuitously,  which,  in  1807,  was 
incorporated  by  the  name  of  the  "  Baltimore  G-eneral  Dispensary," 
and  relief  for  drowning  persons  provided,  there  having  been  since 
the  foundation  and  to  that  time  6263  patients.  This  society,  for  a 
charitable  purpose  of  all  others  the  most  interesting  perhaps,  has, 
by  great  exertions,  outlived  most  of  its  contemporaries. 

The  following  letter  was  written  by  President  Thomas  Jeiferson 
to  General  Samuel  Smith,  tendering  him  the  appointment  of  Sec- 
retary of  the  Navy  in  his  Cabinet,  which  he  accepted  for  a  short 
time.  When  he  retired,  his  brother,  Eobert  Smith,  was  appointed 
in  his  place : 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  293 

"  Washington,  March  9th,  1801. 

"  Dear  *Sir : — By  the  time  you  receive  this,  you  will  have  been 
at  home  lonsj  enough,  I  hope,  to  take  a  view  of  the  possibilities  and 
of  the  arring3ments  which  may  enable  you  to  dispose  of  your 
private  affairs  as  to  take  a  share  in  those  of  the  public,  and  give 
us  your  aid  as  Secretary  of  the  Navy.  If  you  can  be  added  to  the 
administration  I  am  forming,  it  will  constitute  a  mass  so  entirely 
possessed  of  the  public  confidence  that  I  shall  fear  nothing.  There 
is  nothing  to  which  a  nation  is  not  equal,  when  it  pours  all  its 
energies  and  zeal  into  the  hands  of  those  to  whom  they  confide  the 
direction  of  their  force.  You  will  bring  us  the  benefit  of  adding  in 
a  considerable  degree  the  acquiescence  at  least  of  the  leaders  who 
have  hitherto  opposed  us.  Your  geographical  situation  too  is 
peculiarly  advantageous,  as  it  will  favor  the  policy  of  drawing  our 
naval  resources  towards  the  centre,  from  which  their  benefits  and 
protection  may  be  extended  equally  to  all  the  parts.  But  what 
renders  it  a  matter  not  only  of  desire  to  us,  but  permit  me  to  say, 
of  moral  duty  in  you  is  that,  if  you  refuse,  where  are  we  to  find  a 
substitute  ?  You  know  that  the  knowledge  of  naval  matters  in 
this  country  is  confined  entirely  to  persons  who  are  under  other 
absolutely  disqualifying  circumstances.  Let  me  then,  my  dear  Sir, 
entreat  you  to  join  in  conducting  the  affairs  of  our  country,  and  to 
prove,  by  consequence,  that  the  views  they  entertained  in  the 
change  of  their  servants  are  not  to  be  without  eftect.  In  short,  if 
you  refuse,  I  must  abandon,  from  necessity,  what  I  have  been  so 
falsely  charged  of  doing  from  choice, — the  expectation  of  procuring 
to  our  country  such  benefits  as  may  compensate  the  expenses  of  their 
navy.  I  hope  therefore  you  will  accede  to  the  proposition  ;  every- 
thing shall  be  yielded  which  may  accommodate  it  to  your  affairs 
Let  me  hear  from  you  favorably  and  soon.  Accept  assurances 
my  high  and  friendly  consideration  and  esteem. 

"Thomas  Jefferson. 

"  To  Gen'l  Samuel  Smith." 

John  Scott,  who  had  lately  removed  from  Kent  County,  and 
Thomas  Dixon,  are  elected  delegates  to  the  Assembly.  James  H. 
McCuUoch  was  chosen  elector  for  the  city. 

1802.  Mr.  Benjamin  Henfrey,  an  Englishman,  had  lately  dis- 
covered and  attempted  to  bring  into  use  a  species  of  coal  from 
Gen.  Ridgely's  lands,  about  six  miles  northeast  of  the  town,  but 
did  not  succeed.  Mr.  Henfrey  was,  however,  more  successful  soon 
after  in  discovering  a  method  of  creating  light  by  gas  from  wood. 
He  exhibited  experiments  here,  and  actually  lighted  Richmond, 
Virginia,  before  any  similar  discovery  was  known. 

On  the  28th  of  August,  1802,  during  a  hailstorm,  the  flag-staff 
at  Fort  MoHenry  and  a  house  in  Gay  street  were  struck  by  light- 
ning. 

A  number  of  the  members  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  attached  to  the 


.294  CHEONIOLES   OF   BALTIMOBE. 

Eev.  Geo.  "Dashield,  commenced  a  church  called  St.  Peter's,  which 
stood  until  lately  at  the  S.  E.  corner  of  German  and  Sharp  streets, 
and  soon  after  erected  in  the  rear  of  the  same  a  free  school  for  chil- 
dren of  that  society. 

After  the  census  of  1800,  Maryland  was  entitled  to  nine  repre- 
sentatives in  Congress,  and  the  electoral  districts  were  again  altered 
by  Act  of  Assembly.  Baltimore  city  and  county  became  the  fifth ^ 
to  elect  two,  one  to  be  a  resident  of  each,  jointly  elected ;  and  Gen- 
eral Smith  and  Col.  Nicholas  A.  Moore  were  elected ;  but  the  Gen- 
eral being  appointed  a  Senator  of  the  United  States,  William  Mac- 
creery  is  elected  to  Congress  in  his  place.  James  Purviance  is  elected 
a  member  of  the  Assemblj^  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Scott. 

On  the  21st  of  August,  departed  this  life,  aged  62  years,  the 
Eev.  Dr.  Patrick  Allison,  founder  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
.y    iu  this  city,  who  was  succeeded  by  the  Eev.  James  Inglis,  a  very 
eminent  minister.     Died,  also  in  this  city,  on  the  2d  of  November, 
aged  63  years,  Edward  Langworthy,  deputy  naval  officer,  and  for- 
merly member  of  Congress  from  the  State  of  Georgia. 
/         The  first  regular  meeting  of  The  Female  Humane  Association  for 
^/the  relief  of  indigent  women  was  held  at  the  residence  of  Bishop 
Carroll,  on  the  7th  of  January. 

1803.  A  new  Act  having  passed  for  the  inspection  of  tobacco 
in  1801,  the  public  warehouse  on  the  Point  having  become  insuffi- 
cient for  the  quantity  of  that  article  brought  to  Baltimore,  the 
Levy  Court  had  been  authorised  to  license  another  warehouse  in 
1799,  at  the  instance  of  Judge  Chase,  on  terms  he  disapproved 
and  declined.  But  James  Calhoun  obtained  another  license  on 
similar  terms,  and  erected  one  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Pratt 
and  Light  streets  in  1803,  and  a  similar  license  was  granted  to 
Messrs.  Dugan  and  O'Donnell  to  erect  another  at  the  end  of  their 
wharves. 

In  this  year  the  Eight  Eev.  Bishop  Carroll,  and  Mr.  James 
Priestly,  who  had  been  sometime  Principal  of  a  respectable  semi- 
nary in  Paul's  lane,,  and  others,  procured  a  charter  for  the  Balti- 
i  more  College,  which,  b}^  aid  of  a  lottery,  was  erected  on  a  plain  but 
convenient  style,  on  Mulberry  street,  the  Bishop  being  appointed 
president  of  the  trustees. 

The  7th  day  of  February  was  remarkable  in  this  city  for  a  great 
fog  in  the  atmosphere;  and  toward  night,  a  porter  employed  at 
Messrs.  Peters  and  Johnson's  brewery  being  found  in  the  basin  with 
his  horse  and  dray,  was  supposed  to  have  missed  the  way,  and 
driving  over  the  end  of  Bowly's  wharf  was  drowned. 

Thomas  Dixon  and  Cumberland  Dugan  were  elected  delegates 
to  the  Assembly,  and  Thomas  Baily  sherifi:  Thomas  Eutter  was 
appointed  a  Justice  of  the  Orphans'  Court. 

In  the  Federal  Gazette  of  Tuesday,  the  27th  of  December,  we 
find  the  following  marriage  notice  :  "  Married  on  Saturday  evening 
last,  by  the  Eeverend  Bishop   Carroll,   Mr.   Jerome   Bonaparte, 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  295 

youngest  brother  of  the  First  Consul  of  the  French  Eepublic,  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Patterson,  eldest  daughter  of  William  Patterson, 
Esquire,  of  this  city." 

1804.  Experiments  having  been  made  in  some  other  places  to 
reduce  the  number  of  public  offences  committed,  by  substituting 
confinement  and  labor,  instead  of  public  and  degrading  punish- 1^'" 
ment,  which  it  was  thought  had  proved  successful,  the  Legislature 
had  as  early  as  1801  published  a  plan  for  a  similar  change  in  the 
criminal  law  of  this  State,  to  supersede  the  "  wheelbarrow  law," 
as  it  was  commonly  called,  and  now  resolved  to  erect  a  penitentiary 
in  Baltimore.  Messrs.  John  E.  Howard,  Thomas  Dixon,  Josias 
Penington,  Thomas  McElderry,  Robert  C.  Long,  Levi  Hollings- 
worth,  Daniel  Conn,  Samuel  Sterett,  and  George  "Warner,  commis- 
sioners, purchase  ground  and  erect  buildings  on  Madison  street 
near  the  York  road,  Mr.  Conn  being  the  architect  and  builder.  In 
1809  a  new  criminal  code  was  adapted  to  the  institution,  leaving 
the  commission  of  murder,  arson,  rape,  and  treason  only,  liable  to 
the  punishment  of  death. 

In  this  year  the  Union  Bank  of  Maryland  is  organized  and 
chartered ;  William  Winchester  is  chosen  president,  and  Ralph 
Higginbotham  cashier.  In  1807  the  directors  build  a  spacious 
banking-house  on  the  S.  E.  corner  of  Fayette  and  Charles  streets, 
of  which  Mr.  Robert  C.  Lon^  was  architect,  and  Mr.  W.  Stewart 
and  Col.  Mosber  builders;  Messrs.  Chevalier  Andrea  and  Franzoni 
performed  the  sculpture.  The  proposed  capital  was  $3,000,000 ; 
and  82,312,150,  including  $42,400  by  the  State,  were  paid;  but 
shares  to  the  amount  of  $224,250  were  purchased  by  the  corpora- 
tion itself,  and  losses  sustained  previously,  a  law  was  obtained  in 
1821  reducing  the  capital  25  per  cent.  In  the  meantime,  the  Me- 
chanics' Bank  is  incorporated  in  1806,  and  in  1812  they  erected  their 
banking-house  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Calvert  and  East,  now 
Fayette  street.  The  capital  intended  for  this  bank  was  one  mil- 
lion, of  which,  $640,000  were  paid,  including  $94,625  by  the  State, 
all  of  which,  in  consequence  of  losses  sustained,  were  reduced  40 
per  cent,  by  Act  of  1821. 

Edward  Johnson  is  chosen  elector  of  President,  and  Andrew 
Ellicott  and  John  Stephens  delegates. 

l3ied  at  New  York,  in  his  69th  year,  Commodore  James  Nichol- 
son, formerly  of  this  town,  and  commander  of  the  public  ships 
Defence^  Virginia,  Trumbull,  &c.,  in  the  war  of  Independence ;  and 
on  the  19th  of  September,  aged  72  years,  William  Buchanan,  Esq., 
formerly  one  of  the  justices  of  the  county,  and  Commissary  Gen- 
eral of  purchases  for  the  Continental  army. 

On  the  30th  of  April,  Samuel  Smith,  W.  Cooke,  E.  Ellicott,      ^ 
Robert  G.  Harper,  Thomas  McElderry,  Alex.  McKim,  and  John  E. 
Howard,  agreed  to  form  themselves  into  a  company  for  the  purpose 
of  introducing  a  supply  of  water  into  the  city  of  Baltimore,  to  be 
called  "  The  Baltimore  Water  Company,"  with  a  capital  of  $250,- 


296  CHKONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

000  ;  for  which  they  received  an  act  of  incorporation  in  the  year 
1805.  So  great  was  the  demand  at  one  time  for  the  stock  of  this 
company,  that  shares  were  sold  at  more  than  nine  hundred  per 
cent,  above  par,  which  produced  a  scene  of  speculation  for  a  few 
days  almost  equal  to  the  great  South  Sea  bubble  in  England.  At 
an  election  held  on  the  24th  of  May  for  directors,  the  following 

fentlemen  were  duly  elected  to  serve  till  the  first  day  of  May,  1805  : 
ohn  McKim,  Sr.,  Solomon  Etting,  T.  A.  Buchanan,  John  Bonnell, 
Jonathan  Bllicott,  and  William  Cooke. 

1805.  By  a  new  organization  of  thecourts  of  justice  at  the  session 
of  1804  and  1805,  the  general  court  was  abolished,  and  the  chief-justices 
of  the  district  courts  were  constituted  a  court  of  appeals.  The  State 
was  divide<i  into  six  districts,  of  which  Baltimore  and  Harford  coun- 
ties were  the  last.  Eobert  Smith  was  appointed  chief-justice,  but  he 
did  not  accept ;  and  Joseph  H.Nicholson,  of  Queen  Anne  county,  was 
appointed,  and  came  here  to  reside.  The  associates  of  this  court 
were  gentlemen  of  the  law,  viz  :  Benjamin  Kumsey  and  Thomas 
Jones.  The  counties  ceased  to  have  separate  associate  justices.  Zeb 
Hollingsworth  was  appointed  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Kumsc}",  who 
did  not  accept.  Judge  Jones  died  in  1812,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Theodoric  Bland.  Thomas  Dixon  is  appointed  Judge  of  the  Or- 
phans' Court. 

At  the  session  of  1805,  Messrs.  Thomas  McElderry,  Henry  Pay- 
eon,  William  Jessop,  Alexander  McKim,  John  McKim,  Jr.,  Thomas 
Dixon,  Thomas  Butter,  Eobert  Stewart,  and  William  C.  Goldsmith, 
are  appointed  commissioners  to  build  a  new  court-house,  and  hav- 
ing decided  on  erecting  the  same  on  part  of  the  old  public  ground 
on  North  Calvert  street,  corner  of  Lexington,  the  same  is  begun 
according  to  the  designs  of  Mr.  George  Milleman,  who  was  builder, 
and  executed  the  wood-work ;  Mr.  William  Steuart  executed  the 
stone  work,  and  Col.  James  Mosher  the  brick  work.  The  county 
records  were  removed,  and  the  courts  held  sessions  there  in  1809, 
when  the  old  arched  court-house  was  taken  down.  When  the  old 
court-house  was  taken  down,  the  gentlemen  who  had  erected 
fine  residences  around  it  feared  that  the  site  might  be  re-occupied 
by  an  unsightly  building;  and  Messrs.  John  Comegys,  James  A. 
Buchanan,  David  Winchester^  and  others,  memorialised  the  Legis- 
lature in  1809  for  leave  to  raise  $100,000  for  the  erection  of  a 
monument  to  the  memory  of  Washington.  This  was  the  origin 
of^;he   present  Washington   monument,    built    however  on   land 

granted  for  the  purpose  by  Washington's  friend  and  fellow-soldier, 
lolonel  John  Eager  Howard,  and  not,  as  originally  proposed,  in  the 
square.  It  seems  that  when  the  dwellers  in  that  neighborhood  re- 
flected on  the  risks  incurred  from  having  so  tall  and  isolated  a 
column  near  their  houses,  and  moreover  that,  if  not  built  with 
rock-like  staunchness,  it  might  some  day  fall  down  and  crush  them, 
or  that  the  lightnings  of  heaven  might  be  attracted  by  the  bare 
monument  from  passing  thunderstorms,  they  preferred  to  leave  the 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTTMOBE.  297 

square  a  vacant  space,  until  it  was  adorned  with  the  shorter  and 
less  dangerous  shaft  raised  by  our  townsmen  in  memory  of  their 
defenders  in  the  second  war  against  Great  Britain.  The  erection^ 
of  these  "  fine  dwellings  "  near  the  future  square,  attests  the  re- 
moval of  the  principal  merchants  and  traders  from  Fell's  Point, 
where,  up  to,  and  even  beyond,  the  period  of  the  Eevolution  most 
of  them  had  dwelt,  as  most  convenient  for  their  interests  and  bus- 
iness. Indeed,  we  remember  perfectly,  it  was  long  afterwards  that  ~ 
our  fathers  could  be  persuaded  to  abandon  Camden,  Conway, 
Barre,  Hanover,  south  Charles  and  Water  streets,  and  all  the  best 
vicinities  of  the  Basin  or  the  Patapsco,  and  begin  even  to  believe 
in  the  upper  parts  of  Baltimore  as  suitable  for  trade  or  dwellings. 
The  men  of  those  days,  on  arriving  at  the  town,  used  to  land  at 
"The  Point,"  and  were  entertained  in  some  of  its  comfortable 
homesteads,  among  the  hospitable  gentlefolks  to  whom  they  were 
introduced  by  correspondence,  until  able  to  obtain  dwelling-houses 
or  lodgings  for  themselves  and  families  elsewhere  in  this  conglome- 
rate of  settlements.  Between  town  and  Point  there  was  a  vast 
space  with  few  houses,  and  mostly  covered  with  corn-fields  or 
forest  trees  ;  so  that,  (on  a  sort  of  waste  land)  the  original  theatre 
of  Hallam  &  Henry  was  built  on  a  common  beyond  what  was  af- 
terwards known  as  "  The  Causeway,"  which  was  long  infamous  for 
its  vile  inhabitants  and  sailor  brawls.  At  that  time  the  waters  of 
the  Basin  flowed  up  to  this  notorious  causeway,  close  to  the  brewery 
known  as  "  Claggett's,"  on  Pratt  street ;  while  on  its  banks,  as 
well  as  in  the  marsh  below  the  market,  multitudes  of  blackbirds, 
snipe,  and  other  water-fowl  were  shot  by  the  sportsmen  of  that 
day.  The  road  between  the  two  sides  of  the  Falls  to  Water 
street,  at  Frederick,  was  then  so  frequently  overflowed  as  to  re- 
quire two  or  three  long  bridges  to  cross  the  swash  made  by  the 
tide.  At  the  foot  of  Gray  street,  within  fifty  yards  of  Lombard 
street,  the  waters  of  the  Patapsco  rippled  on  a  sandy  margin,  and 
there  was  little  interruption  to  the  original  shore-line  from  thence 
to  the  commencement  of  Commerce  street  and  the  foot  of  South 
street  (which  was  then  at  the  present  line  of  Lombard  street,)  and 
80  on  to  Light  street,  and  southwardly  to  the  "  City  Spring,"  ex- 
isting not  long  since  on  south  Charles  street  near  Camden.  Thence 
the  shores  curved  to  the  foot  of  Federal  Hill  at  "Hughes'  Quay." 
Mr.  Robert  Gilmour,  who  died  in  1849,  said  that  when  a  boy  he  has 
"  crabbed  "  with  a  forked  stick  the  whole  of  this  distance.  Hisv 
parents  embarked  for  Europe  in  1782,  at  a  little  dock  which  came 
up  to  Exchange  Place,  within  thirty  feet  of  its  present  southern 
limit,  and  close  by  the  fine  house  which  Mr.  Gilmour  afterward 
built  on  the  south  side  of  Exchange  Place. 

The  corporation  was  empowered  to  exclude  Roger's  addition"  on 
the  east  from  the  operation  of  city  taxes  and  ordinances,  which 
was  never  carried  into  effect. 

The  City  Delegates  in  the  Legislature  introduced  a  bill  to  alter 


U- 


298  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE, 


A 


he  Constitution  of  the  State,  so  as  to  give  the  city  an  additional 
representation  ;  but  on  the  second  reading  it  was  rejected  by  the  vote 
of  every  member  present  in  the  House  of  Delegates^  being  sixty-two, 
except  the  two  from  the  city  itself. 

In  January  St.  Mary's  College  of  Baltimore  was  raised  to 
the  rank  of  University  by  the  Legislature  of  Maryland,  and  em- 
powered to  hold  public  commencements,  and  to  admit  any  of  its 
students  to  any  degree  or  degrees  in  any  of  the  faculties,  arts  and 
sciences  and  liberal  professions  which  are  usually  permitted  to  be 
conferred  in  any  colleges  or. universities  in  America  or  Europe. 
Since  the  establishment  of  St.  Mary's  College  (now  called  Seminary 
of  St.  Sulpice)  in  1791,  it  has  given  to  the  American  Eoman  Catholic 
Church  a  long  list  of  clergymen  distinguished  for  their  talents, 
learning,  and  piety.  The  names  of  Flaget,  David,  Marechal,  Du- 
bourg,  Eccleston  and  Chanche,  recall  the  brightest  ornaments 
of  the  episcopacy;  while  those  of  JSTagot,  G-arnier,  Tessier, 
Eichard,  Wheeler  and  Fredet,  exhibit  an  equal  claim  to  respect 
in  the  sacerdotal  order.  Catholic  literature  is  particularly  in- 
debted to  the  learning  and  zeal  of  Rev.  Pierre  Fredet,  who  was 
born  about  the  year  1801,  in  the  town  of  Sebasat  near  Clermont, 
in  Avergne,  a  celebrated  province  of  France,  and  closed  his  earthly 
career  on  the  Ist  of  January,  1856,  in  Baltimore  city.  Mr.  Fredet, 
from  the  time  of  his  arrival  in  America  (in  1831)  to  that  of  his  last 
illness — a  period  of  twenty-four  years — was  attached  to  St.  Mary's 
Seminary  at  Baltimore  as  professor  of  various  branches  of  eccle- 
siastical learning,  especially  that  of  moral  theology ;  but  he  ren- 
dered more  important  services  as  professor  of  history,  and  was  the 
only  one,  if  we  mistake  not,  that  ever  taught  this  essential  branch 
of  study  in  that  academy.  His  two  excellent  volumes  of  Ancient 
and  Modern  History  are  enduring  monuments  of  his  learning  and 
skill.  The  latter  was  published  in  1842,  and  was  followed  a  few 
years  after  by  the  former  work.  The  fact  of  their  having  been 
adopted  as  text-books  in  the  Catholic  institutions  of  learning  in  the 
United  States,  and  particularly  in  the  Catholic  University  of  Ire- 
land and  many  leading  schools  of  Europe,  is  sufficient  evidence  of 
their  high  character.  He  was  likewise  the  author  of  and  contributor 
to  a  number  of  valuable  miscellaneous  works. 

The  exports  from  Maryland — of  which  nearly  all  are  from  Bal- 
timore— from  October,  1805,  to  1806,  amounted  to  $3,661,131  dom- 
estic produce,  810,919,774  of  foreign  goods,  or  a  total  of  $14,580,905, 
— and  the  receipts  into  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States  from  this 
city  for  the  year  1806  amounted  to  $1,224,897. 

Part  of  this  year  Eobert  Smith  held  the  office  of  Attorney- 
General  of  the  United  States,  but  returned  to  the  Navy  Depart- 
ment, and  in  1809  was  appointed  Secretary  of  the  State — having, 
in  the  mean  time,  that  is  in  1806,  been  appointed  Chancellor  of 
the  State,  and  Chief  Judge  of  this  District  Court,  but  declined. 

1806.  On  the  22d  of  January,  L'Eole,  a  French  seventy-four, 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEB.  299 

part  of  a  squadron  commanded  by  Admiral  Willaumez,  which  was 
dispersed  by  a  storm  on  the  co(ist,  after  eluding  two  British  squad- 
rons, came  into  the  bay  with  other  ships  under  Commodore  Khrome, 
and  stripped  of  her  guns ;  she  being  a  wreck  was  sold. 

Messrs.  Sower  and  Hewes  established  a  type-foundry  on  Lex- 
ington street,  which  becoming  the  property  of  other  gentlemen, 
was  transferred  to  Biddle  street. 

Wm.  Pinkney  was  appointed  Attorney-General  on  resignation 
of  Mr.  Martin,  in  1805,  but  fixed  his  residence  here  this  year,  and 
resigned,  when  he  was  appointed  Envoy  Extraordinary  to  the 
Court  of  Great  Britain. 

At  Chawan,  his  residence  in  the  county,  departed  this  life,  on 
the  5th  of  April,  James  Winchester,  Judge  of  the  United  States 
District  Court,  and  formerly  member  of  the  General  Assembly ; 
and  the  same  year  was  succeeded  by  James  Houston,  of  Kent 
county;  and  on  the  9th  of  October,  at  an  advanced  age,  died  Eobert 
Purviance,  collector  of  the  port  of  Baltimore.  David  Christie, 
Esq.,  of  Harford  county,  is  appointed  collector  in  the  place  of  Mr. 
Purviance,  and  the  next  year  James  McCulloch,  Esq.,  is  appointed 
upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Christie. 

Alexander  McKim  is  chosen  elector  of  the  Senate  for  the  city, 
and  Tobias  E.  Stansbury  and  Moses  Brown,  Esqs.,  for  the  county. 
James  H.  McCulloch  and  Thomas  McElderry  are  elected  Senators, 
and  next  year  Elias  Glenn  in  place  of  Mr.  McCulloch,  resigned; 
and  to  fill  another  vacancy  in  1808  Thomas  B.  Dorsey,  Eobert 
Stewart,  and  Edward  Aisquith  are  elected  delegates,  and  John 
Hunter  sheriff. 

The  ceremony  of  blessing  and  laying  the  first  corner-stone  of 
the  Eoman  Catholic  Cathedral  Church,  was  performed  according 
to  the  rites  prescribed  in  the  Koman  Pontifical,  on  the  7th  of  July, 
in  presence  of  a  vast  concourse  of  citizens.  At  half-past  eight 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  Eight  Eeverend  Bishop  Carroll,  in  his 
episcopal  robes,  with  crosier  and  mitre,  preceded  by  a  procession 
of  twenty  priests  and  junior  ecclesiastics — the  priests  with  sur- 
plices and  stoles,  and  the  others  in  surplices — proceeded  from  the 
west  front  up  the  intended  nave  of  the  church  to  the  large  wooden 
cross,  previously  planted  on  the  spot,  where  the  high  or  principal 
altar  now  stands,  and  the  Bishop  having  there  recited  the  part  of 
the  office  appropriated  to  the  consecration  of  that  spot,  the  pro- 
cession returned  in  the  same  order  to  the  west  front,  and  blessed 
the  first  foundation  stone  on  the  south-west  corner  of  the  building, 
sprinkling  it  with  the  blessed  water,  whilst  the  attending  clergy 
repeated  the  126th  psalm,  "  Unless  the  Lord  build  the  house,  &c. ; 
then  kneeling,  he  began  the  litany,  which  was  continued  to  the  end 
by  the  same  clergy.  The  stone  being  blessed  and  placed  in  its 
proper  situation,  the  procession  moved  round  the  entire  founda- 
tions of  the  church,  repeating  the  50th  psalm,  whilst  the  Bishop 
following,  sprinkled  them  with  blessed  water,  and  invoked,  at  three 


300  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

equal  divisions,  the  blessings  of  Almighty  God  upon  the  undertak- 
ing. On  returning  to  the  place  where  the  stone  was  laid,  the  hymn 
of  invocation  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  "Yeni  Creator  Spiritus,"  was  in- 
toned and  sung  to  the  end;  and  the  ceremony  concluded  with  a 
prayer,  requesting  the  assistance  and  direction  of  the  same  Divine 
Spirit.  The  Bishop  made  a  short  address  to  the  spectators,  re- 
minding them  of  the  arduous  undertaking  which  was  begun  for  the 
glory  of  God  and  the  promotion  of  true  religion  and  sincere  piety. 
He  encouraged  them  to  imitate  the  zeal  of  their  predecessors  in 
erecting  temples  to  the  Divinity,  by  which  they  had  contributed 
to  perpetuate  the  faith  of  Jesus  Christ  amidst  all  the  adversities 
and  storms  with  which  it  had  been  assailed,  and  particularly  ad- 
monished them  to  make  themselves  worthy  of  the  favor  of  heaven, 
by  imitating  the  virtues  of  those  who  left  behind  them  such  lasting 
proofs  of  their  sincere  attachment  to  the  doctrines  of  their  heavenly 
teacher.  A  bed  was  formed  in  the  foundation  stone  for  receiving  a 
copperplate  with  a  Latin  inscription,  thus  translated:  "The  first 
stone  of  the  Cathedral  Church,  to  be  erected  for  the  honor  of 
Almighty  God,  under  the  title  of  Jesus  and  Mary,  was  placed  this 
7th  day  of  July,  1806,  by  the  E.  E.  John,  Bishop  of  Baltimore." 
The  square  of  ground  on  which  the  church  is  built  was  obtained 
of  Col.  Howard,  on  terms  which  justly  entitled  him  to  be  con- 
sidered a  large  contributor.  The  outside  walls  of  the  Cathedral  are 
of  gray  granite  from  the  vicinity  of  Bllicott's  Mills,  on  the  Patapsco, 
and  were  carried  up  to  the  entablature  in  a  few  years,  when  the 
war,  with  other  causes,  suspended  its  progress. 

1807.  A  company  is  organized  to  procure  regular  supplies  of 
Calcutta  and  China  goods,  of  which  Eobert  Gilmor  is  president, 
James  Buchanan  vice-president,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Higginbotham 
secretary.  The  ships  London  Packet,  Captain  Solomon  Eutter,  and 
William  Bingham,  Captain  John  Cunningham,  are  sent  out ;  on 
their  return  during  the  embargo,  the  company  divided  a  handsome 
interest  and  was  dissolved. 

The  frigate  Chesapeake,  lately  built  in  this  port,  and  destined  to 
compose  part  of  an  American  squadron  against  the  Barbary  powers, 
was  attacked  off  the  capes,  on  the  23d  of  June,  by  part  of  a  British 
squadron  then  lying  in  the  bay,  and  being  overpowered,  .was 
searched  and  some  of  her  crew  taken  out  and  claimed  as  British 
deserters.  On  the  arrival  of  the  news,  which  created  great  excite- 
ment, a  town  meeting  was  held,  and  an  address  strongly  reprobat- 
ing this  violence,  was  sent  to  the  President,  who  soon  after  inter- 
dicted all  intercourse  with  the  British  ships,  by  proclamation. 

On  the  24th  of  August,  the  ship  Othello,  Captain  Glover,  from 
Livei-pool,  was  boarded  and  taken  in  the  Patuxent,  by  an  armed 
boat  fitted  out  from  Baltimore  by  some  French  seamen,  but,  op- 
posed by  contrary  winds,  they  abandoned  her  to  the  captain.  As 
soon  as  the  circumstances  were  known.  Commodore  Porter,  with 
Captains  Samuel  and  Joseph  Sterrett's  companies,  accompanied  by 


CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  301 

some  other  volunteers,  go  in  pursuit  and  bring  back  the  pirates* 
There  being  no  law  at  the  time  to  punish  them,  thej  were  dis- 
charged. 

On  the  2d  of  November,  soon  after  the  acquittal  of  Aaron  Burr, 
late  vice-president,  charged  with  treason  and  tried  before  Chief 
Justice  Marshall  and  the  district  judge  at  Richmond,  the  populace 
of  this  city  paraded  the  streets  with  the  effigies  of  Chief-Justice 
Luther  Martin,  one  of  the  counsel,  of  Burr  and  Blennerhasset,  which 
they  afterwards  committed  to  the  flames  as  an  evidence  of  their  dis- 
satisfaction with  the  issue  of  the  trial. 

Congress  lay  a  general  embargo,  which  is  received  and  enforced 
here  on  the  23d  of  December ;  it  was  unlimited "  in  duration,  and 
continued  until  the  16th  of  March,  1809. 

Zealous  to  extend  the  medical  school  they  had  commenced, 
Doctors  Davidge,  6haw,  and  Cocke  applied  to  the  Legislature  for 
the  privilege  of  establishing  a  college,  and  license  to  raise  funds 
by  lottery  to  erect  suitable  buildings,  which  is  granted ;  and  their 
hall  in  Lombard  street,  of  which  Mr.  E.  C.  Long  was  architect, 
and  with  Messrs.  Towson  and  Mosher,  builders,  is  cummenced. 
The  college  as  originally  organized,  was  composed  of  Doctors 
Davidge  and  Cocke,  joint  professors  of  anatomy,  surgery  and 
physiology  ;  Doctor  George  Brown,  of  the  practice  and  theory  of 
medicine ;  Doctor  Shaw,  of  chemistry ;  Doctor  Thomas  E.  Bond, 
of  materia  medica ;  and  Doctor  William  Donaldson,  of  the  institute  of 
medicine.  Doctors  Brown,  Bond,  and  Donaldson  declined,  and  Doc- 
tor Nathaniel  Potter  was  elected  professor  of  the  practice  and 
theory  of  medicine ;  Doctor  Samuel  Baker,  materia  medica.  Soon 
after  entering  upon  their  duties  Doctor  Shaw  departed  this  life, 
and  Elisha  De  Butts  was  elected  professor  of  chemistry  in  his 
place. 

Thomas  B.  Dorsey  is  elected  a  member  of  Assembly  in  the  place 
of  Mr.  Aisquith. 

Died,  at  his  residence  in  the  county,  at  an  advanced  age,  on  the 
7th  of  May,  Thomas  Cockey  Dqjq^  formerly  member  of  the  House 
of  Delegates,  of  which  he  was  many  years  Speaker,  and  one  of  the 
framers  of  the  Constitution;  and  at  Farley,  his  residence  near 
town,  on  the  12th  of  November,  Daniel  Bowley,  formerly  one  of 
the  members  of  the  Senate  of  Maryland. 

In  November  the  General  Assembly  incorporated  "  The  Balti- 
more Fire  Insurance  Company." 

The  receipts  from  the  customs  at  Baltimore  this  year  amounted 
to  $1,440,527  ;  the  postage  paid  $29,950  ;  and  the  hospital  money  to 
be  paid  to  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States  for  the  Mariners' 
Fund,  $4,504. 

The  long  prevalence  of  high  winds  and  the  badness  of  the 
roads — the  severity  of  the  preceding  winter  having  exhausted 
the  stock  of  fire-wood  on  hand — on  Saturday  and  Sunday,  April 
6th  and  7th,  the  demand  for  fire-wood  had  never  been  equalled  in 


/: 


302  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMOEE. 

the  city.  $18,  $20,  nay,  it  is  said  that  $30  per  cord  were  paid  for 
it,  such  was  the  distress  of  the  citizens. 

In  this  year,  frame-buildings  were  prohibited  from  heing  erected 
in  the  central  and  improved  parts  of  the  city,  by  ordinance,  a  pro- 
hibition which  has  been  extended  since. 

1808.  The  City  Hospital  is  leased  by  the  Mayor  and  City  Council 
nX  to  Doctors  McKenzie  and  Smyth  and  their  survivors,  for  the  term  of 
15  years,  on  certain  improving  conditions,  which  term  was  extended 
in  1814  to  25  years,  they  having  erected  additional  buildings.  Upon 
the  death  of  Dr.  Smyth,  the  lease  was  confirmed  in  favor  of  Dr. 
McKenzie's  son  by  Act  of  Assembly.  The  doctors  obtained  facil- 
ities from  the  State  in  loans  and  lotteries,  and  erected  a  centre 
building  of  brick  four  stories  high,  Messrs.  Mileman  and  Dail 
architects,  with  Messrs.  W.  Steuart,  Mosher  and  Allen  builders. 

The  "Tammany,"  a  political  club,  was  organized  and  in  1810 
another  under  the  name  of  "  Washington "  was  established,  the 
latter  maintaining  a  free  school  for  some  time,  but  both  societies 
have  ceased. 

On  the  17th  of  May,  the  convention  of  Bishops,  clergymen, 
and  laity  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States 
assembled  in  this  city  by  adjournment  from  the  convention  at  New 
York  in  1804. 

On  the  14th  of  March,  Judge,  a  convict  brought  from  the  roads 
to  lodge  in  jail,  and  several  others,  by  means  of  false  keys,  open 
their  cells,  seize  upon  the  arms,  and  wound  Mr.  Green  the  keeper 
and  several  debtors,  one  mortally,  and  make  their  escape.  Four  of 
them,  Daniel  Dougherty,  Wm.  Eobinson,  Wm.  Morris  and  Caleb 
Dougherty  were  retaken,  condemned,  and  executed  on  the  22d  of 
April  in  the  jail  lot. 

A  society  is  formed  to  carry  on  the  manufacture  of  cotton  goods 
on  a  very  extensive  scale,  and  works  are  erected  for  the  purpose 
on  Patapsco  river,  near  Ellicott's  Mills,  being  chartered  by  the 
Legislature,  and  called  "  The  Union  Manufacturing  Company." 
Next  year  the  "  Washington  "  company  was  chartered,  their  works 
being  on  Jones  Falls  ;  the  "  Powhattan  Works  "  on  Gwinn's  Falls, 
and  the  Athenian  company  for  the  sale  of  domestic  goods  was  es- 
tablished in  1810.  In  1814,  Messrs.  Kobert  and  Alexander  McKim 
erect  works  on  French  street,  by  steam  power,  and  the  Franklin 
company  erect  works  on  Gwinn's  Falls ;  and  in  1816  the  Independ- 
ent and  Warren  companies,  the  latter  having  erected  very  ex- 
tensive cotton  works  on  the  Gunpowder,  near  the  York  road. 

The  amount  of  property  in  the  city  according  to  a  new  assess- 
ment made  this- year  subject  to  city  taxes,  was  $2,522,870. 

Several  pipes  of  gin  imported  from  Holland  having  been  taken 
to  England  on  the  passage  and  subjected  to  new  duties  there,  were 
on  the  4th  of  October,  by  consent  of  the  owner,  taken  to  the  com- 
mons and  publicly  burned,  in  the  presence  of  fifteen  thousand  per- 
sons who  had  assembled  to  burn  the  gin  that  had  paid  tribute  to 
England. 


CHBONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  303 

On  the  18th  an  English  journeyman  shoemaker,  name  Beattie, 
having  used  some  expressions  on  politics  which  offended  his  fellow-  ^ 
workmen,  they  tar  and  feather  him,  and  drive  him  in  a  cart  from 
the  corner  of  South  and  Baltimore  streets  to  the  Point,  and  back 
again,  followed  by  Mr.  Smith  the  Mayor,  who,  with  a  number  of 
citizens,  at  length  arrest  one  of  the  journeymen  and  several  other 
persons ;  some  of  them  after  giving  bail,  were  tried  and  condemned 
to  three  months'  imprisonment  and  a  fine  of  850  each,  but  were  all 
pardoned  and  the  fines  remitted  by  the  Governor  of  the  State. 

On    the  8th  of  February,  the  property  qualifications    of  ihe^ 
members  of  the  First  Branch  of  the  City  Council  were  reduced  to 
6300,  and  the  Mayor  and  Second  Branch  to  $500. 

Edward  Johnson  is  elected  Mayor  of  the  city,  and  also  elector 
of  President  and  Vice-President.  Alexander  McKim  is  elected  to 
Congress,  and  Theodoric  Bland  member  of  Assembly,  in  place  of 
Mr.  Dorsey.  John  Scott  is  appointed  Chief-Justice  of  the  Criminal 
Court,  in  the  place  of  Judge  Dorsey,  resigned. 

An  appropriation  of  610,000  was  made  during  the  year,  and  the 
Mayor  and  City  Council  build  a  stone  bridge  over  Jones  Falls,  at 
Baltimore  street.  The  materials  of  the  first  stone  bridge  remain- 
ing in  the  bed  of  the  Falls,  it  was  found  impracticable  to  sink  a  cof- 
fer-dam, which  rendered  it  necessary,  to  pile  the  foundation,  abut- 
ments and  pier.  This  bridge  of  two  arches,  built  of  common 
quarry  stone  from  Jones  Falls,  furnished  with  side-walks  and  iron 
railings,  was  40  feet  wide  and  80  feet  long,  and  cost  $22,000. 
Messrs.  Lester  and  Dickinson  builders. 

In  November,  William  Cooke,  John  McKim,  James  A.  Buchanan, 
John  Bonnell,  Solomon  Etting,  James  Mosher,  Jonathan  EUicott, 
John  Hollins,  and  other  citizens,  form  themselves  into  a  company 
known  as  the  "  Baltimore  Water  Company,"  for  the  purpose  of  in- 
troducing a  copious  supply  of  wholesome  water  into  the  city  of 
Baltimore,  and  obtain  an  Act  of  incorporation  from  the  General 
Assembly. 

1809.  The  natural  springs  of  water  with  which  the  soil  origi- 
nally abounded,  being  threatened  with  destruction  by  other  im- 
provements, Jesse  Hollingsworth  and  Peter  Hoffman  solicited  and 
obtained  power  to  purchase  the  ground  and  spring  on  North  Cal- 
vert street  for  the  corporation  j  and  with  Mr.  John  Davis,  were 
appointed  to  erect  a  public  fountain  there.  Eight  years  after, 
money  was  appropriated  by  the  city  government  for  the  purchase 
and  improvement  of  the  springs  in  the  southern  and  eastern  parts 
of  the  city,  known  by  the  name  of  Cloppe's  and  Sterett's  springs, 
and  soon  after  a  fountain  of  running  water,  supplied  by  the  water 
company,  was  fixed  at  the  Centre  market  at  the  expense  of  the 
city. 

A  number  of  private  beneficial  societies  of  tradesmen  and  others 
had  been  instituted,  some  of  which  were  discontinued;  but  in  1809 
a  charter  was  granted  for  "The  Carpenters'  Humane  Society."v^ 


304  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

^  Another  society  was  chartered  in  1811  by  the  name  of  "The  Hu- 
mane Impartial  Society."  In  1814  "The  Beneficial  Society"  was 
chartered,  and  two  years  after  "  The  Union  Beneficial  Society," 
whtn  "  The  Saint  Andrew's  Society,"  formed  in  1806,  was  char- 
tered. The  next  year,  "  The  Hibernian,"  formed  in  1803,  and 
"  German  Society,"  of  which  there  was  one  in  1784,  were  incorpo- 
rated; the  object  of  the  three  last  being  chiefly  intended  to  assist 
emigrants  lately  come  into  the  country,  or  who  may  hereafter 
come. 

The  charter  of  the  "Bank  of  the  United  States"  expiring  with- 
out a  prospect  of  being  renewed,  pecuniary  difficulties  were  expe- 
rienced or  anticipated,  and  the  several  banks,  named  the  "  Com- 
mercial and  Farmers,"  the  "Farmers  and  Merchants,"  the  "Frank- 
lin," and  the  "Marine"  banks  were  organized  and  chartered.  The 
capital  of  these  four  banks  was  $1,709,100  actually  paid,  including 
$83,150  by  the  State;  and  two  years  after  the  "City  Bank"  with 
$39,405,  all  private  stock.  This  institution,  got  up  without  the 
State's  sanction,  as  some  others  of  the  kind  had  been,  produced  an 
alarm  in  the  Legislature  which  was  injurious  to  them  all,  and  was 
a  presage  of  its  destiny.  On  granting  it,  the  State  tendered  the 
banks  an  extension  of  their  charters  until  1835,  provided  they 
made  a  turnpike  road  to  Cumberland  with  the  profits  of  the  tolls, 
&c.,  which  was  accepted.  JNext  year  they  were  required  to  pay 
$200,000,  or  be  subjected  to  a  tax  of  20  cents  per  $100  of  the  capital, 
which  last  they  also  accepted,  even  those  banks  whose  capitals 
were  reduced.  A  proposed  consolidation  of  all  the  banks  contained 
in  an  Act  of  1815,  was  rejected. 

In  the  course  of  this  year  a  treaty  with  England,  agreed  on  at 
Washington,  was  rejected  by  the  British  Government,  and  the  frigate 
Africaine  brought  over  Francis  J.  Jackson  to  succeed  Mr.  Erskine 
as  Minister.  Some  of  the  crew  deserted  the  frigate  at  Annajoolis, 
and  coming  here,  were  arrested  and  imprisoned  at  the  instance  of 
the  British  Consul ;  but  much  clamor  was  excited,  the  seamen  were 
brought  before  Judge  Scott  upon  a  habeas  corpus  and  discharged. 

General  Smith  was  re-elected  a  Senator  of  the  United  States; 
William  G.  D.  Worthington  was  elected  a  delegate  in  the  place  of 
Mr.  Steuart ;  and  William  Merryman  sheriff. 

1810.  By  the  census  of  this  year  Baltimore  and  its  precincts 
contained  46,555  inhabitants,  of  which  number  4,672  were  slaves. 

Peter  Little  is  elected  a  member  of  Congress  for  the  city  and 
county,  and  James  Martin  is  elected  a  delegate  to  the  Assembly. 
Cornelius  H.  Gist  is  appointed  Justice  of  the  Orphans'  Court.  On 
the  28th  of  May,  Thomas  McElderry  died,  and  on  the  15th  of  July, 
David  McMechen,  both  formerly  members  of  the  Senate  of  the 
State;  and  on  the  13th  of  August,  Thorowgood  Smith,  late  Mayor 
of  the  city,  and  formerly  one  of  the  county  justices. 

On  the  13th  of  April,  1809,  76  feet  of  ground  was  purchased  by 
the  city  on  North  Calvert  street,  and  also  by  the  same  on  the  30Lh 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  305 

of  January,  1810,  50  feet  more,  which  together  is  now  known  as 
the  "  Calvert  Street  Spring,"  for  the  sum  of  $7,500  for  the  two 
lots.     The  improvements  cost  $20,393.36  additional. 

1811.  The  City  Council  determine  to  proceed  in  erecting  si^b- 
stantial  bridges,  and  authority  is  given  to  the  Mayor  and  City 
Commissioners  to  borrow  from  the  banks  $26,000  towards  bridges 
to  be  built  of  stone  at  Pratt  and  Gay  streets.  The  Pratt  street 
bridge  was  undertaken  by  Lewis  Hart  for  $20,000,  84  feet  long 
and  50  feet  wide,  having  three  arches  made  and  finished  as  the 
other  was.  The  Gay  street  bridge,  erected  a  year  after  by  Mr. 
John  Kennedy,  was  60  feet  long  and  50  feet  wide,  with  two 
arches,  made  and  finished  cost  $16,000.  The  current  revenue  suf- 
ficed to  pay  the  cost  of  these  bridges,  including  the  money  bor- 
rowed, for  as  yet  there  was  no  permanent  city  debt. 

On  the  18th  of  November,  fifty-one  convicts  were  transferred 
from  the  roads  to  the  penitentiary,  by  their  own  option,  and  on 
the  24th  of  January  following  the  first  person  is  received  there 
pursuant  to  sentence. 

Williani  Pinkney,  Esq.,  returned  from  England,  leaving  John 
Spear  Smith  Charge-d'affaires.  On  the  first  of  April  Eobert 
Smith  resigned  the  ofiice  of  Secretary  of  State,  and  was  oflfered  the 
Embassy  of  Eussia,  but  declined. 

James  L.  Donaldson  and  William  Pechin  are  elected  Delegates 
to  the  Assembly.  Edward  Johnson  is  chosen  by  the  city  an  Elec- 
tor of  the  Senate  ;  and  William  Pinkney,  Wm.  McCreery  and  Levi 
Hollingsworth  are  elected  Senators,  and  afterwards,  in  the  places 
of  Messrs.  Pinkney  and  McCreery,  N.  Williams  and  Dr.  Thomas 
Johnson. 

Died  at  his  residence  in  Anne  Arundel  county  on  the  22d  of 
June,  Henry  Kidgely,  formerly  Chief-Justice  of  the  County  Court 
of  this  district. 

Samuel  Chase  was  born  on  the  17th  of  April,  1741,  in  Somerset 
county,  Maryland,  and  was  the  only  child  of  Reverend  Thomas 
Chase,  afterwards  Pastor  of  St.  Paul's  Church.  He  received  a  good 
classical  education  under  the  tuition  of  his  father,  and  studied  law 
under  the  superintendence  of  John  Hammond  and  John  Hall  of 
Annapolis,  where  he  commenced  its  practice.  He  soon  became  a 
popular  and  distinguished  man.  In  1774  he  was  chosen  a  member 
of  the  Continental  Congress.  He  was  re-elected  in  1775,  and  re- 
mained a  member  of  that  body  until  1778,  In  the  language  of 
party  he  was  styled  the  "  Demosthenes  of  Maryland,"  and  it  was  re- 
ported of  him  that  he  anticipated  in  Congress  the  regular  proposi- 
tion of  independence  by  the  most  impassioned  and  vehement  excla- 
mation, that  "  by  the  God  of  Heaven,  he  owed  no  allegiance  to  the 
King  of  Great  Britain."  In  the  year  1786  Judge  Chase  removed 
from  Annapolis  to  Baltimore.  The  occasion,  or  at  least  a  part  of 
his  inducement,  was  the  pressing  invitation  and  generous  proposal 
of  his  friend  Col.  John  E.  Howard,  who  offered  him  a  square  of 
20 


306  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

fronnd,  without  any  other  consideration  for  it  than  the  actual  resi- 
ence  of  himself  and  family  upon  it.  The  square  was  laid  out,  to 
be  bounded  by  Eutaw,  Lexington,  Fayette,  and  Paca  streets ;  the 
conveyance  was  made,  and  Mr.  Chase  afterwards  built  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Lexington  and  Eutaw  streets  the  house  of  his  permanent 
abode,  where  he  lived  and  died.  In  1788  he  was  appointed  Chief 
Justice  of  the  Criminal  Court  of  Baltimore  county  district.  In 
1791  he  was  appointed  Chief  Justice  of  the  State.  In  1796  he  was 
appointed  by  President  Washington  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States,  which  he  filled  for  fifteen  years.  In 
1804  he.  was  impeached,  solely  on  political  grounds,  through  the 
hostility  of  John  Eandolph,  and  the  Senate  acquitted  him  in  March, 
1805.  He  was  assisted  by  four  able  counsellors  and  faithful  friends, 
Messrs.  Martin,  Harper,  Hopkinson  and  Key,  by  whom  the  defence 
was  managed  with  skill  and  dignity.  The  speeches  of  Mr.  Hopkin- 
6on  and  Martin  have  not  been  excelled  in  powerful  and  brilliant 
eloquence  in  the  forensic  oratory  of  our  country.  He  died  on 
Wednesday  the  19th  day  of  June,  1811,  in  the  71st  year  of  his 
age. 

1812.  A  numerous  meeting  of  the  Democratic  citizens  was  held 
on  the  16th  of  May  at  the  Fountain  Inn,  in  the  city  of  Baltimore, 
according  to  public  notice.  Joseph  H.  Nicholson  was  called  to  the 
Chair,  and  Edward  Johnson  was  appointed  Secretary.  The  Chair- 
man, upon  being  requested  to  state  the  object  of  the  meeting,  rose, 
and  after  tendering  his  acknowledgments  for  the  distinguished 
iionor  which  had  been  conferred  on  him  by  placing  him  in  the 
chair,  he  said  : 

"  'No  one  could  be  insensible  to  the  great  crisis  to  which  the 
affairs  of  our  common  country  are  rapidly  approaching.  The  two 
great  belligerent  powers  of  Europe,  who  have  embroiled  one-half 
of  the  civilized  world  in  their  quarrels,  unwilling  that  any  nation 
should  continue  to  enjoy  its  prosperity,  have  for  some  years  past 
extended  to  us  that  system  of  rapine  and  plunder  which,  in  the 
ordinary  course  of  human  events,  ought  only  to  have  been  directed 
against  others.  Our  citizens  have  been  forcibly  impressed  and  de- 
tained in  the  most  odious  servitude ;  our  commerce  has  been  im- 
peded in  every  channel  through  which  it  has  been  accustomed  to 
flow ;  and  injury  and  insult  has  been  heaped  upon  us  until  it  has 
begun  to  be  almost  questionable  even  among  ourselves  whether  we 
have  spirit  to  resist.  One  of  these  nations  has  indeed  of  late 
held  out  to  us  a  semblance  of  justice ;  but  it  was  much  to  be  feared 
that  even  this  would  prove  vain  and  illusory.  The  period,  how- 
ever, could  not  be  very  distant  when,  by  the  return  of  our  mes- 
sengers from  Europe,  we  should  learn  whether  the  solemn  stipula- 
tions in  which  we  had  heretofore  confided  were  any  longer  de- 
serving of  confidence.  But  the  other  has  not  even  pretended  to 
do  us  justice.  Our  Government,  sincerely  desirous  of  maintaining 
peace,  has  remonstrated  until  their  remonstrances   are  regarded 


CHRONICLES  OF   BALTIMORE.  307 

with  indifference;  our  ministers,  sent  abroad  for  the  purpose,  have 
continued  to  appeal  until  their  appeals  are  answered  by  insult ; 
and  negotiation  has  been  carried  on  until  negotiation  has  become  a 
term  of  national  reproach.  Under  these  circumstances  it  is  for  us, 
my  countrymen,  in  common  with  the  rest  of  the  American  people, 
to  decide  uj^on  the  course  which  ought  to  be  pursued.  The  time 
has  at  length  arrived  when  we  must  determine  whether  by  tame- 
ness  and  submission  we  shall  sink  ourselves  below  the  rank  of  an 
independent  nation,  or  whether  by  a  glorious  or  manly  effort  we 
shall  permanently  secure  that  independence  which  our  forefathers 
handed  down  to  us  as  the  price  of  their  blood  and  their  treasure. 
The  Government  of  our  choice — I  thank  God,  of  our  yet  free  and 
unbiased  choice  —  has  resolved  upon  its  course,  and  is  preparing 
for  the  conflict.  We  have  assembled  here  to-night  for  the  purpose 
of  determining  whether  we  will  give  it  our  support  in  the  mighty 
struggle  into  which  it  is  about  to  enter.  This,  my  countrymen,  is 
the  awful  subject  for  deliberation,  and  on  such  a  subject  can  there 
be  any  difference  of  opinion?  Shall  we  suffer  any  matter  of  local 
concern  to  withdraw  from  a  cause  like  this  ?  Is  there  an  Ameri- 
can heart  that  does  not  pant  with  resentment?  Is  there  an 
American  sword  that  will  not  leap  from  its  scabbard  to  avenge  the 
wrongs  and  contumely  under  which  we  have  so  long  suffered  ? 
No,  my  countrymen  !  it  is  impossible  !  Let  us  act  with  one  heart,, 
with  one  hand;  let  us  show  to  an  admiring  world  that  however 
we  may  differ  among  ourselves  about  some  of  our  internal  con- 
cerns, yet  in  the  great  cause  of  our  country  the  American  people 
are  animated  by  one  soul  and  by  one  spirit." 

The  following  resolutions,  with  the  preamble,  were  then  unani- 
mously adopted : 

"  Whereas,  The  critical  situation  of  the  affairs  of  our  country 
with  a  view  to  its  foreign  relations  is  at  this  moment  of  the  utmost 
concern,  and  it  may  be  important  that  the  sentiments  of  the 
friends  to  the  integrity  of  the  Union  and  of  the  Government  as 
administered,  should  be,  wherever  practicable,  publicly  declared 
with  reference  to  public  measures,  upon  which  depend  the  future 
safety  and  prosperity  of  the  United  States  ;  therefore, 

"  Resolved^  That  it  be,  and  hereby  is  recommended,  that  meet- 
ings of  the  Democratic  citizens  of  the  city  of  Baltimore  be  held 
in  their  respective  wards  on  Tuesday  evening  next  at  seven  o'clock, 
at  their  usual  places  of  ward-meetings,  and  in  each  ward  elect  five 
delegates  to  meet  the  general  committee,  at  the  Fountain  Inn,  in 
Light  street,  on  Thursday  evening  next  at  seven  o'clock,  to  take 
into  consideration  the  means  most  likely  to  conduce  to  the  support 
and  aid  of  Government  in  their  efforts  to  maintain,  protect  and  de- 
fend national  rights,  honor  and  independence. 

"  Resolved,  That  our  Democratic  brethren  in  the  eastern  and 
western  precincts  be,  and  are  hereby  invited  to  hold  meetings  on 
Tuesday  evening  next,  at  7  o'clock,  at  Chamberlain's  tavern  and 


308  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Gorsuch's  tavern  respectively,  at  the  time  and  place  already  de- 
termined upon  in  the  preceding  resolution  for  the  delegates  of  the 
several  wards  in  the  city. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  be  published. 

"  Joseph  Nicholson,  Chairman. 

"  Edward  Johnson,  Secretary." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  general  committee  of  Democratic  delegates 
from  the  several  wards  and  precincts  of  the  city  of  Baltimore,  held 
on  Thursday  evening,  21st  May,  at  the  Fountain  Inn,  in  pursuance 
of  the  resolutions  adopted  at  a  numerous  meeting  of  the  Demo- 
cratic citizens  on  Saturday  evening,  all  the  delegates  present, 
Joseph  H.  Nicholson  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  John  Montgom- 
ery appointed  secretary.  The  following  resolutions,  with  the  pre- 
amble, were  unanimously  adopted : 

"  We,  the  delegates  of  the  city  and  precincts  of  Baltimore,  in 
general  committee  assembled,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  into  con- 
sideration the  present  situation  of  public  affairs,  do  resolve  unani- 
mously : 

"  Ist.  That  in  the  conduct  of  Great  Britain  towards  the  United 
States  for  some  years  past,  we  can  perceive  nothing  but  a  deter- 
mined hostility  to  our  national  rights.  She  forcibly  impresses  our 
seamen,  and  detains  them  inhumanly  in  an  odious  servitude ;  she 
obstructs  our  commerce  in  every  channel  through  which  it  has 
been  accustomed  to  flow ;  she  has  murdered  our  citizens  within 
our  own  waters,  and  has  made  one  attempt  at  least  to  dissolve  the 
union  of  these  States,  thereby  striking  at  the  foundation  of  our 
government  itself 

"  2d.  That  the  Government  of  the  United  States  has  manifested 
fthe  strongest  desire  to  maintain  peace  and  harmony  with  all  na- 
ttions,  not  only  by  observing  a  course  of  equal  and  exact  justice  to 
all,  but  by  proposing  to  those  with  whom  any  differences  have 
arisen,  terms  the  most  honorable  and  conciliatory. 

"  3d.  That  inasmuch  as  Great  Britain  has  rejected  those  terms, 
and  still  persists  in  violating  every  principle  heretofore  held  sacred 
among  nations,  no  alternative  is  left  to  the  United  States  but  to 
choose  between  war  and  degradation.  In  the  choice  of  these  it 
is  impossible  freemen  should  hesitate,  and  in  the  prosecution  of 
such  a  Avar  we  pledge  ourselves  to  support  our  government  at 
every  hazard. 

"4th.  That  the  conduct  of  France,  and  of  other  powers  in 
alliance  with  her  and  under  her  immediate  influence,  towards  the 
United  States,  has  been  scarcely  less  atrocious  than  that  of  Eng- 
land ;  and  if  the  pending  negotiations  should  terminate  without 
an  honorable  adjustment  of  existing  differences,  we  have  full  con- 
fidence that  our  Government  will  direct  the  most  active  hostilities 
to  be  commenced  .against  her  for  a  redress  of  our  grievances  and 
the  maintenance  of  .our  rights ;  at  the  same  time  we  wish  it  ex- 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  309 

plicitly  understood,  that  in  our  well-founded  complaints  against 
foreign  nations,  Kussia  and  Sweden  are  not  to  be  included. 

"  Ordered :  That  the  above  resolutions  be  signed  by  all  the 
members  of  the  general  committee,  and  that  they  be  transmitted 
by  the  chairman  to  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

"  Joseph  H.  Nicholson,  A.  E.  Levering,  David  Fulton,  Charles 
Bohn,  William  B.  Barney,  John  Montgomery'',  Christopher  Hughes, 
Jr.,  Benjamin  Berry,  Nathan  Levering,  J.  W.  McCulloch,  William 
Camp,  J.  S.  HoUins,  Joseph  Jamison,  James  Hutton,  Peter  Diffen- 
derffer,  S.  Briscoe,  E.  G.  Woodyear,  Hezekiah  Niles,  James  Arm- 
strong, Joseph  Smith,  Daniel  Conn,  John  Kelso,  Hezekiah  Price, 
George  Milleman,  James  C.  Dew,  J.  A.  Buchanan,  Lemuel  Taylor, 
Luke  Tiernan,  William  Wilson,  J.  L.  Donaldson,  L.  HoUingsworth, 
James  Martin,  James  Wilson,  G.  J.  Brown,  Eichard  Mackall,  Ed- 
ward Johnson,  George  Stiles,  James  Williams,  William  McDonald, 
William  Pechin,  James  Biays,  David  Burke,  Thorndike  Chase, 
Timothy  Gardner,  Thomas  Sheppard,  George  Warner,  N.  F.  Wil- 
liams, J.  H.  McCulIoch,  Theodoric  Bland,  Christian  Baum." 

The  following  resolution  was  then  submitted  and  adopted : 

"  Eesolved  by  the  General  Committee  of  the  City  and  precincts 
of  Baltimore,  that  it  be,  and  hereby  is,  recommended  to  the  Demo- 
cratic citizens  of  the  several  counties  of  this  State,  to  assemble  and 
take  into  consideration  the  situation  of  public  affairs,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  expressing  an  opinion  thereon.  Ordered,  that  the  proceed- 
ings and  resolutions  adopted  be  published. 

"Joseph  H.  Nicholson,  Chairman. 

"John  Montgomery,  Secretary." 

Congress  declared  war  against  Great  Britain  on  the  18th  of 
June,  and  the  following  article  from  the  Federal  Republican  of 
Saturday,  the  20th  of  June,  was  supposed  to  have  excited  the 
people  in  this  city  to  commit  violence ;  for  on  the  Monday  follow- 
ing, the  printing-office  occupied  by  the  editors  of  that  paper,  on  the 
north-west  corner  of  Gay  and  Second  streets,  was  pulled  down,  and 
their  press  destroyed : 

"  *  Thou  hast  done  a  deed  whereat  valor  will  weep.'  Without  funds, 
without  taxes,  without  an  army,  navy,  or  adequate  fortifications — 
with  one  hundred  and  fifty  millions  of  our  property  in  the  hands 
of  the  declared  enemy,  without  any  of  his  in  our  power,  and  with 
a  vast  commerce  afloat,  our  rulers  have  promulged  a  war  against 
the  clear  and  decided  sentiments  of  a  vast  majority  of  the  nation. 
As  the  consequences  will  be  soon  felt,  there  is  no  need  of  pointing 
them  out  to  the  few  who  have  not  sagacity  enough  to  apprehend 
them.  Instead  of  employing  our  pen  in  this  dreadful  detail,  we 
think  it  more  apposite  to  delineate  the  course  we  are  determined 
to  pursue  as  long  as  the  war  shall  last.  We  mean  to  represent  in 
as  strong  colors  as  we  are  capable,  that  it  is  unnecessary,  inex- 
pedient, and  entered  into  from  a  partial,  personal,  and  as  we  be- 


310  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

lieve,  motives  bearing  upon  their  front  marks  of  undisguised  foreign 
influence,  which  cannot  be  mistaken.  "We  mean  to  use  every  con- 
stitutional argument  and  every  legal  means  to  render  as  odious 
and  suspicious  to  the  American  people,  as  they  deserve  to  be,  the 
patrons  and  contrivers  of  this  highly  impolitic  and  destructive  war, 
in  the  fullest  persuasion  that  we  shall  be  supported  and  ultimately 
applauded  by  nine-ninths  of  our  countrymen,  and  that  our  silence 
would  be  treason  to  them.  We  detest  and  abhor  the  endeavors  of 
faction  to  create  civil  contest  through  the  pretext  of  a  foreign  war 
it  has  rashly  and  premeditately  commenced,  and  w^e  shall  be  ready 
cheerfully  to  hazard  everything  most  dear,  to  frustrate  anything 
leading  to  the  prostration  of  civil  rights,  and  the  establishment  of 
a  system  of  terror  and  proscription  anno'unced  in  the  Government 
paper  at  Washington  as  the  inevitable  consequence  of  the  measure 
now  proclaimed.  We  shall  cling  to  the  rights  of  freemen,  both  in 
act  and  opinion,  till  we  sink  with  the  liberties  of  our  country,  or 
sink  alone.  We  shall  hereafter,  as  heretofore,  unravel  every  intrigue 
and  imposture  which  has  beguiled  or  may  be  put  forth  to  circum- 
vent our  fellow-citizens  into  the  toils  of  the  great  earthly  enemy 
of  the  human  race.  We  are  avowedly  hostile  to  the  presidency  of 
James  Madison,  and  we  never  will  breathe  under  the  dominion, 
direct  or  derivative,  of  Bonaparte,  let  it  be  acknowledged  when  it 
may.  Let  those  who  cannot  openly  adopt  this  confession,  abandon 
us;  and  those  who  can,  we  shall  cherish  as  friends  and  patriots, 
worthy  of  the  name." 

In  the  Federal   Gazette  of  Wednesday,  June  24,  We  find  the 
following : 

"Under  an  impression  that  the  citizens  who  assembled  yesterday 
at  the  Mayor's  office  would  have  made  a  statement,  somewhat  like 
official,  of  the  transactions  of  Monday  evening,  we  postponed  giving 
an  account  of  that  very  extraordinary  and  alarming  proceeding. 
It  is  our  painful  duty  to  record,  that  on  Monday  last,  between 
eight  and  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening,  a  number  of  persons,  citizens 
of  Baltimore,  armed  with  axes,  hooks,  and  other  instruments  of 
destruction,  assembled  at  the  office  of  the  Federal  Republican  in 
Gay  street,  a  wooden  building  belonging  to  Eobert  Oliver  of  this 
city,  broke  into  the  house,  threw  the  types,  printing-presses,  paper, 
&c.,  into  the  street,  and  destroyed  them,  and  levelled  the  house  to 
its  foundation.  One  of  the  persons  thus  engaged,  while  in  the  act 
of  knocking  out  a  window,  fell  with  it  into  the  street  and  was  killed 
on  the  spot.  The  Mayor  of  the  city,  the  Judge  of  the  Court  of 
Oyer  and  Terminer,  and  several  magistrates  and  military  officers, 
were  present  and  witnessed  this  dreadful  outrage,  which  their 
peaceful  efforts  were  insufficient  to  prevent,  although  it  was  generally 
known  during  the  preceding  day  that  the  attack  was  meditated." 
Extracts  from  the  Federal  Republican  of  Monday,  July  27th  : 
"  Five  weeks  have  elapsed  since  the  suspension  of  this  journal 
by  the  demolition  of  the  office   whence  it  issued  in  Baltimore. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  Bll 

Most  of  the  overt  and  prominent  circumstances  connected  with 
the  outrage  have  already  reached  the  public  ear,  but  others  of 
deeper  interest  have  been  concealed  or  permitted  to  remain  in  ob- 
scurity. To  suppose  that  any  part  of  our  publications,  immediately 
preceding  the  attack,  formed  the  motive  to  the  destruction,  is 
decidedly  erroneous.  The  fact  of  such  incendiary  meditation  was 
communicated  to  us  nearly  two  months  before  the  crime  was  perpe- 
trated. A  conspiracy  against  the  editors  was  then  known  to  have 
been  digested.  It  was  positively  asserted,  and  reiterated  with 
exultation  by  certain  disorganizing  prints,  that  war  would  be  de- 
clared before  the  4th  of  July,  and  it  was  distinctly  declared  tha,t 
on  that  day  the   office   would  be  demolished,  and  the  proprietors 

thrown  into  the  fangs  of  a  remorseless  rabble These  are 

some  of  the  grounds  for  ascribing  the  origin  of  the  tumults  in 
Baltimore  to  an  index  at  the  seat  of  the  general  government, 
whence  ought  to  flow  the  benign  blessings  of  social    happiness, 

Of  the  officers  residing  in  Baltimore,  of  the  State  and  of 

the  corporation,  most  if  not  all  of  whom  were  present  at  the  bur- 
glary, the  Mayor  is  pre-eminently  distinguished  for  the  acquies- 
cence with  which  he  has  beheld  the  ruin  of  property,  the  repeated 
nocturnal  violations  of  dwelling-houses,  the  most  savage  threats 
against  persons  guiltless  of  a  crime,  the  usurped  regulation  of  the 
port,  the  prostration  of  the  laws  of  the  State  and  of  the  Union — 
without  the  smallest  exertion  to  enforce  his  authority.  Upon  this 
subject  there  can  be  no  delicacy  or  reserve.  We  therefore  lay  the 
enormities  which  have  proceeded  in  rapid  progression  and  inflicted 
an  incurable  wound  upon  Baltimore,  expressly  to  the  charge  of  the 
Mayor.  This  police  officer,  whose  oath  could  not  have  been  for- 
gotten, was  so  little  sensible  of  the  dignity  of  his  office,  so  indiffer- 
ent to  the  peace  and  safety  of  the  community,  so  regardless  of  the 
permanent  interest  of  the  city,  which  he  knew  must  be  very  materi- 
ally impaired  by  a  character  for  tumult,  disorder  and  assassination, 
which  he  has  suffered  to  be  stamped  upon  it,  that  for  weeks  he 
permitted  the  mob  to  rage  unrestrained,  as  if  studious,  by  his  con- 
nivance, to  render  it  in  the  eyes  of  the  world  the  indisputable 
arbiter  of  the  city ;  and  when  he  at  last  interposed,  it  was  to  pre- 
vent the  threatened  demolition  of  one  of  the  temples  of  the 
Almighty!  ....  That  the  Governor  has  taken  no  steps  to 
check  or  discountenance  the  continued  disorders  in  the  emporium 
of  the  State,  must  be  ascrihable  to  his  knowledge  of  the  real  authors 
of  the  riot,  and  the  political  motives  by  which  they  were  actuated. 
.  .  .  The  Federal  Republican^  which  this  day  ascends  from  the 
tomb  of  '  matyred  sire,'  will  steadily  pursue  the  course  dictated 
with  its  latest  accents." 

Owing  to  the  publication  of  this  article,  the  newspaper-office 
was  mobbed,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  communications: 


312  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

"  To  Edward  Johnson,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Baltimore : 

"  The  joint  committee  of  the  two  Branches  of  the  City  Council, 
appointed  to  inquire  into  the  causes  and  extent  of  the  late  commo- 
tions in  the  city,  having,  as  enjoined  upon  them,  requested  the  aid 
of  thirteen  other  of  their  fellow-citizens,  ten  of  whom  attended  in 
the  discharge  of  the  duty  assigned  them,  in  pursuance  thereof  re- 
port :  that  on  Saturday,  the  20th  of  June,  a  publication  appeared 
in  the  newspaper  entitled  the  Federal  Bepublican,  printed  in  this 
place,  which  excited  great  irritation  in  the  city ;  that  on  the  Mon- 
day following,  the  printing-office  occupied  by  the  editors  of  that 
paper  was  pulled  down  and  their  press  destroyed.  This  commo- 
tion had  subsided,  and  the  transaction  was  under  legal  investiga- 
tion by  the  Criminal  Court,  until  Sunday  the  26th  of  July,  in  the 
evening  of  which  day,  Alexander  C.  Hanson,  one  of  the  editors, 
with  several  of  his  friends  from  other  counties,  and  one  from 
another  State,  came  into  town,  unknown  to  the  inhabitants  (or 
known  only  to  a  few  of  them)  and  took  possession  of  a  brick  house 
on  Charles  street,  that  had  been  the  late  dwelling  of  Mr.  Wagner, 
his  partner.  The  committee  further  report,  that  from  written 
documents,  since  found  and  communicated  to  them  by  the  Mayor, 
which  are  subjoined  to  this  report,  it  appears  that  the  plan  of  re- 
newing the  paper,  and  of  arming  for  the  defence  of  the  house  from 
which  it  was  intended  to  be  issued,  had  been  deliberately  formed 
and  organized  some  time  previous,  in  the  county,  without  the 
knowledge  of  the  citizens  of  Baltimore,  and  all  the  details  settled 
and  adjusted  by  persons  who  must  have  been  acquainted  with  mili- 
tary service.  That  having  so  taken  possession  of  the  house,  they 
fortified  it  strongly,  and  prepared  arms  and  ammunition  to  defend  it; 
that  on  the  next  morning  the  editor  issued  from  that  house  his 
paper,  containing  severe  animadversions  upon  the  Mayor,  people, 
and  police  of  Baltimore,  which  the  editor  caused  to  be  circulated 
throughout  the  city.  In  the  course  of  the  same  day  it  was  known 
to  many  persons  that  Mr.  Hanson,  one  of  the  editors,  was  in  the 
house,  and  from  the  preparations  for  defence  that  were  observed  to 
be  making  therein,  it  was  conjectured  that  he.  expected  to  be  at- 
tacked. Curing  the  day,  many  other  persons  of  the  city  went  to 
the  house,  and  some  remained  there  associated  with  those  within. 
Toward  evening,  many  boys  had  collected  in  the  street,  opposite 
the  house,  and  their  noise  exciting  some  apprehension,  a  neighbor- 
ing magistrate  endeavored  to  disperse  them,  and  had  nearly  suc- 
ceeded, when  about  8  o'clock  a  carriage  stopped  at  the  door  of  the 
house,  and  a  number  of  muskets  and  other  articles  were  seen  to  be 
taken  out  of  it  and  conveyed  through  an  armed  guard  into  the 
house.  The  boys  then  returned,  recommenced  their  noise,  accom- 
panied with  abusive  language  to  the  persons  in  the  house,  and  began 
throwing  stones  at  the  windows.  At  this  time,  and  for  an  hour  or 
more  thereafter,  there  did  not  appear  more  than  five  or  six  men 
who  could  be  supposed  to  have  any  connection  with  or  control 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  313 

over  the  bojs ;  about  this  period  a  person  on  the  footway,  endeav- 
oring to  persuade  the^  boys  from  their  mischief,  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  foot  by  something  weighty  thrown  from  the  house. 
The  boys  were  repeatedly  told,  from  the  persons  within,  to  go 
away  and  not  molest  them,  that  they  were  armed  and  would  de- 
fend themselves.  The  boys  still  continuing  to  throw  stones,  two 
guns  were  fired  from  the  upper  part  of  the  house,  charged,  as  it  is 
supposed,  with  blank  cartridges,  as  no  injury  was  done  by  them. 
The  assemblage  of  people  in  the  8tr3et  at  this  time  greatly  in- 
creased, and  the  threats  and  throwing  of  stones  at  the  house  be- 
came more  general  and  violent ;  the  sashes  of  the  lower  windows 
were  broken,  and  attempts  made  to  force  the  door  by  running 
against  it.  Ten  or  twelve  guns  were  fired  from  the  house  in  quick 
succession,  by  which  several  persons  in  the  street  were  wounded 
and  one  killed.  About  this  period,  application  was  made  for 
military  aid  to  prevent  further  mischief  Whilst  the  military  were 
assembling  in  pursuance  of  an  order  from  the  General,  issued  in 
compliance  with  a  requisition  from  the  legal  authority,  frequent 
firing  took  place  from  the  house,  and  three  guns  were  fired  at  it. 
Some  short  time  afterwards  a  gun  was  fired  from  the  house,  which 
killed  a  Doctor  Gale  in  the  street  about  twelve  feet  from  the  house; 
this  circumstance  greatly  increased  the  irritation  of  those  in  the 
street,  who  soon  after  brought  a  field-piece  in  front  of  the  house, 
but  by  the  interposition  of  several  citizens,  were  restrained  from 
firing  upon  the  house  under  an  assurance  that  the  pei*sons  in  it 
would  surrender  themselves  to  the  civil  authority.  The  military 
soon  after  appeared,  and  placing  themselves  in  front  of  the  house, 
no  further  injury  occurred.  A  negotiation  took  place  from  those 
within  the  house,  and  upon  being  assured  that  a  military  guard 
would  be  furnished,  and  every  effort  used  by  the  Mayor  and  General 
to  ensure  their  safety  from  violence,  they  surrendered  themselves 
to  the  civil  authority  about  seven  o'clock  on  the  morning  of 
Tuesday,  and  were  conducted  to  jail  and  committed  for  further  ex- 
amination. They  were  Alexander  C.  Hanson,  Gen.  Henry  Lee, 
James  M.  Lingan,  William  Schroeder,  John  Thompson,  William  B. 
Bend,  Otho  Sprigg,  Henry  Kennedy,  Eobert  Kilgour,  Henry  Nel- 
son, John  E.  Hall,  George  Winchester,  Peregrine  Warfield,  George 
Eichards,  Edward  Gwinn,  David  Hoffman,  Horatio  Bigelow, 
Ephraim  Gaither,  William  Gaither,  Jacob  Schley,  Mark  U.  Pringle, 
Daniel  Murray,  and  Richard  S.  Crabb.  After  the  removal  of  the 
persons,  the  interior  of  the  house  was  greatly  injured,  and  the  fur- 
niture in  it  destroyed  and  dispersed. 

"  The  Committee  further  report,  that  during  the  course  of  the 
day  the  Mayor  applied  to  the  Sheriff  to  use  particular  precaution 
in  securing  the  doors  of  the  jail,  which  he  promised  to  do ;  and 
about  one  o'clock  application  was  made  by  the  Mayor  and  other 
justices  to  the  Brigadier-General  to  call  out  the  military  to  pre- 
serve the  peace  and  quiet  of  the  State.     Orders  were  issued  call- 


314  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

ing  out  a  regiment  of  infantry,  two  troops  of  cavalry,  and  two 
companies  of  artillery,  to  parade  at  an  appointed  time  and  places. 
The  Mayor,  the  General,  and  many  citizens  repaired  to  the  jail  in 
the  afternoon,  at  which  a  number  of  persons  had  assembled,  the 
much  greater  part  of  whom  were  peaceable  and  orderly  citizens. 
Those  of  a  different  temper  of  mind,  upon  being  remonstrated 
with,  appeared  to  yield  to  the  admonitions  of  others,  and  to  be  ap- 
peased with  the  assurances  given  that  the  party  in  jail  should  not 
be  bailed  or  suffered  to  escape  during  the  night.  It  became  the 
prevailing  opinion  about  the  prison  that  no  mischief  would  be  at- 
tempted that  night ;  in  consequence  of  which,  and  of  the  insuffi- 
ciency of  the  force  assembled,  the  military,  by  the  order  of  the 
General,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Mayor,  were  dismissed,  and 
many  persons  left  the  prison  and  went  to  their  homes.  Shortly 
after  dark  the  number  of  the  disorderly  increased,  and  an  inten- 
tion was  manifested  of  breaking  into  the  jail.  The  Mayor,  with 
the  aid  of  a  few  persons,  succeeded  for  some  time  in  preventing 
the  prison  door  from  being  forced  open.  They  being  overpowered 
by  the  increased  numbers  and  violence  of  the  assailants,  the  Mayor 
was  forced  away;  and  the  door  having  been  previously  battered,  and 
again  threatened,  was  opened  by  the  turnkey.  Upon  the  entry  of 
the  assailants  they  forced  the  inner  doors,  and  pressed  into  the 
room  in  which  the  persons  above-mentioned  were  confined.  Here 
a  scene  of  horror  ensued  which  the  Committee  cannot  well  de- 
scribe. The  result  was  that  one  of  the  persons  (General  Lingan) 
was  killed,  eleven  others  dreadfully  beaten,  eight  of  whom  were 
thrown  together  in  front  of  the  jail,  supposed  to  be  dead. 

"  The  Committee  being  (by  the  authority  under  which  they 
act)  directed  to  the  collection  and  report  of  facts,  have  carefully 
avoided  the  expression  of  an  opinion  on  any  of  the  causes  or  ex- 
tent of  the  unhappy  commotions  herein  reported.  Other  facts 
(but  we  know  of  none  material)  may  have  attended  the  above 
transactions,  which  the  limited  powers  of  the  City  Council  do  not 
enable  them  to  impart  to  the  Committee  the  full  authority  to 
develop. 

"  Adam  Fonerden,  Wm.  Steuart,  James  Carey,  Thomas  Kell, 
Committee  of  the  First  Branch  City  Council. 

"  James  Calhoun,  John  C.  White,  Wm.  McDonald,  Henry  Pay- 
son,  Committee  of  the  Second  Branch  City  Council. 

"  The  undersigned,  being  requested  thereto,  joined  the  above 
committee  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty,  and  unite  with  them  in 
the  foregoing  report : 

"James  Buchanan,  Peter  Little,  Wm.  Gwynn,  Lemuel  Taylor, 
S.Sterett,  William  Wilson,  W.  Cooke,  Thorndike  Chase,  Eobert 
Gilmor,  John  Montgomery." 

From  the  Federal  Rtpublican  : 

"  An  exact  and  authentic  narrative  of  the  events  which  took 
place  in  Baltimore  on  the  27th  and  28th  of  July  last,  carefully 
collected  from  some  of  the  sufferers  and  from  eye-witnesses  : 


CHBONIOLES  OF  BALTIMOKB.  315 

"  State  of  Maryland,  s.  s.  Eockville,  Aug.  12,  1812. 

"  Personally  appeared,  on  this  12th  day  of  August,  1812,  before 
John  Fleming,  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  Montgomery  county,  the 
following  persons, — Peregrine  Warfield,  Eichard  J.  Crabb,  Charles 
J.  Kilgour,  Henry  Nelson,  Ephraim  Gaither,  Eobert  Kilgour,  John 
H.  Payne,  H.  C.  Gaither,  and  Alexander  C.  Hanson,  who  being 
sworn  on  the  Holy  Evangelists  of  Almighty  God,  do  declare  and 
depose  in  the  manner  of  form  following, — to  wit : 

"That  these  deponents  are  some  of  the  surviving  persons  who 
were  devoted,  or  meant  to  be  devoted,  to  the  brutal  and  murderous 
fury  of  the  mob  in  the  late  massacre  in  the  jail  at  the  City  of  Balti- 
more. That  these  deponents  having  seen  the  following  statement 
submitted  to  them  of  that  horrid  atrocity,  and  the  proceedings 
connected  with  it,  do  swear,  that  as  far  as  their  individual  suffer- 
ings or  particular  opportunities  of  observation  may  enable  them 
to  testify,  they  believe  the  facts  and  circumstances  detailed  in  the 
following  statement  to  be  truly  and  accurately  stated — these  de- 
ponents not  intending  hereby  to  preclude  themselves  from  a  further 
narrative  or  disclosure  of  such  other  circumstances  and  special 
injuries  and  sufferings  as  are  within  the  particular  knowledge  of 
each  of  them  respectively,  or  which  they  may  have  individually 
experienced  and  endured. 

"  Sworn  to  before  John  Fleming. 

"State  of  Maryland,  Montgomery  County,  s.  s.  I  hereby 
certify,  that  John  Fleming,  gent,  before  whom  the  aforegoing  affi- 
davit appears  to  have  been  made,  and  whose  name  is  thereto  sub- 
scribed, was  at  the  time  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  and  for  the  county 
aforesaid,  duly  commissioned  and  sworn.  ISeal.']  In  testimony 
whereof,  I  have  hereto  subscribed  my  name,  and  affixed  the  public 
seal  for  Montgomery  County,  this  12th  day  of  August,  A.  D.  1812. 

'•'  Upton  Beall, 
"  Clerk  of  Montgomery  County  Court. 

"  On  the  night  of  the  22d  of  June,  the  entire  printing  appara- 
tus of  the  Federal  Republican  was  demolished  by  a  mob  in  Balti- 
more, in  the  presence  of  the  Mayor,  the  Judge  of  the  Criminal 
Court,  and  several  other  magistrates  and  police-officers,  whose 
authority  was  not  exerted  to  save  it  and  preserve  the  peace  of 
the  city.  One  of  the  editors  (Mr.  Wagner)  narrowly  escaped  with 
his  life,  after  being  pursued  by  ruffians  who  avowed  their  fell  pur- 
pose of  assassination.  Mr.  Hanson,  the  other  proprietor  of  the 
paper,  heard  of  the  depredations  committed  by  the  mob  the  even- 
ing after,  and  went  to  Baltimore  the  next  day,  accompanied  by  his 
friend  Captain  Eichard  J.  Crabb,  to  make  arrangements  for  re- 
establishing the  paper.  Finding  it  impossible  to  render  any  ser- 
vice, the  laws  being  effectually  silenced,  and  his  friends  unanimously 
urging  his  departure,  he  left  town  in  a  few  hours,  having  first 


316  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

walked  the  streets  as  usual,  and  made  all  the  arrangements  that 
could  be  made,  in  conjunction  with  his  friends  and   agents,  for  re- 
viving the  paper  with  all  possible  dispatch.     Upon  his  return  home 
to  Eockville,  Montgomery  County,   Mr.  Hanson  communicated  to 
some  of  his  most  intimate  friends  his  determination  to  recommence 
the  paper  in  Baltimore,  and  declared  he  never  would  visit  Balti- 
more again  until  he  could  go  prepared  to  assert  his  rights  and  re- 
sist oppression.     He  was  aware  that  the  execution  of  this  plan 
would  be  accompanied  with  much  difficulty  and  danger,  but  his 
friends  admired  and  approved  it  the  more  on  that  account,  and 
volunteered  to  accompany  him  to  Baltimore,  to  participate  his  dan- 
gers or  successes,  in  maintaining  the  rights  of  person  and  property 
and  defending  the  liberty  of  the  press.     They  were  in  number: 
General  James  M.  Lingan  (murdered).  General  Harry  Lee,  Cap- 
tain Eichard  J.  Crabb,  Dr.  P.  Warfield,  Charles  J.  Kilgour,  Otho 
Sprigg,  Ephraim  Gaither,  and  John  Howard  Payne.  Several  others 
were  to  have  gone,  but  were  prevented ;  and  on  the  night  of  the 
attack,  the  party  was  joined  by  three  other  volunteers  from  the 
country,  who  were  not  fully  apprised  by  Mr.  Hanson  of  his  de- 
termination, but  received  their   information   in   confidence   from 
others.  Major  Musgrove,  Henry  C.  Gaither,  and  William  Gaither. 
On  the  evening  of  the  attack  they  were  joined  by  about  twenty 
gentlemen  living  in  Baltimore,  one  or  two  only  of  whom  were  in- 
vited to  the  house  by  Mr.  Hanson.     When  the  office  was  first  de- 
molished, Mr.  Wagner,  one  of  the  proprietors,  lived  in  a  house  in 
Charles  street.     On  that  event  he  removed  his  family  from  the 
house,  but  did  not  relinquish  it  or  remove  his  furniture.     In  this 
situation  it  remained  until  the  26th  of  July,  when  the  paper  having 
been  re-established  in  Georgetown,  and  the  proprietors  having  re- 
solved to  attempt  its  re-establishment  in  Baltimore,  one  of  them, 
Mr.  Hanson,  came  and  occupied  this  house  (having  first  taken  a 
lease),  as  a  place  from  which  the  distribution  of  the  paper  might 
be  made.     He  was  attended  by  the  friends  before  mentioned,  who 
were  to  remain  as  his  guests  until  their  business  called  them  home. 
They  thought  it  probable  that  an  attempt  would  be  made  to  pre- 
vent the  distribution   of  the  paper,  and  they  might  even  be  at- 
tacked in  the  house  for  that  purpose ;  but  they  hoped,  by  the  ap- 
pearance of  determined  resistance,  to  deter  the  assailants  from 
actual  violence,  till  the  civil  authority  should  have  time  to  interpose 
and  prevent  mischief     Should  they  be  disappointed  in  this  hope, 
and  find  themselves  in  danger  from  the  unrestrained  violence  of  a 
mob,  they  were  resolved,  and  were  prepared,  to  stand  on  the  defen- 
sive, and  to  repel  force  by  force.     Eeliance  upon  the  civil  authority 
they  earl}^  perceived  to  be  fruitless,  for  on  application  to  the  Mayor 
by  the  owner  of  the  house,  he  peremptorily  declined  all  interfer- 
ence, and  left  town,  as  it  was  understood,  to  prevent  his  repose 
from  being  disturbed.     The  civil  authority  refusing  to  interfere 
when  applied  to  by  Mr.  White,  the  son,  and  Mr.  Dennis  J^owland, 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  317 

the  soD-in-law  of  the  owner  of  the  house,  there  was  nothing  left 
but  to  resist  the  mob  in  the  house  j  and  while  this  resistance  was 
made  with  a  mildness  and  forbearance  scarcely  ever  equalled,  and 
which  excited  the  wonder  of  the  spectators,  several  messages  were 
sent  to  Brigadier-General  Strieker  to  disperse  the  mob  and  prevent 
the  effusion  of  blood,  which  would  otherwise  be  unavoidable.  If 
it  be  objected  that  the  scheme  was  rash  or  imprudent,  all  must  ad- 
mit it  was  strictly  and  dearly  lawful.  Mr.  Hanson  had  an  undoubted 
right  to  distribute  the  paper  in  Baltimore,  from  this  or  any  other 
house  in  his  occupation,  and  to  defend  his  person  and  property  by 
force  in  case  they  were  assailed  by  unlawful  violence  and  left  un- 
protected by  the  civil  authority. 

"  On  Monday,  the  27th  of  July,  the  distribution  of  the  paper 
was  commenced,  and  proceeded  without  molestation  or  tumult  till 
evening.  But  soon  after  twilight,  a  mob  collected  before  the  house, 
and  soon  began  to  act  in  a  very  threatening  and  riotous  manner. 
The  gentlemen  in  the  house,  with  great  mildness,  patience  and 
forbearance,  repeatedly  advised  and  requested  them  to  disperse, 
assuring  them  that  the  house  was  armed,  and  would  be  defended, 
and  that  the  consequences  of  attacking  would  be  dangerous.  This 
however  had  no  other  effect  than  to  increase  the  boldness  and  vio- 
lence of  the  mob,  as  well  as  its  numbers.  A  vigorous  attack  on 
the  house  was  soon  commenced.  Stones  were  thrown  in  showers 
at  the  front  windows,  all  of  which  were  soon  broken,  and  not  only 
the  glass,  but  the  sashes  and  shutters  were  demolished,  and  an  at- 
tempt was  made  to  break  down  the  street  door,  which  was  'at 
length  actually  broken  and  burst  open.  All  these  acts  of  violence 
were  accompanied  by  loud  and  reiterated  declarations  by  the  mob 
of  a  determination  to  force  the  house  and  expel  or  kill  those  who 
were  engaged  in  its  defence.  The  scenes  continued  for  more  than 
two  hours,  without  the  least  interference  of  the  Mayor,  or  any 
appearance  of  an  intention  to  interpose.  At  length  the  persons 
thus  threatened  and  assailed,  finding  that  little  hope  remained  of 
protection  from  the  local  authorities,  and  that  forbearance,  expos- 
tulation and  entreaty  served  only  on  their  part  to  increase  the 
audacity  of  the  mob,  resolved  to  try  the  effect  of  intimidation. 
Orders  were  therefore  given  to  fire  from  the  windows  of  the  second 
story  over  the  heads  of  the  mob,  so  as  to  frighten  without  hurting 
them.  This  was  done.  The  mob  was  at  first  intimidated  by  this 
blank  fire,  but  soon  finding  that  no  hurt  was  done  by  it,  they  re- 
turned and  recommenced  the  attack  with  increased  violence.  The 
windows  having  been  all  before  broken,  and  the  front  room  on  the 
lower  floor  abandoned,  the  mob  prepared  to  enter  b}'  the  door  and 
take  possession,  of  the  house.  The  gentlemen  from  within  there- 
fore prepared  themselves  for  the  worst,  and  resolved  that  when 
things  should  be  pushed  to  extremities,  they  would  make  a  serious 
fire  on  the  assailants.  Some  gentlemen  were  stationed  on  the  stairs 
in  the  entry,  opposite  the  front  door,  and  the  entry  itself  was  bar- 


318  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

ricaded  as  well  as  could  be  done  with  chairs,  tables,  and  other 
furniture.  Other  persons  were  posted  at  the  windows  in  such  a 
manner  as  best  to  command  the  approach  to  the  doors.  They  re- 
newed their  warnings  and  entreaties  to  the  mob,  but  with  no  other 
effect  than  before,  and  in  this  situation  they  remained  until  effectual 
resistance  should  become  absolutely  necessary.  Still  the  civil 
authority  did  nothing,  save  the  fruitless  efforts  of  Judge  Scott, 
who  was  ultimately  obliged  to  leave  the  street.  The  military  was 
equally  supine  or  indifferent.  It  was  now  about  eleven  o'clock. 
The  violence  of  the  attack  increased,  and  in  a  short  time  a  part 
of  the  mob,  with  a  Dr.  Gale,  their  apparent  leader  and  instigator 
(who  had  harangued  them  in  the  street),  at  their  head,  made  an 
attempt  to  enter  the  passage  and  advance  towards  the  stairs.  Or- 
ders were  now  given  to  fire  from  the  windows  and  staircase.  By 
this  fire  Dr.  Gale  was  killed,  and  carried  off  by  his  companions  and 
followers.  Several  were  wounded  in  the  street.  The  mob  fled  in 
every  direction,  carrying  with  them  the  wounded  and  the  body  of 
Dr.  Gale,  but  before  they  fled  they  fired  frequently  into  the  house-, 
where  the  marks  of  their  shot  are  to  be  seen,  and  a  pistol  aimed  at 
the  breast  of  General  ^e'e  flashed  while  he  was  expostulating  with 
the  mob.  One  of  the  defenders  of  the  house  (Ephraim  Gaither) 
was  wounded  at  the  time  of  the  fire  from  the  street,  but  how,  or 
with  what  has  not  been  ascertained.  He  bled  profusely,  and  had 
a  convulsion  in  the  morning  while  standing  at  his  post  upon  duty. 
This  was  the  time  for  the  gentlemen  in  the  house  to  make  their 
escape.  Could  they  have  seen  that  their  enterprize  had  become 
impracticable,  they  might  have  made  good  their  retreat.  But  they 
judged  otherwise.  They  thought  rather  of  their  rights  than  that 
of  the  prudence  of  a  further  effort  to  assert  them,  and  resolved 
still  to  defend  the  house,  indulging  the  hope  too  that  no  further 
violence  would  be  attempted  after  this  experience  of  its  conse- 
quences, or  that  the  civil  authority  would  effectually  interpose. 
The  mob  came  very  cautiously  and  almost  by  stealth  in  front  of 
the  house  after  the  effectual  fire.  They  still,  however,  remained 
in  the  street  and  increased  their  number  gradually,  a  drum  parad- 
ing the  streets  to  beat  up  recruits,  and  continued  to  throw  stones 
in  front  and  back  of  the  house. 

"  Between  two  and  three  o'clock,  the  military  having  been 
ordered  out.  Major  Barney  appeared  in  the  street  at  the  head  of  a 
small  party  of  cavalry.  The  mob  again  fled  at  his  approach,  cry- 
ing out  as  they  heard  the  tramping  of  horses,  '  The  troop  is  com- 
ing, the  troop  is  coming.'  Near  the  front  of  the  house  Major 
Barney  halted  and  addressed  them.  On  this  they  again  returned. 
He  told  them  he  was  their^friend,  their  personal  and  political  friend ; 
that  he  was  there  to  protect  person  and  property,  to  prevent 
violence,  *to  secure  the  party  in  the  house,'  and  that  those  in  the 
street  must  disperse.  They  then  asked  him  by  what  authority  he 
came.     He  answered  by  order  of  the  Brigadier-General  Strieker. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  819 

They  demanded  a  sight  of  the  order,  which  he  consented  to  show 
them,  and  for  that  purpose  went  round  the  corner  into  an  alley 
where  they  assembled  round  to  see  it.  He  said  something  in  a 
low  voice,  on  hearing  which  the  mob  gave  three  cheers.  What 
did  he  then  say  to  them  ?  This  can  be  answered  only  from  con- 
jecture and  from  what  happened  afterwards.  Many  of  the  gentle- 
men in  the  house,  judging  from  subsequent  events,  believe  that  he 
communicated  to  the  mob  the  plan  of  assassination,  which  was 
put  into  execution,  and  which  they  suppose  to  have  been  then 
already  formed  with  his  knowledge  and  participation.  But  this 
supposition  would  ascribe  to  that  officer  a  degree  of  ferocious  prof- 
ligacy which  ought  not  to  be  imputed  to  him  or  any  other  man 
without  the  clearest  proof.  The  subjoined  extract  from  the  Whig 
explains  Major  Barney's  conduct : 

(ii  ^^Q  regret  that  our  committee  have  not,  after  so  much  pains 
SiTid  promise,  stated  some  particulars  minutely  ;  particulars  necessary 
to  be  known,  we  mean  the  circumstances  of  the  negotiation  (as  it 
were)  between  Major  Barney  and  the  populace.  They  agreed  to 
I'est  satisfied  if  the  murderers  should  be  carefully  kept  from  escap- 
ing, and  be  surrendered  into  the  hands  of  the  civil  authority ;  in 
other  words,  be  committed  to  jail  for  trial.  To  the  fulfilment  of  this 
was  Major  Barney  pledged.' 

"  His  instructions  were  nevertheless  for  the  safety  and  honor 
of  the  gentlemen  in  the  house.  There  can  be  no  question  he  had 
orders  while  he  protected  the  house  from  further  attack  to  secure 
the  party  in  it,  so  as  to  prevent  them  from  escaping,  and  to  bring 
them  to  trial  for  the  deaths  which  had  taken  place  or  were  ex- 
pected, and  that  he  communicated  this  part  of  his  orders  to  the 
mob.  This  supposition  is  favored  by  what  he  was  heard  to  say  on 
his  first  approach — that  '  he  was  there  to  take  possession  and 
secure  the  party  in  the  house.'  And  when  the  gentlemen,  dis- 
trusting his  views  in  consequence  of  what  they  had  observed,  de- 
manded an  explanation,  he  assured  them  that  he  had  no  orders  or 
instructions  hut  such  as  were  consistent  with  their  safety  and  honor,  but 
he  was  obliged  to  talk^otherwise  to  the  mob  to  deceive  and  keep 
them  quiet.  The  mob  made  no  further  attempt  on  the  house,  in 
front  of  which  Major  Barney  and  his  cavalry  remained  constantly 
wrangling  and  talking  with  the  mob,  who  soon  prepared  for  a  more 
effectual  attack  by  bringing  up  a  field-piece.  With  this  they  at- 
tempted to  fire  on  the  house,  but  were  always  prevented  by  Major 
Barney,  who  more  than  once  mounted  on  the  -cannon,  declaring 
that  if  they  fired  they  should  fire  on  him,  that  they  would  kill 
their  own  friends  ;  all  which  trouble  he  might  have  saved  himself, 
if  he  pleased,  by  remounting  his  horse  and  dispersing  the  mob 
which  fled  at  his  first  approach.  This  state  of  things  continued 
till  about  6  o'clock  A.  M.,  when  Mr.  Johnson,  the  Mayor,  arrived 
from  the  country,  whither  messengers  had  been  despatched  for 
him  by  those  out  of  the  house ;  and  Brigadier-General  Strieker, 


320  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOKB. 

who  commands  the  militia  of  the  town,  appeared  before  the  door 
and  commenced  a  parley  with  the  party  within.  Being  admitted 
into  the  house,  they  represented  to  the  party  defending  the  irrita- 
tion which  prevailed  in  the  town,  the  exasperation  of  the  public 
mind,  and  the  impossibility  of  maintaining  defence  against  the 
force  which  would  soon  come  in  aid  of  the  attack.  The  Mayor 
asked  for  and  addressed  Mr.  Hanson  with  warmth  and  great 
agitation ;  spoke  of  a  civil  war,  saying,  we  are  impressed  with  the 
belief  that  a  civil  war  is  inevitable,  and  I  consider  this  a  party-thing 
and  the  commencement  of  it.  He  complained  also  of  the  Government's 
being  implicated  in  the  dispute  between  parties  and  the  paper,  and 
added,  such  opposition  must  or  will  be  noticed.  To  all  which  Mr. 
Hanson  replied  that  he  would  not  enter  into  a  political  dispute 
with  the  Mayor ;  that  he  had  a  right  to  defend  his  house,  which  was 
bis  castle,  and  his  person,  and  that  he  and  his  friends  were  compe- 
tent to  the  protection  of  both  ;  that  it  was  the  Mayor's  duty  to 
disperse  the  mob.  The  Mayor  and  General  Strieker  then  declared 
their  own  inability  to  protect  the  party  in  the  house  while  there, 
and  proposed  that  they  should  surrender  themselves  into  the  hands 
of  the  civil  authority,  and  be  taken  to  the  public  jail  as  a  place  of 
safety,  promising  an  effectual  escort  on  the  way,  to  be  composed  of 
Mr,  Hanson's  own  frieads,  in  town  if  he  pleased,  and  also  an  effec- 
tual guard  at  the  jail,  till  they  could  be  released  on  bail. 

"  To  this  many  of  the  party,  particularly  Mr.  Hanson,  strongly 
objected.  He  was  indignant  at  the  proposal  to  go  to  jail.  '  To 
jail ! '  said  he — '  for  what?  For  protecting  my  house  and  property 
against  a  mob  who  assailed  both  for  three  hours  without  being 
fired  upon,  when  we  could  have  killed  numbers  of  them !  You 
cannot  protect  us  to  jail,  or  after  we  are  in  jail  I '  Mr.  Hanson 
then,  after  the  Mayor  and  General  went  into  the  front  room  to 
converse  with  General  Lee,  exhorted  his  friend  never  to  surrender, 
declaring  that  no  reliance  could  be  placed  on  the  assurances  of 
such  men,  who  were  his  bitter  enemies,  and  who,  however  willing 
they  might  be,  were  unable  to  afford  effectual  protection,  as  was 
proved  by  their  inability  to  disperse  the  mob  then  assembled  be- 
fore the  house.  He  repeated  over  and  over,  that  if  they  surren- 
dered they  would  all  be  sacrificed ;  and  from  his  knowledge  of  the 
men  they  had  to  deal  with,  particularly  John  Montgomery,  who 
had  just  before  passed  into  the  room,  he  expected  they  would  all 
be  given  up  to  be  massacred,  either  on  the  way  to  the  jail  or  in 
the  jail.  Mr.  Hanson  then  stated  his  objections  to  the  Mayor  and 
General  Strieker,' who  in  answer  gave  the  most  solemn  assurances 
on  their  faith  as  officers  and  their  honor  as  men  to  afford  the 
promised  protection  or  die  in  the  attempt.  General  Strieker  as- 
sured them  on  his  honor  that  he  would  never  quit  them  while 
there  was  danger,  and  if  they  were  attacked  he  would  rescue  or 
fall  with  them.  These  assurances  were  repeated  frequently  with 
the  most  solemn  asseverations  and  appeals  to  God.    Mr.  Hanson 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  321 

having  said  something  to  his  friends  in  regard  to  the  house  and 
furniture,  a  pledge  was  instantly  given  by  the  Mayor  to  leave  a 
guard  to  defend  both.  General  Lee  and  other  gentlemen  at- 
tempted to  get  better  terms  of  capitulation,  such  as  marching  out 
■with  arms  in  their  hands  to  assist  in  protecting  themselves,  and 
riding  on  their  horses  among  the  cavalrj^  and  in  carriages.  The 
Mayor  and  General  went  out  to  see  if  the  mob  would  consent  to 
any  other  terms.  While  gone  Mr.  Hanson  made  two  propositions 
to  different  gentlemen  of  his  party,  the  one  to  hold  the  Mayor 
and  Brigadier-General  as  hostages  for  their  safety,  and  the  other 
offering  to  give  himself  up  to  the  mob,  who  would  then  be  appeased,  re- 
peating his  belief  that  every  man  would  be  sacrificed  if  they  sur- 
rendered. When  the  Mayor  and  General  Strieker  returned,  they 
informed  the  party  in  the  house  that  no  other  terms  could  be  ob- 
tained from  the  mob  than  those  first  proposed,  and  urged  their  im-* 
mediate  acceptance,  declaring  that  a  delay  of  five  minutes  might 
be  fatal.  Mr.  Hanson  still  vehemently  opposed  surrendering,  and 
said  he  had  nothing  to  say  to  the  mob,  but  would  negotiate  only 
with  the  civil  authority  in  order  to  prevent  the  effusion  of  blood, 
which  he  was  as  anxious  to  do  as  any  one.  General  Lee,  who  had 
been  chosen  to  command  the  party,  was  then  sought  for  in  the 
front  room  up  stairs.  He  was  of  opinion  that  the  proposition  of 
the  Mayor  and  General  Strieker  ought  to  be  accepted,  and  endeav- 
ored to  gain  over  Mr.  Hanson  to  his  opinion,  by  expressing  the 
warmest  confidence  in  their  sincerity  and  honor,  and  their  compe- 
tency to  aff'ord  full  protection  to  and  at  the  jail.  General  Lee  pro- 
bably saw  that  the  defence  was  wholly  desperate. 

"  The  numbers  in  the  house  had  diminished  from  about  thirty  to  • 

twent}',  by  sending  out  detachments   for  various  purposes   who  V 

could  not  return,  and  from  other  causes  not  now  satisfactorily 
known.  This  remaining  number  was  barely  sufficient  to  man  the 
essential  stations.  There  were  none  to  relieve  them.  The  effects 
of  fatigue  and  want  of  sleep  began  to  be  felt.  Those  of  hunger  and 
thirst  must  soon  be  added,  for  their  stock  of  provisions  and  water 
was  small,  and  a  supply  was  impossible.  To  a  military  man  of 
judgment  and  experience  like  General  Lee,  these  circumstances 
would  naturally  appear  in  all  their  force.  He  saw  the  defence 
necessarily  and  rapidly  becoming  weaker,  while  there  was  reason 
to  believe  that  the  attacking  force  would  greatly  and  rapidly  aug- 
ment. Being  a  soldier  too  himself,  he  could  not  doubt  a  soldier's 
honor,  nor  believe  that  Gen.  Strieker,  who  had  served  like  himself 
in  the  war  of  our  Revolution,  could  abandon  those  who  surrendered 
their  arms  on  the  faith  of  his  word.  Gen.  Lee  therefore  gave  his 
opinion  early  and  strongly  in  favor  of  a  surrender.  Several  others, 
no  doubt  from  similar  motives,  and  some  in  deference  to  his  opinion, 
declared  for  the  same  course.  But  Mr.  Hanson,  more  ardent  because 
younger,  smarting  under  wrongs  unredressed,  and  flushed  by  the 
hope  of  gaining  in  the  end  a  glorious  victory,  and  less  confiding 
21 


322  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

because  better  acquainted  with  the  weakness,  timidity  and  dispo- 
sition of  the  persons  on  whom  they  were  invited  to  rely,  strongly 
and  pertinaciously  opposed  this  sentiment  to  the  last,  contending 
that  if  the  defence  was  really  impracticable,  which  he  by  no  means 
believed,  it  was  better  to  die  there  with  the  arms  in  their  hands, 
than  to  surrender  for  the  purpose  of  being  led  through  the  streets 
like  malefactors,  and  in  the  end  massacred  by  the  mob,  against 
which  he  insisted  that  no  effectual  protection  would  be  afforded  or 
ought  to  be  expected.  The  opinion  of  Gen.  Lee,  however,  finally 
prevailed,  and  the  whole  party,  to  the  number  of  between  twenty 
and  thirty,  surrendered  themselves  into  the  hands  of  the  civil 
authority.  An  escort  of  horse  and  foot  was  provided  by  General 
Strieker,  and  they  were  conducted  from  the  house  to  the  jail.  This 
took  place  between  8  and  9  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

"  In  going  to  the  jail,  they  were  to  pass  by  a  large  pile  of  paving 
stones,  which  had  been  provided  for  paving  the  streets.  While 
the  negotiation  for  the  surrender  was  going  on,  a  plan  was  laid,  to 
massacre  the  party  at  this  pile  of  stones,  and  a  companj^from  Fell's 
Point,  headed  by  a  Mr.  Worrel,  was  to  join  the  mob  at  that  place 
for  the  purpose.  The  plan  was  to  drive  off  or  knock  down  the 
escort  with  the  stones,  and  then  beat  the  prisoners  to  death.  But 
the  pile  of  stones  was  passed  a  few  minutes  before  the  party  from 
the  Point  arrived,  and  thus  the  scheme  was  frustrated,  not  without 
two  of  the  gentlemen  receiving  severe  blows  with  stones  said  to 
be  aimed  at  Mr.  Hanson.  This  important  fact  was  related  on  the 
same  day  to  a  gentleman  by  one  of  the  chiefs  of  the  mob,  who  very 
coolly  added :  '  It  is  only  a  short  delay,  for  we  shall  take  them  out 
of  the  jail  to-night  and  put  them  to  death.'  This  intention  was 
publicly  and  frequently  avowed  in  the  course  of  the  day,  and  ex- 
press invitation  to  that  effect  was  given  in  the  principal  Democratic 
paper  of  the  city,  and  the  preparations  for  carrying  it  into  effect 
were  openly  made.  A  particular  incident  will  show  how  well  it 
was  known,  or  how  confidently  expected.  A  youth  of  the  name 
of  McCubbin,  a  clerk  in  the  counting-house  of  Hollins  and  McBlair, 
had  opened  the  counting-house  in  the  morning  as  usual,  and  after 
attending  to  his  ordinary  business,  was  led  by  curiosity  or  accident 
into  the  neighborhood  of  the  jail  at  the  moment  when  the  party 
from  the  house  entered  it.  Being  with  the  crowd,  he  was  hurried 
into  the  jail  by  mistake,  and  was  actually  locked  up  with  the  j^arty. 
Messrs.  Hollins  and  McBlair,  finding  his  situation,  and  knowing 
what  would  probably  happen  at  night,  exerted  themselves  to  the 
utmost,  with  some  of  their  friends,  to  effect  his  release,  which  they 
effected  a  little  before  night  with  very  great  difficulty.  Those 
gentlemen  despairing,  it  must  be  presumed,  of  success,  made  no 
effort,  as  far  as  is  known,  to  prevent  the  catastrophe.  Some  of 
their  friends,  however,  and  particularly  Col.  James  A.  Buchanan, 
exerted  themselves  to  the  utmost,  as  it  is  said  and  believed,  but  to 
no  purpose.     General  Strieker  and  Mr.  Johnson  being  informed  of 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  323 

the  intended  massacre,  an  order  was  obtained  in  the  legal  form  to 
call  out  the  military  for  the  protection  of  the  jail.  This  order  was 
given  to  Gen.  Strieker  by  Mr.  Johnson,  on  the  certificates  and  re- 
quisition of  two  magistrates.  Gen.  Strieker  accordingly  ordered 
out  the  fifth  regiment  (commanded  by  Col.  Joseph  Sterrett,  a  brave 
man,  and  to  be  relied  on  in  all  situations,)  but  directed  expressly 
that  they  should  be  furnished  with  blank  cartridges  only.  This  part 
of  the  order  might  very  well  deter,  and  no  doubt  did  deter  many  of 
the  well-disposed  militia  from  turning  out.  They  might  well  sup- 
pose that  the  order  might  by  some  means  become  known  to  the 
mob,  who  far  from  being  intimidated  by  the  appearance  of  soldiers 
known  to  be  unarmed,  would  naturally  consider  it,  as  it  was,  a 
pledge  for  their  perfect  impunity,  and  might  probably  slaughter 
the  soldiers  themselves.  The  general  exasperation,  moreover, 
which  prevailed  on  account  of  the  events  of  the  morning,  which, 
as  always  happens  on  such  occasions,  had  been  wholl}^  misrepre- 
sented, and  were  almost  universally  misunderstood,  was  so  high 
that  great  numbers  of  the  militia  and  some  entire  companies,  espe- 
cially one  of  the  cavalry,  absolutely  refused  to  turn  out ;  many,  it 
may  be  supposed,  were  prevented  by  their  fears.  Yet  notwith- 
standing all  these  unfavorable  circumstances  a  number  did  appear,, 
which  is  stated  by  some  to  have  been  sixty,  and  by  others  not  more 
than  thirty.  Col.  Sterrett  was  at  the  head  of  this  fragment  of  his 
regiment ;  Col.  Samuel  Sterrett,  who  commands  one  of  the  compa- 
nies,  was  also  at  his  post;  so  was  Major  liichard  K.  Heath.  The 
other  officers  who  appeared  are  not  recollected.  The  Brigadier- 
General  himself,  after  his  solemn  pledge  of  his  word  and  honor  as 
an  ofiicer  and  a  man  in  the  presence  of  God,  did  not  appear.  He 
was  not  seen  with  the  troops,  and  if  seen  in  the  streets  at  all,  it 
was  in  his  common  dress  with  a  rattan  in  his  hand.  He  nowhere 
showed  himself  as  the  commander  of  the  militia,  made  no  call  in  person 
on  the  troops  or  the  citizens  to  rally  around  him,  but  contented 
himself  with  barely  doing  what  was  required  of  him,  according  to 
the  strict  letter,  by  ordering  out  a  part  of  the  militia,  and  rendered 
that  order  futile  and  nugatory,  or  worse,  by  combining  it  with  an 
order  to  come  without  effective  arms.  This  part  of  his  order  was 
however  disobeyed  by  many,  if  not  all  of  the  militia  who  came 
out:  resolved  not  to  be  exposed  to  massacre  by  this  unaccountable 
conduct  of  theirgeneral,  they  furnished  themselves  as  well  as  they 
could  with  ball-cartridges. 

"  In  the  afternoon,  while  the  troops  were  ordered  out,  and  while 
they  were  assembling,  Mr.  Johnson,  Mayor,  went  to  the  jail,  ac- 
companied by  Mr.  Hargrove,  register  of  the  city,  and  together 
with  Gen.  Strieker,  Judge  Job  Smith,  Mr.  Wilson,  magistrate,  Mr. 
Calhoun,  brigade  inspector,  visited  the  gentlemen  in  the  jail,  to  in- 
form them  of  the  efforts  that  were  making,  and  would  be  made  for 
their  protection.  They  renewed  their  solemn  assurances  of  pro- 
tection, and  told  the  party  to  rest  satisfied,  as  the  military  would 


324  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

be  out  in  a  very  short  time,  when  there  would  be  no  danger  of  an 
attack  upon  the  jail.  A  butcher  by  the  name  of  Mumma,  and  two 
others,  understood  to  be  prominent  in  the  mob,  entered  the  room 
in  company  with  the  Mayor  and  remained  after  him.  While  the 
interview  between  the  Mayor,  General,  &c.,  and  the  gentlemen  con- 
tinued, this  butcher  was  employed  in  observing  and  most  atten- 
tively remarking  their  countenances  and  their  dress.  As  many  of 
them  were  strangers  in  Baltimore,  his  object  no  doubt  was  to  enable 
himself  to  identify  them,  and  point  them  out  to  his  associates, 
when  the  massacre  should  commence.  This  very  butcher  did  stand 
at  the  first  iron  grate  and  knock  down  the  gentlemen  as  they  were 
brought  out.  It  was  by  him,  so  stationed,  that  Mr.  Hanson  was 
first  recognized  and  shockingly  beaten.  In  the  course  of  the  after- 
noon the  gentlemen  were  apprised  from  various  quarters  of  the 
fate  which  awaited  them  at  night,  and  particularly  a  gentleman 
of  the  Democratic  party  (who  is  nevertheless  a  man  of  honor, 
courage  and  humanity),  after  struggling  in  vain  to  provide  means 
of  protection,  or  to  avert  the  danger,  informed  them  of  all  they 
had  to  expect. 

"  The  door  of  the  room  in  which  they  were  confined  was  very 
strong;  composed  of  thick  iron  bars  fastened  together,  so  as  to 
make  a  grate,  it  enabled  them  to  see  what  was  done  on  the 
outside,  while  if  kept  locked,  it  was  capable  of  affording  them  a 
very  considerable  defence.  That  they  might  make  the  most  of 
this  feej^le  resource,  in  the  apprehended  absence  of  all  others,  they 
sent  for  the  turnkey,  and  requested  him  to  lock  the  door  and  give 
them  the  key.  This  he  promised,  but  did  not  perform.  They  sent 
to  him  again  and  reminded  him  of  his  promise,  which  he  repeated 
and  again  neglected.  They  saw  no  more  of  him  until  the  slaughter 
commenced. 

"  The  militia  having  assembled  in  front  of  their  Colonel's  quar- 
ters in  Gay  street,  at  a  very  considerable  distance  from  the  jail, 
the  General,  instead  of  putting  himself  at  their  head,  endeavoring 
to  increase  their  numbers  and  leading  them  to  the  jail,  left  them 
standing  in  Gay  street;  and  hearing  that  the  mob  had  assembled 
at  the  jail  in  great  numbers,  he  and  the  Mayor,  accompanied  by 
John  Montgomery,  Attorney-General  of  the  State,  went  to  them  a 
little  before  sunset  to  expostulate  with  them  on  the  impropriety  of 
their  conduct  and  persuade  them  to  disperse.  The  object  which 
the  mob  then  thought  proper  to  avow  openly,  was  to  prevent  the 
gentlemen  from  being  admitted  to  bail.  An  assurance  being  given 
to  them  bj^  the  Attorney-General  and  the  Judge  that  bail  should 
not  be  received  before  next  day,  they  are  said  to  have  declared 
themselves  satisfied  and  to  have  promised  to  disperse.  Some  of 
them,  no  doubt,  made  such  a  declaration  and  promise,  with  what 
intentions  will  soon  appear.  General  Strieker  and  Mr.  Johnson, 
Mayor,  thought  fit  to  be  satisfied  with  these  assurances.  Some  of 
their  friends,  supposed  to  be  men  of  influence  among  the  mob,  are 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  325 

said  to  have  obtained  similar  assurances,  and  to  have  been  equally 
satisfied.  Be  that  as  it  may,  the  Brigadier-G-eneral,  the  Mayor  of 
the  city,  and  the  Attorney-General  of  the  State  left  the  jail  with 
the  mob  still  assembled  before  it,  and  went  into  the  city  proclaim- 
ing that  everything  was  settled  and  all  danger  at  an  end.  On 
this  ground  Gen.  Strieker  dismissed  a  body  of  militia  under  Major 
Heath,  which  he  met  on  his  way  from  the  jail,  notwithstanding  the 
advice  and  remonstrance  of  Major  Heath,  who  exhorted  them  to 
go  once  more  to  the  jail  before  they  were  dismissed  and  see  whether 
all  was  safe.  From  Major  Heath  he  proceeded  to  Colonel  Sterrett, 
and  ordered  him  to  dismiss  the  party  which  was  under  arms  in 
Gay  street,  an  order  which  Mr.  Sterrett  obeyed  with  a  heavy 
heart.  Gen.  Strieker  then  proceeded  through  the  town  to  his  own 
house,  which  is  in  a  part  still  more  distant  from  the  jail,  and  on  his 
way  he  proclaimed  that  everything  was  settled,  all  danger  over, 
and  no  further  need  of  any  protecting  force.  By  this  means  he 
dispersed  a  number  of  citizens  who  had  assembled  with  a  view  of 
giving  their  aid.  When  he  reached  his  own  house  he  shut  himself 
up  and  ordered  himself  to  be  denied,  or  was  out  of  the  way. 

"  The  dismissal  of  the  military  was  instantly  made  known  to  the 
mob  at  the  jail  by  their  associates  stationed  for  that  purpose,  and 
they  regarded  it,  as  was  natural,  as  the  signal  for  attack.  They 
immediately  made  a  furious  attack  on  the  outward  doors  of  the 
jail,  which  being  observed  by  a  gentleman  who  happened  at  that 
moment  to  pass  on  horseback,  he  rode  full  speed  to  Gen.  Strieker's 
house,  to  give  him  the  information.  He  was  told  that  Gen.  Strieker 
was  not  at  home.  Inquiring  where  he  was,  and  expressing  a  strong 
desire  to  see  him,  in  order  to  give  him  the  information,  the  gentle- 
man w^as  told  that  'Gen.  Strieker  could  not  be  seen  ;  and  that  if  he 
could,  it  would  be  unavailing,  for  he  had  already  done  all  he  could 
or  would  do.'  The  gentleman  then  went  in  quest  of  the  Mayor,  who 
fearing  or  being  informed  of  what  happened,  had  gone  to  the  jail 
with  two  or  three  men  supposed  to  have  influence  with  the  mob, 
whom  he  had  engaged  to  assist  him.  With  them  he  attempted  to 
prevent  the  doors  from  being  forced  open ;  but  his  attempts  were 
fruitless,  and  at  length  his  assistants,  fearing  for  his  safety  and 
their  own,  almost  forced  him  away.  The  attack  then  proceeded 
without  further  hindrance  or  fear  of  interruption  ;  and  when  the 
violence  of  the  attack  upon  the  outward  door  to  the  east  increased, 
a  voice  from  within  was  heard  sa^^ing,  '  Come  round  to  the  other 
door!' — which  they  were  seen  to  do  by  some  of  (the  gentlemen  in 
prison.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  was  in  the  power  of  Gen. 
Strieker  to  prevent  or  easily  repel  this  attack.  Had  he  put  on  his 
uniform,  mounted  on  horseback,  put  himself  at  the  head  of  such  of 
the  military  as  had  assembled,  called  for  more  force,  exhorted  the 
citizens  to  volunteer,  and  marched  to  the  jail  with  all  the  force 
which  he  could  thus  collect — had  he,  as  his  duty  and  plighted 
honor  required,  taken  post  at  or  in  the  jail,  even  with  the  small 


326  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

body  of  militia  which  had  assembled,  the  mob  would  unquestionably 
have  been  deterred  or  repulsed.  But  he  was  blind  to  all  such  con- 
siderations, and  left  the  mob  to  their  course  by  dismissing  the 
military,  and  infusing  a  false  and  fatal  security  into  the  citizens. 
But  above  all,  after  the  massacre,  when  it  was  discovered  that  some 
of  the  persons  thrown  into  the  pile  of  the  supposed  slain  were  not 
quite  dead,  and  might  be  restored,  intelligence  of  the  fact  was 
carried  to  town.  Upon  receiving  the  information,  a  distinguished 
gentleman  went  to  Gen.  Strieker's  house  and  had  him  called  out 
of  bed.  He  communicated  to  the  General  the  joyful  tidings,  and 
added,  'the  physicians  will  go  out  to  preserve  all  they  can,  if  you 
will  furnish  a  guard  or  go  with  them.'  The  General  said  he  was 
fatigued,  had  lost  his  rest  the  night  before,  and  it  was  an  improbable 
tale  that  any  of  the  prisoners  were  alive.  The  gentleman  urged  and 
remonstrated,  offering  to  bring  him  a  horse  immediately,  but  the 
General  flatly  declined,  and  returned  to  his  bed  to  find  repose. 
God  of  Heaven  !  did  he  sleep? — he 'who  hath  murdered  sleep!' 
slaughtered  honor,  patriotism  and  courage,  ensnared  by  treachery; 
betrayed  the  brave,  and  handed  them  over  to  the  executioner,  to  be 
tortured  in  a  manner  until  now  unknown  in  the  annals  of  all  time, 
to  satiate  the  bloody  appetites  of  cannibals  and  tigers  in  human 
form.  Have  not  ages  of  wickedness  and  barbarity  and  guilt  been 
crowded  into  days?  An  all-wise  and  good  Providence  will  avenge 
these  horrid  enormities. 

*'•  The  mob  gained  possession  of  the  principal  entrance  into  the 
prison,  but  there  were  still  two  very  strong  doors  to  be  forced  be- 
fore they  could  reach  the  party  within.  One  of  these  doors  de- 
tained them  more  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour.  Whether  it  was  finally 
forced  or  unlocked  is  not  known.  When  they  reached  the  last  door, 
after  a  few  slight  blows  it  was  unlocked.  Bentley,  the  jailor,  was 
the  first  man  who  entered  the  room,  to  the  best  of  these  deponents' 
recollection,  and  was  instantly  followed  by  the  mob  ;  he  was  prob- 
ably compelled  to  unlock  the  door.  From  this  it  appears  that  a 
very  small  military  guard  posted  in  the  first  entry  of  the  jail,  es- 
pecially with  the  Brigadier-General  and  the  Mayor  at  their  head, 
w^ould  have  been  a  sufficient  protection.  This  was  the  post  in 
which  the  plighted  faith  and  honor  of  Gen.  Strieker  should  have 
placed  him ;  but  his  pledge  was  forgotten  or  neglected,  and  the 
post  was  left  whoU}^  unguarded. 

"When  the  victims  saw  the  danger  approach  nearer  and 
nearer  they  calmly  prepared  ibr  their  fate,  but  resolved  to  make 
every  possible  effort  for  effecting  their  escape.  They  had  three  or 
four  pistols  among  them,  and  one  or  two  dirks.  It  was  proposed 
ae  soon  as  the  last  door  should  be  forced  they  should  shoot  as 
many  of  the  assailants  with  these  pistols,  for  which  there  was  no 
second  charge,  as  possible.  Mr.  Hanson  dissuaded  from  this 
course,  saying  it  would  be  of  no  avail  to  kill  one  or  two  of  the 
mob,  and  would  only  increase  their  fury  and  render  escape  more 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  327 

difficult.  He  strongly  recommended  that  they  should  all  rush 
among  the  mob,  put  out  all  the  lights,  create  as  much  confusion  as 
possible,  and  by  that  means  many  would  escape.  As  for  himself, 
he  would  be  recognized  ;  but  every  man  must  do  the  best  to  save 
himself.  All  seemed  at  once  to  embrace  the  plan  ;  but  when  the 
mob  were  about  entering  the  last  door,  Mr.  Murray  and  Mr.  Thomp- 
son presented  their  pistols,  the  former  saying  very  familiarly,  'My 
lads,  you  had  better  retire,  I  can  shoot  either  of  you.'  It  was  re- 
plied, '  I  can  kill  you,'  by  the  mob.  Murray  rejoined,  '  I  can  kill 
any  one  of  you  first.'  Mr.  Thompson  was  also  disposed  to  fire,  but 
General  Lee  and  Mr.  Hanson  urged  to  the  contrary,  and  the  mob 
coming  in,  were  rushed  upon,  and  the  confusion  commenced. 

"  The  plan  proposed  by  Mr.  Hanson  availed  many  of  his  friends, 
who  escaped  almost,  and  some  entirel}^  unhurt,  to  the  number  of 
nine  or  ten,  who  made  their  way  through  the  crowd  in  the  confu- 
sion that  ensued.  But  it  was  useless  to  himself,  because  he  was 
known  to  Mumma  the  butcher,  who  recognized  and  knocked  him 
down  after  he  had  made  good  his  way  to  the  lobby,  as  it  is  called, 
or  hall  of  the  jail.  He  was  then  dreadfully  beaten,  trampled  on, 
and  pitched  for  dead  down  the  high  flight  of  stairs  in  front  of  the 
jail.  The  purpose  for  which  Mumma  came  into  the  prison  room 
in  the  evening  now  appeared.  He  was  posted  at  the  door  to 
mark  the  victims  as  they  came  out,  and  designated  them  for 
slaughter  by  giving  each  a  blow  or  two,  which  was  the  signal  for 
his  associates,  who  proceeded  to  finish  what  he  had  begun.  The 
fate  of  Mr.  Hanson  befel  General  Lee,  General  Lingan,  Mr.  Hall, 
Mr.  Nelson,  Mr.  Kilgour,  Major  Musgrove,  Dr.  P.  Warfield,  and 
Mr.  Wm.  Gaither,  all  of  whom  were  thrown  down  the  steps  of  the 
jail,  where  they  lay  in  a  heap  nearly  three  hours. 

"During  this  whole  time  the  mob  continued  to  torture  their 
mangled  bodies,  by  beating  first  one  and  then  the  other,  stickin 
pen-knives  into  their  faces  and  hands,  and  opening  their  eyes  an 
dropping  hot  candle-grease  into  them,  &c.  Mr.  Murray,  Mr. 
Thompson  and  Mr.  \Yinchester  were  carried  in  a  different  direction 
and  not  thrown  into  the  heap  of  supposed  slain.  Major  Musgrove 
was  the  last  who  remained  in  the  prison  room  when  the  mob  broke 
in.  While  the  slaughter  of  his  friends  was  going  on  in  the  passage 
in  his  view,  he  calmly  walked  about  the  room  waiting  for  a  fate 
which  he  saw  no  possibility  of  averting.  At  length  one  of  the 
assassins  came  and  called  him  out.  He  went,  and  was  attacked  in 
the  entry,  knocked  down  and  beaten  till  he  was  supposed  by 
the  butchers  to  be  dead.  Some  of  the  victims  were  rendered  wholly 
insensible  by  the  first  blows  which  they  received.  Others  who 
preserved  their  senses  and  recollection,  resolved  to  feign  death,  in 
hopes  of  thus  escaping  farther  injury.  The  brave  Gen.  Lingan  lost 
his  life  by  his  endeavors  to  save  it.  He  so  much  mistook  the  char- 
acter of  the  monsters  as  to  suppose  them  capable  of  some  feelings 
of  humanity.    He  reminded  them  that  he  had  fought  for  their 


328  CHRONICLES  OF   BALTIMORE. 

liberties  throughout  the  Eevolutionaiy  war,  that  he  was  old  and  in- 
firm, and  that  he  had  a  large  and  helpless  family  dependent  on  him 
for  support.  These  remarks  served  only  to  attract  their  attention 
to  him  and  to  inform  them  that  he  was  still  alive.  Every  suppli- 
cation was  answered  by  fresh  insults  and  blows.  At  length,  while 
Ke  was  still  endeavoring  to  speak  and  to  stretch  out  his  hands 
for  mercy,  one  of  the  assassins  stamped  upon  his  breast,  struck 
Ijim  many  blows  in  rapid  succession,  crying  out,  ^the  damned  old 
rascal  is  hardest  dying  of  all  of  tliem^  and  repeating  the  opprobrious 
epithet  oi  Tory  I  These  blows  put  an  end  to  his  torment  and  his 
Ufe.  In  a  few  minutes  after  his  removal  into  jail  he  expired  with- 
out a  groan.  His  name  will  be  immortal  as  his  soul.  While  Gen. 
Lee's  mangled  body  lay  exposed  upon  the  bare  earth,  one  of  the 
monsters  attempted  to  cut  off  his  nose,  but  missed  his  aim,  though 
he  thereby  gave  him  a  bad  wound  in  the  nose.  Either  the  same 
person  or  another  attempted  to  thrust  a  knife  into  the  eye  of  Gen. 
jDee,  who  had  again  raised  himself  up.  The  knife  glanced  on  the 
cheek-bone,  and  the  General  being  immediately  by  the  side  of  Mr. 
Hanson,  fell  with  his  head  upon  his  breast,  where  he  lay  for  some 
minutes,  when  he  was  kicked  or  knocked  off.  A  quantity  of  his 
blood  was  left  on  Mr.  Hanson's  breast,  on  observing  which  one  of 
the  mob  shortly  afterwards  exclaimed  exultingly,  'See  Hanson's 
brains  on  his  breast ! ' 

''During  these  horrid  scenes,  several  of  the  gentlemen,  Mr.  Nel- 
son, Dr.  Warfield,  Mr.  Kilgour,  Mr.  J.  E.  Hall,  and  Mr.  Hanson, 
perfectly  retained  their  senses.  They  sustained  without  betraying 
any  signs  of  life,  or  gratifying  their  butchers  with  a  groan  or 
murmur,  all  the  tortures  that  were  inflicted  on  them.  They  heard 
without  showing  any  emotion,  the  deliberations  of  the  assassins 
about  the  manner  of  disposing  of  their  bodies.  At  one  time  it 
was  proposed  to  throw  them  all  into  the  sink  of  the  jail.  Others 
thought  it  best  to  dig  a  hole  and  bury  them  all  together  immediately. 
Some  advised  that  they  should  be  thrown  into  Jones  Falls,  a  stream 
which  runs  in  front  of  the  jail.  Some  that  they  should  be  cas- 
trated. Others  again  were  for  tarring  and  feathering  them,  and 
directed  a  cart  to  be  brought  for  that  purpose  to  carry  them  about 
town.  Others  insisted  upon  cutting  all  their  throats  upon  the 
spot,  to  make  sure  of  them.  And  lastly,  it  was  resolved  to  hang 
them  next  morning  and  have  them  dissected.  Pointing  to 
Hanson,  and  jobbing  him  severely  with  a  stick  on  the  privates,  one 
exclaimed,  '  this  fellow  shall  be  dissected.'  Being  particularly  de- 
sirous of  insulting  and  mangling  the  body  of  Mr.  Hanson,  but 
finding  great  difficulty  in  identifying  it,  they  at  length  thought 
of  examining  his  sleeve-buttons,  supposing  they  should  there 
find  the  initials  of  his  name.  It  was  insisted  by  some  one  present 
that  he  knew  Hanson  well,  and  it  was  not  him  but  Hoffman.  Be- 
fore they  seemed  to  have  settled  the  dispute,  their  attention  was 
attracted  to  some  other  object. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE,  329 

"  Dr.  Hall,  personally  unknown  to  all  but  one,  it  is  believed,  of 
the  sufferers,  was  instrumental  in  rescuing  them  from  the  mob, 
which  he  did  by  a  stratagem  which  will  endear  him  to  all  good  men 
and  brighten  his  course  through  life.  He,  with  the  aid  of  others 
not  now  known,  induced  the  mob  to  place  the  supposed  dead  bodies 
under  his  care  until  morning,  and  he  conveyed  them  into  the  jail 
to  the  room  whence  they  were  first  taken.  There  he  was  assisted 
by  Drs.  Birkhead,  Smith,  Owen,  and  a  gentleman  who  assumed  the 
name  of  Dr.  Page,  but  is  better  known  by  the  title  of  the  '  Boston 
Beauty,'  and  was  extremely  active  in  assisting  Dr.  Hall  to  admin- 
ister drinks  and  opiates.  Having  examined  their  wounds,  some 
of  the  doctors  went  to  town  privately  for  carriages  to  carry  off  the 
bodies.  By  management  they  had  induced  nearly  all  the  mob  to 
retire  till  morning.  Some  of  them  no  doubt  being  fatigued,  retired 
to  rest  and  refresh  themselves.  A  large  part  followed  Mr.  Thomp- 
son, who  had  been  carried  off  in  the  manner  stated  in  his  narrative. 
Some  perhaps  felt  sated  with  the  cruelties  already  committed,  and 
withdrew.  The  remainder  were  in  a  measure  exhausted,  and  the 
two  Democratic  physicians,  Drs.  Hall  and  Owen,  had  the  address 
ultimately  to  prevail  on  all  of  them  to  leave  the  jail  for  the  present. 
While  the  ph^'sicians  were  gone  for  carriages,  Mr.  Hanson  proposed 
to  Drs.  Hall  and  Owen  to  convey  him  if  possible  to  Mr.  Murray's, 
about  three  miles  off,  where  his  family  was  on  a  visit.  He  said  it 
was  likely  he  might  live  until  morning,  when  if  he  remained  in 
jail  he  would  be  again  taken  by  the  mob.  He  was  told  carriages 
would  soon  be  at  the  jail,  but  upon  discovering  impatience.  Dr. 
Owen  went  out  to  see  if  he  could  be  safely  carried  off  at  once. 
When  he  returned,  Bentley  came  with  him,  and  Mr.  H.  again  urged 
his  removal,  upon  which  Bentley  objected,  saying  that  he  had  no 
right  to  permit  the  prisoners  to  go  away,  as  they  were  in  custody. 
He  was  answered  by  Mr.  H.  that  the  jail  being  broken  open  and 
the  prisoners  rescued  by  the  mob  and  brought  back  for  security, 
without  being  recommitted,  he  could  not  be  blamed.  Bentley  re- 
plied '  very  well,  do  as  you  please.'  A  person  then  presented  him- 
self and  offered  to  carry  Mr.  H.  off,  who  fell  and  fainted  several 
times  upon  attempting  to  rise.  Dr.  Owen  recommended  and  gave 
him  a  glass  of  brandy,  which  he  took,  and  was  quickly  invigorated, 
and  enabled  with  the  aid  of  his  deliverer  to  stand  up  and  walk. 
He  asked  to  be  carried  to  Gen.  Lingan,  over  whose  dead  body  he 
stood  for  a  moment,  and  was  hurried  off.  When  he  got  to  the  out- 
ward jail  door  he  was  taken  on  the  back  of  his  deliverer,  who  ran 
with  him  to  the  Falls,  conveyed  him  over,  and  helped  him  over  into 
a  small  garden  opposite,  where  he  was  told  to  lie  until  called  for. 
After  Ijnng  some  time  wrapped  up  in  a  blanket  he  heard  a  wrangle 
at  the  jail,  and  concluded  it  was  the  best  time  to  crawl  away  as 
well  as  he  could,  which  he  did  to  a  place  of  safety,  whence  he  was 
conveyed  in  the  morning  at  daylight  some  distance  from  town. 
Mr.  !Nelson  and  Mr.  J.  E.  Hall  left  the  jail  at  the  same  time  Mr. 


330  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

Hanson  did.  The  former,  though  among  the  most  injured,  found 
his  way  to  a  secure  retreat  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  Mr.  H., 
and  was  taken  in  a  cart  covered  w^ith  hay  to  the  same  house  in  the 
countiy,  where  the  wounds  of  both  of  them  were  dressed,  and  they 
were  taken  to  Anne  Arundel  county  without  delay.  Mr.  Hall  got 
unassisted  to  the  house  of  a  humane  gentleman  up  the  Falls,  near 
the  jail.  This  gentleman  dressed  his  wounds,  put  him  to  bed,  and 
early  in  the  morning  sent  him  further  into  the  country.  The  names 
of  all  the  others  who  escaped  in  this  manner  are  not  yet  known. 
By  whom  or  with  what  intention  he  is  ignorant,  but  Mr.  Murray 
was  carried  by  some  persons  and  laid  on  the  ground  by  the  Falls. 
They  left  him  there,  probably  supposing  he  was  dead,  and  all  went 
away  but  one.  That  person,  after  all  the  rest  were  gone,  approached 
Mr.  Murray  and  laid  his  hand  upon  him.  He  took  the  hand  of 
the  man  and  pressed  it.  He  started  with  surprise  and  dread  at 
feeling  his  hand  pressed  by  what  he  had  supposed  to  be  a  corpse. 
Murray  then  begged  his  assistance  to  escape,  which  he  promised, 
adding  that  he  was  one  of  the  mob,  but  thought  'there  should  be 
fair  play.'  He  then  assisted  Murray  to  rise,  and  conducted  him  to 
a  neighboring  hovel,  whence  at  Murray's  request  he  went  into 
town  to  inform  his  friends  where  he  was  and  conduct  them  to  the 
place.  This  office  he  faithfully  and  successfully  performed,  though 
80  much  intoxicated  as  to  be  hardly  able  to  Walk.  Murray's  friends 
thus  conducted,  came  and  removed  him  to  a  place  of  safety. 

"  Gen.  Lee  was  taken  to  the  hospital,  where  his  wounds  were 
dressed  bj'  the  physician,  and  he  received  ever.y  assistance  of  which 
his  deplorable  and  mangled  situation  admitted.  Hence  he  was 
next  day  conveyed  to  tbe  country,  and  arrived  at  Little  York, 
where  he  is  said  to  be  doing  well.  Major  Miisgrove,  it  is  under- 
stood, was  also  taken  to  the  hospital,  and  carried  the  next  da}^  four 
miles  above  Ellicott's  Mills,  on  the  Montgomery  road.  A  mortifica- 
tion having  taken  place  in  some  of  his  wounds  after  he  reached 
home,  his  life  was  for  a  time  despaired  of;  but  the  skill  and  atten- 
tion of  Dr.  Charles  A.Warfield,  Dr.  Matthews  and  Dr.  Allen  Thomas, 
have  preserved  this  gallant  officer,  and  he  is  now  out  of  danger. 

"  Dr.  Peregrine  Warfield,  Mr.  Charles  J.  Kilgour  and  Mr.  William 
Gaither,  all  of  them  much  mangled,  were  conveyed,  without  molesta- 
tion, in  a  hack  brought  by  the  physicians  about  four  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  to  Ellicott's  Mills,  and  thence  to  the  house  of  the  father 
of  Dr.  P.  W.,  about  twenty -four  miles  from  town.  They  are  all 
recovering. 

"  It  would  remain  now  to  relate  the  last  act  of  this  horrible  and 
bloody  tragedy,  which  includes  the  fate  of  Mr.  Thompson,  now  safe 
and  recovering  in  Little  York,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  the  unhappy 
victim  reserved,  for  what  special  cause  is  unknown,  by  the  butchers 
for  their  infernal  pastime.  His  narrative,  already  before  the  public, 
saves  us  the  pain  of  describing  the  unheard-of  tortures  which 
untamed  ferocity  delighted  to  inflict  on  him.     His  prayers  to  put 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  331 

an  end  to  his  sufferings  by  death  were  inhumanly  rejected  as  often 
as  repeated. 

"  Such  are  the  particulars  of  this  atrocious  and  bloody  affair 
which  it  has  hitherto  been  possible  to  collect  in  an  authentic  shape, 
and  a  parallel  to  which  is  scarcely  to  be  found  in  the  annals  of 
revolutionary  France,  even  after  the  actors  in  similar  scenes  there  had 
become  hardened  by  custom  and  familiar  to  deeds  of  horror,  cruelty 
and  crime.  The  bloodhounds  of  republican  France  massacred  by 
thousands  those  obnoxious  to  their  vengeance,  but  they  dispatched 
their  victims  quickly,  rarely  ever  resorting  to  such  lingering  tor- 
tures as  the  exclusive  republicans  of  this  boasted  land  of  liberty 
and  happiness  have  the  credit  of  inventing.  It  is  proposed,  as  soon 
as  practicable,  to  obtain  from  each  of  the  gentlemen  a  separate 
statement  on  oath  o^  what  he  suffered  himself,  and  of  all  that  passed 
within  his  observation.  Meantime,  the  above  statement  must  re- 
ceive universal  credit,  every  material  circumstance  being  embraced 
in  the  introductory  affidavit.  The  intended  statements  will  be 
published  in  order  to  give  a  fuller  view  of  these  horrible  scenes. 
While  they  hold  up  to  merited  detestation  those  who,  b}^  their 
active  co-operation,  connivance,  or  their  dastardly  and  treacherous 
supineness,  contributed  to  produce  the  catastrophe,  they  will  serve 
as  a  beacon  to  warn  the  civil  and  military  authority  of  other 
places  of  the  danger  of  temporising  with  the  most  ferocious,  ruth- 
less and  bloody  of  all  monsters,  a  mob  ;  while  they  teach  an  in- 
structive lesson  to  the  honest,  but  deluded  citizen,  seduced  by  the 
syren  charms  of  democracy.  The  persons  named  in  the  above 
affidavit  have  read  with  mingled  regret  and  indignation  the  partial, 
mutilated  and  unjust  report  of  the  local  authorities  in  Baltimore, 
while  they  have  seen  annexed  to  it  with  grief  and  amazement  the 
signatures  of  some  worthy  and  hitherto  firm  and  independent 
citizens.  Understanding  that  the  justification  made  for  the  barbar- 
ous cruelties  which  treachery  and  black  malignity  procured  to  be 
inflicted  upon  them,  is  that  an  extensive  conspiracy  was  formed  to 
murder  or  otherwise  molest  the  citizens  of  Baltimore,  the  above 
named  do,  therefore,  solemnly  swear  that  no  such  conspiracy  or 
association  even  was  ever  formed,  but  merely  a  determination 
entered  into  by  less  than  a  dozen  gentlemen  in  the  country  to 
protect  the  person  and  property  of  Mr.  Hanson,  and  defend  the 
liberty  of  the  press  with  their  lives  if  necessary.  This  determina- 
tion remains  unaltered.  The  letters  of  Col.  Lynn,  whose  advice 
was  volunteered,  John  Hanson  Thomas  and  Mr.  Taney,  have  been 
disingenuously  perverted  to  an  unjust  and  infamous  purpose. 

"  Eockville,  August  12th,  1812." 

"  Narrative  of  John  Thompson,  one  of  the  persons  intended  to  be 
massacred  with  General  Lingan  and  others,  in  the  jail  of  Balti- 
more, on  Tuesday,  the  28th  of  July,  1812: 

"  On  Monday,  the  27th  of  July  last,  1  was  invited  by  Mr.  Han- 


332  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

son  to  his  house,  and  in  tha  evening  about  twilight  I  went  there, 
and  found  from  15  to  16  gentlemen  in  his  house,  most  of  them 
known  to  me.  I  was  told  that  an  attack  upon  the  house  was 
threatened  that  night,  which  they  had  made  preparations  to  resist 
and  defeat.  I  saw  some  muskets,  pistols,  and  swords  in  the  house, 
for  the  purpose  of  defence.  After  being  there  some  time,  I  under- 
stood an  arrangement  had  been  made,  that  in  case  of  an  attack,  the 
direction  of  the  defence  was  appointed  to  Gen.  Lee.  About  8 
o'clock,  a  number  of  persons  were  collecting  at  the  front  of  the 
house,  who  were  very  noisy,  and  began  to  throw  stones  at  the 
windows,  and  they  broke  several  of  them.  The  house  was  in  front 
completely  closed,  the  door  and  inside  window-shutters  being 
shut,  till  the  stones  broke  the  glass  and  burst  open  the  shutters. 
Mr.  Hanson  spoke  from  the  second  story  to  the  mob,  and  told  them 
if  they  did  not  desist  they  would  fire  upon  them,  and  he  warned 
the  spectators  to  go  away.  Gen.  Lee  in  the  house  told  them  not 
to  fire  unless  it  should  be  absolutely  necessary  and  the  doors  were 
forced.  The  mob  continued  to  increase  and  to  throw  stones  more 
violently,  which  broke  the  windows  of  the  first  and  second  stories. 
Gen.  Lee  directed  a  volley  to  be  fired  from  the  upper  story  over 
the  heads  of  the  people  in  the  street,  to  frighten  them  away 
without  injuring  them.  This  was  executed  and  nobody  was  hurt. 
The  mob  huzzahed,  were  still  more  violent,  and  broke  open  the 
lower  door.  They  were  then  fired  upon,  and  a  man  fell  at  the 
door  upon  the  inside  thereof,  who  was  immediately  taken  up  and 
removed  by  some  of  the  mob.  This  must  have  happened  about 
10  o'clock,  or  after.  Judge  Scott  made  his  appearance  and  came 
into  the  house,  the  door  having  remained  open  after  it  was  broken. 
He  requested  us  to  leave  the  house.  He  was  told  we  should  do  no 
such  thing;  that  we  could  not  be  secure  unless  the  civil  authority 
interfered ;  that  we  were  lawfully  employed  with  Mr.  Hanson  in 
protecting  him  and  his  house  against  violence,  and  whenever  the 
mob  would  disperse  or  the  civil  authority  interfere,  we  would  retire 
to  our  homes,  and  not  before. 

"  During  the  night  we  continued  to  defend  ourselves,  and  never 
fired  but  after  some  new  and  violent  attack.  I  believe  it  probable 
several  were  wounded.  The  mob  during  the  night  retired  and 
gathered  again,  and  attempted  some  fresh  damage.  Just  about,  or 
before  daylight,  the  mob  brought  a  field-piece,  which  was  planted 
near  the  house  and  in  front  of  it,  but  was  prevented  from  being 
discharged  by  the  arrival  of  Capt.  Barney's  troop  ot  horse,  and  six 
of  them  being  dismounted,  took  possession  of  the  front  room  on  the 
first  floor,  and  of  the  back  yard,  Hanson  and  his  friends  occupied 
the  same  places  which  they  had  done  during  the  night.  So  things 
remained,  until  Edward  Johnson  the  Mayor,  General  Strieker,  John 
Montgomery  the  Attorney-General,  James  Calhoun,  Lemuel  Taylor, 
and  several  others,  arrived  and  proposed  that  we  should  leave  the 
house.     We  answered  we  had  no  objections  to  leave  the  house. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.      ^      333 

provided  the  mob  would  retire,  or  we  could  get  home  with  safety. 
The  Mayor  said  the  mob  could  not  be  dispersed,  nor  would  they  be 
satisfied  without  we  went  to  jail,  and  that  we  should  be  protected 
from  them  in  going  to  jail,  and  while  in  it.  To  this  proposal  most 
of  us  expressly  objected.  Gen.  Lee  principally  carried  on  the  con- 
versation on  our  part  with  the  Mayor  and  Gen.  Strieker.  The 
Mayor,  Gen.  Strieker,  and  Attorney-General  severally  declared  and 
assured  us,  that  we  should  be  protected  as  well  in  going  to  the  jail 
as  in  it,  and  the  Mayor  pledged  his  life  and  his  honor  that  we 
should  be  safe,  and  that  he  would  die  with  us  should  we  be  hurt. 
Gen.  Strieker  expressed  himself  in  similar  terms.  Also  Mont- 
gomery, Taylor,  Calhoun,  and  their  companions  gave  us  assurance 
of  safety  if  we  went  to  jail.  After  these  assurances,  and  finding 
the  civil  authority  would  not  make  any  exertion  to  disperse  the 
mob,  we  consented,  with  the  advice  of  Gen.  Lee,  to  deliver  ourselves 
up  to  the  civil  authority.  The  Mayor  declared  his  opinion  that  we 
would  not  be  safe  in  the  jail  without  a  guard,  and  he  and  Gen. 
Strieker  promised  there  should  be  one. 

"About  8  or  9  o'clock  on  Tuesday  forenoon  we  left  the  house, 
and  went  under  the  care  and  custody  of  the  Mayor  who  preceded 
us,  and  we  were  placed  between  two  lines  of.  infantry,  consisting, 
as  it  appeared,  of  about  50  militia:  about  20  dragoons  mounted  ad- 
vanced before  us  to  the  jail.  Gen.  Strieker  marched  on  foot  with 
the  infantry,  and  an  immense  concourse  of  people  were  in  the 
streets,  some  of  whom  went  along,  and  were  abused  in  the  most 
opprobrious  language.  Some  stones  were  thrown  with  violence  at 
us  :  one  struck  Mr.  Kilgour  and  cut  him  badly  in  the  forehead,  and 
another  struck  Mr.  Bigelow  and  nearly  knocked  him  down.  The 
distance  from  Hanson's  house  to  the  jail  was  about  one  mile.  At 
our  arrival  at  the  jail-door,  and  as  we  entered  it,  several  of  us  were 
struck  by  some  of  the  mob  whom  we  found  there.  Being  delivered 
into  the  custody  of  John  H.  Bentley,  the  jailor,  some  time  in  the 
forenoon,  we  were  put  in  a  room  in  the  common  criminal  depart- 
ment, where  we  remained  the  rest  of  the  day.  The  dragoons  and 
infantry  left  the  jail  soon  after  we  were  placed  in  it,  and  they  did 
not  return,  nor  was  there  an}^  military  guard  afterwards.  In  the 
afternoon  the  Mayor  came  to  us  in  the  jail  and  assured  us  that 
there  should  be  a  guard,  and  that  preparations  were  making  to 
send  one.  He  told  us  he  would  lose  his  own  life  before  we  should 
be  hurt.  Gen.  Strieker  was  also  at  the  jail,  outside  of  it.  The 
Mayor  having  been  with  us  about  20  minutes,  went  away,  leav- 
ing us  in  the  belief  that  there  would  be  a  guard  of  armed  militia 
sent  to  protect  us  in  the  juil.  During  the  afternoon  we  were  told 
several  times  by  persons  admitted  to  see  us,  that  the  militia  were 
calledout  and  assembling. 

"Late  in  the  afternoon  two  butchers,  one  named  Mumma  and 
the  other  Maxwell,  came  into  our  room ;  the  former  having  a  key 
in  his  hand.     Mumma  asked  the  names  of  several  of  the  prisoners 


334  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

— I  told  him.  Mr.  Hoffman  said  he  wondered  Mr.  Bentley  should 
suffer  so  many  men  to  come  into  their  room  who  had  no  business 
there.  Mumma  answered  that  he  came  there  on  Mr.  Bentley's  busi- 
ness. They  were  personally  known  to  me  and  some  of  my  fellow- 
prisoners.  We  suspected  their  intentions  were  not  good,  and  I  in- 
quired of  Mr.  Bentley  if  Mumma  was  a  friend  of  his.  Bentley 
answered  'he  pretends  to  be  so.*  I  replied,  'you  ought  to  know 
him  well  before  you  trust  the  key. of  our  room  in  his  hands,''  and  I 
proposed  that  he  should  lock  the  door  and  give  me  the  key  through 
the  grate.  On  the  inside  the  door  cannot  be  unlocked,  and  there 
was  the  outer  door  locked.  Bentley  refused,  saying,  'I  cannot  do 
so,  as  you  are  a  prisoner  under  my  care.'  The  door  was  immedi- 
ately locked  by  somebody,  and  the  mob  very  soon  began  to  assemble 
from  various  quarters,  but  no  troops  were  arriving.  This  excited 
much  alarm  in  our  room,  it  being  after  sunset,  and  we  apprehended 
we  were  to  be  sacrificed. 

"About  dark  the  back  door  of  the  jail  was  beset  by  the  mob, 
who  entered  it  without  breaking  it  by  force.  By  whom  it  was 
opened  I  do  not  know  but  by  hearsay.  They  began  to  break 
down  the  wood  and  iron  gratings  in  the  passage  leading  to  our 
room,  which  took  them  at  least  three-quarters  of  an  hour.  They 
had  the  light  of  torches.  The  grating  of  our  room  was  opened 
instantly  without  any  exertion,  which  makes  me  believe  it  was 
opened  by  some  one  having  the  key,  and  I  believe  either  by 
Mumma  or  Maxwell.  The  first  person  I  recognized  at  the  grating 
was  Henry  Keating,  who  keeps  a  printing-office,  and  him  I  should 
have  killed  with  my  pistols  but  for  Gen.  Lee,  who  laid  hold  of  my 
arm  and  begged  me  not  to  fire,  and  also  prevented  Mr.  Murray 
from  firing.  It  had  been  agreed  that  Mr.  Murray  and  myself, 
being  the  strongest  men,  should  first  rush  out  and  make  the  best 
of  our  way,  and  every  person  was  to  escape  as  he  could.  Some  of 
the  mob  rushed  into  the  room,  and  Mr.  Murray  and  myself  rushed 
out,  both  of  us  armed — I  had  a  pistol  in  each  hand,  and  he  a  dirk 
and  pistol.  We  made  our  way  through  the  passage  and  hall  with- 
out injury  till  I  was  at  the  front  outer  door,  when  I  was  struck  on 
the  back  of  my  head  with  a  heavy  club  by  some  man  I  had  passed, 
wjaich  threw  me  forward  from  the  head  of  the  steps,  and  I  fell 
headlong  down  about  twelve  feet.  There  I  saw  a  gang  of  ruffians' 
armed  with  clubs,  ready  to  destroy  whomsoever  should  pass  down 
the  steps,  and  six  or  seven  of  them  instantly  assaulted  me  while 
down,  and  beat  me  about  the  head  until  1  was  unable  to  rise. 
Some  of  them  dragged  me  twenty  or  thirty  yards  while  others 
were  beating  me  with  clubs.  They  then  tried  to  make  me  stand 
on  my  feet,  and  looking  round  I  perceived  Lemuel  Taylor,  and  I 
called  upon  him  to  prevent  those  men  from  taking  my  life.  He 
told  the  men  to  desist,  and  said  they  had  beat  me  enough,  and 
begged  them  not  to  take  my  life.  They  said  they  would  kill 
me.     He  again  repeated  that  I  was  beat  enough,  and  desired  that 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  335 

I  should  be  let  alone,  and  he  would  be  security  for  my  forthcoming 
in  the  morning.  They  disregarded  what  he  had  said.  They 
dragged  me  along,  and  it  was  proposed  to  tar  and  feather  me,  and 
as  I  went  along  they  continued  to  strike  me  with  sticks  and  clubs. 
One  fellow  struck  at  me  with  an  axe,  who  missed  me.  When  they 
had  dragged  me  a  considerable  distance,  and  into  Old  Town, 
they  met  with  a  cart  and  put  me  into  it,  and  dragged  it  along 
themselves  to  a  place  where  they  got  tar.  I  had  left  my  coat  in 
the  jail,  and  they  tore  my  shirt  and  other  clothing,  and  put  the 
tar  on  my  bare  body,  upon  which  they  put  feathers.  They  drew 
me  along  in  the  cart  in  this  condition,  and  calling  me  traitor  and 
Tory  and  other  scandalous  names,  they  did  not  cease  to  beat  me 
with  clubs  and  cut  me  with  old  rusty  swords.  I  received  upon 
my  head,  arms,  sides,  thighs,  and  back  upwards  of  eighteen  cuts 
of  the  sword.  On  mv  head  one  cut  was  very  deep,  besides  which 
my  head  was  broken  m  more  than  twelve  places  by  other  instru- 
ments, such  as  sticks  and  clubs.  I  received  a  few  blows  in  my  face, 
and  very  many  severe  bruises  on  different  parts  of  my  body.  My 
eyes  were  attempted  to  be  gouged,  and  preserved  by  means  of  the 
tar  and  feathers,  though  they  were  much  injured. 

"  About  the  same  time  as  I  was  lying  in  the  cart,  a  fellow  struck 
both  of  my  legs  with  a  bar  of  iron,  swearing,  damn  my  eyes,  '  I 
will  break  your  legs.'  I  drew  my  legs  up,  and  he  was  led  to  think 
and  to  say  he  had  broke  them.  Shortly  after  I  received  a  blow 
with  a  club  across  my  eyes,  upon  which  I  lay  as  if  dead,  supposing 
it  would  stop  their  further  beating  me.  Eemaining  so  for  some 
time,  I  was  struck  upon  my  thighs,  which  I  bore  as  if  dead.  A  vil- 
lain said  he  would  see  if  I  was  dead,  and  he  stuck  a  pin  into  my  body 
twice,  at  which  time  I  did  not  flinch,  but  I  still  remained  senseless 
as  if  dead.  Another  said  he  would  show  if  I  was  dead  ;  he  pulled  a 
handful  of  tar  and  feathers,  and  set  fire  to  it,  and  stuck  it  on  my 
back,  which  put  into  a  blaze  what  was  on  my  back.  1  turned 
over  suddenly  and  rolled  upon  the  flame,  which  put  it  out  before 
it  reached  too  great  a  height,  but  I  was  burnt  in  several  parts.  I 
then  raised  upon  my  knees  and  addressed  them:  'For  God's  sake 
be  not  worse  than  savages ;  if  you  want  my  life,  take  it  by  shooting 
or  stabbing.'  Often  I  begged  them  to  put  an  end  to  it.  Upon 
this  one  said,  'don't  burn  him;'  another  said,  'we  will  hang  him.' 
One  in  the  shafts  of  the  cart  turned  round  and  said  to  me,  '  if  you 
will  tell  the  names  of  all  in  the  house,  and  all  you  know  about  it, 
we  will  save  your  life.'  Believing  all  the  damage  was  done  which 
could  be  done  by  them,  I  did  not  hesitate  to  say  I  would.  They 
took  me  out  of  the  cart  upon  the  causeway  at  Fell's  Point,  and 
carried  me  to  the  Bull's  Head  tavern.  There  I  gave  them  the 
names  of  all  the  persons  in  the  house  (most  of  them  already  known 
to  them,)  which  they  took  in  writing,  and  the  reason  of  our  being 
in  the  house  was  to  defend  Mr.  Hanson  and  his  house  against 
violence  with  which  he  had  been  threatened.     They  detained  me 


336  CHRONICLES  OF   BALTIMORE. 

about  an  hour  at  this  tavern,  and  offered  me  some  whiskey,  of 
which  I  took  several  glasses,  being  extremely  thirsty  and  weak 
from  the  loss  of  blood.  They  then  made  me  walk  with  several 
persons  on  each  side  upholding  me,  towards  the  watch-house, 
where  they  said  I  should  be  kept  till  the  morning,  and  that  I 
should  swear  to  what  I  had  said  before  a  magistrate  by  9  o'clock, 
or  if  I  did  not  they  would  hang  me. 

"  On  my  way  I  was  unable  to  proceed,  and  stopped  twice  to 
rest.  When  I  first  stopped,  some  of  them  said  they  had  got  all 
they  could  out  of  me  and  they  would  now  hang  me.  I  rose  and 
went  on,  and  some  who  were  against  hanging  me  followed,  and  I 
was  obliged  by  weakness  to  stop  again,  when  it  was  proposed  again 
to  hang  me ;  and  one  person  said  they  would  cut  off  my  head  and 
stick  it  on  a  pole.  The  vote  was  taken  and  carried  for  hanging  me, 
but  some  said  they  should  not  hang  me,  that  my  life  had  been  pro- 
mised upon  condition  of  disclosing  what  I  knew,  and  that  the  in- 
formation I  might  give  them  would  be  of  use  to  them.  I  was  then 
moved  to  the  watch-house,  and  delivered  to  the  captain  of  the 
watch  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  who  was  tqld  they  held 
him  responsible  for  my  body  at  9  o'clock.  I  laid  myself  on  the 
floor,  a  doctor  was  sent  for  by  the  captain  of  the  watch,  who  came, 
and  having  removed  the  tar  and  feathers,  sewed  up  the  wounds  on 
my  head  and  dressed  them.  Between  9  and  10  o'clock  the  mob 
was  gathered  at  the  watch-house,  and  some  were  for  hanging  me, 
saying  that  I  had  not  sworn  to  what  I  had  told  them  before  a 
magistrate  before  9  o'clock,  as  had  been  stipulated,  and  one  of 
them  said  the  rope  was  ready.  I  observed  it  was  not  my  fault, 
that  I  was  not  able  to  go  to  a  magistrate,  and  that  I  was  ready  to 
swear  to  it  if  they  would  bring  one.  They  then  brought  a  magis- 
trate of  the  name  of  Gait,  who  took  my  affidavit,  in  which  was 
stated  the  names  of  the  persons  in  the  house,  the  causes  of  their 
meeting,  and  the  name  of  the  person  under  whom  they  were  acting 
in  the  house.  It  was  read  aloud,  and  at  this  period  the  Mayor, 
Lemuel  Taylor  and  some  others  arrived,  who  said  they  would  take 
me  to  the  hospital  out  of  the  hands  of  these  men.  Mr.  Taylor 
said  he  had  no  idea  of  seeing  me  alive.  The  doctor  had  lent  me  a 
shirt,  and  I  was  now  provided  with  apair  of  trowsers.  The  Mayor 
sent  for  a  carriage,  but  the  mob  said  1  should  not  ride  in  it,  that  a 
cart  was  good  enough  for  me,  and  a  cart  was  brought,  into  which 
I  was  placed, — stretched  out  in  the  cart  and  exposed  to  a  hot  sun  I 

"About  11  o'clock  I  was  carried  to  the  hospital,  the  distance  of 
a  mile,  the  Mayor  accompanying  me,  amidst  the  noise  of  a  great 
concourse  of  people.  There  I  heard  the  groans  of  Gen.  Lee,  in  a 
room  adjoining  who  had  been  said  to  be  dead.  After  the  crowd 
had  dispersed,  some  of  my  friends,  who  did  not  think  mo  safe,  sent 
me  a  carriage,  into  which  I  was  put  without  losing  a  minute, 
and  Gen.  Lee  was  put  into  the  same  carriage.  "We  were  hurried 
away  into  the  country,  in  our  wounded,  bruised  and  mangled  con- 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  337 

dition.  We  arrived  at  Yorktown,  Pa.,  on  Saturday  evening,  the 
first  of  August,  where  we  received  the  humane  and  friendly  sym- 
pathies and  attentions  of  the  inhabitants,  and  the  medical  aid  of 
two  gentlemen  of  the  faculty. 

"  Possessed  of  a  strong  constitution  and  in  the  prime  of  life,  I 
cherish  the  hope  that  I  shall  survive  all  the  bruises  and  wounds 
which  have  been  so  cruelly  and  maliciously  inflicted  by  a  wicked 
and  lawless  mob,  and  that  I  shall  be  again  restored  to  the  full  use 
and  enjoyment  of  my  bodily  powers. 

"  triven  under  my  hand  this  6th  of  August,  1812. 

"  John  Thompson." 

Gen.  James  Macubbin  Lingan  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  de- 
scended from  a  respectable  family,  and  was  brought  up  in  a  store 
in  Georgetown.     At  the  commencement  of  the  American  Eevolu- 
tion  he  obtained  a  commission  in  the  army — was  at  the  battle  of 
Long  Island,  where  the  Maryland  Line  suifered  so  severely,  and 
was  one  of  those  spared  to  aid  in  the  defence  of  York  Island.     He 
escaped  the  balls  of  the  Hessians  who  drove  in  the  advanced  jDOsts 
of  Fort  Washington,  and  became  a  prisoner  when  that  fortress 
surrendered,  and  partook  of  the  sufferings  which  followed.     When 
the  new  constitution  went  into  operation  he  was  appointed  collec- 
tor of  the  port  of  Georgetown  by  Washington,  the  friend  of  the 
patriot  and  soldier.     Gen.  Lingan  was  one  of  the  most  upright  of 
men,  and  it  may  justly  be  said  he  knew  no  guile.     He  was  beloved 
by  his  neighbors,  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.     In  regard 
to  personal  courage  he  appeared  to  know  no  fear.  This  was  evinced 
in  the  hour  of  his  death.    After  having  received  the  fatal  blow,  he 
reached  out  his  hand  to  one  of  his  companions,  saying,  "  Farewell, 
I  am  a  d3ang  man,  make  your  escape — return  home  and  take  care 
there  " — no  doubt  referring  to  his  wife  and  fatherless  children,  who, 
it  is  said,  he  left  in  destitute  circumstances.     On  Tuesday,  the  first 
of  September,  funeral  honors  were  paid  to  the  memory  of  General 
Lingan  in  Georgetown.     So  numerous  were  the  mourners,  that  it 
was  found  necessary  to  substitute  for  a  church   which  had  been 
originally  selected,  a  shady  eminence  in  the  neighborhood.     The 
procession  was  composed  of  clergymen  of  diff'erent  denominations, 
several  companies  of  soldiers,  a  band  of  Kevolutionary  heroes,  then 
followed  strangers  of  distinction,  and  an  immense  number  of  citi- 
zens  from    the   counties  of  Montgomery,   Baltimore,    Frederick, 
Charles,  Prince  George's,  St.  Mary's,  and  from  the  cities  of  George- 
town, Washington,  and  Alexandria.     The  oration   of  George  VV. 
Parke  Custus,  the   orator  of  the   day,  was  extemporaneous,  and 
riveted  the  attention  of  the  audience ;  the  solemn  stillness  which 
reigned  was  only  interrupted  by  sighs  and  tears.     We  quote  the 
following  from  his  address :  "  O  Maryland !  would  that  the  waters 
of  thy  Chesapeake  could  wash  this  foul  stain  from  thy  character  I 
O    Maryland !  would   that  the  recording  angel  who  carries   thy 
22 


338  CHEONIOLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

black  deed  to  heaven's  chancery  on  high,  could  drop  a  tear  upon 
it  and  blot  it  out  forever!  But  no!  A  voice  cries  from  the  tomb 
of  the  brave.  It  rises  to  theJGod  of  nature  and  humanity,  and  de- 
mands a  vengeance  on  the  murderer!  " 

Major  Henry  Lee  commanded  the  party.  Light  Horse  Harry 
Lee,  at  the  early  age  of  nineteen,  was  devoted  to  liberty's  battles. 
Greene  considered  him  as  a  man  nature  had  formed  for  war,  and 
his  achievements  as  commander  of  the  Partisan  Corps  in  the  Southern 
army  were  eminent  and  deserving.  Since  the  Eevolution  he  filled 
high  civil  and, military  stations.  He  distinguished  himself  as  the 
Governor  of  the  State  of  Virginia,  and  as  a  member  of  the  National 
Legislature.  He  stated  it  to  be  "  the  duty  of  the  historian  and 
the  sages  of  all  ages  to  let  no  occasion  pass  of  commemorating  this 
illustrious  man — Washington."  That  Lee  was  a  man  of  letters,  a 
scholar  who  had  ripened  under  a  truly  classical  sun,  we  have 
only  to  turn  to  bis  work  on  the  Southern  War,  where  he  was  in- 
deed the  magna  pars  fui  of  all  which  he  relates — a  work  which 
well  deserves  to  be  ranked  with  the  commentaries  of  the  famed 
master  of  the  Eoman  world,  who,  like  our  Lee,  was  equally  re- 
nowned with  the  pen  as  the  sword.  But  there  is  a  line — a  single 
line — in  the  works  of  Lee  which  would  hand  him  over  to  immor- 
tality though  he  had  never  written  another.  ^^First  in  war,  first  in 
peace,  and  first  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen,''  will  last  while  lan- 
guage lasts.  What  a  sublime  eulogium  is  pronounced  in  this  noble 
line !  so  few  words,  and  yet  how  itlustrative  are  they  of  the  vast 
and  matchless  character  of  Washington.  Gen.  Henry  Lee  was 
the  father  of  Gen.  Eobert  E.  Lee,  late  the  commander  of  the  Con- 
federate Army.  He  went  to  the  West  Indies  with  the  hope  of 
improving  his  health,  but  never  recovered.  Early  in  1818  he  re- 
turned to  the  United  States.  He  stopped  at  the  house  of  Mrs. 
Shaw,  the  daughter  of  his  old  friend  and  companion-in-arms,  Gen. 
Greene,  on  Cumberland  island,  off  the  coast  of  Georgia,  where  he 
died  on  the  twenty-fifth  of  March,  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years. 

Extracts  from  a  letter  dated  Yorktown,  7th  August,  1812, 
in  regard  to  the  injuries  sustained  by  General  Lee  from  the  mob  : 
"  On  the  crown  of  his  head  there  was  a  wound  about  one  inch 
square,  which  must  have  been  made  with  a  stick  or  club.  It  had 
been  sewed  up ;  the  bone  of  the  head  is  not  fractured,  and  this 
wound  seemed  to  cure  fast.  On  his  left  cheek  there  is  a  deep  cut 
as  if  made  with  a  pen-knife;  his  nose  was  slit  with  a  knife  as  far 
as  the  bridge,  and  having  been  immediately  sewed  up,  seems  to  be 
united  and  is  doing  well,  and  the  nose  has  its  natural  form.  His 
right  eye  has  been  dreadfully  bruised,  and  is  still  closed;  it  is 
believed  the  sight  will  be  preserved.  The  upper  lip  has  been  stitched 
up.  He  sees  out  of  the  left  eye,  which  also  was  severely  braised ; 
and  both  pides  of  his  head,  his  whole  face  and  his  throat,  from  his 
ears  to  the  breast-bone,  are  shockingly  bruised  and  much  swollen. 
This  arose  from  efforts  to  strangle  him,  and  to  this  cause  his  ina- 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE.  339 

bility  to  speak  or  to  swallow  any  solid  food  at  this  period  is  at- 
tributed. There  are  some  bruises  from  the  club  on  his  left  thigh, 
which  are  not  to  be  regarded  now."  ' 

The  grandfather  of  Mr.  Hanson  was  appointed  by  the  Mary- 
land Legislature  a  member  of  the  Revolutionary  Congress,  and 
afterwards  became  president  of  Congress,  then  the  first  magistrate 
of  the  country,  being  the  third  elected  under  the  old  confederation. 
Mr.  Hanson's  father  was  high  in  the  confidence  of  Washington,  re- 
sided a  long  time  in  his  family,  was  for  several  years  his  private 
secretary,  and  was  afterward  chosen  by  the  General  as  one  of  his 
aides ;  but  sickness  prevented  him  from  accepting  the  offer,  although 
the  place  was  several  months  kept  open  for  him.  When  the  war 
ended,  the  father  of  Mr.  Hanson  was  appointed  judge  of  the  general 
court,  and  afterwards  Chancellor  of  Maryland,  which  situation  he 
retained  until  his  decease.  The  father  of  Dr.  \Yarfield  was  the  first 
citizen  of  Maryland  who  openly  proposed  a  separation  from  the 
parent-country.  He  also  directed  the  celebrated  burning  of  the 
tea  in  1774,  at  Annapolis.  Captain  R.  J.  Crabb  is  the  son  of  Gen. 
Crabb.  one  of  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution.  The  other  gentlemen 
are  worthy  to  be  ranked  with  the  patrician  youth  of  ancient  re- 
publics ;  they  were  men  of  the  first  respectability. 

Presentments  were  found  against  many  individuals  of  each 
party,  but  all  were  acquitted  and  discharged ;  those  who  defended 
the  house  in  Charles .  street,  at  Annapolis,  where  their  trial  was 
removed  from  Baltimore,  the  others  in  the  city. 

The  citizens  now  petition  to  have  the  jail  inclosed,  and  a  wall 
was  erected  of  stone  eleven  feet  high. 

The  example  set  by  the  mob,  or  advocates  of  the  war  in  Balti- 
more, was  followed  by  military  mobs  of  volunteers  at  Norfolk  and 
Buffalo.  In  spite  of  threats  from  Washington,  &c.,  the  Federal 
Republican  continued  to  be  published  at  Georgetown.  Numerous 
public  meetings,  as  well  within  as  without  the  State,  expressed 
their  indignation  at  the  atrocities  of  the  Baltimore  mob,  which  left 
a  stigma  on  the  city,  which  bore  for  a  long  time  the  name  of  "  mob- 
town."  These  outrages,  no  doubt,  contributed  not  a  little  to  the 
political  revolution  which,  within  three  months,  gave  the  Federal- 
ists a  very  large  majority  in  the  Maryland  Assembly ;  large  enough, 
notwithstanding  a  Senate  unanimously  Democratic,  chosen  the  pre- 
vious year,  to  secure  them  a  majority  on  joint  ballot,  and  the  choice 
of  a  Federal  Governor,  Council  and  United  States  Senator.  Hanson 
himself  was  chosen  at  the  same  time  a  member  of  Congress 

On  the  night  after  Whitsunday,  eight  or  nine  desperadoes  having 
procured  some  powder,  blew  up  the  interior  wall  of  their  cell,  and 
rushed  out  of  the  jail,  but  w^ere  mostly  retaken  and  sent  to  the 
penitentiary. 

There  marched  from  Baltimore  on  Monday,  October  5th,  a  hardy 
company  of  volunteers,  consisting  of  100  rank  and  file,  under  the 
command  of  Stephen  H.  Moore,  to  form  a  junction  with  Colonel 


340  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Winder's  regiment,  bordering  on  Canada.  They  were  fitted  out  in 
the  most  substantial  manner  by  the  citizens  of  Baltimore  with 
every  necessary,  and  were  besides  presented  with  an  elegant  flag 
by  the  patriotic  ladies  of  the  seventh  ward. 

On  the  21st  of  November  the  extensive  and  valuable  brewery 
of  Messrs.  Johnson  &  Co.  was  destroyed  by  fire,  but  was  rebuilt 
soon  after. 

An  unfortunate  rencontre  took  place  in  the  Chesapeake  Bay 
between  the  Nonsuch  and  Joseph  and  Mary,  two  Baltimore  priva- 
teers, in  November,  in  which  three  or  four  persons  were  killed  and 
several  wounded.  The  mistake  was  not  discovered  until  the  latter, 
after  a  severe  contest,  had  struck  her  colors  to  the  former. 

An  Act  was  passed  by  the  Legislature  on  the  15th  of  Decem- 
ber, "  annulling  the  marriage  of  Jerome  Bonaparte  and  Elizabeth 
Bonaparte  of  the  city  of  Baltimore." 

"In  June  volunteering  for  the  army  was  so  great  by  regiments 
and  companies  in  this  city  that  the  superior  officers  were  com- 
pelled to  suppress  it,  and  give  precedence  to  the  oldest  regiment. 

As  soon  as  war  was  declared  Messrs.  Wm.  H.  Winder,  George 
E.  Mitchell,  Jacob  Hindman,  Nathan  Towson,  K.  C.  Nicholas,  Ben- 
jamin Nicholson,  Stephen  Presstman,  and  Francis  Belton  took 
commissions  in  the  army. 

Col.  Winder  on  the  18th  of  November  eff'ected  a  landing  on 
the  enemy's  shore  in  Canada,  but  was  recalled,  and  soon  after  ap- 
pointed brigadier-general. 

1813.  Early  in  this  year  the  bay  was  entered  by  a  part  of  the 
British  squadron,  under  the  command  of  Admiral  Warren.  It  was 
not  thought  proper  to  wait  the  preparations  which  might  be  made 
by  the  Government,  and  the  corporation  appointed  a  committee  of 
8uppl3^  consisting  of  Messrs.  Mosher,  Tiernan,  Payson,  J.  C.  White, 
J.  A.  Buchanan,  L.  Sterett,  and  Thorndike  Chase,  who  were  au- 
thorized to  expend  the  sum  of  $20,000  in  the  means  of  defence ; 
but  that  being  insufficient,  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  in  their  wards 
and  precincts  was  called,  and  forty  gentlemen  selected,  who  advise 
a  loan  not  exceeding  $500,000,  with  an  addition  to  the  committee 
of  supply,  and  Messrs.  J.  E.  Howard,  G.  Warner,  J.  Kelso,  Gilmor, 
Deshon,  Patterson  and  Burke,  are  appointed. 

On  the  27th  of  April,  General  Pike  took  York,  on  Lake  On- 
tario, but  lost  his  life,  as  did  Lieutenant  Nicholson  ;  Capt.  Moore 
was  wounded.  On  the  5th  of  June,  at  night.  Generals  Chandler 
and  Winder  were  attacked  at  Stony  Creek,  in  Canada,  and  after 
beating  off"  the  enemy,  fell  amongst  them  and  were  taken  prisoners. 
On  this  occasion  Messrs.  Hindman,  Towson  and  Nicholas  distin- 
guished themselves,  and  were  promoted. 

>  Mr.  Flanigan,  at  the  end  of  McElderry's  wharf,  built  for  Messrs. 
Wm.  McDonald  &  Co.  the  first  steamboat  ever  built  in  this  city, 
which  they  called  the  Chesapeake,  and  which  was  put  on  the  line 
from  Baltimore  to  Philadelphia,  by  way  of  French  Town,  &c.)^ 


OHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  341 

rMv.  Charles  Gwinn  introduced  steam  power  for  a  flour-mill  in 
his  warehouse  at  the  end  of  Commerce  street  wharf,  and  Mr.  Job 
Smith  also  in  a  saw-mill  on  Chase's  wharf  y 

Messrs.  Worthington,  Jessop,  Cheston,  and  others,  procured  the 
water  rights  of  Gwinn's  Falls,  and  built  mills  within  a  few  perches 
of  each  other,  which  they  called  the  Calverton  mills. 

At  the  session  of  May,  the  Assembly  were  petitioned  by  the 
city  government  to  assume  the  debts  contracted  for  public  defence; 
which  the  Legislature  refused. 

Luther  Martin  was  appointed  Chief  Justice  of  the  Criminal 
Court  in  the  place  of  Judge  Scott,  deceased. 

Commodore  Barney  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  a  flotilla, 
and  was  joined  here  by  Messrs.  Solomon  flutter,  R.  M.  Hamilton, 
T.  Dukehart,  and  others,  and  being  fitted  out  early  in  the  spring 
following,  proceeded  down  the  bay  to  meet  the  enemy. 

Twice  in  each  week  a  battalion  of  infantry,  with  a  company  of 
artillery,  marched  to  Fort  McHenry  for  discipline,  under  the  im- 
mediate inspection  and  direction  of  Major-General  Smith,  well 
known  for  his  conduct  on  Mud  Island  in  1777.  It  appears  from 
his  address  to  the  troops,  that  the  public  safety  was  well  attended 
to.  He  observed  "  that  the  militia  of  Baltimore  city  and  county 
stood  high  in  the  estimation  of  the  General  Government,  and  of 
the  people  generally ;  that  as  regulars  could  not  be  well  spared  for 
the  protection  of  the  diflerent  seaports,  the  Executive  of  the  United 
States  had  to  rely  on  the  militia  of  such  places  for  their  immediate 
defence ;  that  in  placing  this  reliance  on  the  patriotic  militia  of  this 
city  he  would  not  be  deceived,  for  the  alacrity  with  which  they 
had  attended  to  the  first  calls  for  disciplining  was  sufficient  evi- 
dence that  they  would  always  be  found  at  their  posts  in  time 
of  need.  The  Executive  of  Maryland,"  said  he,  "  has  done  his 
duty :  he  has  adopted  every  means  in  his  power  for  the  defence 
of  this  important  port ;  it  remains  for  us  to  do  ours."  The 
General's  whole  address  was  feeling,  animated  and  impressive,  and 
the  plaudits  of  the  soldiers  evinced  that  they  participated  in  his 
sentiments.  The  enemy  appeared  on  the  16th  of  April  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Patapsco.  It  was  astonishing  to  perceive  the  anima- 
tion of  the  people  on  the  firing  of  the  alarm  gun ;  only  one  spirit  pre- 
vailed. There  was  no  fear  but  the  fear  of  being  too  late  on  duty; 
no  party  but  to  repel  the  enemy.  A  fine  water-battery  had  been 
built,  and  many  additional  cannon  (42  pounders)  were  mounted 
and  furnaces  erected  for  heating  shot,  and  great  zeal  was  mani- 
fested to  give  the  enemy  a  warm  reception.  Both  sides  of  the 
river  were  defended  by  troops  of  horse  and  companies  of  artillery, 
infantry  and  riflemen.  On  the  22d  of  April  the  enemy's  squadron 
remained  oif  Baltimore  inactive,  except  in  predatory  excursions, 
by  which  they  got  little  else  than  hard  knocks.  But  the  measures 
for  defence  went  on  with  great  activity.  Col.  Wadsw^orth  of  the 
United  States  engineers  arrived  here  to  superintend  the  fortifica- 


342  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

tions.  From  unpublished  letters  in  our  possession,  and  the  news- 
papers, we  extract  the  following  facts :  "  Fort  McHenry  is  assum- 
ing a  formidable  appearance.  The  first  Marine  Artillery  of  the 
Union,  a  body  of  invaluable  men,  masters  and  mates  of  vessels,  to 
whom  we  are  indebted  for  the  transportation  and  mounting  of  20 
great  guns  for  a  new  battery  there.  The  fort  is  garrisoned  by  the 
regulars  under  Major  Bell,  and  two  companies  of  artillery  with  a 
regiment  of  infantry,  in  turns  for  a  week  at  a  time." 

May  5th. — "  Between  eleven  and  12  o'clock  the  alarm  guns, 
were  fired,  and  the  city  was  thrown  into  great  bustle  and  apparent 
confusion.  But  in  a  few  minutes,  regiment  after  regiment  and 
company  after  company  were  marching  the  streets  in  regular  order 
towards  the  supposed  point  of  attack.  It  was  calculated  that  up- 
wards of  5000  men  were  under  arms,  and  in  their  proper  places, 
an  hour  after  the  alarm  was  given.  The  savage  burning  of  Havre  de 
Grace  led  the  people  to  calculate  what  they  might  expect  from  the 
mercies  of  the  enemy.  The  5th  regiment  had  just  returned  from 
a  week's  duty  at  the  Fort  (their  place  being  supplied  on  the  morn- 
ing of  that  day  by  the  6th).  Making  a  forced  march,  after  halting 
a  few  minutes  for  orders,  they  pushed  for  North  Point,  distant  15 
miles,  as  did  the  39th,  and  some  artillery  and  troops  of  horse.  The 
27th  w^as  under  arms  ready  for  orders,  and  the  51st  or  Precincts 
regiment.  At  two  o'clock  it  w^as  reported  the  alarm  was  a  false 
one,  and  the  fact  being  ascertained,  the  soldiers  were  dismissed. 
Some  persons  removed  from  Baltimore  within  the  past  few  days, 
and  many  women  and  children  have  been  sent  away.  Twenty 
large  barges,  from  40  to  75  feet  long,  are  built  or  building  for  the 
special  defence,  also  several  gun-boats." 

August  6th — "  On  the  elevated  grounds  east  of  and  adjacent 
to  Baltimore  (now  Patterson's  Park)  there  are  collected  a  fine  park 
of  artillery,  say  from  35  to  40  pieces  ;  18's,  12's,  6's,  and  4's,  all  on 
flying  or  field  carriages." 

August  10th — ''A  fine  regiment  from  the  Baltimore  County 
brigade,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Jamison,  arrived.  The  cavalry 
of  the  Baltimore  city  and  county  brigades  of  Maryland  militia, 
under  the  command  of  Lieut.-Colonels  Biays  and  Moore,  assembled 
on  Hampstead  Hill,  and  proceeded  to  North  Point,  to  make  them- 
selves better  acquainted  with  the  ground,  if  the  enemy  attempts  a 
landing." 

Extract  from  a  letter  written  by  Capt.  Booker,  commander  of 
the  Eichmond  and  Washington  volunteers,  to  Thomas  Eitchie  of 
Baltimore,  dated  August  23d:  "Never  were  soldiers  more  hos- 
pitably treated  than  our  volunteers  are  by  the  citizens  of  Balti- 
more. The  treatment  is  such  as  to  excite  and  deserve  the  ac- 
knowledgments of  all  the  men." 

Christopher  Hughes  was  appointed  secretary  to  the  ministers 
sent  to  negotiate  with  Great  Britain. 

A  Bible  Society  was  formed  and  chartered,  James  McHenry 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  343 

being  President,  Alexander  Fridge,  Treasurer,  the  Eev.  Doctors 
Kurtz  and  Inglis,  Corresponding  Secretaries,  and  the  Rev.  Alex- 
ander McCair,  Eecording  Secretary.  In  1821,  another  Bible  Society 
was  formed  as  an  auxiliary  of  the  American  Bible  Society,  of 
which  auxiliary  society  Robert  Smith  was  chosen  President,  Mr. 
Roswell  L.  Colt,  Treasurer,  Mr.  T.  Parker,  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary, and  Mr.  Charles  G.  Robb,  Recording  Secretary.  There  had 
been  established  in  the  meantime  a  Ladies'  and  Young  Men's 
Bible  Societies,  and  a  common  prayer-book  and  tract  societies. 

Mr.  Thomas  Warner  was  appointed  by  the  city  government  an 
assayer  of  manufactured  plate. 

Mr.  Rembrandt  Peale,  having  some  years  before  exhibited  the 
skeleton  of  a  mammoth  in  Baltimore,  fixed  his  permanent  residence 
here,  and  purchasing  a  small  collection  of  natural  curiosities  of 
Mr.  James  Savage,  commenced  the  building  of  a  museum  and  gal- 
lery of  the  fine  arts  in  HoUiday  street,  now  occupied  as  the  Council 
chambers,  &c. 

Departed  this  life  on  the  17th  of  November,  aged  87  years, 
nearly  forty  of  which  he  had  been  the  pious  and  respected  minister 
of  the  Grerman  Evangelical  Reformed  Congregation,  the  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Otterbein. 

Extracts  from  valuable  letters  which  were  written  during  the 
year,  and  which  give  many  important  facts  relating  to  the  war  of 
1812  never  before  published: 

"  Philadelphia,  27th  March,  1813. 

^^Dear  Sir  : — I  have  written  to  Major  Beall  to  have  such  work 
done  at  Fort  McHenry  as  is  necessary  to  its  repair  and  better 
state.  The  Major  is  also  desired  to  platform  the  batteries  in  front 
of  the  Fort,  and  to  mount  in  them  not  exceeding  thirty  heavy 
cannon,  attaching  the  requisite  furnaces.  For  a  more  extended 
defence  of  Baltimore  Harbor,  including  the  rear  of  Fort  Mcllenrj^, 
Patapsco  river,  the  Cove,  the  Point  between  the  Fort  and  Flag- 
staff Point,  and  the  Point  opposite  F'ort  McHenry  on  the  north- 
east side  of  the  harbor,  I  have  recommended  to  the  Hon.  Secretary 
of  War,  to  have  twelve  eighteen-pound  cannon  mounted  on  travel- 
ling field-carriages,  completely  appurteiumced,  attaching  to  them 
two  furnaces.  This  train  to  be  disposed  so  as  to  run  four  of 
the  pieces  with  a  furnace  to  any  position  on  the  Fort  McHenry 
side,  and  eight  of  them  with  furnace  to  the  Point  opposite  Fort 
McHenry,  to  be  used  .as  the  position  of  the  enemy  may  require. 
Bridges  should  be  constructed  over  every  creek  or  river  in  the 
route  from  Baltimore  to  any  point  of  attack,  removable  at 
will.  The  furnaces  can  be  placed  in  a  ravine  or  behind  an  embank- 
ment to  be  secure  from  the  enemy's  shot.  The  house  near  Fort 
McHenry  should  be  removed. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble 
servant,  "  J.  Gr.  Swift,  Col.  Eng. 

"  Major-General  Sam'l  Smith,  Baltimore.'' 


344  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

"  To  Committee  of  Public  Supplies : 

^^  Gentlemen  : — I  pray  you  toman  and  dispatch  the  barge  be- 
longing to  the  merchants  as  low  down  the  river  as  will  enable  her 
commander  to  see  the  top  of  Eidgely's  house  on  North  Point,  and 
on  observing  a  signal  from  the  steeple,  to  hoist  a  flag  of  any  kind, 
fire  a  gun,  and  return  to  the  fort,  the  commander  to  note  the  signal 
hoisted. 

"  I  am,  gentlemen,  your  obedient  servant, 

"  Head-Quarters,  16th  April,  1813.  S.  Smith." 

"Head  Quarters  Third  Division,  21th  Aprils  1813. 
"Edward  Johnson,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Baltimore : 

"As  a  measure  of  precaution  in  case  of  an  attack  by  the  enemy 
upon  our  city  Col.  "Wadsworth  has  suggested  the  expediency  of  hav- 
ing in  readiness  our  fire  engines  and  fire  companies,  so  that  in  such 
an  emergency  they  may  be  employed  with  the  best  practical  effect. 
This  idea  I  have  the  honor  of  submitting  to  your  consideration,  with 
an  assurance  of  my  disposition  to  co-operate  with  you  in  what- 
ever plan  may  thereon  be  adopted  by  the  Mayor  and  City  Council. 

"  S.  Smith,  M.  G.  Third  Division." 

On  the  8th  of  May,  1813,  Col.  E.  Y.  Nicholls,  in  a  letter  to  Gen. 
S.  Smith,  assumes  command  of  Fort  McHenry,  and  on  the  10th, 
in  answer  to  Gen.  Smith  in  relation  to  the  relief  of  the  militia  in 
the  fort  from  military  duties,  as  the  enemy  had  moved  below  An- 
napolis, he  said :"....  I  know  the  alacrity  with  which  the  militia 
of  Baltimore  turn  out  in  case  of  danger,  and  should  their  aid  at 
any  moment  be  required  am  convinced  we  should  receive  it.  The 
orderly  and  soldierlike  conduct  of  the  several  militia  companies 
which  have  been  at  this  post  during  my  short  command  demand 
my  approbation  and  thanks." 

On  the  18th  of  May,  David  Harris,  in  a  letter  to  Brigadier-Gen- 
eral John  Strieker,  says:  "In  a  late  conversation  you  suggested 
that  a  certain  number  of  pikes  would  be  useful,  and  I  am  persuaded 
that  five  or  six  to  each  gun  might  be  well  employed  against  either 
cavalry  or  infantiy,  and  would  add  much  to  the  confidence  of  the 
men  in  their  efforts  to  maintain  possession  of  their  field-pieces  when 
in  action."  In  a  postscript,  he  adds :  "  The  liberality  of  the  banks  and 
insurance  officers  of  the  city  has  afforded  us  a  large  quantity  of 
ammunition  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  us. to  practice  at  a  target. 
The  proficiency  of  the  officers  and  men  has  already  been  so  great 
as  to  surprise  experienced  soldiery." 

On  the  30th  of  August,  Mr.  Wm.  Jones,  Secretary  of  War,  in  a 
letter  to  Gen.  Samuel  Smith,  says:  "I  am  much  obliged  by  your 
favor  of  the  27th,  with  a  copy  of  the  signals  of  the  enemy's  squad- 
ron, received  from  a  deserter.  They  are,  however,  only  the  general 
manoeuvering  signals,  and  appear  to  be  irregular  and  defective,  but 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  345 

may  be  so  far  of  use  as  to  enable  the  observer  to  anticipate  in  part 
the  intended  movement.  The  probability  is,  however,  that  the  de- 
sertion of  a  signal  man  may  induce  suspicion  and  a  change  of  the 
numbers  or  significations.."  In  another  letter  written  on  the  2d  of 
September,  he  says :  "  1  am  much  obliged  by  your  favor  of  yester- 
day, covering  a  copy  of  signals  from  Gibraltar,  which,  together  with 
a  valuable  acquisition  received  at  the  department  from  the  south- 
ward by  yesterday's  mail,  completed  a  mass  of  information  on  that 
subject  of  considerable  importance.  The  latter  corroborates  the 
copy  of  the  signals  furnished  by  the  deserter,  and  supplies  the  defi- 
ciency in  that  copy." 

On  the  8th  of  December,  1774,  a  meeting  of  deputies  from  all 
the  counties  of  Maryland  was  held  at  Annapolis,  chiefly  for  the 
purpose  of  adopting  measures  to  support  the  proceedings  of  the 
"Continental  Congress."  After  passing  several  patriotic  resolu- 
tions, the  Convention  agreed  to  recommend  to  the  several  counties 
to  raise  the  sum  of  £10,000  for  public  purposes,  by  subscription  or 
"such  other  voluntary  manner"  as  might  be  thought  most  proper. 
The  ripportionment  of  this  sum  amongst  the  counties  at  that  period, 
according  to  their  then  supposed  wealth,  compared  with  their  quotas 
of  the  United  States  tax,  as  determined  by  Congress  in  the  Act 
levying  the  same  in  1813,  is  a  statistical  curiosity : 

Countiea. 

St.  Mary's 

Charles 

Calvert  •. 

Prince  George's 

Anne  Arundel 

Montgomery 

Frederick 

Washington 

Alleghany 

Baltimore 

Harford 

Worcester 

Somerset 

Dorchester 

Caroline 

Talbot 

Queen  Anne's 

Kent 

Cecil 


AsseBsment  In  1774. 

Assessment  In  1818, 

$600  00 

$3,950  00 

800  00 

6,740  00 

866  00 

2,410  00 

833  00 

7,690  00 

866  00 

9  810  00 

5,110  00 

1,833  66 

14,170  00 

7,372  00 

2,210  00 

933  00 

48,670  00 

466  00 

5,350  00 

533  00 

4,910  00 

533  00 

5,540  00 

480  00 

5,510  00 

858  00 

2,250  00 

400  00 

4,140  00 

533  00 

5,630  00 

566  00 

4,213  00 

400  00 

5,950  00 

The  counties  printed  in  italic  were  formed  since  1774.  Mont- 
gomery was  erected  from  Anne  Arundel  and  Frederick  counties, 
and  Washington  and  Alleghany  were  taken  entirely  from  Frederick. 
The  various  comparisons  growing  out  of  this  table,  every  one  will 
make  for  himself  The  rapid  rise  of  Baltimore^  however,  claims  at- 
tention. In  1774,  St.  Mary's  and  Caroline  together  were  supposed 
more  valuable.  In  1813  Baltimore  was  esteemed  about  eight  times 
more  valuable  than  these  counties,  and  was  assessed  for  more  tax 


346  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

than  St.  Mary's,  Charles,  Calvert,  Prince  George's,  Anne  Arundel, 
Montgomery  and  Frederick,  which  were  rated  at  five  times  her  value 
by  the  Convention  of  1774. 

1814.  In  this  year  the  corj^oration  purchase  the  water  rights,  and 
soon  after  commence  the  public  dock  between  town  and  Point, 
directing  the  course  of  the  Falls  into  the  dock,  and  putting  a  draw 
at  the  entrance  of  it. 

Commodore  Perry,  on  the  31st  of  January,  while  on  his  w^ay  to 
Newport,  R.  I.,  where  he  was  stationed,  stopped  in  Baltimore  three 
days.  On  the  evening  of  the  first  day  he  visited  the  circus.  That 
spacious  building  was  incompetent  to  receive  the  mighty  crowd 
that  rushed  to  greet  him.  The  house  was  crammed  long  before  the 
entertainment  began  ;  and  when  the  hero  of  Lake  Erie  entered,  he 
was  received  with  deep,  loud  and  continued  cheering.  On  the  fol- 
lowing day,  in  accordance  to  previous  arrangements,  he  was  enter- 
tained at  Barney's  "  Fountain  Inn."  Everything  w^as  furnished 
"  that  was  luscious  and  good,  that  was  pleasing  to  the  palate  or 
delightful  to  the  eye,  in  bounteous  profusion."  A  public  dinner 
was  also  given  to  Cen.  Winder  on  the  28th  of  February,  w^ho  was 
on  his  way  to  the  seat  of  government  to  obtain  terms  of  an  ex- 
change for  himself  and  others. 

Messrs.  Peter  Little,  William  Steuart,  W.  Lemmon,  Stephen 
GrifiSth,  William  Neilson,  Sheppard  C.  Leakin,  George  Keyser, 
John  Buck,  Charles  Stansbuiy,  and  others,  take  commissions  in 
the  army.  The  United  States  Government  build  here,  under  the 
direction  of  Capt.  Eobert  T.  Spence,  the  sloop-of-war  Erie^  which 
is  commanded  by  Capt.  C.  S.  Eidgely  ;  the  Ontario,  Jesse  D.  Elliott ; 
and  the  frigate  Java  by  Commodore  Perry :  but  they  did  not  get 
to  sea  until  after  the  peace. 

Cols.  Hindman  and  Towson  of  the  artillery  contributed  essen- 
tially to  the  success  of  the  American  arms  at  the  battles  of  Chippewa 
and  Bridge  water,  on  the  5th  and  25th  of  July. 

A  splendid  public  dinner  was  given  to  Commodore  John  Eod- 
gers,  on  the  7th  of  April,  at  Barney's  Fountain  Inn.  The  company 
was  numerous  and  of  the  first  respectability.  The  Mayor,  Edward 
Johnson,  presided,  assisted  by  Major  McKim  and  N.  Williams.  The 
toasts  were  eminently  patriotic. 

The  banks  in  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and  Baltimore  suspend 
specie  payments. 

The  following  account  of  the  battle  of  "North  Point"  is  ex- 
tracted from  Niles'  Register : 

"  Having  triumphantly  despoiled  the  capital  of  the  Union,  Gen. 
Eoss  turned  his  eyes  upon  this  flourishing  and  wealthy  city,  which 
he  had  fixed  upon  for  his  winter  quarters  ;  and  boasted,  that  with 
the  force  he  had,  he  would  go  where  he  pleased  through  Maryland. 
Thus  forewarned,  considerable  additions  were  made  to  the  defences 
of  the  place.  Some  of  the  troops  of  Gen.  Winder's  command  were 
collected,  Eodgers  and  Perry  were  here,  and  a  good  many  noble 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  347 

volunteers  flocked  in  from  the  adjacent  parts  of  our  own  State  and 
from  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania.  The  Baltimore  brigade  was 
taken  en  masse  into  the  service  of  the  United  States ;  and  the 
whole  submitted  to  the  direction  of  Major-General  Smith,  of  the 
Maryland  militia. 

"  On  Saturday,  the  10th  of  September,  we  had  information  that 
the  enemy  was  ascending  the  bay,  and  on  Saturday  morning  his 
ships  were  seen  at  the  mouth  of  our  river,  the  Patapsco,  in  number 
from  40  to  50.  Some  of  his  vessels  entered  the  river,  while  others 
proceeded  to  North  Point  (at  the  mouth  of  the  Patapsco,)  distant 
12  miles  from  the  city,  and  commenced  the  debarkation  of  their 
troops  in  the  night,  which  was  finished  early  next  morning.  In 
the  meantime  the  frigates,  bomb-ketches,  and  small  vessels  ap- 
proached and  ranged  themselves  in  a  formidable  line  to  cannonade 
the  fort  and  the  town.  The  frigates  were  lightened  before  they 
entered  the  river,  and  the  ships  of  the  line  lay  off  North  Point  to 
overawe  us  and  protect  the  whole  force. 

"  The  force  that  landed  consisted  of  about  9000  men, — viz., 
5000  soldiers,  2000  marines,  and  2000  sailors  —  the  first  under 
Major-General  Koss,  the  latter  commanded  by  the  famous  Ad- 
miral Cockburn.  The  troops  were  a  part  of  Wellington's  *in- 
vincibles.'  Some  works  were  erected  not  far  from  North  Point 
to  arrest  their  progress;  but  their  incipient  state  forbade  a 
stand  being  made  at  them,  and  the  enemy  marched  four  miles 
towards  us  uninterrupted,  except  by  a  few  flying  shots  from 
the  cavalry.  Here  the}'  were  met  by  Gen.  Strieker  with  his  en- 
tire Baltimore  brigade,  (except  that  he  had  only  one  company 
of  the  regiment  of  artillery,)  consisting  of  Col.  Biays*  cavalry,  the 
rifle  corps,  and  the  5th,  6th,  .27th,  39th,  and  51st  regiments  of  in- 
fantry, commanded  respectively  by  Lieut.-Cols.  Sterett,  McDonald, 
Long,  Fowler,  and  Ame}^  In  the  5th  was  incorporated  an  elegant 
uniformed  company  of  volunteers  from  York,  Pa.,  under  Captain 
Spangler,  and  in  the  39th  Captain  Metzger's  fine  company  of 
volunteers  from  Hanover,  Pa.,  and  Capt.  Quantril's  from  Hagers- 
town,  Md.,  and  in  the  6th  Capt.  Dixon's  volunteers  from  Marietta, 
Pennsylvania.  All  the  rest  were  city  troops;  and  the  whole,  in- 
cluding Capt.  Montgomery's  company  of  artillery,  (with  six  four- 
pounders,)  amounting  to  about  3200  men. 

"  The  rest  of  our  forces  were  judiciously  stationed  in  or  near 
the  various  defences,  &c.  About  one  o'clock  a  party  of  150  or  200 
men,  consisting  of  Capt.  Levering's  and  Capt.  Howard's  companies 
of  the  Fifth  Regiment,  and  Capt.  Aisquith's  rifle  corps,  were  de- 
tached from  the  line  to  feel  the  enemy  and  bring  on  the  battle ; 
they  were  accompanied  by  a  few  artillerists  with  one  of  their 
pieces.  Before  they  expected  it  they  were  attacked  by  the  British 
in  very  superior  numbers,  and  driven  in  with  some  loss,  after  a 
few  fires,  to  the  main  body.  As  the  enemy  advanced  the  artillery 
opened  a  destructive  fire  upon  them,  which  was  returned  from  two 


348  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

nine-pounders,  and  the  action  became  general  along  the  line  of  the 
5th  and  27th,  which  were  in  front.  The  39th  and  51st  were  in 
the  rear  of  these,  and  the  6th  advantageously  posted  still  nearer 
the  city  to  pi-otect  and  cover  the  whole.  The  fire  from  the  two 
first-named  regiments,  as  well  as  from  the  artillery,  was  very 
active  and  uncommonly  certain  for  about  an  hour.  Of  the  5th 
much  was  expected,  but  the  27th  behaved  at  least  as  gallantly. 
The  men  took  deliberate  aim,  and  the  carnage  was  great  —  the 
*  invincibles '  dodging  to  the  ground  and  crawling  in  a  bending 
posture  to  avoid  the  militia  —  the  'yeomen'  they  were  taught  so 
much  to  despise.  When  the  5th  and  27th  (between  which  was 
placed  the  artillery)  were  outflanked  by  the  much  greater  force  of 
the  enemy,  they  retired  in  better  order  than  could  have  been  ex- 
pected under  a  galling  fire,  and  they  retired  reluctantly  at  the  re- 
peated command  of  their  officers  ;  the  artillery  had  been  drawn 
off  a  little  while  before.  The  right  of  the  39th  was  gallantly  en- 
gaged, but  the  51st  took  no  part  in  the  action,  and  it  was  not  at 
that  time  and  place  expected  that  the  6th  would  share  in  it,  else 
(under  its  veteran  colonel,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  and  one 
who  met  the  same  foe  under  Pulaski)  it  would  no  doubt  have  dis- 
tinguished itself 

"  The  cavalry,  though  they  performed  very  severe  and  impor- 
tant duties,  had  but  little  to  do  in  the  battle.  The  whole  number 
of  our  men  actually  engaged  did  not  exceed  1700.  Nearly  as 
much,  perhaps,  being  done  at  this  point  as  was  expected,  our  force 
retreated  towards  the  city.  The  enemy  followed  slowly,  and  on 
Tuesday  night  approached  within  about  two  miles  of  our  in- 
trenchments.  Measures  were  taken  to  cut  them  off"  and  punish 
their  temerity;  but  before  General  Winder  with  the  Virginia 
militia  and  a  squadron  of  United  States  cavalry  could  bring  his 
plans  fully  to  bear,  the  British,  suspecting  the  design,  or  not  liking 
the  appearance  of  our  works,  decamped  suddenly  in  the  night,  and 
embarked  with  such  precipitation  that,  though  closely  pursued,  a 
few  prisoners  only  were  taken ;  but  the  pursuing  force  merited 
and  have  received  the  thanks  of  their  general,  and  the  whole  body 
collected  is  entitled  to  the  gratitude  of  Baltimore  and  their  coun- 
try for  the  suff'erings  they  so  patiently  and  patriotically  endured, 
being  compelled  to  sleep,  if  sleep  was  allowed,  in  the  open  air, 
with  the  heavens  for  their  canopy,  for  four  nights,  during  the  chief 

?art  of  which  it  rained  pretty  constantl}^  and  sometimes  heavily, 
'hey  also  received  their  refreshments  irregularly,  the  whole  being 
packed  up  in  prudent  preparation  of  events  that  might  have 
happened. 

"But  the  attack  on  Fort  McHenry  was  terribly  grand  and  mag- 
nificent. The  enemy's  vessels  formed  a  great  half-circle  in  front  of 
the  works  on  the  12th,  but  out  of  reach  of  our  guns,  and  also 
those  of  the  battery  of  the  Lazaretto,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
great  cove  or  basin  around  the  head  of  which  the  city  of  Balti- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  349 

more  is  built.  Fort  McHenry  is  about  two  miles  from  the  city,  a 
light  little  place,  with  some  finely  planned  batteries,  mounted  with 
heavy  cannon,  as  the  British  very  well  know.  At  six  o'clock  on 
Tuesday  morning  six  bomb  and  some  rocket  vessels  commenced 
the  attack,  keeping  such  a  respectful  distance  as  to  make  the  fort 
rather  a  target  than  an  opponent;  though  Major  Armstead,  the 
gallant  commander,  and  his  brave  garrison  fired  occasionally  to  let 
the  enemy  know  the  place  was  not  given  up  ! !  Four  or  five  bombs 
were  frequently  in  the  air  at  a  time,  and  making  a  double  explosion, 
with  the  noise  of  the  foolish  rockets  and  the  firings  of  the  fort, 
Lazaretto  and  our  barges,  created  a  horrible  clatter.  (Many  of 
these  bombs  have. since  been  found  entire  ;  they  weigh,  when  full 
of  their  combustibles,  about  210  or  220  lbs.,  and  they  threw  them 
much  farther  than  our  long  42  pounders  would  reach).  Thus  it 
lasted  until  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  enemy 
growing  more  courageous,  dropped  nearer  the  fort,  and  gave  the 
garrison  and  batteries  a  little  of  the  chance  they  wanted. 

"  The  bails  now  flew  like  hail-stones,  and  the  Britons  slipped 
their  cables,  hoisted  their  sails  and  were  otf  in  a  moment,  but  not 
without  damage.  When  they  got  out  of  harm's  way  they  renewed 
the  magnanimous  attack,  throwing  their  bombs  witk  an  activity 
excited  by  their  mortification.  So  they  went  on  until  about  one 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  our  batteries  now  and  then  firing  a  single 
guYi.  At  this  time,  aided  by  the  darkness  of  the  night  and  screened 
by  a  flame  they  had  kindled,  one  or  two  rocket  or  bomb  vessels 
and  many  barges,  manned  with  1200  chosen  men,  passed  Fort 
McHenry  and  proceeded  up  the  Patapsco,  to  assail  the  town  and 
fort  in  the  rear,  and  perhaps  efi*ect  a  landing.  The  weak-sighted 
mortals  now  thought  the  great  deed  was  done  —  they  gave 
three  cheers,  and  began  to  throw  their  missive  weapons.  But 
alas!  their  cheering  was  quickly  turned  to  groaning,  and  the  cries 
and  screams  of  their  wounded  and  drowning  people  soon  reached 
the  shore  ;  for  Forts  McHenry  and  Covington,  with  the  city  battery 
and  the  Lazaretto  and  barges,  vomited  an  iron  flame  upon  them, 
in  heated  balls,  and  a  storm  of  heavy  bullets  flew  upon  them  from 
the  great  semi-circle  of  large  guns  and  gallant  hearts. 

"  The  houses  in  the  city  were  shaken  to  their  foundations,  for 
never,  perhaps,  from  the  time  of  the  invention  of  cannon  to  the 
present  day,  were  the  same  number  of  pieces  fired  with  so  rapid 
succession  ;  particularly  from  Fort  Covington,  where  a  party  of 
Rodgers'  really  invincible  crew  was  posted.  Barney's  flotilla  men, 
at  the  city  batteiy,  maintained  the  high  reputation  they  had  be- 
fore earned.  The  other  vessels  also  began  to  fire,  and  the  heavens 
were  lighted  with  flame,  and  all  was  continued  explosion  for  about 
half  an  hour.  Having  got  this  taste  of  what  was  prepared  for 
them  (and  it  was  a  mere  taste)  the  enemy  precipitately  retired 
with  his  remaining  force,  battered  and  crippled,  to  his  respectful 
distance  j  the  darkness  of  the  night  and  his  ceasing  to  fire,  (which 


350  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

was  the  only  guide  our  people  had)  preventing  his  annihilation. 
All  was  for  some  time  still — and  the  silence  was  awful ;  but  being 
beyond  danger,  some  of  his  vessels  resumed  the  bombardment, 
which  continued  until  morning — in  all  about  24  hours,  during 
which  there  were  thrown  not  less  than  1500  of  these  great  bombs, 
besides  many  rockets  and  some  round  shot.  They  must  have  suf- 
fered excessively  in  this  affair — two  of  their  large  barges  have 
been  found  sunk,  and  in  them  were  yet  some  dead  men.  But 
what  the  loss  really jwas  it  is  probable  we  never  shall  know.  They 
also  were  at  other  times  injured  by  Fort  McHenry,  the  Lazaretto, 
atid  the  barges.  I  myself  believe  I  saw  several  shots  take  effect 
during  Tuesday  afternoon. 

"  The  preservation  of  our  j)eople  in  the  fort  is  calculated  to  ex- 
cite in  a  wonderful  manner  our  gratitude  to  that  Great  Being 
without  whose  knowledge  a  sparrow  does  not  fall  to  the  ground. 
Only  four  were  killed  and  about  twenty  wounded,  and  two  or 
three  hundred  dollars  will  repair  all  the  damages  the  fortresses 
sustained.  Lieut.  Clagget,  of  Capt.  Nicholson's  company  of  artil- 
lery, was  the  only  officer  killed  in  the  fort.  His  friend.  Sergeant 
Clemm,  of  the  same  corps,  received  his  death  at  the  same  time. 
They  were  rocpectable  merchants. 

"  The  Admiral  fully  calculated  on  taking  the  fort  in  two  hours. 
Its  surrender  was  spoken  of  as  a  matter  of  course.  He  said  that 
when  it  was  taken,  and  the  shipping  destroyed,  'Ae  would  thihk 
about  terms  for  the  city.'  All  about  and  in  the  fort  is  such  ample 
evidence  of  his  zeal  to  perform  his  promise,  that  it  seems  impos- 
sible to  believe  that  greater  damage  was  not  done  than  really  sus- 
tained. The  gallant  and  accGmj>lished  Armstead,  through  watching 
and  excessive  fatigue  (for  he  had  other  great  duties  to  do  besides 
defending  his  post)  flagged  as  soon  as  the  fight  was  done,  and  now 
lies  very  ill ;  but  not  dangerously,  we  trust,  though  severely  afflicted. 
Many  of  his  gallant  companions  were  also  exhausted,  but  have  gen- 
erally recruited  their  strength. 

"  To  return  to  the  field  engagement :  the  force  of  the  enemy  in 
the  battle  may  have  amounted  to  4,000  men.  They  were  fine  look- 
ing fellows,  but  seemed  very  unwilling  to  meet  the  '  Yankee  '  bullets 
— their  dodging  from  the  cannon,  and  stooping  before  the  musketry, 
has  already  been  noticed.  The  prisoners  and  deserters  say  that, 
for  the  time  that  the  affair  lasted  and  the  men  engaged,  they  never 
received  so  destructive  a  fire ;  and  this  may  well  be,  for  our  men 
fired  not  by  word  of  command  only,  but  also  at  an  object.  Of  the 
21st  British  regiment,  about  500  were  landed ;  on  the  morning  of 
the  13th  they  found  171  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  Their  whole 
Joss  may  be  safely  estimated  at  from  5  to  700  men.  Major-General 
Ross,  who  did  '  not  care  if  it  rained  militia,'  the  incendiary  of  the 
Capital,  paid  the  forfeit  of  that  act  by  his  death.  He  was  killed  in 
the  early  part  of  the  action ;  and  there  is  reason  to  believe  that 
two  or  three  other  officers,  high  in  command,  met  the  same  fate. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  351 

Eoss  was  a  brave  man  and  an  able  commander — and  if  he  had  been 
engaged  in  another  system  of  warfare,  would  have  claimed  our  re- 
spectful remembrance.  We  may  admire,  but  we  cannot  esteem  his 
memory.  The  character  of  Moore,  in  Schiller's  play  of  the  Robbers^ 
notwithstanding  its  grandeur,  disgusts  by  the  business  to  which  his 
great  talents  and  accomplishments  were  devoted.  So  it  was  with 
Ross.  His  orders,  perhaps,  may  afford  some  sort  of  an  excuse  for 
his  violation  of  the  rules  of  civilized  war.  His  death  was  probably 
the  immediate  cause  why  an  attack  upon  our  works  was  not  made. 
General  Brooks,  on  whom  the  command  devolved,  would  not  risk 
the  enterprise. 

"  Our  whole  loss  in  the  affair  was  about  twenty  killed,  ninety 
wounded  and  forty-seven  prisoners  and  missing;  (twenty-two  of 
the  wounded  were  paroled  on  the  field,  forty-seven  are  on  board  of 
the  fleet — many  of  them  gentlemen  of  the  first  respectability — and 
it  is  believed  will  be  sent  to  Halifax,  though  all  possible  means  to 
effect  their  release  was  used.  By  a  flag  they  were  all  liberally  sup- 
plied.) The  officers  killed  were  James  Lowry  Donaldson,  Esq.,  Ad- 
jutant of  the  brave  27th  regiment,  and  one  of  the  representatives 
of  this  city  in  the  House  of  Delegates  of  Maryland — he  fell  while 
encouraging  his  brethren  in  arms  ;  and  Lieut.  Andre,  of  the  'Gray 
Yagers,'  a  valuable  young  man.  Major  Moore,  of  the  27th,  was 
severely  but  not  dangerously  wounded ;  Major  Heath  of  the  5th 
had  two  horses  shot  under  him,  and  Major  Barry  of  the  same 
regiment  was  also  killed.  The  cavalry  lost  several  horses,  and 
some  of  them  on  the  lookout  were  taken  prisoners.  For  the 
present  we  shall  only  add  that  Brigadier-General  Strieker,  whose 
urbanity  has  long  endeared  him  to  the  citizens  under  his  command 
and  the  people  at  large,  behaved  as  became  the  high  charge  en- 
trusted to  him  as  a  soldier.  He  has  the  entire  confidence  of  his 
brigade.  Eobert  G.  Harper,  Esq.,  who  volunteered  his  services  as 
an  aide-de-camp,  also  greatly  exerted  himself  in  the  hottest  part  of 
the  fire  to  encourage  and  give  steadiness  to  our  troops. 

*'  The  enemy's  bomb-vessels,  we  are  told,  are  much  wrecked 
by  their  own  fire.  This  may  well  be  supposed  when  the  fact  is 
stated  that  at  every  discharge  they  were  forced  two  feet  into  the 
water  by  the  force  of  it,  thus  straining  every  part  from  stem  to 
stern. 

*'  Never  was  the  mortification  of  an  invader  more  complete 
than  that  of  our  enemy.  Beaten  by  the  militia  and  defeated  by 
the  fort,  he  went  away  in  the  worst  possible  humor,  and  a  total 
loss  that  may  amount  to  not  less  than  800  men."  During  the 
fearful  night  of  the  bombardment,  Francis  S.  Key,  a  distinguished 
son  of  Maryland,  was  a  prisoner  in  the  British  fleet.  Having  gone 
on  board  in  the  cartel  ship  Minden,  in  the  company  of  Col.  John  S. 
Skinner,  under  the  protection  of  a  flag  of  truce,  to  effect  the  release 
of  some  captive  friends,  (Dr.  Beanes,  a  highly  esteemed  physician 
of   Upper  Marlborough  in  Maryland,)  he  was   himself  detained 


352  CHEONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

during  the  expedition.  They  were  placed  on  board  the  Surprise^ 
where  they  were  courteously  treated.  Finally  they  were  trans- 
ferred to  their  own  vessel,  the  Minden,  which  was  anchored  in  sight 
of  the  Fort.  Of  vivid  and  poetic  temperament,  he  felt  deeply  the* 
danger  which  their  preparations  foreboded,  and  the  long  and  ter- 
rible hours  which  passed  in  sight  of  that  conflict  whose  issue  he 
could  not  know.  It  was  under  these  circumstances  that  he  com- 
posed "  The  Star  Spangled  Banner,"  descriptive  of  the  scenes  of 
that  doubtful  night  and  of  his  own  excited  feelings.  As  the  struggle 
ceases,  upon  the  coming  morn,  uncertain  of  its  result,  his  eye  seeks 
for  the  flag  of  his  country,  and  he  asks  in  doubt : 

"  Oh  1  say,  can  you  see  by  the  dawn's  early  light 
What  so  proudly  we  hailed  at  the  twilight's  last  gleaming : 
Whose  broad  stripes  and  bright  stars  through  the  perilous  fight 
O'er  the  rampart  we  watched,  were  so  gallantly  streaming  ? 
The  rocket's  red  glare — bombs  bursting  in  air, 
Gave  proof  thro'  the  night  that  our  flag  was  still  there. 
Oh  1  say,  does  that  star-spangled  banner  still  wave 
O'er  the  land  of  the  free,  and  the  home  of  the  brave?  " 

And  then,  as  through  "the  mists  of  the  deep"  dimly  loomed  that 
gorgeous  banner  fluttering  in  the  first  rays  of  the  morning  sun, 
he  exclaims  triumphantly — 

"  'Tis  the  star-spangled  banner  1  oh,  long  may  it  wave 
O'er  the  land  of  the  free,  and  the  home  of  the  brave." 

This  outburst  of  the  patriot  and  poet's  heart  thrilled  through  the 
souls  of  his  brethren.  They  took  it  up — it  swelled  from  millions 
of  voices; — and  "The  Star-spangled  Banner,"  written  by  a  son  of 
Maryland,  within  sight  of  the  battle-fields  won  by  the  citizen  sol- 
diers of  Maryland — with  the  sound  of  their  victorious  cannon  still 
ringing  in  her  ears — became  the  proud  national  anthem  of  the 
whole  Union. 

The  crude  substance  of  this  song  was  written  on  the  back  of  a 
etter  which  the  author  happened  to  have  in  his  pocket.  On  the 
night  after  his  arrival  in  Baltimore  he  wrote  it  out  in  full,  and  the 
next  morning  he  read  it  to  his  uncle.  Judge  Nicholson,  who  was 
one  of  the  gallant  defenders  of  the  fort,  and  asked  his  opinion  of 
it.  The  Judge  was  so  pleased  with  it  that  he  took  it  to  the  print- 
ing-office of  Capt.  Benjamin  Edes,  on  North  street  near  Baltimore. 
Mr.  Edes  was  then  on  duty  with  the  gallant  Twenty-seventh  Regi- 
ment, of  which  Capt.  Lester  was  a  member.  The  Judge  then  took 
it  to  the  office  of  the  Baltimore  American,  and  directed  copies  to  be 
struck  off  in  small  hand-bill  form.  Mr.  Samuel  Sands,  who  was 
then  an  apprentice-boy  in  the  office,  but  now  editor  of  the  Ameri- 
can Farmer,  set  up  the  song  in  type,  printed  it,  and  distributed  it 
iamongthe  citizens.  It  was  first  sung  in  a  restaurant  in  this  city, 
next  to  the  Ilolliday  Street  Theatre,  by  Charles  Durang,  to  an  as- 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  353 

semblage  of  patriotic  defenders  of  the  city,  and  after  that,  nightly 
in  the  theatre.  It  created  intense  enthusiasm,  and  was  everywhere 
sung  in  public  and  in  private. 

•During  the  bombardment  of  Fort  McHenry,  at  a  time  when  the 
explosions  were  the  most  tremendous,  a  rooster  mounted  a  parapet 
and  crowed  heartily.  This  excited  the  laughter  and  animated  the 
feelings  of  all  present.  A  man  who  was  severely  indisposed  and 
worn  down  with  fatigue,  declared  that  if  ever  he  lived  to  see  Bal- 
timore, the  rooster  should  be  treated  with  pound-cake.  Not  being 
able  to  leave  the  fort,  the  day  after  the  bombardment  he  sent  to 
the  city,  procured  the  cake,  and  had  fine  sport  in  treating  his 
favorite  rooster. 

From  the  official  report  of  Commodore  Eodgers,  who  commanded 
the  naval  force  stationed  in  Baltimore  on  the  12th  and  13th  of  Sep- 
tember, to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  dated  the  23d  of  September, 
we  find  the  following  distribution  of  the  force  under  his  com- 
mand : 

"1  stationed  Lieut.  Gamble,  first  of  Guerriere,  with  about  100 
seamen,  in  command  of  seven-gun  battery  on  the  line  between  the 
roads  leading  from  Philadelphia  and  Sparrow's  Point.  Sailing- 
master  De  La  Bouch,  of  the  Brie,  and  Midshipman  Field,  of  the 
Guerriere,  with  20  seamen,  in  command  of  a  two-gun  battery, 
fronting  the  road  leading  from  Sparrow's  Point.  Sailing-master 
Ramage,  of  the  Guerriere,  with  20  seamen,  in  command  of  a  five- 
gun  battery,  to  the  right  of  the  Sparrow's  Point  road.  And  Mid- 
shipman Salter,  with  12  seamen,  in  command  of  a  one-gun  battery 
a  little  to  the  right  of  Mr.  Hamage.  Lieut.  Kuhn,  with  the  de- 
tachment of  marines  belonging  to  the  Guerriere,  was  posted  in  the 
entrenchment  between  the  batteries  occupied  by  Lieut.  Gamble 
and  Sailing  master  Ramage.  Lieut.  Newcomb,  third  of  the  Guer- 
riere, with  80  seamen,  occupied  Fort  Covington,  on  the  Ferry 
Branch,  a  little  below  Spring  Gardens.  Sailing-master  Webster,  of 
the  flotilla,  with  50  seamen  of  that  corps,  occupied  a  six-gun  bat- 
tery on  the  Ferry  Branch,  known  by  the  name  of  Babcock.  Lieut. 
Frazier,  of  the  flotilla,  with  45  seamen  of  the  same  corps,  occupied 
a  three-gun  battery  near  the  Lazaretto.  And  Lieut.  Rutter,  the 
senior  officer  of  the  flotilla,  in  command  of  all  the  barges,  which 
were  moored  at  the  entrance  of  the  passage  between  the  Lazaretto 
and  Fort  McHenry  in  the  left  wing  of  the  water-battery,  at  which 
was  stationed  Sailing-master  Rodman  and  54  seamen  of  the  flotilla. 
Sailing-master  Rodman  was  stationed  in  the  water-battery  of  Fort 
McHenry  with  60  seamen  of  the  flotilla."  Com.  Rodgers  says :  "  The 
enemy's  repulsion  from  the  Ferry  Branch  on  the  night  of  the  13th  : 
inst.,  after  he  had  passed  Fort  McHenry  with  his  barges  and  some 
light  vessels,  was  owing  to  the  warm  reception  he  met  from  the 
Forts  Covington  and  Babcock,  commanded  by  Lieut.  Newcomb 
and  Sailing-master  Webster,  who  with  all  under  their  command 

erformed  the  duty  assigned  to  them  to  admiration 

23 


364  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

It  becomes  a  duty  to  notice  the  services  of  that  gallant  and 
meritorious  officer,  Captain  Spence,  of  the  navy,  by  whose  exertions, 
assisted  by  Lieut.  Kutter  with  the  barges,  the  entrance  into  the 
basin  was  so  obstructed  in  the  enemy's  presence,  and  that  too  in  a 
very  short  time,  as  to  bid  defiance  to  his  ships,  had  he  attempted 
to  force  that  passage." 

Tbe  different  Masonic  lodges  of  this  city  formed  in  procession 
on  Monday,  the  16th  of  May,  at  the  riding-school  in  George  street; 
from  whence,  accompanied  by  a  band  of  music  and  a  company  of 
military,  the}-  proceeded  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  in  East 
street  (Fayette.)  After  divine  service,  the  procession  moved  to 
"  a  spot  of  ground  near  the  southwest  corner  of  the  new  court-house, 
in  St.  Paul's  lane,  where,  according  to  the  ceremonies  of  that  most 
ancient  and  honorable  fraternity,  the  foundation  was  laid  of  a 
new  and  superb  Masonic  hall."  Max  Godfrey,  Esq.,  was  archi- 
tect, and  Col.  William  Steuart  and  Col.  Jacob  Small  builders. 
Upon  the  completion  of  the  new  Masonic  Hall  this  building  was 
Bold  to  the  Mayor  and  City  Council  for  the  sum  of  $50,000,  and  is 
now  used  for  a  court-house. 


NAVAL  HISTORY  OF  BALTIMORE  IN  THE  WAR  OF  1812. 

On  the  18th  of  June,  1812,  Congress  passed  an  Act  declaring 
war  between  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland, 
and  the  dependencies  thereof,  and  the  LTnited  States  of  America 
and  their  territories;  and  authorized  the  President  to  use  the 
whole  land  and  naval  forces  of  the  United  States  to  carry  the  same 
into  effect,  and  to  issue  to  private  armed  vessels  of  the  United 
States  commissions,  or  letters-of-marque  and  general  reprisals,  &c. 
It  is  well  kriown  to  those  Americans  who  lived  through  the  war 
of  1812,  and  to  all  the  reading  portion  of  our  extensive  country, 
that  the  privateers  and  letters-of-marque  were  the  great  thorn  in 
the  side  of  our  inveterate  enemy ;  that  they  harassed  and  annoyed 
their  adversaries  in  every  quarter  of  the  globe,  and  even  at  the 
entrance  of  their  own  ports  in  old  England  itself.  They  fought 
and  captured  ships  and  vessels  off  the  North  Cape,  in  the  British 
and  Irish  channels,  on  the  coasts  of  Spain  and  Portugal,  in  the  East 
and  West  Indies,  off  the  capes  of  Good  Hope  and  Horn,  and  in  the 
Pacific  Ocean.  In  a  word,  they  were  harassing  and  annoying 
British  trade  and  commerce  wherever  a  ship  could  float ;  they  took 
and  destroyed  millions  of  property,  and  were,  beyond  all  doubt,  the 
happy  instruments  under  God  in  bringing  about  a  permanent  peace 
with  a  proud,  haughty,  overbearing  nation.  About  four  months 
after  the  declaration  of  war,  Baltimore  had  sent  to  sea  forty-two 


CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE.  355 

armed  vessels,  carrying  about  three  hundred  and  thirty  guns,  and 
from  2,800  to  3,000  men.  And  here  we  would  observe,  that  Balti- 
more took  the  lead  in  fitting  out  privateers  and  letters-of-marque, 
and  was  more  active  and  }3atriotic  in  annoying  the  enemy  than  any 
other  city  in  the  United  States.  On  the  10th  of  July,  the  British 
government  schooner  Whiting,  Lieut.  Maxey,  with  dispatches  from 
his  Government  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  was  taken 
while  lying  in  Hampton  Eoads,  (he  not  having  heard  of  the  war), 
without  resistance,  by  the  privateer  Dash,  Captain  Carroway,  of 
Baltimore.  The  Dash  at  this  time  was  ready  for  sea,  and  bound 
on  a  cruise  for  British  merchantmen. 

On  the  18th  of  July  the  letter-of-marque  schooner  Falcon,  be- 
longing to  Baltimore,  on  her  passage  from  Boston  to  Bordeaux, 
with  four  guns  and  sixteen  men,  when  on  the  coast  of  Franca,  was 
engaged  with  the  British  cutter  Hero,  with  five  guns  and  fifty 
men,  for  two  hours  and  a  half,  and  finally  beat  her  off,  with 
considerable  loss  on  both  sides,  after  repulsing  the  enemy  three 
times  in  his  attempt  to  board.  On  the  next  day  the  Falcon  was 
attacked  by  a  British  privateer  of  six  guns  and  forty  men,  and 
although  considerably  injured  by  her  engagement  with  the  cutter 
the  day  previous,  the  privateer  commenced  a  heavy  fire  on  the 
Falcon,  which  she  bravely  returned  for  an  hour  and  a  half,  when 
the  captain  and  several  of  the  crew  of  the  Falcon  being  wounded, 
she  was  carried  by  boarding  while  her  colors  were  still  flying. 

On  the  26th  of  July  the  first  English  vessel  arrived  at  Balti- 
more a  prize  to  the  privateer  Dolphin  ;  she  was  loaded  with  sugar, 
and  her  cargo  was  valued  at  618,000.  In  August  the  British 
schooner  Fanny,  from  St.  Croix  for  St.  Andrews,  in  ballast,  was 
sent  into  Baltimore  by  the  Dolphin  ;  valued  at  318,000.  Ship  Bra- 
ganza,  from  Port-au-Princc  for  London,  mounting  twelve  guns, 
burthen  four  hundred  tons,  deeply  laden  with  coffee  and  logwood, 
was  captured  and  sent  into  Baltimore  by  the  Tom  of  this  port, 
after  a  running  fight  of  fifty-five  minutes.  Brig  William,  from 
Bristol,  England,  for  St.  Johns,  with  a  cargo  of  coal,  butter  and 
sundries,  was  sent  into  Boston  by  the  Kossie,  Commodore  Barney, 
of  Baltimore.  One  ship,  five  brigs,  and  a  schooner,  all  laden  with 
fish  and  timber,  captured  by  tho  Rossie  and  burned.  Ship  Jennie, 
twelve  guns  and  eighteen  men,  from  Liverpool  for  St.  Johns,  with 
salt,  was  sent  into  Salem  by  the  Rossie.  One  brig  and  a  schooner, 
captured  by  the  Rossie,  and  sent  to  Newfoundland  with  the  crews 
of  the  above  vessels,  one  hundred  and  eight  in  number,  on  parole 
and  receipt  for  exchange.  Commodore  Barney  sent  his  compli- 
ments to  Admiral  Sawyer,  desiring  the  poor  fellows  might  be  fairly 
treated,  and  promising  a  larger  supply  very  soon.  Schooner  Per- 
severance, from  St.  Augustine  for  Nassau,  in  ballast,  was  sent  into 
Charleston  by  the  Nonsuch  of  Baltimore.  Ship  Sir  Simon  Clark, 
sixteen  guns,  thirty-nine  men,  from  Jamaica  for  Leith,  with  a 
cargo  of  sugar,  rum,  coffee,  etc.,  worth  from  $100,000  to  $150,000, 


356  CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

was  sent  into  Norfolk  by  the  Globe  of  Baltimore.  She  was  gal- 
lantly carried  by  boarding,  after  a  brisk  cannonade  of  a  few 
minutes.  The  British  ship  had  four  men  killed,  with  the  captain 
and  three  others  severely  wounded.  The  second  lieutenant  and 
drummer  were  killed  on  board  the  Globe,  and  one  wounded.  Pri- 
vateer Globe  brought  into  Hampton  Eoads  a  very  large  British 
ship,  showing  twenty-two  guns.  She  was  from  Jamaica,  bound 
for  Glasgow,  and  richly  laden.  The  ship  came  up  the  bay,  and 
the  Globe  proceeded  again  to  sea  as  quickly  as  possible.  The 
schooner  Ann,  another  prize  to  the  Globe,  carrying  four  guns, 
laden  with  logwood  and  mahogany,  arrived  at  Baltimore.  It  is 
stated  that  several  of  the  crews  of  these  prizes  entered  as  seamen 
on  board  of  the  Globe. 

Extracts  from  the  log-book  of  the  schooner  Highflyer  of  Bal- 
timore-: "  On  the  26th  July,  off  the  Double-headed  Shot  Keys,  at 
half-past  four  P.  M.,  discovered  a  sail  standing  north  and  west ; 
gave  chase.  At  seven  P.  M.  came  up  with  and  boarded  the 
schooner  Harriet,  in  ballast  from  New  Providence,  bound  to 
Havana.  She  carried  three  black  men  and  one  boy,  two  gentle- 
men and  one  lady  passengers.  Put  on  board  Captain  Taylor  as 
prize-master,  and  ordered  her  for  the  first  port  in  the  United 
States.  The  next  day  the  captain  of  the  Harriet  informed  Capt. 
Gavet  that  there  was  money  concealed  on  board.  We  boarded  her 
and  found  S8000  in  specie.  On  the  21st,  brought  to  and  boarded 
the  British  ship  Diana,  Captain  Harvey,  one  of  the  Jamaica  fleet 
bound  to  Bristol,  burthen  353  tons,  laden  with  rum.  sugar,  coffee, 
etc.  Took  out  her  crew,  sent  a  prize-master  and  ten  men  on  board, 
and  ordered  her  for  the  first  port  in  the  United  States.  At  the 
same  time  two  other  sail  in  sight.  At  six  A.  M.  bore  down  on 
them,  fired  three  or  four  shots  at  them,  which  were  returned  by 
both  ships.  22d,  at  two  P.  M.,  engaged  the  two  ships  at  half-gun 
shot,  and  after  firing  on  them  upwards  of  sixty  shots,  the  breeze 
blowing  fresh,  not  thinking  it  safe  to  board  them,  at  four  P.  M. 
hauled  off.  Next  day,  at  four  P.  M.,  wind  moderating,  bore  down 
and  engaged  the  sternmost  ship,  called  the  Jamaica  of  Liverpool, 
Captain  Neil,  of  seven  guns,  twenty-one  men,  365  tons,  in  com- 
pany with  the  ship  Mary  and  Ann  of  London,  Captain  Miller, 
mounting  twelve  guns,  eighteen  men,  and  329  tons  burden.  When 
within  musket  shot  we  commenced  a  brisk  fire  from  our  great 
guns  and  musketry,  which  was  returned  with  great  courage  and 
resolution  from  both  ships.  The  engagement  lasted  twenty 
minutes,  when  we  boarded  and  carried  the  Jamaica,  the  Mary  and 
Ann  striking  her  colors  at  the  same  time.  Manned  both  ships, 
put  Mr.  Brown  (prize-master)  and  eight  men  on  board  the  Mary 
and  Ann,  and  Mr.  Grant  and  fourteen  men  on  board  the  Jamaica, 
and  ordered  them  for  the  first  port  in  the  United  States.  Both 
ships  were  richly  laden  with  sugar,  rum,  coffee,  logwood,  &c. 
Several  of  their  seamen  and  ours  were  wounded,  but  none  killed. 
The  prizes  arrived  safely." 


CHKONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  357 

Extracts  from  the  journal  of  the  privateer  Globe  of  Baltimore: 
"July  31st  saw  a  sail,  to  which  we  gave  chase,  and  in  about  three 
hours  were  within  gun-shot,  when  we  commenced  firing.  She 
hoisted  British  colors,  and  returned  fire  with  her  stern-chasers — two 
long  nines  —  which  w^as  continued  for  about  forty  minutes  against 
our  long  nine  (midships),  that  being  the  only  gun  we  could  get  to 
bear,  as  it  was  blowing  fresh  and  she  crowded  all  sail.  When  we 
got  close  enough  we  be^an  to  fire  broadsides  (charged  with  round 
shot  double-shotted,  and  then  with  langrage  and  round)  which  she 
returned,  broadside  for  broadside.  When  we  got  within  musket- 
shot  and  fired  several  volleys  into  her  she  struck,  after  a  brisk  en- 
gagement of  an  hour*  and  a  half  She  proved  to  be  the  English 
letter-of-marque  ship  Boyd,  from  New  Providence  for  Liverpool, 
laden  with  coffee,  dye-woods  and  cotton,  mounting  ten  guns,  viz., 
two  long  nines,  two  short  twelves,  and  six  long  sixes.  Put  a  prize- 
master  and  eight  men  on  board,  and  ordered  her  to  Baltimore. 
Arrived  at  Philadelphia.  On  the  14th  of  August  saw  a  sail  ahead, 
to  which  we  gave  chase,  and  captured  without  resistance.  She 
proved  to  be  the  British  schooner  Ann,  from  the  city  of  St.  Do- 
mingo for  Guernsey,  laden  with  mahogany  and  logwood,  mounts 
four  guns,  and  carries  nine  men  (arrived)." 

In  August  the  ship  Elizabeth,  ten  guns,  twelve  pounders,  from 
Jamaica  for  England,  laden  with  323  hogsheads  of  sugar,  some 
tierces  and  barrels  of  do.,  with  a  quantity  of  coffee  and  ginger,  &c., 
was  sent  into  Charleston  by  the  Sarah  Ann,  of  Baltimore,  after  a 
smart  action,  in  which  four  men  were  wounded  on  board  of  the 
ship,  and  two  on  board  of  the  privateer.  Schooner  James,  from 
Porto  llico  for  Martinique,  in  ballast,  was  sent  into  Baltimore  by 
the  Dolphin,  of  this  port.  The  Dolphin  also  destroyed  several 
droggers.  Schooner  Minorca,  from  Jamaica,  for  Cuba,  was  sent 
into  Savannah  by  the  Wasp  of  Baltimore. 

On  the  30th  of  August,  Commodore  Barney  arrived  at  New- 
port, in  his  schooner  Eossie,  from  a  short  but  successful  cruise  of 
forty-five  days,  along  the  eastern  coast  of  the  United  States.  Dur- 
ing his  absence  he  captured  fifteen  vessels,  nine  of  the  number  he 
burned  or  sunk.  The  vessels  captured  amounted  to  about  2,914 
tons,  and  were  manned  by  166  men.  The  estimated  value  of  these 
vessels  was  $1,289,000.  Commodore  Barney  remained  in  this  port 
about  eight  or  ten  days  to  water,  provision,  and  refresh  the  crew 
of  his  privateer,  for  another  cruise. 

Ship  Hopewell,  fourteen  guns,  twenty-five  men,  from  Surinam 
for  London,  burthen  upwards  of  400  tons,  laden  with  710  hhds.  of 
sugar,  54  hhds.  of  molasses.  111  bales  of  cotton,  260  bags  and  casks 
of  coffee  and  cocoa,  captured  by  the  Comet  of  Baltimore,  was  sent 
into  this  port  after  an  obstinate  engagement,  in  which  one  man 
was  killed  and  six  wounded  on  board  of  the  ship ;  two  of  the 
privateer's  men  were  wounded.  Th3  Hopewell  was  worth  $150,000. 
Ship  Kitty,  captured  by  the  Eossie  of  Baltimore  and  sent  into  an 


358  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

eastern  port.  Ship  Mary  Ann,  from  Jamaica,  for  London,  a  very 
valuable  vessel,  carrying  twelve  guns  and  eighteen  men,  deeply 
laden  with  sugar,  &c.,  was  sent  into  Charleston  by  the  Highflyer 
of  Baltimore.  Sent  into  Baltimore  the  first-class  British  ship 
Henry,  400  tons  burthen,  coppered  to  the  bends,  mounting  four 
twelve  pounders  and  six  six  pounders,  bound  from  St.  Croix  for 
London.  She  was  captured  by  the  privateer  Comet,  Captain  Boyle, 
of  Baltimore.  The  Henry's  cargo  consisted  of  700  hogsheads  of 
sugar  and  thirteen  pipes  of  old  madeira  wine  ;  this  vessel  and 
cargo  produced  a  clear  profit  to  the  captors  of  more  than  $100,000. 
Schooner  Hussar,  sent  into  Savannah  by  the  Liberty  of  Baltimore, 
laden  with  turtle,  &c.,  supposed  as  present^  for  Admiral  Warren 
and  his  officers.  Three  vessels  captured  by  the  Dolphin  of  Balti- 
more, and  burned.  Ship  John,  fourteen  guns,  thirty-five  men,  four 
hundred  tons  burthen,  from  I)emerara  for  Liverpool,  laden  with 
742  bales  of  cotton,  230  hogsheads  of  sugar,  100  puncheons  of  rum, 
50  casks  and  300  bags  of  coffee,  with  a  large  quantity  of  old  cop- 
per and  dye-wood,  worth  at  least  $150,000,  was  sent  into  Baltimore 
by  the  Comet  of  this  port.  Privateer  schooner  Frances,  of  Nassau, 
N.  P.,  four  guns  and  thirty  men,  a  fine,  fast  sailing  vessel,  was  sent 
into  Baltimore  by  the  Dolphin,  of  the  same  port.  Brig  Point 
Shares,  from  St.  Johns,  New  Brunswick,  for  Barbadoes,  was  cap- 
tured b}^  the  letter-of-marque  schooner  Baltimore,  of  Baltimore, 
on  her  voyage  to  France,  and  sent  into  port.  The  brig  was  laden 
with  fish.  Schooner  Fame,  from  Trinidad  for  Cayenne,  laden  with 
^^y-g<>od8,  oil,  &c.,  was  sent  into  Savannah  by  the  Nonsuch  of 
Baltimore.  Schooner  Dawson,  captured  off  the  Island  of  Jamaica, 
laden  with  sugar,  rum,  and  coffee,  was  sent  into  Savannah  by  the 
Wasp  of  Baltimore. 

The  gallant  Commodore  Barney  returned  home  to  Baltimore 
in  his  privateer  schooner  Eossie  on  the  10th  of  November,  from  a 
successful  cruise,  and  we  herewith  extract  from  his  journal:  "July 
22d — Seized  the  brig  Nymph,  of  Newburyport,  for  breach  of  the 
non-importation  law.  July  23d— Was  chased  by  a  frigate,  fired 
twenty-five  shots  at  us,  outsailed  her.  July  30th— Chased  by  a 
frigate,  outsailed  her.  July  31st— Took  and  burned  the  ship 
Princess  Eoyal.  August  1st— Took  and  manned  the  ship  Kitty. 
August  2d — Took  and  burnt  the  following :  brig  Fame,  brig  Devon- 
shire, schooner  Squid,  and  took  the  brig  Brothers,  put  on  board  of 
her  sixty  prisoners  and  sent  her  to  St.  Johns,  to  be  exchanged  for 
as  many  Americans.  August  3d— Took  and  sunk  the  brig  Henry, 
and  schooner  Eace  Horse ;  burned  schooner  Halifax,  manned  the 
brig  William,  and  gave  the  schooner  Two  Brothers  forty  prisoners, 
and  sent  them  to  St.  Johns  on  parole.  August  9th — Took  the  ship 
Jenny  after  a  short  action  ;  she  mounted  twelve  guns ;  sent  her  to 
the  United  States  (arrived).  August  10th — Seized  the  brig  Ee- 
becca,  of  Saco,  from  London,  for  a  breach  of  the  non-imporfation 
law  (arrived).     August  28th— Seized  the  ship  Euphrates,  of  New 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  359 

Bedford,  for  breach  of  the  non-importation  law  (arrived).  Sep- 
tember 9th — Chased  by  three  ships  of  war,  which  did  not  continue 
long,  for  we  outsailed  them  without  difficulty.  September  12th — 
Chased  by  a  frigate  six  hours;  outsailed  her."  On  the  16th  of  Sep- 
tember, Cora.  Barney  fell  in  with  his  Britannic  Majesty's  packet 
ship  Princess  Amelia,  when  a  severe  action  commenced  between 
the  two  vessels  at  close  quarters.  It  lasted  nearly  an  hour ;  and 
during  the  greatest  part  of  the  time  within  pistol  shot  distance. 
Com.  Barney's  first  lieut ,  Mr.  Long,  and  six  of  his  crew  were 
wounded.  The  Rossie  suffered  considerably  in  her  rigging  and 
sails,  but  nothing  in  her  hull.  The  loss  of  the  Princess  Amelia  was 
her  captain,  sailing-master,  and  one  man  killed,  .the  master's  mate 
and  six  seamen  wounded.  The  packet  was  terribly  cut  to  pieces 
in  her  hull,  sails,  and  rigging.  "October  8th — Took  (in  company 
with  the  Globe)  the  schooner  Jubilee,  and  sent  her  into  port.  Oc- 
tober 22d — Seized  the  ship  Merrimack,  for  a  breach  of  the  non-im- 
portation act.  The  result  is  3,698  tons  of  shipping,  valued  at  up- 
wards of  $1,500,000,  and  217  prisoners." 

On  the  28th  of  September  the  privateer  Nonsuch,  of  Baltimore, 
Captain  Levely,  carrying  twelve  twelve-pound  carronades,  and  be- 
tween eighty  and  ninety  men,  fell  in  with  a  ship  and  a  schooner 
under  British  colors  off  Martinique — the  ship  carrj-ing  sixteen 
eighteen-pound  carronades,  and  two  hundred  men,  including  sol- 
diers ;  and  the  schooner  six  four-pounders,  and  sixty  men.  "When 
within  reach  of  the  ship  she  gave  us  a  broadside.  We  bore  down 
upon  her  and  hoisted  American  colors,  and  returned  ten  broad- 
sides, accompanied  each  time  with  a  heavy  volley  of  musketry,  the 
ship  and  schooner  keeping  up  a  heavy  fire  upon  us  with  their  great 
guns  and  musketry.  The  engagement  lasted  three  hours  and 
twenty  minutes,  when  the  bolts  and  breachings  of  our  guns  fore 
and  aft  were  carried  away  both  sides.  We  could  then  only  use  our 
musketry,  or  we  should  certainly  have  captured  them  both.  We 
dismounted  several  of  the  ship's  guns,  and  damaged  her  very  much 
in  her  hull  and  rigging.  From  the  confusion  which  appeared  on 
board,  we  judge  that  we  must  have  killed  and  wounded  a  consid- 
erable number  of  men ;  she  bore  away  for  Martin ico  ;  we  being 
much  crippled  in  our  sails  and  rigging  could  not  pursue  her.  The 
Nonsuch  lost  during  the  action  one  officer  killed  (Mr.  Wilkinson) 
and  three  seamen  (Samuel  Christian,  Lewis  Riley,  and  David 
McCarthy),  they  had  also  six  seamen  wounded.  The  British  lost 
seven  killed  and  sixteen  wounded." 

Brig  Francis,  from  St.  Johns,  Porto  Eico,  for  Martinique,  laden 
with  bullocks,  was  sent  into  Charleston  by  the  Nonsuch,  of  Balti- 
more. Brig  Porgie,  from  Antigua,  laden  with  rum  and  molasses, 
was  sent  into  Norfolk  by  the  Highflyer,  of  Baltimore,  on  her 
second  cruise.  Ship  John  Hamilton,  550  tons,  mounting  ten  guns, 
twelve-pounders,  and  thirty  men,  from  Honduras  for  London,  laden 
with  700  tons  of  mahogany,  was  sent  into  Baltimore  by  the  Dol- 


360  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

phin  privateer  of  this  port,  after  a  smart  action,  but  without  loss 
.  of  a  single  life  on  either  side,  though  several  were  wounded  —  a 
fine  prize.     Packet  Townsend,  from  Falmouth,  (England),  for  Bar- 
badoes,  heavily  armed,  was  captured   by  the  Tom  of  Baltimore, 
V  after  a  severe  engagement,  in  which  the  captain  of  the  Townsend 
land  four  of  her  men  were  killed  and  several  wounded.     The  Tom 
was  but  little  injured,  and  had  only  two  men  wounded.     The  mail 
was  thrown  overboard,  but  recovered  by  the  Bona,  and  brought  to 
Baltimore  a  few  days  after.     Brig  Burchall,  a  packet  from  Barba- 
,does  for  Demerara,  with  an  English  commissary  and  his  lady  on 
board,  was  captured  by  the  Highflyer  of  Baltimore,  and  sent  into 
this   port.     The  Highflyer    also  captured  a  number  of  droggers 
(coasting  vessels),  plying  between  the  islands  of  the  West  Indies; 
she  released  one  of  them  with  the  commissary  and  seventy-two 
prisoners,  and  sent  her  as  a  flag  of  truce  into  Demerara.     The 
Governor  (Carmichael)  returned  a  complimentary  letter  to  her 
captain  for  his  kind  treatment  to  them.     Brig  Active  of  ten  guns, 
and    very  valuable,  was  sent  into  Charleston,  S.  C.,bythe  High- 
flyer of  Baltimore.     Ship  Betsey, guns,  for  Glasgow,  supposed 

to  have  a  quantity  of  specie  on  board,  was  sent  into  Wilmington, 

N.  C,  by  the  Eevenge  of  Baltimore.     Schooner laden  with 

dry-goods,  &c.,  from  Jamaica  for  the  Spanish  Main,  very  valu- 
able, was  sent  into  Savannah  by  the  Liberty  of  Baltimore.  The 
prize  carried  two  guns,  and  had  thirty  men  ;  the  privateer  had  only 
one  gun  and  forty  men.  The  prize  was  worth  $60,000.  Schooner 
Swift  of  Plymouth,  (England),  from  St.  Michaels,  was  taken  by 
the  Eolia  of  Baltimore,  and  burnt.  In  a  severe  gale  of  wind.  Cap- 
tain Dewley  was  compelled  to  throw  overboard  all  his  guns  but 
one,  but  the  crew,  sixty  in  number,  determined  to  continue  the 
cruise. 

Kear  Madeira,  from  the  12th  to  the  15th  of  December,  without 
the  loss  of  one  man,  the  Eolla  captured,  manned,  and  ordered  for 
the  first  port,  the  following  immensely  valuable  vessels,  being  a 
part  of  the  Cork  fleet ;— Ship  Mary,  fourteen  guns,  of  Bristol,  laden 
with  hardware,  crates,  &c.  Ship  Eliza,  of  ten  guns,  of  Bristol, 
laden  with  20,000  bushels  of  wheat.  Ship  Eio  Nouva,  eighteen 
guns,  of  London,  laden  with  dry  goods.  Ship  Apollo,  ten  guns, 
deeply  laden  with  king's  stores.     Brig  Boroso,  six  guns,  of  Cork, 

Jaden    with    dry   goods,    beef,    and   candles.      Schooner  ,    of 

Aberdeen,  given  up  to  discharge  the  prisoners.  Grand  total',  seven 
vessels,  fifty-eight  cannon,  150  prisoners,  and  property  worth  be- 
tween two  and  three  millions  of  dollars. 

Sloop  Eeasonable,  from  Porto  Eico  for  Martinique,  was  chased 
on  shore  on  the  north-east  end  of  the  former  by  the  Liberty  of 
Baltimore,  and  destroyed.  Schooner  Maria,  from  Jamaica  for  the 
Bay  of  Honduras,  in  ballast,  was  taken  by  the  Liberty  of  Baltimore, 
and  ransomed.  While  Capt.  John  Murphy,  in  the  privateer  Globe 
of  Baltimore,  was  cruising  ofi"  the  coast  of  Portugal,  he  fell  in  with 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  361 

an  Algerine  sloop-of-war,  when  a  severe  engagement  ensued  be- 
tween them.  Although  the  action  was  continued  for  a  period  of 
three  hours  at  half  gunshot  distance,  it  is  strange  to  relate  that 
the  Globe  lost  not  a  man,  and  had  but  two  wounded.  The  shot  of 
the  Algerine  almost  invariably  passed  over  her  adversary,  the  Globe 
having  received  no  less  than  eighty-two  shots  through  her  sails. 
How  much  the  sloop-of-war  suffered  was  not  ascertained,  but  from 
all  appearances  she  must  have  been  terribly  hulled  and  cut  to 
pieces.  The  Globe  hauled  oft*  to  i-epair  damages,  and  the  Algerine 
was  unwilling  to  renew  the  conflict,  so  that  both  parties  probably 
esteemed  it  a  drawn  battle,  and  accordingly  separated. 

1813.  Port  of  New  York,  April  24th. — Arrived,  letter-of-marque 
schooner  Ned,  Captain  Dawson  of  Baltimore,  forty-two  days  from 
La  Teste  (through  Long  Island  Sound.)  In  lat.  44°  54'  N.,  long. 
15°  W.,  fell  in  with  the  English  letter-of-marque  brig  Malvina,  of 
Aberdeen,  mounting  10  guns — six  and  nine-pounders  ;  and  after  a 
close  action  of  fifty-two  minutes,  succeeded  in  capturing  her.  The 
captain  of  the  Malvina  was  killed  ;  the  Ned  had  seven  men  badly 
wounded.  Put  Capt.  Penderson  as  prize-master,  and  a  crew  on 
board  of  her,  and  ordered  her  into  an  American  port.  On  the  18th 
Inst.,  the  Ned  was  chased  off"  the  Chesapeake  by  a  seventy-four  and 
a  frigate;  on  the  19th  was  chased  off  the  Delaware;  on  the  20th, 
was  chased  oft"  Sandy  Hook ;  and  on  the  2l8t,  got  in  at  the  east 
end  of  Long  Island,  through  four  or  five  ships-of-war.  Schooner 
Farmer,  of  Nassau,  N.  P.,  laden  with  cotton,  captured  by  the  Spar- 
row, of  Baltimore,  but  given  up.  Schooner  Pearl,  from  Curacoa 
to  St.  Croix,  with  a  cargo  of  corn  meal,  was  sent  into  Savannah 

by  the  Liberty  of  Baltimore.     Sloop ,  a  Bi-itish  privateer 

of guns,  was  captured   by  the  Liberty  and  divested  of  her 

armament  and  valuable  articles,  and  then  given  up  for  want  of 

room  for  the  prisoners.     Brig ,  from  Lisbon  to  London,  with 

a  cargo  of  cotton,  was  taken  by  the  letter-of-marque  schooner 
Sabine,  of  Baltimore,  on  her  way  to  France,  and  burnt.  Brig 
Kingston  Packet,  with  a  valuable  cargo  of  rum,  &c.,  was  brought 
into  Ocracock,  North  Carolina,  by  the  Globe  of  Balto.  Ship  Loyal 
Sam,  10  guns,  from  Nassau,  N.  P.,  for  England,  was  captured  by 
the  letter-of-marque  schooner  Siro,  of  Balto.,  on  her  passage  from 
France,  and  ordered  to  a  southern  port.  The  Loyal  Sam  had 
623,500  in  specie  on  board,  and  a  quantity  of  indigo  which  came 
safe  to  Portland,  where  the  Siro  arrived  soon  after. 

Ship  Venus,  fourteen  guns,  from  Cadiz  for  Newfoundland,  with 
a  full  cargo  of  salt,  was  sent  into  Beaufort,  S.  C,  by  the  Globe,  of 
Baltimore.  Brigadier-General  Prevost,  from  Halifax  for  Demerara, 
was  captured  by  the  Rolla,  of  Baltimore,  and  sent  into  New  Orleans. 
Schooner  Elizabeth,  from  Lisbon  for  London,  was  captured  by  the 
Globe  of  Baltimore  and  burnt.  Ship  Pelham,  fi-om  Lisbon  for 
Figaro,  laden  with  rum,  was  captured  by  the  Globe  and  burnt. 
The  Globe  captured  at  this  time  and  ordered  into  port   several 


362  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

valuable  vessels.     Bark ,  captured  and  burnt  by  the  Dolphin, 

of  Baltimore,  on  her  second  cruise.  Armed  schooner  Dorcas,  taken 
by  the  Liberty,  of  Baltimore,  divested  of  her  dry-goods,  &c.,  and 
released. 

The  letter-of- marque  schooner  Lottery  of  Baltimore,  with  six 
guns  and  thirty-five  men,  on  the  15th  of  February,  1813,  while  at 
anchor  in  Chesapeake  bay  (being  outward  bound),  was  captured  by 
nine  British  barges  containing  240  men,  after  fighting  them  off  for 
an  hour  and  a  half;  it  was  supposed  that  more  Englishmen  were 
killed  and  wounded  than  the  whole  crew  of  the  letter-of  marque. 
Captain  Southcomb,  of  the  Lottery,  being  badly  wounded,  the 
enemy  boarded  the  schooner  and  pulled  down  the  colors  themselves. 

Captain  W.  S.  Stafford,  of  the  privateer  Dolphin,  of  Baltimore, 
had  been  for  some  days  cruising  off  the  coasts  of  Spain  and  Portugal, 
and  when  off  Cape  St.  Vincent  on  the  25th  of  January.  1813,  he  fell 
in  with  a  large  ship  and  a  brig  and  gallantly  engaged  them  both. 
The  combat  was  sustained  with  considerable  spirit  until  the  captain 
of  the  Hebe  and  eight  men  were  wounded ;  they  both  struck  their 
coloi-s,  and  were  manned  for  the  United  States.  The  privateer  lost 
four  men  in  this  gallant  affair.  The  force  of  the  Dolphin  was  ten 
guns  and  sixty  men.  The  Hebe  carried  sixteen  guns  and  forty  men, 
the  brig  ten  guns  and  twentj^-five  men ;  making  together  twenty-' 
six  guns  and  sixty-five  men.  They  were  both  richly  laden,  and 
were  very  valuable  prizes.  The  Dolphin  then  proceeded  home- 
ward. She  passed  through  the  British  squadron  in  Chesapeake 
Bay,  and  arrived  safe  at  Baltimore  on  the  15th  of  February,  after 
a  very  fortunate  cruise. 

On  the  14th  of  January,  Captain  Boyle,  in  the  privateer 
schooner  Comet,  when  off  the  coast  of  Pernambuco,  discovered 
four  sail  standing  out  of  the  harbor.  They  proved  to  be  three 
English  vessels,  consisting  of  a  ship  of  fourteen  guns  and  two  brigs 
of  ten  guns,  under  convoy  of  a  Portuguese  brig,  national  vessel, 
mounting  twenty  32'8  and  165  men,  making  in  all  a,  force  of  fifty- 
four  guns.  After  a  desperate  conflict  the  Comet  compelled  the 
British  vessels  to  surrender.  Soon  after  the  fight  and  capture  of 
the  three  British  vessels,  the  gallant  Boyle  fell  in  with  and  captured 
the  Scotch  ship  Adelphi,  belonging  to  Aberdeen.  She  was  from 
Liverpool  bound  for  Bahia,  of  361  tons,  mounting  eight  long  twelve- 
pounders,  laden  with  salt  and  dry-goods.  The  Comet  was  subse- 
quently chased  by  the  famous  British  frigate  Surprise,  which  she 
easily  outsailed,  and  continued  on  her  cruise  down  among  the  West 
India  Islands.  On  the  6th  of  February  fell  in  with  two  brigs,  and 
after  a  short  chase  captured  them.  One  proved  to  be  the  Alexis, 
of  Greenock,  from  Demerara,  loaded  with  sugar,  rum,  cotton  and 
coffee,  mounting  ten  guns;  the  other  was  the  Dominica  packet,  of 
Liverpool,  from  Demerara  bound  for  St.  Thomas,  laden  with  rum, 
sugar,  cotton  and  coffee,  mounting  ten  guns.  A  short  time  after 
Captain  Boyle  was  chased  by  the   man-of-war   brig  Swaggerer, 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  363 

which  he  outsailed  with  ease,  and  captured  the  schooner  Jane  from 
Demerara  for  St.  Thomas,  loaded  with  rum,  sugar  and  coffee.  Soon 
after  the  capture  of  these  prizes  Captain  Boyle  returned  home,  and 
arrived  safe  in  Baltimore  on  the  17th  of  March,  passing  through 
the  British  blockading  squadron,  bidding  defiance  to  their  vigilance 
and  numbers. 

The  schooner  Louisa,  of  202  tons,  one  gun,  and  26  men,  from  St. 
Vincents  for  St.  Johns,  was  captured  and  sent  into  Newport  by  the 
letter-of-marque  schooner  Enterprise  of  Baltimore,  having  on  board 
100  hogsheads  of  rum  and  30  barrels  of  sugar.  Brig from  New- 
foundland, laden  with  fish,  was  sent  into  Bordeaux  by  the  letter- 
of-marque  schooner  Pilot,  of  Baltimore.  The  Pilot  also  captured 
the  schooner  Lily,  from  Port-au-Prince,  for  London,  but  given  her  up 
after  taking  out  some  sugars,  &c.  The  brig  Mary  Ann,  from  St. 
Lucie  for  St.  Johns,  N.  B.,  laden  with  180  puncheons  of  rum  and 
147  hogsheads  of  molasses,  was  captured  by  the  same  and  ransomed 

for  $4,000.     Brig from  Lisbon  for  London,  laden  with  wool, 

rice,  and  cotton,  was  captured  and  burnt  by  the  letter-of-marque 
schooner  Grampus,  of  Baltimore,  on  her  passage  from  France. 

Thirteen  merchant  vessels  were  captured  on  the  coast  of  Spain 
by  the  Leo  of  Baltimore,  and  burnt.  The  schooner  Sparrow,  of 
Baltimore  from  New  Orleans,  bound  to  New  York  laden  with 
sugar  and  lead,  was  chased  on  shore  near  Long  Branch,  where  the 
enemy  took  possession  of  her,  but  were  driven  off  by  the  militia 
from  off  shore.     The  cargo  was  saved,  the  vessel  bilged. 

Captain  W.  S.  Stafford,  famous  for  his  defence  of  the  Dolphin 
privateer  in  the  Chesapeake  the  summer  before,  was  attacked  close 
in  with  Charleston  bar^  on  the  27th  of  November,  by  five  boats  from 
a  British  brig-of-war.  When  close  upon  him,  he  tore  one  of  the  boats 
to  pieces  with  grape-shot,  and  gave  the  rest  employment  in  saving 
their  comrades.  The  valuable  ship  Manly,  four  guns,  laden  with 
wine,  oil,  &c.,  from  Halifax,  for  the  West  Indies,  was  sent  into 
Charleston,  S.  C,  by  the  Revenge  of  Baltimore.  A  brig  laden  with 
sugar  and  molasses,  captured  by  the  Caroline,  of  Baltimore,  was 
recaptured  by  the  British  oft'  Charleston.  The  Lion  privateer,  of 
Baltimore,  arrived  at  L'Orient,  in  France,  with  about  $400,000  on 
board,  after  having  destroyed  fifteen  or  twenty  English  vessels  off 
the  coasts  of  Spain  and  Portugal.  The  schooner  Messenger,  from 
the  West  Indies,  laden  with  rum  and  molasses,  was  sent  into  Wil- 
mington, N.  C,  by  the  Comet,  of  Baltimore.  The  schooner  Gram- 
pus, of  Baltimore,  whilst  cruising  among  the  Canary  Islands,  cap- 
tured the  British  brig  Speculation,  from  Lanzarote,  bound  to  Lon- 
don; she  proved  to  be  worthless  and  was  given  up  to  the  prisoners. 
Soon  after  Captain  Murphy  gave  up  his  prize,  a  British  sloop-of- 
war  hove  in  sight,  and  was  so  well  disguised  as  a  merchantman, 
that  Capt.  Murphy  was  decoyed  quite  under  her  guns  before  he 
discovered  his  mistake.  He  was  taken  by  surprise  when  the  man- 
of-war  opened  her  ports  and  gave  the  Grampus  a  terrible  broad- 


364  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

side  from  ber  main  deck  battery,  wben  witbin  balf  pistol-sbot  dis- 
tance. Captain  Murpby  was  killed,  and  several  of  tbe  crew  killed 
and  wounded.  Tbe  Grampus  suffered  greatly  in  ber  sails  and  rig- 
ging, but  by  tbe  greatest  exertions  escaped. 

Scbooner ,  laden  witb  sugar,  coffee.  &c.,  was  sent  into  Sun- 
bury  by  tbe  Patapsco  letter-of  marque,  of  Baltimore.  On  tbe  3d 
of  November,  tbe  privateer  scbooner  Globe,  of  Baltimore,  Captain 
Eicbard  Moon,  bad  a  desperate  engagement  witb  two  Englisb 
packets  at  balf  pistol-sbot  distance.  Tbe  largest  brig  mounted 
eigbteen  guns,  and  tbe  otber  sixteen  twelve-pounders.  Tbe  former 
surrendered,  but  owing  to  tbe  disabled  condition  of  tbe  Globe 
managed  to  get  away.  Tbe  loss  of  tbe  Globe  was  eigbt  killed  and 
fifteen  wounded.  The  force  of  tbe  Globe  was  a  "  long  tom  "  amid- 
ships, and  eigbt  twelve-pound  carronades,  witb  a  complement  of 
ninety  men,  including  officers  and  marines.  Tbe  enemy  it  was  sup- 
posed lost  27  men  killed  and  wounded,  besides  being  terribly  cut 
up  in  tbeir  bulls,  sails  and  rigging. 

Brig  Criterion,  a  traitor  vessel,  laden  witb  80  bogsbeads  of 
rum,  was  captured  b}^  tbe  Caroline,  of  Baltimore,  and  sent  into 
Stonington,  Conn.  Tbe  Vigilant,  a  tender  to  tbe  Admiral  of  tbe 
"Windward  Island  station,  was  captured  by  tbe  Comet,  of  Balti- 
more, and  sent  into  Wilmington,  N.  C.     Scbooner ,  laden  witb 

sugar  and  coffee,  was  sent  into  Savannab  by  tbe  Patapsco,  of  Bal- 
timore. Nine  vessels  were  captured  by  tbe  Comet,  of  Baltimore, 
divested  of  tbeir  valuable  articles  and  sunk.  Sbe  also  captured  and 
manned  four  prizes  and  sent  tbem  to  tbe  United  States.  Sbe  bad 
a  terrible  battle  witb  tbe  sbip  Hibernia,  of  800  tons,  22  guns,  and 
a  large  complement  of  men,  but  was  beaten  off.  Tbe  figbt  lasted 
about  eigbt  bours.  Tbe  privateer  bad  three  men  killed  and  six- 
teen wounded ;  tbe  sbip  bad  eigbt  killed  and  thirteen  wounded. 
The  Comet  also  captured  another  British  vessel,  which  being  short 
of  provisions,  put  into  Porto  Eico  for  a  supply;  was  given  up  by 
tbe  Government  to  the  English  claimant.  The  Comet  in  this  cruise 
captured  nineteen  prizes.     The  Chasseur  at  this  time  made  six 

prizes.     Sbip  ,  laden  witb  drj'-goods,  &c.,  was  captured  by 

tbe  letter-of-marque  schooner  Delisle  of  Baltimore,  on  her  passage 
from  Bordeaux  to  New  Orleans,  and  sunk. 

The  Tuckahoe  letter-of-marque  of  Baltimore  captured  tbe 
schooner  Sea-Flower  on  ber  passage  to  Aux  Coyes,  and  burned  also 
tbe  schooner  Hazard,  from  Nassau  to  St.  Domingo.  Tbe  Tuckahoo 
also  captured  another  Englisb  vessel  (whose  name  is  n6t  given), 
which  prize  she  manned  and  sent  into  port.  The  Tuckahoe  nar- 
rowly escaped  capture  off  the  east  end  of  Long  Island,  having 
been  chased  for  several  days  by  sundry  English  frigates  and  brigs- 
of-war.  She,  however,  by  superior  sailing  and  good  management 
eluded  their  grasp,  and  got  safe  into  Boston  in  March,  1814. 

1814.  The  privateer  Caroline,  of  Baltimore,  captured  tbe  Eng- 
lish brig  Elizabeth,  for  Kingston,   (Jamaica),  and  sent  ber  into 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  365 

Charleston.     Schooner  with  dry-goods  and    other  valuable 

articles  was  captured  by  the  Kemp,  of  Baltimore,  and  carried  into 
Cape  Francois,  where  the  prize  and  her  cargo  were  disposed  of. 
Fifteen  vessels  were  captured  by  the  Comet  of  Baltimore,  in  the 
West  Indies,  were  divested  of  their  valuable  articles  and  destroyed, 
excepting  two  which  were  sent  into  North  Carolina.  The  Kemp, 
of  Baltimore,  captured  on  the  third  day  after  she  left  the  Chesa- 
peake the  brig  Louisa,  laden  with  oil  and  fish,  and  sent  her  into 
Elizabeth  City,  Ya.  Ship  Hebe  from  Halifax  for  Bermuda,  with 
coal,  lumber,  &c.,  was  captured  by  the  Surprise  of  Baltimore,  and 
sent  into  a  southern  port.  Brig  Ceres,  in  ballast,  was  captured  in 
the  Bay  of  Biscay,  by  the  Grampus  of  Baltimore,  on  her  way 
home  and  burnt. 

The  letter-of-marque  Siro  of  Baltimore,  bound  to  France,  was 
captured  by  the  English  and  sent  into  Plymouth,  England.  The 
privateer  York,  of  Baltimore,  when  off  the  coast  of  Nova  Scotia, 
on  the  18th  of  April,  had  a  severe  engagement  with  the  British 
transport  ship  Lord  Somers.  During  the  action,  Captain  Staples, 
of  the  York,  and  five  of  his  men  were  killed,  and  twelve  wounded. 
In  this  disabled  condition,  the  privateer  was  obliged  to  haul  off 
and  give  up  the  contest. 

Brig from  Lisbon  for  Passage,  with  provisions  for  the 

English  troops,  was  captured  and  destroyed  by  the  Expedition  of 
Baltimore.  The  very  valuable  schooner  Adeline  was  captured  by 
a  British  frigate,  but  recaptured  by  the  Expedition.  The  Chasseur 
of  Baltimore  captured  the  schooner  Miranda,  sloop  Martha,  and 
seyeral  other  vessels,  which  were  destroyed,  &c.  One  of  them  had 
on  board  a  quantity  of  money  in  gold.  Brig  Experience  from 
Jamaica  was  captured  by  the  Caroline  of  Baltimore,  but  lost  on 

the  Island  of  Cuba.     Schooner  laden   with  rum,  cocoa,  &c., 

was  sent  into  the  Delaware,  by  the  Perry  of  Baltimore.  Schooner 
Francis,  with  bullocks  for  the  British  army,  was  captured  off  tho 
French  coast  by  the  letter-of-marque  schooner  Midas  of  Baltimore, 
on  her  passage  home  and  burnt.  Brig  Bellona,  laden  with  madeira 
wine  and  fruit,  was  captured  by  the  Globe  of  Baltimore.  Schooner 
Diligence,  from  Halifax,  was  captured  by  the  York  of  Baltimore, 
and  destroyed.  Ship  Bonita  captured  by  the  Delisle  of  Baltimore, 
and  destroyed.  Brig  Eobert,  with  fish  and  lumber,  irom  St.  Johns 
for  Jamaica,  was  captured  by  the  Zebec  Ulter  of  Baltimore,  and 
sent  into  Charleston.  Brig  Swift,  four  guns,  and  eighteen  men, 
bound  for  Halifax,  captured  by  the  same.  Brig  Lord  Nelson  of 
Belfast  captured  by  the  same.     Schooner  Nancy  and  two  others 

captured  and  burnt.     Schooner in  ballast,  by  the  same,  given 

up  to  prisoners.  Privateer  schooner  Amnesty,  one  gun,  twenty- 
four  men,  captured  by  the  same  and  burnt.  Besides  the  before- 
mentioned  vessels,  two  other  small  vessels  were  taken  by  the  same 
and  burnt.  The  Zebec  also  made  prizes  of  five  or  six  other  British 
vessels,  which  were  permitted  to  proceed.     A  brig  of  fourteen 


366  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

guns  was  manned  and  ordered  for  France,  and  two  others  were 
sent  to  the  United  States. 

Brig  Camelion,  from  the  "West  Indies,  laden  with  rum  and  molas- 
ses, was  sent  into  port  by  the  Mammoth  of  Baltimore.  Two  vessels 
captured  by  the  Caroline  of  Baltimore,  were  destroyed.  She  captured 
three  other  vessels  which  were  manned  and  sent  into  port.  Brig 
Kutozoif  of  six  guns,  from  Laguayra,  laden  with  coffee,  cocoa,  and 
hides,  was  captured  after  a  severe  action,  and  carried  by  boarding; 
was  sent  into  Frankfort,  Maine,  by  the  Surprise  of  Baltimore, 
She  M^as  worth  $50,000.  British  ship  Joanna,  of  Malta,  from  Con- 
stantinople for  Lisbon,  with  a  cargo  of  wheat  and  barley,  worth 
$30,000,  was  captured  by  the  Chasseur  of  Baltimore,  and  sunk. 
The  Chasseur  captured  several  other  valuable  vessels  on  the  same 
cruise.  Schooner  Hope  from  St.  Johns,  with  fish,  was  sent  in  by 
the  Pike  of  Baltimore  ;  also  the  ship  Mermaid  was  sent  in  by  same. 
Ship  Commerce,  with  supplies  for  the  British  army,  was  captured 
by  the  Lawrence  of  Baltimore  and  sent  to  Portland,  Maine.  Brig 
Melpomene  of  six  guns,  was  sent  in  by  the  Chasseur  of  Baltimore. 
The  Chasseur  also  captured  and  sent  in  an  elegant  London  packet 
ship,  twelve  guns,  laden  with  400  pipes  of  brandy  and  wine. 

Brig  Liddelle  from  Liverpool,  with  salt,  was  captured  by  the 
Amelia  of  Baltimore,  and  made  a  cartel  of.  Brig  Jessie,  of  six  guns, 
from  London,  captui*ed  by  same  and  burnt.  Schooner  Ann  cap- 
tured by  same,  and  sent  as  a  cartel  to  Halifax.  The  Amelia  ar- 
rived at  New  York  after  a  cruise  of  85  days,  during  which  time  she 
had  taken  1400  tons  of  shipping,  with  property  valued  at  $1,000,000. 
She  also  made  80  prisoners.  Schooner  Octavia  was  sent  into  a 
southern  port  by  the  Harrison  of  Baltimore.  The  private  armed 
schooner  Perry,  of  Baltimore,  was  out  ninety  days  on  a  cruise,  dur- 
ing which  time  she  captured  22  British  vessels,  18  of  which  she  de- 
stroyed and  sent  4  to  the  L^nited  States.  July  23d. — The  privateer 
Surprise  of  Baltimore  arrived  at  Newport,  R.  L,  from  a  cruise  of 
103  days,  a  part  of  which  time  she  was  in  the  British  and  Irish 
channels  and  near  the  Western  isles.  She  was  chased  16  times,  and 
made  in  all  13  prizes,  some  of  which  arrived  safe ;  several  others 
were  burnt. 

The  Zebec  Ulter  of  Baltimore,  in  passing  through  Long  Island 
Sound,  was  attacked  by  two  British  boats:  she  captured  one  with 
eight  men,  the  other  made  her  escape.  The  commander  of  the 
barge  was  killed.  The  British  brig  Astrea,  with  10  guns  and  20 
men,  laden  with  fish,  was  taken  by  the  Midas  of  Balto.,  and  sent 
into  Savannah.  The  Midas  also  captured  a  small  English  schooner 
privateer,  called  the  Dash,  with  a  crew  of  40  men  and  several 
guns.  She  also  captured  3  coasting-vessels  laden  with  700  bales  of 
cotton.  Schooner  Union,  with  fish,  &c.,  was  sent  into  port  by  the 
Amelia  of  Baltimore.  Sloop  Friendship,  with  dry  goods  and  $7000 
in  specie,  was  captured  by  the  Revenge  and  destroyed.  Schooner 
Alert  captured  by  the  same  and  destroyed.     Schooner  Mary  Ann 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  367 

taken  by  the  same  and  given  to  prisoners.  Sloop  Active  captured 
by  the  Fairy  of  Baltimore  and  burnt.  Schooner  Eambler,  with 
dry  goods,  sent  into  Wilmington,  N.  C,  by  the  Perry  of  Baltimore. 
Schooner  Fox,  captured  off  the  Irish  coast  by  the  Surprise  of  Bal- 
timore, was  made  a  cartel  of,  to  dispose  of  her  prisoners.  Brig 
James  and  David  in  ballast,  captured  by  the  same.  Brig  Fidelity 
taken  by  the  same  and  burnt. 

On  the  18th  of  June  the  privateers  Grampus,  Patapsco  of  Bal- 
timore, and  the  schooner  Dash  of  Boston,  were  all  chased  by  Capt. 
Chapen  in  the  La  Hogue,  seventy-four,  in  Boston  Bay,  but  all  es- 
caped. Brig  Fortitude  from  Eio  Janeiro,  with  a  full  cargo  of  hides, 
coffee,  dye-wood,  &c.,  was  sent  into  Maine  by  the  Surprise  of  Bal- 
timore. Ship  Pizarro  from  Liverpool,  with  dry  goods,  &c.,  was  sent 
into  Savannah  by  the  Midas  of  Baltimore;  also  brig  Esperanza  by 
the  same  ;  brig  Elsinore  sent  into  port  by  the  same. 

The  privateer  Harrison  of  Baltimore  captured  the  following 

vessels:  ship  Julia,  brig  Mary  Ann,  schooner  John  Duncan,  

Louisa.     After  removing  from  the  prizes  goods  to  the  amount  of 

3100,000,    they    were   destroj'ed.     Schooner    ,  with  a  large 

amount  of  specie  on  board,  was  captured  by  the  same  and  sent  to 
the  United  States. 

Brig  Betsy  was  sent  into  Boston  by  the  York  of  Baltimore. 
Ship  Alfred  sent  into  port  by  the  Harpy  of  Baltimore.  Ship  An- 
tonia,  under  Eussian  colors,  sent  in  by  same.  Two  brigs  in  ballast 
captured  by  same  and  burnt. 

In  September  the  Harpy  fell  in  with  the  British  packet  Prin- 
cess Elizabeth,  and  after  a  warm  but  short  action  the  packet  sur- 
rendered. She  had  three  men  killed  and  several  wounded.  The 
Princess  Elizabeth  was  armed  with  10  guns  and  38  men.  She  had 
on  board  as  passengers  a  Turkish  Ambassador  for  England,  and  an 
English  officer,  aide  to  a  British  General,  and  a  second  lieutenant 
of  a  "  74."  The  privateer  divested  the  packet  of  $10,000  in  specie, 
five  pipes  of  Madeira  wine,  and  her  armament,  and  ransomed  the 
vessel  for  $2000,  and  then  allowed  her  to  proceed  on  her  course  to 
England. 

East  India  Company's  ship  Countess  of  Harcourt,  520  tons,  6 
heavy  guns  and  90  men,  outward  bound,  laden  with  dry  goods, 
brandy,  rum,  &c.,  separated  from  the  fleet  in  a  gale,  was  captured 
in  the  British  Channel  by  the  Sabine  of  Baltimore  and  sent  into 
port.  This  was  a  very  valuable  prize  to  her  captors.  His  Majesty's 
packet,  the  cutter  Landraile,  —  guns,  33  men,  was  captured  after 
a  hard  battle  in  the  British  Channel,  by  the  Syren  of  Baltimore. 
Two  brigs  were  also  captured  by  the  same,  one  burnt,  the  other  re- 
leased. Brig  Betsy  and  Mary  captured  by  the  Kemp  of  Baltimore 
and  burnt.  Shij)  Calypso,  with  $3000  in  specie,  by  the  same.  Brig 
New  Frederick  captured  by  same. 

His  Majesty's  transport  brig  Doris,  captured  by  the  Grampus 
of  Baltimore,  was  sent  into  Marblehead.     The   Doris  was  from 


368  CHBONICLES    OF   BALTIMORE. 

Senegal  bound  to  Portsmouth,  England,  and  had  on  board  30  or  40 
soldiers,  also  two  elegant  horses,  one  hyena,  two  jackals,  &c., 
presents  for  the  Prince  Eegent. 

The  Mammoth,  off  the  coast  of  Newfoundland,  had  an  action 
with  an  English  transport  ship  with  three  or  four  hundred  troops 
on  board.  She  hauled  off  and  continued  on  her  cruise.  The  York 
of  Baltimore  arrived  at  Boston,  filled  with  the  richest  spoils  of 
several  vessels;  among  them  the  East  India  ship  Coromandel,  of 
500  tons.  The  privateer  Surprise  of  Baltimore  arrived  at  Salem,  after 
a  fortunate  cruise  of  one  month,  during  which  time  she  captured 
twenty  British  vessels,  some  very  valuable.  British  brig  Pike  cap- 
tured by  the  privateer  Pike  of  Baltimore,  and  burnt.  Schooner 
captured  by  the  same,  and  made  cartel  of.  Schooner  In- 
dustrious Bee  captured  by  the  same  and  burnt.  Schooners  Yenus, 
Lord  Nelson,  and  brigs  Jane,  Orient,  were  also  captured  by  the 
Pike.  She  also  captured  several  other  vessels,  which  were  re- 
leased or  made  cartels  of.  The  Pike  was  finally  chased  ashore  on 
the  Southern  coast,  and  taken  possession  of  by  some  of  the 
enemy's  boats.  A  part  of  the  crew,  however,  escaped  ;  the  re- 
mainder, forty-three  in  number,  were  made  prisoners.  She  paroled 
250  prisoners  during  her  cruise. 

The  ship  Samuel  Cummings,  400  tons,  laden  with  sugar  and 
cofi'ee,  was  taken  by  the  Pike,  but  was  wrecked  on  the  Southern 
coast.  Brig  Endeavor,  a  transport  vessel,  was  taken  by  the  Surprise 
of  Baltimore,  and  destroyed  on  Eockaway  beach,  near  New  York, 
by  the  British  men-of-war. 

Cutter  Jubilee,  from  Tenerifi'e,  with  wine,  captured  by  the  Whig 
of  Baltimore  and  made  a  cartel  of.  Schooner  Alexandria,  in  bal- 
last, captured  by  the  same  and  burnt.  Also  captured  British  brigs 
Irish  Minor,  Princess  Mary,  Eliza,  and  ships  Esperance,  London, 
and  Postethwell.  The  Whig  made  several  other  prizes  on  this 
cruise,  and  arrived  at  New  York  with  some  goods  and  tw^enty- 
three  prisoners.  She  also  made  some  prizes  in  company  with 
the  David  Porter  of  Boston. 

Brig  Fire-Fly,  from  Smyrna  for  London,  with  a  full  cargo  of 
drugs,  wines  and  silks,  was  brought  into  Wilmington,  N.  C,  by  the 
Sabine  of  Baltimore.  She  took  goods  to  the  amount  of  $100,000. 
Brig  Mary  and  Eliza  was  captured  by  the  Argo  of  Baltimore,  and 
burnt.  Brig  Argo  of  Dublin  was  captured  by  the  Surprise  of  Balti- 
more.    Brig ,  laden  with  rum  and  molasses,  captured  by  the 

Grampus  of  Baltimore.  The  Mammoth  captured  the  sloop  Farmer, 
and  brigs  Bi-itannia,  Ceres,  and  three  other  brigs  in  ballast.  The 
privateer  York  of  Baltimore  captured  the  following  vessels,  viz  : 
British  brigs  Harvest,  William,  ten  guns  and  fourteen  men,  Eover 
and  sloop  Eegulator,  all  of  which  had  valuable  cargoes.  The 
privateer  Leo  of  Baltimore  captured  several  vessels  at  sea,  and 
was  finally  captured  herself  whilst  in  distress  off  the  coast  of  Spain 
by  a  British  frigate. 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE.  369 

1815.  The  privateer  York  of  Baltimore  having  returned  homo 
from  a  successful  cruise  on  the  coast  of  Brazil  and  among  the 
islands  in  the  West  Indies,  her  prizes  were  valued  at  least  a  million 
and  a  half  of  dollars. 

The  following  prizes  were  taken  by  the  very  fortunate  privateer 
vessel  Surprise  of  Baltimore,  and  burnt;  Brigs  Charlotte,  Lively, 
William  Maid,  Polly,  ship  Milnes,  and  schooners  Prince  Eegentand 
Sally.  The  English  privateer  Lively,  one  gun  and  seventeen  men, 
was  brought  into  Salem.  Ship  Caledonia  from  Cork,  worth  $250- 
000,  was  divested  of  her  goods  to  the  value  of  $50,000.  Brigs 
Eagle,  Traveller,  Wellington  (four  guns  and  fifteen  men)  and  Eliza 
were  made  cartels  of  to  release  the  prisoners.  The  Surprise  also 
captured  the  brig  Albion,  schooner  Charlotte  Ann,  and  recaptured 
the  boat  Ann.  During  her  last  cruise,  which  only  occupied  one 
month,  she  captured  twenty  sail  of  British  merchantmen,  including 
one  small  privateer.  She  made  197  prisoners,  released  160,  and 
brought  into  port  thirty-seven.  Ketch  Expedition,  with  seventy- 
five  pipes  of  wine  and  1,150  quintals  of  barilla,  was  sent  into  New 
York  by  the  Grampus  of  Baltimore.  Brig  Catharine  and  William, 
prize  to  the  Grampus,  was  lost  near  Beaufort,  S.  C.  Cutter  Flying- 
Fish  captured  by  the  Sabine  and  sent  in.  Brig  Aaron  captured 
by  the  same  and  sent  into  port.  Two  ships  taken  by  the  Syren  of 
Baltimore  off  the  British  coast,  and  destroyed. 

The  Amelia  of  Baltimore  captured  the  following  vessels :  Brigs. 

Colier,  Harmony,  Ann,  Elizabeth,  and  ship ,   of  eight  guns. 

She  had  a  short  combat  with  the  Neptune.  Brig  Sir  John  Sher- 
brook,  twelve  guns,  was  captured  by  the  Syren  of  Baltimore.  Ann 
and  Eliza  w^as  captured  by  the  Mammoth,  and  destroyed.  The 
following  vessels  were  also  captured  by  the  same:  Brigs  Uniza, 
Sarah,  Sir  Home  Popham,  and  schooners  Two  Brothers,  Rapid,  and 
ship  Champion.  The  Mammoth  also  captured  and  ordered  into 
port  the  bark  Mary,  brigs  Alexander  and  Charlotte,  and  the  ship 
Mentor,  with  valuable  cargoes,  and  gave  up  the  schooners  Thomas 
and  Good  Intent  and  brigs  Joseph  and  Eliza.  She  made  in 
all  twenty -one  prizes  and  paroled  about  300  prisoners.  This 
privateer  arrived  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  full  of  rich  spoils  from  the 
enemy. 

The  Harpy  of  Baltimore  sailed  from  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  and 
returned  there  after  a  cruise  of  twenty  days,  laden  with  the 
choicest  spoils  of  the  foe,  and  sixty  prisoners.  She  captured  the 
schooner  Britannia,  and  burnt  her  and  the  brig  Halifax,  packet, 
with  a  valuable  cargo.  Also  the  transport-ship  Amazon,  six  guns 
and  eighteen  men,  an  elegant  vessel  with  a  cargo  of  provisions. 
Also,  the  transport-ship  Budges,  440  tons,  six  eighteen-pound  carron- 
ades,  and  a  large  cargo  of  rum,  &c.  The  prizes  of  the  Harpy  were 
valued  at  $500,000. 

The  valuable  brig  Europa,  of  eight  eighteen-pound  carronades, 
two  long  nines  and  twenty-two  men,  with  175  tons  of  sweet  oil, 
24 


370  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

was  sent  into  port  by  the  Patapsco  of  Baltimore.  Brig  Canada, 
ten  guns,  was  sent  into  Wilmington  by  the  Lawrence  of  Baltimore. 
The  English  brig  William,  from  the  coast  of  Africa,  laden  with 
194,087  pounds  of  gum,  estimated  to  be  worth  $60,000,  was  sent 
into  Newbern,  N.  C,  by  a  Baltimore  privateer  whose  name  is  not 
given.  The  privateer  Syren  of  Baltimore,  returning  from  a  cruise, 
was  lost  on  making  the  Delaware,  being  run  ashore  by  the  pilot, 
where  she  was  attacked  by  three  barges  from  a  razee  at  anchor, 
which  were  kept  at  bay  for  two  hours.  The  privateer  was  set  on 
fire  by  the  crew  and  escaped.  Brig  Cossack  was  sent  into  Boston 
by  the  Surprise  of  Baltimore.  This  vessel  had  been  captured  by 
the  Grand  Turk,  of  Salem,  recaptured  by  the  Bulwark  seventy-four, 
and  retaken  by  the  Surprise.  Schooner  Mary  captured  by  the 
Surprise,  and  sunk.     Schooners  Eugene  and  Stinger  captured  by 

the  Midas  of  Baltimore,  and    destroyed.     British  schooner  

captured  by  the  Eesolution  of  Baltimore,  and  sent  into  Charleston, 
South  Carolina. 

On  the  3d  of  December,  the  privateer  Kemp  of  Baltimore,  on 
a  cruise  to  the  West  Indies,  descried  a  small  fleet  of  merchant  ships, 
eight  in  number,  under  convoy  of  a  frigate.  The  privateer  attacked 
the  fleet,  and  carried  off  after  a  severe  contest  four  of  the  largest 
vessels ;  one  of  the  brigs  and  her  cargo  was  estimated  to  be  worth 
$300,000.  The  privateer  schooner  Caroline  of  Baltimore  captured 
the  British  brig  Stephen,  fourteen  guns  and  thirty  men.  Brig 
Lord  Wellington  was  captured  by  the  letter-of-raarque  Diamond  of 
Baltimore. 

The  privateer  Amelia  of  Baltimore  arrived  safe  at  Philadelphia 
in  April,  1815,  with  a  full  cargo  of  valuable  goods  taken  from  the 
enemy.  During  her  cruise  she  captured  ten  British  vessels  ;  some 
she  destroyed  and  some  she  ordered  into  port.  The  Amelia  carried 
but  six  guns  and  seventy-five  men.  The  captured  vessels  amounted 
to  2,270  tons,  112  prisoners,  and  thirty-two  carriage  guns.  She  was 
frequently  chased  by  the  enemy,  and  once  for  fifty-three  hours,  but 
was  fortunate  enough  to  evade  all  her  pursuers. 

Cutter  Eliza  and  Peggy  was  captured  by  the  Lawrence  of  Balti- 
more ;  also  captured  cutter  Dart,  ship  Christian,  and  schooner 
Atalanta.  The  privateer  Lawrence  arrived  at  New  York  on  the 
25th  of  January.  During  her  cruise  she  took  thirteen  prizes,  eight 
of  which  were  manned ;  some  of  them  were  very  valuable.  She 
made  106  prisoners,  and  her  prizes  in  the  aggregate  amounted  to 
more  than  3,000  tons. 

British  brig  Lord  Wellington  was  captured  by  the  Expedition 
of  Baltimore  and  burnt.  Ship  Jane  was  captured  by  the  Harpy, 
of  Baltimore,  and  burnt,  also  brig  William  Nelson,  brig  Louisa, 
and  schooner  Nine  Sisters.  The  Harpy  captured  the  English  ship 
William  and  Alfred,  ship  Jane,  and  the  valuable  ship  Garland.  The 
Harpy  arrived  at  Salem  in  April,  1815.  She  had  on  board  a  valu- 
able cargo  of  rich  merchandise  of  every  description,  taken  from 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  371 

several  of  her  prizes  made  while  cruising  on  the  coast  of  England, 
in  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  and  along  the  coast  of  Spain  and  Portugal. 
She  had  among  other  articles  upwards  of  £100,000  sterling  in 
British  treasury  notes  and  bills  of  exchange.  She  was  a  noble  ves- 
sel of  349  tons,  carrying  14  heavy  guns,  and  about  100  men. 

The  privateer  Harrison  arrived  at  Wilmington,  N.  C,  with  a 
full  cargo  of  goods  taken  from  the  enemy,  with  the  loss  of  her 
captain  in  an  engagement  with  a  British  sloop-of-war,  after 
the  capture  of  several  vessels.  Brig  Peter  was  captured  and  sent 
into  North  Carolina  by  the  Lawrence,  of  Baltimore.  Brig  John, 
and  brig  Nancy,  were  captured  by  the  Perry,  of  Baltimore,  which 
arrived  in  the  Delaware  about  the  1st  of  February,  with  a  full 
cargo  of  chosen  spoils.  She  was  chased  some  eight  or  ten  times 
by  brigs,  sloops-of-war,  frigates,  and  razees,  but  laughed  at  them 
all. 

English   brig was   sent  in   by  the   Kemp,   of  Baltimore. 

Sloop  Enterprise  was  captured  by  the  Whig,  of  Baltimore,  as  were 
also  bri^  Brunswick,  Eace  Horse,  and  schooner  Britannia.  Brig 
Athill,  eight  guns,  was  captured  by  the  Lawrence,  of  Baltimore, 
and  sent  into  Brest,  France. 

We  find  it  stated,  that  on  the  24th  of  December,  1814,  the  Bal- 
timore privateer  Surprise  was  at  Brest,  and  there  fired  a  salute, 
which  was  answered  by  the  French  Admiral  with  11  guns.  British 
schooner  Lucy  Ann  was  captured  by  the  Surprise,  as  was  the 
brig  Forth.  As  the  Surprise  left  the  port  of  Brest  she  was  chased 
for  several  hours  by  a  British  sloop-ot-war,  who  fired  fifty  guns  at 
her  without  effect.  On  the  28th  of  January  the  Surprise  captured, 
after  a  short  engagement,  the  English  ship  Star,  mounting  eight 
twelve-pound  guns,  with  26  men.  The  prize  was  sent  into  New 
York,  and  proved  to  be  an  exceedingly  valuable  one,  being  valued 
at  $300,000.  It  consisted  of  the  following  articles:  1180  bags  of 
sugar,  5,021  bags  of  coffee,  45  tubs  of  camphor,  297  bags  of  sago, 
224  cwt.  of  sapan  wo(5d,  22  bales  of  nankeens,  83  cases  of  cinna- 
mon, and  45  cases  of  tortoise-phell. 

I'he  Chasseur,  of  Baltimore,  captured  the  very  valuable  vessels, 
ship  Mary  and  Susan,  of  470  tons,  the  schooner  Arrow,  and  the 
ship  Adventure.  Ship  Emulation  was  captured  by  the  Syren.  The 
Kemp  arrived  safe  in  Baltimore  loaded  with  goods,  after  capturing 
a  British  brig  mounting  14  guns  and  40  men,  after  a  warm  action 
of  forty  minutes,  when  the  enemy  struck  his  colors.  Brig  Alex- 
ander was  captured  by  the  Leo,  of  Baltimore.  Brig  Eagle  cap- 
tured by  the  Lawrence.  Ship  Anne,  417  tons,  captured  by  the 
Zebec  Ultor,  of  Baltimore,  and  sent  into  New  York.  The  Zebec 
TJltor  also  captured  the  brigs  Maria  Annabella,  Mohawk,  and  th^ 
sloops  Twins  and  I'Esperauce,  and  sloop  Constitution. 

The  Chasseur  was  a  very  formidable  vessel,  carrying  sixteen 
long  twelve-pounders,  with  a  crew  of  one  hundred  men,  including 
officers,  seamen  and  marines.     On  her  last  trip  she  captured  the 


372  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOBE, 

following  vessels  (by  no  means  all) :  Sloop  Christiana,  brigs  Rein- 
deer, Marquis  of  Cornwallis,  Albert,  Harmony,  Eclipse,  Commerce, 
Antelope,  Atlantic,  and  Amicus,  schooner  Favorite,  and  ships  Carl- 
bury,  James,  and  Theodore.  The  whole  number  of  vessels  cap- 
tured by  Capt.  Boyle  on  this  cruise  was  eighteen,  and  many  of 
them  very  valuable.  He  brought  into  port  ibrt^^-three  prisoners, 
and  paroled  one  hundred  and  fifty.  During  Captain  Boyle's  cruise 
in  the  British  Channel  and  around  the  coast  of  Great  Britain,  he 
made  many  hairbreadth  escapes. 

At  this  period  it  was  the  general  custom  for  the  British  Ad- 
mirals on  our  coast  to  issue  what  the  Americans  called  paper 
blockades,  declaring  the  whole  coast  of  North  America  in  a  strict 
state  of  blockade.  Several  of  these  blockade-proclamations  had 
recently  been  issued  by  Admiral  Sir  John  Borlaise  Warren,  and  Sir 
Alexander  Cochrane.  As  a  burlesque  on  these  paper-blockades, 
Captain  Boyle,  while  in  the  British  Channel,  issued  the  following 
proclamation  and  sent  it  by  a  cartel  to  London,  with  a  request  to 
have  it  posted  up  at  Lloyd's  Coffee  House : 

^^  By  Thomas  Boyle,  Esq.,  Commander  of  the  privateer  armed  brig 
Chasseur,  &c.,  &c. — Proclamation  : 

"Whereas  it  has  become  customary  with  the  Admirals  of  Great 
Britain,  commanding  small  forces  on  the  coast  of  the  United  States, 
particularly  Sir  John  Borlaise  Warren  and  Sir  Alexander  Cochrane, 
to  declare  all  the  coast  of  the  United  States  in  a  state  of  strict  and 
rigorous  blockade,  without  possessing  the  power  to  justify  such  a 
declaration,  or  stationing  an  adequate  force  to  maintain  said  block- 
ade. I  do  therefore,  by  virtue  of  the  power  and  authority  in  me 
vested  (possessing  sufficient  force)  declare  all  the  ports,  harbors, 
bays,  creeks,  rivers,  inlets,  outlets,  islands  and  seacoast  of  the 
United  Kingdom  of  G-reat  Britain  and  Ireland,  in  a  state  of  strict 
and  rigorous  blockade.  And  I  do  further  declare,  that  I  consider 
the  force  under  my  command  adequate  to  maintain  strictly,  rigor- 
ously, and  effectually,  the  said  blockade.  And  I  do  hereby  require 
the  respective  officers,  whether  captains,  commanders,  or  cpm- 
manding  officers,  under  my  command,  employed  or  to  be  employed 
on  the  coasts  of  England,  Ireland,  and  Scotland,  to  pay  strict  at- 
tention to  the  execution  of  this  njy  proclamation.  And  I  do  hereby 
caution  and  forbid  the  ships  and  vessels  of  all  and  every  nation, 
in  amity  and  peace  with  the  United  States,  from  entering  or  at- 
tempting to  enter,  or  from  coming  or  attempting  to  come  out  of 
any  of  the  said  ports,  bays,  creeks,  rivers,  inlets,  outlets,  islands, 
or  seacoasts,  under  anj^  pretence  whatsoever.  And  that  no  person 
may  plead  ignorance  of  this  mj  proclamation,  I  have  ordered  the 
gime  to  be  made  public  in  England. 

"  Given  under  my  hand,  on  board  the  Chasseur,  day  and  date 
as  above.  Thomas  Boyle. 

"  (By  command  of  the  commanding  officer) 

"J.  J.  Stanbury,  Secretary." 


CHKONICLES  OF  BALTIMOKE.  373 

On  the  26th  of  February,  Capt.  Boyle  in  the  Chasseur,  after  a 
severe  contest,  captured  his  Britannic  Majesty's  schooner  St.  Law- 
rence, commanded  by  Lieut.  J.  C.  Gordon,  formerly  the  famous 
privateer  Atlas  of  Philadelphia,  built  on  the  Chesapeake,  and 
mounting  15  guns  with  a  complement  of  75  men,  and  had  on 
board  a  number  of  soldiers,  marines,  and  some  gentlemen  of 
the  navy  passengers,  bound  express  to  the  squadron  off  New 
Orleans.  She  had,  by  the  report  of  her  commander,  6  men  killed 
and  17  wounded,  most  of  them  badly,  and  several  of  them  mortally. 
She  was  a  perfect  wreck,  cut  to  pieces  in  the  hull,  and  scarcely  a 
rope  left  standing,  and  had  not  an  officer  on  board  that  was  not 
either  killed  or  wounded.  The  Chasseur  had  five  men  killed  and 
eight  wounded — Capt.  Boyle  among  the  latter,  slightly.  The  Chap- 
seur  arrived  in  Baltimore  on  the  15th  of  April,  1815,  full  of  rich 
goods.  On  entering  the  port,  the  Chasseur  saluted  Fort  McHenry 
in  a  handsome  style,  and  her  brave  captain  and  crew  were  welcomed 
by  all  classes  of  the  community.  The  Chasseur  was  a  fine  large 
brig,  and  familiarly  called  "  The  Pride  of  Baltimore."  She  was 
indeed  a  fine  specimen  of  naval  architecture,  and  perhaps  the  most 
beautiful  vessel  that  had  floated  on  the  ocean.  She  certainly 
carried  dismay  and  terror  to  her  enemies. 

The  Saranac  of  Baltimore  captured  and  sunk  a  small  English 
schooner,  a  tender  to  the  ''74"  Dragon,  and  also  captured  and  sunk 
a  British  packet  in  the  West  Indies.  British  brig  Poll}^  was  cap- 
tured and  sent  into  Cadiz  by  the  privateer  Amelia  of  Baltimore. 

The  war  continued  about  three  j^ears,  and  the  result,  as  near 
as  we  have  been  able  to  ascertain,  was  a  loss  to  Great  Britain  of 
about  two  thousand  ships  and  vessels  of  every  description,  includ- 
ing men-of-war  and  merchantmen.  A  Northern  writer,  speaking 
of  this  period,  says : — "  When  I  call  to  mind  the  spirit  and  acts  of 
the  Baltimoreans  during  our  last  war  with  England,  1  am  inspired 
with  a  feeling  of  esteem  and  veneration  for  them  as  a  brave  and 
patriotic  people  that  will  endure  with  me  to  the  end  of  my 
existence.  During  the  whole  struggle  against  an  inveterate  foe, 
they  did  all  they  could  to  aid  and  strengthen  the  hands  of  the 
general  government,  and  generally  took  the  lead  in  fitting  out 
efficient  privateers  and  letters-of-marque  to  annoy  and  distress  the 
enemy,  and  even  to  '  beard  the  old  lion  in  his  den,'  for  it  is  well 
known  that  their  privateers  captured  many  English  vessels  at  the 
ver}^  mouths  of  their  own  ports  in  the  British  Channel.  When 
their  own  beautiful  city  was  attacked  by  a  powerful  fleet  and  army, 
how  nobly  did  they  defend  themselves  against  the  hand  of  the 
spoiler !  The  whole  venom  of  the  modern  Goths  seemed  concen- 
trated against  the  Baltimoreans,  for  no  other  reason  but  that  they 
had  too  much  spirit  to  submit  to  insult  and  tyrannical  oppression. 
Many  of  the  eastern  people  made  a  grand  mistake  in  counting  on 
the  magnanimity  of  the  British  nation  to  do  them  justice  by  mild 
and  persuasive  arguments.     In  making  these  remarks  in  praise  of 


374  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

Baltimore,  I  do  not  mean  to  disparage  the  noble  patriotism  of 
many  other  cities  of  our  glorious  Union  ;  but  I  do  mean  to  say  that 
if  the  same  spirit  that  fired  the  hearts  and  souls  of  the  Baltimo- 
reans  had  evinced  itself  throughout  our  entire  country,  it  would 
have  saved  every  American  heart  much  pain  and  mortification,  and 
would,  in  my  opinion,  have  shortened  the  war." 

The  whole  number  of  privateers  and  private-armed  ships  that 
were  commissioned  as  cruising  vessels,  and  all  others  actively  en- 
gaged in  commerce  during  our  war  with  Great  Britain  in  the 
years  1812,  1813,  and  1814,  were  two  hundred  and  fifty  sail.  They 
belonged  to  the  diff'erent  ports  in  the  United  States  as  follows  : 

From  Baltimore,  58;  from  New  York,  55;  from  Salem,  40; 
from  Boston,  32 ;  from  Philadelphia,  14  ;  from  Portsmouth,  N.  H., 
11 ;  from  Charleston,  10;  from  Marblehead,  4 ;  from  Bristol,  R.  I., 
4;  from  Portland,  3  ;  from  Newburypprt,  2;  from  Norfolk,  2;  from 
Newbern,  N.  C,  2 ;  from  New  Orleans,  2 ;  from  New  London,  1 ; 
from  Newport,  E.  I.,  1 ;  from  Providence,  JR.  I.,  1 ;  from  Barn- 
stable, Mass.,  1 ;  from  Fair  Haven,  Mass.,  1 ;  from  Gloucester, 
Mass.,  1 ;  from  Washington  City,  1 ;  from  Wilmington,  N.  C,  1 ; 
from  other  places,  belonging  to  Eastern  ports,  3  ;  Total,  250. 

Observing  with  great  regret  the  neglect  of  proper  provision 
for  the  education  of  poor  females,  Kev.  John  Francis  Moranville, 
pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  Church,  determined  to  establish  a  school  to 
supply  the  deficiency.  He  organized  an  association  of  charitable 
ladies,  under  the  name  of  "  St.  Patrick's  Benevolent  Society,"  who 
by  monthly  contributions  supplied  funds  for  the  support  of  the 
school  and  for  the  relief  of  the  suflfering  poor.  This  society  was 
founded  in  June,  1815,  and  the  school  went  into  operation  the 
same  year.  At  this  period  public  schools  under  the  State  and 
city  authorities  had  not  yet  been  established;  nor  had  any  of 
those  admirable  schools  since  conducted  b}^  the  Sisters  of  Charity 
been  instituted  in  Baltimore.  St.  Patrick's  free  school  admitted 
poor  children  without  distinction  of  creeds. 

Eight  Eeverend  John  Carroll,  D.  D.,  was  the  first  Bishop  of 
the  Eoman  Catholic  Church  in  the  United  States.  He  was  born 
at  Upper  Marlborough,  Maryland,  on  the  8th  of  January,  1735. 
At  the  age  of  thirteen  years  he  was  sent  to  the  College  of  St. 
Omer  in  French  Flanders,  where  he  remained  until  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Jesuits'  College  at  Liege  six  years  afterward.  He 
was  ordained  a  Jesuit  priest  in  1769,  became  a  teacher  in  the  Col- 
lege of  Liege,  and  in  1773,  when  the  Jesuits  were  expelled  from 
France,  he  was  obliged  to  abandon  a  professorship  at  Bruges,  to 
which  he  had  lately  been  appointed,  and  retire  to  England.  He 
travelled  much,  and  returned  to  his  native  country  in  1775.  He 
accompanied  Dr.  Franklin,  Samuel  Chase,  and  Charles  Carroll  of 
Carrolltonon  a  political  mission  to  Canada,  with  the  view  of  induc- 
ing the  French  Canadians  to  join  the  Americans,  or  at  least  to  ob- 
serve  a  neutrality.     In   the   spring  of  the   following  year,  and 


CHRONICLES  OF   BALTIMORE.  375 

throughout  the  War  of  Independence,  he  was  attached  to  the 
patriot  cause.  In  1786  he  was  appointed  Yicar-General  of  the 
Koman  Catholic  Church  in  America.  In  1790  he  was  consecrated 
a  bishop,  and  the  following  j^ear  founded  the  college  at  George- 
town. On  the  invitation  of  Congress,  he  delivered  a  eulogy 
on  Washington  in  St.  Peter's  Church,  Baltimore,  on  the  22d  of 
February,  1800.  In  1808  Dr.  Carroll  was  made  archbishop,  with 
four  suffragan  bishops.  With  ever}^  additional  duty  his  zeal  for 
his  Zion  seemed  to  increase,  and  be  labored  faithfull}^  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  at  Baltimore,  on  the  3d  of  December,  1815,  when 
he  was  eighty  years  of  age. 

On  Saturday,  January  7th,  Col.  Michell  and  Lieut. -Col.  Towson, 
both  of  the  U.  S.  artillery,  partook  of  a  splendid  entertainment 
gotten  up  in  honor  of  them  by  the  citizens  of  Baltimoi'c  at  Bar- 
ney's Inn.  About  160  gentlemen  attended,  and  among  the  invited 
guests  were  Major-Gen.  Scott,  Brig.-Gen.  Strieker,  Lieut. -Col. 
Armistead,  and  all  the  principal  military  and  naval  officers  in  the 
city.  Edward  Johnson,  Esq.,  Mayor,  presided,  assisted  by  the 
gentlemen  composing  the  committee  of  arrangements,  five  Demo- 
crats and  five  Federalists  — "  all  republicans." 

After  the  funds  of  the  city  treasury  had  been  exhausted,  indi- 
viduals advanced  large  sums  for  the  public  defence.  But  the 
banks  w^ere  called  upon  by  the  Committee.of  Safety,  and  loans  were 
made,  which  enabled  them  to  expend  $79,000  on  public  account, 
and  this,  when  assumed  by  the  city,  became  the  nucleus  of  the 
present  debt.  In  the  year  1816  the  rate  of  tax  was  12^  cents  on 
each  6100,  or  one-eighth  of  one  per  centum  on  the  amount  of  as- 
sessment. 

The  news  of  peace,  with  the  repulse  of  the  British  at  New 
Orleans,  was  received  here  with  every  demonstration  of  joy,  and 
in  accordance  with  the  proclamation  of  the  Mayor,  all  the  houses 
were  splendidly  illuminated  on  the  evening  of  the  15th  of 
February. 

In  accordance  with  the  previous  arrangements,  the  managers 
of  the  Washington  Monument  met  in  Howard's  Park  at  12  o'clock, 
on  Tuesday  the  4th  of  July,  and  in  presence  of  from  25,000  to 
30,000  of  their  fellow-citizens,  amongst  whom  were  a  number  of 
the  reverend  clergy,  the  president  and  members  of  the  Cincinnati 
of  Maryland,  his  Excellency  the  Governor,  R.  W.  G.  M.  and  mem- 
bers of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  the  subordinate  lodges 
of  Baltimore,  the  Mayor  and  City  Council  of  Baltimore,  officers 
of  the  army  and  navy,  Major-General  K.  G.  Harper  and  aides,  and 
the  3d  brigade  of  Marjdand  militia  under  the  command  of  Brig- 
adier-General Sterett,  they  proceeded  to  perform  the  pleasing 
duty  assigned  them  by  the  Legislature  of  Maryland,  of  laying  the 
first  corner-stone  of  a  monument,  to  be  erected  in  the  city  of  Bal- 
timore, to  the  memory  of  General  Washington,  the  father  of  the 
republic.     In  an  elevated  situation  near  the  spot  prepared  for  lay- 


376  CHRONIQ^ES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

ing  the  corner-stone,  was  exhibited  an  excellent  likeness  of  the 
deceased  hero  and  sage,  an  original  portrait  painted  by  Eembrandt 
Peale;  and  immediately  under  the  picture,  a  correct  and  beautiful 
representation  of  the  monument  to  be  erected,  as  designed  by  Mr. 
Mills,  painted  by  Mr.  Hugh  Findley.  These  were  richly  decorated, 
and  formed  altogether  an  appropriate  trophy  for  the  occasion.  At  the 
beginning  of  the  ceremony,  the  ensigns  from  the  attending  volunteer 
corps  displayed  their  flags,  on  which  were  painted  the  arms  of  the 
United  States  around  the  trophy.  The  ceremonies,  of  the  day 
were  commenced  by  some  national  airs  from  a  volunteer  band  of 
amateurs,  Mr.  Bunzie  leader.  A  salute  of  39  guns,  commemorative 
of  the  number  of  years  which  were  on  that  day  completed  since 
the  declaration  of  Independence.  Washington's  march  by  the 
band.  James  A.  Buchanan,  Esq.,  president  of  the  board  of  managers, 
then  addressed  the  audience.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  address, 
praj'er  was  offered  by  the  Eight  Eev.  Bishop  Kemp.  The  presi 
dent,  accompanied  by  the  board  of  managers,  then  descended  to 
the  place  where  the  corner-stone  was  suspended,  and  by  their  sec- 
retary invited  his  Excellency  Levin  Winder,  R.  W.  G.  Master  of 
Masons,  Col.  J.  E.  Howard,  president,  and  General  S.  Smith,  vice- 
president  of  the  Cincinnati,  and  Edward  Johnson,  Mayor  of  the 
city  of  Baltimore,  to  witness  the  laying  of  the  stone.  To  whom 
when  assembled,  the  president  made  the  following  address : 

"  I  have,  gentlemen,  been  requested  by  the  board  of  managers 
to  ask  your  participation  with  them  on  this  interesting  occasion; 
and,  Worshipful  Sir,  (addressing  R.  W.  G.  Master)  to  present  you 
with  these  implements,  (handing  the  square,  plumb  and  level)  used 
by  your  ancient  fraternity,  with  which  you  will  be  pleased  to  pro- 
ceed and  ascertain  the  fitness  of  this  stone." 

The  R.  W.  G.  Master  replied  :  "  Honorable  Sir,  on  behalf  of 
the  free  and  accepted  Masons  of  this  State,  I  accept  with  pleasure 
your  invitation ;  and  it  will  afford  us  peculiar  satisfaction  to  render 
all  the  assistance  within  our  power,  so  that  the  stone  may  be  laid 
agreeably  to  the  ancient  usages  of  the  Order,  especially  as  the 
object  of  the  building  to  be  erected  is  to  hand  down  to  the  latest 
posterity,  the  virtues  and  patriotism  of  the  greatest  of  men  ;  who, 
during  his  valuable  life,  honored  our  Order  by  becoming  a  zealous 
and  faithful  member  of  the  fraternity."  His  Excellency  the  R.  W.  G. 
Master  then  proceeded  to  try  the  fitness  of  the  stone  ;  and,  addres- 
sing the  President,  pronounced  the  same  "  true  and  trusty."  The 
architect,  assisted  by  Messrs.  William  Steuart  ajid  Thomas  Towson, 
the  operative  masons,  under  the  direction  of  the  president,  placed 
the  stone  in  its  proper  position.  The  Secretary  then  deposited  in 
the  stone  a  copper  plate,  on  one  side  of  which  was  engraved : 

On  the  4th  of  July,  A.  D.  1815,  was  laid  this 

Foundation  Stone 

Of  a  monument  to  be  erected  lo  the  memory  of 

GEOliGE  WASHINGTON. 


CHE0NICLE8   OF   BALTIMOEB. 


377 


On  the  reverse  : 

John  Comegys, 
James  A.  Buchanan, 
Robert  Gihnor,  Jr., 
Isaac  McKim, 
William  H.  Winder, 
David  Winchester, 
Fielding  Lucas,  Jr., 
James  Calhoun,  Jr., 
James  Cocke, 
Jolm  Frick, 
James  Williams, 


Managers. 


James  Barroll. 


Washington  Hall, 
Lenmel  Taylor, 
George  Hoffman, 
Edward  J.  Coale, 
James  Partridi^e, 
Nicholas  G.  Ridgely, 
Robert  Milh-r, 
Nathaniel  F.  Williams, 
L^^vi  Hollingsworih, 
William  Gwynn, 
Benjamin  H.  Millikin, 


Eli  Simkins,  Secretary. 


Robert  Mills,  Architect. 


The  site  presented  by  John  Eager  Howard,  Esq.  Edward  Johnson,  Mayor 
of  the  city. 

A  sealed  glass  bottle  was  also  deposited,  containing  a  likeness  of 
Washington,  his  valedictory  address,  the  several  newspapers  printed 
in  this  city,  and  the  different  coins  of  the  United  States.  On  the 
stone  was  engraved — 

William  Steuart  and  Thomas  Towson,  Stone  Cutters;  bater  Stevenson, 

Stone  Mason. 

The  President,  accompanied  by  the  R.  W.  G.  Master,  the  Presi- 
dent and  Vice-President  of  the  Cincinnati,  and  the  Mayor  of  the 
city,  proceeded  and  settled  the  stone.  The  Grand  Master  then 
pronounced,  "May  the  Grand  Architect  of  the  Universe  grant  a 
blessing  on  this  foundation-stone  which  we  have  now  laid,  and  by 
His  Providence  enable  us  to  finish  this  and  every  other  work  which 
may  be  undertaken  for  the  benefit  of  the  republic  and  the  perpe- 
tuity of  our  free  institutions."  The  R.  W.  G.  Master  then  received 
the  several  vessels  containing  corn,  wine  and  oil,  and  addressed  the 
President  said  :  "  Sir,  as  the  scattering  of  corn  and  the  pouring  out 
of  wine  and  oil  on  such  occasions  are  a  part  of  our  ancient  ceremo- 
nies, with  your  assent  I  will  perform  that  duty."  The  President 
signified  his  assent,  when  the  Grand  Master  scattered  the  corn  and 
poured  out  the  wine  and  oil  on  the  stone,  saying,  "  May  the  All- 
Bountiful  Author  of  I^ature  bless  this  city  with  an  abundance  of 
corn,  wine  and  oil,  and  with  all  the  necessaries,  conveniences  and 
comforts  of  life;  and  may  the  same  Almighty  power  preserve  the 
city  from  ruin  and  decay,  to  the  latest  posterity."  The  R.  W.  G. 
Master,  then  addressing  the  Rev.  John  Hargrove,  Grand  Chaplain, 
said  :  "  Have  we  here  the  first  and  greatest  light  of  Masonry  ?"  He 
replied,  "  It  is  in  my  hands.  Right  Worshipful."  The  R.  W,  G. 
Master  asked  "What  instruction  does  it  give  on  this  occasion?" 
The  Grand  Chaplain  read  the  following  select  passages  from  the 
Holy  Writings:  "Thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  behold  I  lay  in  Zion 
for  a  foundation  a  stone,  a  tried  stone  a  precious  corner-stone,  a 
sure  foundation,  &c.     Judgment  also  will  I  lay  to  the  line  and 


378  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

jigji^epusnesg  unia  the  plummet."  (Isaiah  xxviii.  16-17.)  "  For 
behold  the  stone  which  I  have  laM  before  Joshua;  upon  one  stone 
shall  be  seven  eyes;  behold  I  will  engrave  the  engraving  thereof, 
saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts."  (Zech.  iii.  9.)  "  Bless  ye  the  Lord,  all 
ye  servants  of  the  Lord ;  lift  up  your  hands  in  the  sanctuary  and 
bless  the  Lord;  the  Lord  that  made  heaven  and  earth  bless  thee 
out  of  Zion."     (Psalm  cxxxiv.)     Grand  honors  by  the  Masons. 

The  president  then  addressed  Mr.  Mills :  "The  managers  ap- 
pointed by  the  Legislature  of  Maryland  to  superintend  the  erection 
of  this  monument,  intended  to  hand  down  to  the  latest  generation 
the  love  of  country,  the  disinterestedness,  the  valor,  and  the  patriot- 
ism of  one  of  the  greatest  and  best  of  men  that  ever  lived  in  any 
age,  having  the  most  unbounded  confidence  in  your  skill  and 
integrity  as  an  architect,  do  now  entrust  you  with  -these  symbols 
(handing  the  S.  L.  P.)  by  which  you  are  to  prosecute  according  to 
that  design,, (pointing  to  a  representation  of  the  monument  as  de- 
signed by  Mr.  Mills,  painted  by  W.  H.  Warren)  a  monument  which 
may  do  honor  to  yourself  as  an  architect,  as  w^ell  as  those  who 
have  confided  in  you,  and  be  in  some  degree  commensurate  with  its 
object."  Mr.  Mills  replied:  "The  honor,  sir,  you  have  been 
pleased  to  confer  upon  me,  I  hope  to  prove  that  I  duly  appreciate, 
by  a  faithful  performance  of  the  duties  incumbent  on  me  as  an 
architect.  I  feel  a  double  inducement  to  use  my  best  exertions  to 
execute  faithfully,  and  with  ability,  the  important  duty  intrusted  to 
me,  from  the  recollection  that  the  work  to  be  performed  is  the 
execution  of  a  monument  to  perpetuate  our  country's  gratitude  to 
the  Father  of  her  Liberties,  and  that  you  have  given  a  preference 
to  native  genius  in  the  choice  of  a  design  for  the  work."  The  Rev. 
Dr.  Inglis  then  pronounced  prayer  and  benedicion.  After  which 
followed  music,  first  solemn,  then  national.  Grand  salute  of  100 
guns,  the  band  plajnng  Yankee  Doodle.  The  whole  ceremonies  of 
the  day  were  concluded  by  three  volleys  from  the  whole  line  of 
infantry.  The  evening  sky  was  beautifully  bespangled  by  rockets 
thrown  xrom  Fort  McHenry  and  the  Columbian  Gardens. 

Attempts  had  been  made  to  regulate  the  meetings  for  business 
of  the  merchants  before,  but  in  1815  a  more  decisive  plan  of  effect- 
ing this  object  was  undertaken  by  Messrs.  William  Patterson, 
Robert  G.  Harper,  Dennis  A.  Smith,  John  Oliver,  Thomas  Ten  nan t, 
Robert  Smith,  Henry  Payson,  Isaac  McKim,  Henry  Thompson,  and 
others  who  purchased  the  grounds  fronting  on  Gay  street,  from 
Second  to  Lombard  streets,  and  began  building  in  solid  brick-work" 
and  rough-cast  the  building  known  as  the  Exchange  according  to  a 
design  of  Benjamin  H.  Latrobe.  Col.  Jacob  Small,  carpenter,  Col. 
Wm.  Stewart,  stone  cutter,  and  Mr.  T.  Henning,  bricklayer,  were 
the  builders.  A  part  of  the  grounds  being  the  N.  W.  corner  of  Gay 
and  Lombard  streets,  was  purchased,  finished,  and  occupied  by  the 
United  States  as  a  custom-house,  and  the  S.  W.  corner  of  Gay  and 
Second  streets  was  in  like  manner  taken  by  the  Bank  of  the  United 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  379 

States,  but  now  occupied  by  the  Merchants'  Bank.  The  company- 
was  incoi*porated  from  its  origin  and  organized  in  1821,  Eobert 
Gilmor  president,  William  Cooke  secretary. 

The  Committee  of  Vigilance  and  Safety  of  the  city  of  Balti- 
more, on  the  1st  of  March,  deeplj'  impressed  with  the  grateful  re- 
collection of  the  distinguished  gallantry  of  their  late  fellow-citizens 
who  fell  nobly  fighting  in  defence  of  their  country  on  the  ever- 
memorable  12th  and  13th  of  September,  1814.  unanimously  resolved 
upon  the  erection  of  a  monument  to  perpetuate  their  memories,  and 
appointed  James  A.  Buchanan,  Samuel  Hollings worth,  Richard 
Frisby,  Joseph  Jamieson,  and  Henry  Payson,  five  of  their  mem- 
bers, to  carr}^  into  effect  the  said  resolution.  "And  that  the  corner- 
stone be  laid  on  the  12th  of  September  next,  that  there  be  then 
a  grand  procession,  that  the  relatives  of  the  deceased  be  invited  to 
attend,  and  that  a  suitable  address  be  delivered  on  the  occasion." 

Agreeably  to  the  foregoing  resolution,  on  the  12th  of  September, 
a  procession  was  formed  in  Great  York  street  (now  East  Balti- 
more street,)  which  proceeded  by  the  intended  route  to  Monument 
square.  The  funeral  car,  surmounted  by  a  plan  of  the  intended 
monument  as  designed  by  Mr.  Maximilian  Godefroy,  and  executed 
by  Mr.  John  Finley  assisted  by  Mr.  Rembrandt  Peale,  was  drawn 
by  six  white  horses,  caparisoned  and  led  by  six  men  in  military 
uniform,  and  guarded  by  the  Independent  Blues,  commanded  by 
Capt.  Levering.  On  the  arrival  at  the  square,  the  band,  under 
direction  of  Professors  Neninger  and  Bunzie,  performed  the 
music  selected  for  the  occasion.  The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Kemp 
then  addressed  the  Throne  of  Grace  in  prayer,  when  the  corner- 
stone of  the  monument  was  laid  by  the  architect  and  his  assistants, 
under  the  direction  of  General  Smith,  General  Strieker,  Colonel 
Armstead,  and  the  Mayor.  The  book  containing  the  names  of  the 
subscribers  to  the  building  of  the  monument,  the  newspapers  of  the 
preceding  day,  gold,  silver,  and  copper  coin  of  the  United  States, 
were  deposited  therein,  together  with  a  plate  of  copper  on  which 
was  engraved — 

September  XII. 

A.  D.  MDCCCXV. 

In  the  XL.  year  of  Independence. 

James  Madison  being  President  of  the  U.  S. 

To  the  memory  of  the  brave  defenders  of  this  city,  who  gloriously  fell  in  the 

Battle  at  North  Point  on  the  XII.  September,  1814, 

And  at  the  bombardment  of  Fort  McHenry  on  the  XIII.  of  the  same  month; 
Edward  Johnson,  Mayor  of  the  City. 

Maj.-Gen.  Samuel  Smith,  Brig.-Gen.  John  Strieker,  and  Lieut.-Col.  G.Armistead 
of  the  U.  S.  Artillery, 

Laid  the  corner  stone  of  this  Monument  of  public  gratitude  and  the 
deliverance  of  this  city, 


380  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

Raised  by  the  munificence  of  the  citizens  of  Baltimore,  and  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  the  Committee  of  Vigilance  and  Safety. 

J.  Maximilian  M.  Godefroy.  Architect.  J.  G.  Neale,  S.  Baughman,and  E.  Hore, 
Stone-cutters.    W.  Attley,  Stone-mason. 

The  Eev.  Dr.  Inglis  then  delivered  the  address,  after  which  the 
Major  announced  to  Gen.  Harper  that  the  laj^ing  of  the  corner- 
Btone  was  completed,  when  a  federal  salute  was  fired  by  the  de- 
tachment of  artillery,  and  the  assembly  was  dismissed.  Minute- 
guns  were  fired,  and  the  bells  of  Christ  Church  were  rung  muffled 
during  the  moving  of  the  procession,  and  all  business  was  suspended 
for  the  day. 

The  following  inscriptions  appear  on  the  different  sides  of  this 
monument: 

BATTLE  OF  NORTH  POINT, 

12th  of  September,  A.  D.  1814,  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States 

the  thirty-ninth. 

.  BOMBARDMENT  OF  FORT  McHENRY, 

September  13,  A.  D.  1814. 

John  Lowry  Donaldson,  Adjutant,  27th  Regiment. 

Gregorius  Andre,  Lieut.  1st  Rifle  Battalion. 
Levi  Clagett,  3d  Lieut,  in  Nicholson's  Artillerists. 

G.  Jenkins,  H.  G.  McComas,  D.  Wells, 

J.  Richardson,  J.  Burneston,  R.  K.  Cooksey, 

W.  Alexander,  G.  Faliier,  J.  Wallack, 

T.  V.  Beeston,  J.  Jephson,  J  C.  Byrd, 

D.Howard,  E  Marriott,  W  Ways, 

J.  H.  Marriott  of  John,  J.  Dunn,  C.  Bell, 

J.  Armstrong,  P.  Byard,  J  Clemm, 

M.  Desk,  B.  Reynolds,  T.  Garrett, 

J.  Craig,  J.  Gregg,  J.  Merriken, 

R.  Neale,  A.  Randall,  .  C.  Cox, 

J.  Evans,  J.  H.  Cox,  U.  Pro?ser, 

J.  Haubert,  J.  Wolf,  B.  Bond. 
D.  Davis, 

1816.  Messrs.  Richard  Caton,  Benjamin  and  James  Ellicott, 
Levy  Hollingsworth,  and  others,  obtained  licenses  from  several  pro- 
prietors, and  employed  John  Lead  better  to  bore  for  coal  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Saratoga  and  North  streets,  but  without  success. 

Subscriptions  to  the  new  Bank  of  the  United  States  were  opened 
for  a  capital  of  twenty-eight  millions,and  $4,014,100  was  subscribed 
here  in  the  name  of  15,610  persons,  principals  and  proxies.  A 
branch  office  was  opened  early  in  the  next  year,  of  which  James  A. 
Buchanan  was  appointed  by  the  parent  board  president,  and  James 
"W.  McCulloch  cashier;  and  then  the  banks  generally  resumed 
specie  payments,  which  had  been  suspended  since  1814. 

The  Mayor  and  City  Council  resolved  "  to  employ  on  behalf  of 
the  city  of  Baltimore,  on  such  terms  as  they  may  deem  -proper, 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  '  381 

any  artist  in  the  United  States  to  execute  two  superb  paintings, 
one  of  the  Battle  of  North  Point  near  Baltimore  on  the  12th  Sep- 
tember, 1814,  the  other  of  the  Bombardment  of  Fort  MeHenry  on 
the  13th  September,  1814.  The  said  paintings  to  be  as  nearly  as 
may  be  of  the  following  dimensions,  viz  :  fifteen  feet  long  by  ten  feet 
high."  In  addition  to  the  paintings  mentioned,  the  City  Council 
passed  a  resolution  requesting  Maj.-Gen.  Samuel  Smith,  Brig.-Gen. 
Strieker,  and  Lieut.-Col.  Armistead  to  sit  for  their  respective  por- 
traits ;  also  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Brig.-Gen.  Winder  and  Commo- 
dore Eogers  for  the  important  services  rendered  by  them  during 
the  late  attack  of  the  enemy  upon  Baltimore. 

On  the  11th  of  May,  John  E.  Howard,  Thos.  Tennant,  William 
Lorman,  Isaac  McKim,  Eobert  Gilmor,  Jr.,  and  F.  Lucas,  Jr.,  a 
committee  appointed  by  the  citizens,  proceeded  to  Fort  McHenry 
and  presented  to  Lieut.-Col.  Armistead  a  superb  silver  punch-bowl, 
representing  one  of  the  largest  bomb-shells  thrown  into  the  fort 
by  the  British.  The  vase  was  accompanied  by  silver  cans  and 
ladle,  the  latter  in  the  form  of  a  shrapnel-shell,  and  the  whole 
placed  on  a  large  silver  tray.  The  same  committee  presented  an 
elegant  sword  to  Lieut.  Webster,  famous  for  the  services  he  ren- 
dered at  the  "  six-gun  battery,"  and  afterwards  one  to  Lieut.  New- 
comb  of  "  Fort  Covington." 

At  the  session  of  1816  the  Legislature  passed  an  Act  to  annex 
the  Precincts,  as  they  were  called,  to  the  city  of  Baltimore,  against 
the  consent  of  nine-tenths,  perhaps,  of  the  people  of  both.  ^7,/ 
this  procedure  the  city  acquired  a  population  of  16,000  or  17,000*^ 
souls,  and  still  had  only  two  members  in  the  House  of  Delegates 
—  a  fortieth  part  of  the  power  of  legislation,  and  a  fifth,  if  not  a 
fourth,  of  all  the  white  persons  in  the  whole  State.  The  mere  ad- 
dition thus  made  to  Baltimore  city  for  population  or  value  of 
property  was  far  greater  than  that  of  any  one  of  seven  or  eight 
of  the  counties  of  the  State,  and  equal  or  superior  to  that  of  two 
several  pairs  of  united  counties.  But  each  county  sent  four  mem- 
bers to  the  Legislature. 

On  the  decease  of  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Clagett,  this  year, 
Rev.  Dr.  James  Kemp  becomes  Bishop  of  the  Diocese,  and  the 
first  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Epiocopal  Church  residing  in  Balti- 
more. 

Messrs.  John  E.  Howard,  William  Patterson,  William  Gibson, 
William  Lorman,  Solomon  Etting,  George  Warner,  Owen  Dorsey, 
Geo.  Winchester,  James  Mosher,  VV.  McMechen,  John  Hillen,  Joseph 
Townsend,  and  Henry  Thompson  are  appointed  commissioners  to 
survey  and  lay  off  streets,  lanes  and  alleys  added  to  the  city. 

Messrs..  Jonathan  Meredith,  Thomas  Kell,  and  D.  Hoffman  are 
appointed  insolvent  commissioners,  to  examine  applicants  and 
grant  provisional  relief. 

Capt.  George  Stiles  was  elected  Mayor  of  the  city. 

On'the  16th  of  May,  departed  this  life  James  McHenry,  one  of 


382  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

the  framers  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  a  secretary 
to  Gen.  Washington  in  the  war  of  Independence,  and  of  the  De- 
partment of  War  in  1798.  On  the  14th  of  August,  at  an  advanced 
age,  James  Calhoun,  first  Mayor  of  Baltimore ;  and  on  the  7th  of 
October,  at  his  residence  in  the  county,  Col.  N.  E.  Moore,  com- 
mandant of  cavalry  and  late  member  of  Congress. 

On  the  26th  of  December,  an  elegant  public  entertainment  was 

fiven  to  the  gallant  Commodore  Decatur,  at  Barney's  Fountain 
nn,  in  the  handsomest  style  of  that  day.  General  S.  Smith,  in  the 
absence  of  the  Mayor,  presided.  Among  the  many  toasts  given, 
Com.  Decatur  gave  the  following:  "The  citizens  of  Baltimore: 
their  patriotism  and  valor  defeated  the  veteran  forces  of  their 
enemy,  who  came,  saw,  and  fled  I  " 

The  Maryland  Hospital  was  incorporated  on  the  29th  of  Janu- 
ary, and  on  February  1st,  the  St.  Andrew's  Society  of  Baltimore, 
and  on  the  same  day  the  Medical  Society  of  Maryland. 

The  following  very  interesting  letter,  giving  some  of  the  un- 
published history  of  the  war  of  1812,  was  written  by  Major-Gen- 
eral  Samuel  Smith,  to  Acting  Secretary  of  War  George  Graham, 
Esq.: 

"  Washington,  30th  JDecember,  1816. 

"  George  Graham,  Esq.,  Acting  Secretary  of  War : 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  I  have  deposited  with  the 
accountant  of  the  War  Department  the  accounts  of  the  Mayor  and 
corporation  of  the  city  of  Baltimore,  for  expenditures  paid  by 
them,  principally  in  1813,  viz :  For  repairs  in  Fort  McHenry,.  for 
new  platforms  for  the  guns  of  the  water-battery,  gun-carriages 
for  fome  of  the  cannon  appertaining  to  the  fort,  and  for  the  guns 
borrowed  from  the  French  Consul,  for  balls  for  the  same,  for 
ammunition,  for  erecting  furnaces,  for  booms  in  front  of  the  fort 
to  prevent  a  surprise  by  night,  for  a  small  flotilla  to  row  guard 
by  night  some  distance  in  advance  to  give  notice  by  signal 
of  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  for  a  seaman's  corps  to  man 
the  same  and  the  great  guns,  which  being  mounted  on  ship- 
carriages  and  worked  with  tackles,  could  not  be  worked  by  com- 
mon artillerists,  for  labor  in  removing  the  earth  and  throwing 
up  works  within  the  precincts  of  Fort  McHenry,  for  liquor  to  the 
persons  employed,  and  for  a  variety  of  charges  incidental  to  the 
preparations  necessary  for  the  defence  of  Fort  McHenry ;  all  of 
which  were  made  conformably  to  orders  given  by -General  Swift 
(chief-engineer  to  Major  Beall,  the  commanding  officer  of  that  gar- 
rison), or  by  directions  of  Col.  Wadsworth. 

"  Those  expenses  were  admitted  by  General  Armstrong  to  be 
charges  against  the  United  States,  and  would  have  been  paid  by 
his  order,  but  on  the  agent  (James  W.  McCulloch)  presenting  the 
papers  to  the  accountant,  they  were  found  to  be  unprepared  for 
Bettlement,  and  were  all  sent  back  to   be  better  arranged,  except 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  383 

for  the  pay  due  the  militia,  which  had  been  advanced  by  the  city, 
and  which  the  paymaster  by  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War  re- 
funded. I  repeat  that  General  Armstrong  had  agreed  to  pay  all 
those  charges,  and  nothing  but  the  informality  of  the  papers  prevented 
the  adjustment  and  payment  of  those  accounts.  The  muster  and 
pa3"-rolls  of  the  militia,  which  had  been  paid  by  the  city,  being  in  pro- 
per form,  were  presented  at  the  same  time,  and  the  amount  repaid  to 
the  city.  Those  expenditures  were  made  at  my  request,  and  under 
my  orders  as  Major-General  commanding  at  Baltimore;  they  were 
addressed  to  the  committee  appointed  by  the  Mayor  and  corpora- 
tion, because  there  was  at  that  time  no  Quartermaster-General  at 
that  port  or  other  military  officer  authorized  to  act.  Had  such 
officers  been  appointed,  all  such  accounts  as  came  within  their 
powers  would  have  been  paid  by  them,  which  I  shall  show  was 
the  case ;  when  a  j>ro  tern,  quartermaster  was  appointed  on  my 
pressing  solicitation.  The  following  view  may  not  be  deemed  un- 
necessary to  a  complete  understanding  of  the  subject : 

"On  the  11th  of  March,  1813,  the  Governor  of  Maryland  visited 
Baltimore  with  a  view  to  ascertain  its  situation  as  to  defence,  and 
at  his  request  I  addressed  him  a  letter.  On  the  12th  or  13th  he 
issued  a  general  order  directing  me  to  purchase  powder,  ball,  &c., 
&c.,  to  a  small  amount,  which  has  been  paid  for  by  the  State,  and 
in  which  he  ordered  me  '  to  take  the  earliest  opportunity  of  mak- 
ing the  necessary  arrangements  of  the  militia  for  the  defence  of 
the  port  of  Baltimore.'  In  consequence  of  this  order  I  commenced 
immediately  to  make  the  necessary  preparations  to  repel  the 
enemy  in  case  of  an  attack.  My  letter-book,  which  I  submit  to 
your  perusal,  will  show  you  copies  of  Gov.  Winder's  orders,  by  cor- 
respondence between  the  Secretary  of  War  and  Navy  departments 
and  myself,  by  which  you  will  see  that  my  comipand  was  by  them 
fully  acknowledged,  both  of  those  gentlemen  having  directed 
the  officers  under  their  command  to  co-operate  with  me,  which 
order  was  obeyed  by  Major  Beall  of  the  land  troops,  and  Captain 
Gordon  of  the  navy.  General  Armstrong's  letter  of  15th  of  May, 
1813,  admits  that  I  was  in  full  command,  and  therefore  my  right 
to  do  what  was  necessary  is  fully  admitted.  At  my  solicitations, 
Mr.  James  W.  McCulloch  was  appointed  in  April,  1813,  as  acting 
Deputy-Quartermaster-General,  and  in  that  capacity  was  directed 
by  General  Armstrong  to  obey  my  orders ;  that  he  did  so,  will  be 
Been  by  his  letter  to  me,  by  my  order  to  him  of  27th  April,  1813,  and 
by  his  accounts  herewith  settled  at  the  War  Department ;  my  or- 
ders being  his  only  vouchers.  I  state  those  facts  to  show  that  I 
acted,  was  obeyed,  and  recognized  as  in  full  command,  and  there- 
fore fully  authorized  to  make  every  necessary  preparation  for  the 
defence  of  the  port  where  I  commanded.  Colonel  Wadsworth, 
then  at  the  head  of  the  Ordnance  Department,  was  sent  as  engi- 
neer to  direct  any  new  works  that  might  be  deemed  necessary. 
He  directed  a  very  extensive  work  to  protect  the  gate,  and  caused 


384  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTTMOEE. 

Fort  Covington  to  be  erected  ;  and  on  his  first  arrival  he  promised 
(the  enemy  then  in  sight)  that  the  gim-carriages  and  ball  for  the 
French  guns  should  be  paid  for  as  well  as  those  for  the  guns  be- 
longing to  the  fort ;  however,  after  the  enemy  had  gone,  he  de- 
clined taking  that  responsibility  on  himself,  and  referred  to  the 
Secretary  of  War,  who  assured  me  that  they  should  be  paid  for. 
The  guns  are  still  mounted,  and  the  balls  are  still  in  the  fort,  ex- 
cept those  expended  in  practising  and  in  resisting  the  bomb-vessels 
when  the  attack  was  made  upon  the  fort.  Seven  of  those  balls 
pierced  one  of  them,  and  compelled  her  to  take  a  safe  distance  ; 
indeed,  I  may  attribute  the  preservation  of  the  fort  to  those  French 
guns  and  bails.  The  enemy  knew  they  were  mounted,  and  knew 
they  carried  balls  of  41  lbs.  weight,  and  that  furnaces  had  been 
prepared  to  make  them  red  hot. 

*'  When  I  assumed  the  command  I  visited  Fort  McHenry.  I 
found  that  one  of  the  platforms  was  rotten  ;  that  the  water  bat- 
tery was  totally  destroyed ;  that  the  ground  between  the  fort  and 
the  water  was  in  its  natural  state,  affording  a  good  cover  to  an  at- 
tacking enemy ;  that  some  of  the  carriages  within  the  fort  on  the 
battery  were  unfit  for  service;  that  there  were  no  furnaces;  in  fine, 
that  the  fort  was  not  in  a  condition  to  repel  a  serious  attack.  On 
my  representation  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Col.  Swift  was  sent  to 
Baltimore.  He  gave  us  but  one  day,  but  during  that  day  he  sketched 
directions  to  Major  Beall,  which  were  highly  approved  of  by  me, 
and  were  executed  under  the  Major's  superintendence  ;  but  much  of 
the  expense  was  paid  for  by  the  city.  Those  orders  directed  an 
extensive  line  of  water  batterj^,  which  made  it  necessary  to  remove 
an  immense  quantity  of  earth,  to  lay  a  long  line  of  platforms  for 
the  guns,  on  which  1  caused  to  be  mounted  the  French  guns,  bor- 
rowed from  the  Consul.  On  the  approach  of  the  enem}^,  I  caused 
hulks  to  be  ballasted,  prepared  and  moored  head  and  stern,  to  be 
sunk  if  necessary  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  passing  the  fort. 
They  were  not  sunk,  but  their  preparation,  removal,  and  injury  sus- 
tained, was  paid  for  by  the  city,  and  is  certainly  a  just  charge 
against  the  United  States.  One  of  the  charges  is  for  flints,  pow^der 
and  ball,  and  the  making  of  cartridges.  This  was  absolutely  neces- 
sary. There  was  no  public  supply;  a  small  quantity  only  had  been 
deposited  at  the  fort,  and  I  had  no  other  means  of  providing  am- 
munition but  tbrough  the  aid  of  the  city.  Care  was  taken  to  pre- 
serve the  carti'idges,  and  they  w^ere  used  at  Bladensburg  and  at 
North  Point.  Entrenching  tools  were  indispensable,  and  were  in 
part  supplied  by  the  city,  and  part  from  the  public  stores.  It  is 
proper  lor  me  to  state,  that  in  the  year  1813,  in  which  the  great 
amount  of  expenses  were  incuried,  there  was  no  work  to  which 
the  city  aided  (out  of  Fort  Mcllenry)  except  a  small  work  for  six 
guns  which  was  thrown  up  by  the  brick-makers  without  charge, 
and  that  there  cannot  be  a  charge  to  any  great  amount  on  that  ac- 
count. That  battery  destroyed  one  of  the  enemy's  barges  in  their 
night  attack  and  compelled  them  to  retreat. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  385 

"  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  General  Armstrong's  letter  of  22(i 
of  April,  1813,  in  which  he  informed  me  that  he  appointed  Mr. 
McCuUoch  deputy  Quartermaster-General,  and  in  which  he  says: 
'  That  the  committee  of  public  supplies  had  rendered  all  the  ser- 
vices that  he  could  have  obtained  from  a  more  early  appointment 
of  a  quartermaster,  and  that  he  will  of  course  direct  him  to  pay  all 
the  expenditures  made  by  them,  which  may  come  within  the  pur- 
view of  his  duty,'  thus  recognising  the  essential  services  of  the 
committee,  and  authorising  the  payment  of  such  expenses  paid  by 
them  as  came  within  the  quartermaster's  department,  some  of 
which  were  paid  by  Mr.  McCulloch.  He  implicitly  admitted  thereby 
that  other  fair  charges  on  other  departments  would  be  paid,  and 
that  such  was  his  intention  is  evident  from  his  requesting  me  to 
desire  the  Mayor  to  send  forward  the  accounts  for  adjustment.  I 
repeat  that  these  not  being  paid  was  owing  to  their  informality. 
The  committee  were  not  well  informed  as  to  what  items  did  come 
under  the  purview  of  the  Quartermaster's  authority,  and  only  pre- 
sented a  part.  The  same  principle  expressed  by  the  Secretary  as 
good  reason  for  paying  the  items  coming  under  the  power  of  the 
D.  Q.  M.  G.,  is  equally  applicable  to  the  payment  of  ordnance 
stores,  employment  of  hulks,  and  for  powder,  lead,  &c.,  &c.,  to  wit : 
'That  the  committee  have  rendered  all  the  services  that  could 
have  been  rendered  by  officers  properly  authorized.'  Had  the 
proper  officers  been  appointed  in  1813  as  was  in  1814,  all  or  nearly 
all  the  expenditures  made  and  paid  by  the  committee  would  have 
been  paid  by  them,  and  certainly  not  with  more  economy.  Gen- 
eral Armstrong  writes,  3d  April,  1813 :  '  You  are  making  your- 
selves ready  comparatively  with  little  expense  to  the  United  States, 
and  will  no  doubt  be  prepared  to  meet  the  enemy.'  In  that  letter  he 
complains  of  a  want  of  money.     The  committee  supplied  that  want. 

"  In  fine,  I  feel  confident  that  on  a  perusal  of  my  correspondence 
with  the  Secretaries  of  War  and  -Navy,  you  will  have  no  doubt  that 
I  was  acting  with  their  full  concurrence,  and  that  the  committee 
under  my  orders  as  commanding  general  acted  as  the  officers  of 
Quartermaster  and  Commissary  of  Purchases  would  have  done 
had  any  been  then  appointed.  That  all  they  did  was  economically 
done  cannot  be  doubted,  and  of  this  fact  I  can  assure  you,  that  the 
work  done  and  preparation  made  in  1813  was  the  cause  of  its  pre- 
servation when  attacked  in  1814,  and  that  the  preparations  made 
in  1813  enabled  us  to  meet  the  enemj'  when  he  attacked  us  by  land 
in  1814.  The  city  was  saved  by  the  preparations  of  1813,  and  I  can- 
not doubt  but  the  debt  then  contracted  by  the  city  will  be  honor- 
ably discharged  by  a  settlement  at  the  War  Department.  I  have 
the  honor  to  be 

"  Your  obedient  servant,  Samuel  Smith. 

"  P.  S. — It  may  be  proper  to  state  that  in  April,  1813,  Admiral 
Cockburn  appeared  off  the  mouth  of  the  Patapsco,  and  threatened 
25 


386  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

an  attack  on  Fort  McHenry.  He  sent  a  flag  under  a  pretext  of 
sending  a  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  but  in  truth  to  get  a 
view  of  the  fort  and  to  sound  the  river.  The  flag  was  met  at  the 
distance  of  four  miles  by  my  aide-de-camp,  and  detained  by  Capt. 
Chay  ter,  who  commanded  one  of  the  flotilla  barges  at  that  distance, 
until  my  answer  returned.  He  asked  whether  we  had  mounted 
the  guns  of  the  French  74,  and  was  answered  that  we  had  mounted 
the  heaviest :  and  this  information  it  was  afterwards  said  in  the 
fleet  prevented  *an  attempt  being  then  made.  In  August,  1813,  on 
Admiral  Harvey  appearing  at  a  landing  at  Kent  Island,  I  was 
called  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  by  Greneral  Armstrong 
whilst  in  Baltimore  on  his  way  to  the  Noi-th,  and  on  the  26th  of 
August,  1814,  I  was  ordered  into  service  as  M.  G.  of  the  Quota." 

On  the  19th  of  June  an  ordinance  was  passed  by  the  Mayor  and 
City  Council,  granting  permission  to  the  Gas  Light  Company  of 
Baltimore  to  more  effectually  light  the  streets  of  Baltimore.  The 
Company  obtained  their  charter  on  the  5th  of  February,  1817. 
The  original  corporators  were  Kembrandt  Peale,  William  Lorman, 
James  Slosher,  Eobert  Carey  Long,  and  William  Gwynn.  Mr. 
Gwynn  was  then  editor  of  the  old  Baltimore  Gazette,  and  aided 
largely  by  his  pen  in  writing  the  infant  project  into  public  favor. 
The  first  building  in  this  city  lighted  with  gas  was  Peale's  Museum 
on  Holliday  street,  (now  Old  City  Hall.)  This  was  Mr.  Peale's  in- 
dividual enterprise,  and  visitors  paid  a  small  fee  to  see  the  new 
light.  The  experiment  suggested  the  idea  of  lighting  the  city  by 
the  same,  means,  and  a  charter  was  accordingly  obtained  from  the 
Legislature,  one  hundred  shares  being  set  apart  at  the  time  to  be 
assigned  to  Eembrandt  Peale  as  a  compensation  in  full  for  the 
privilege  of  using  the  invention  of  Doctor  Benjamin  Kugler  of 
Philadelphia,  for  manufacturing,  collecting,  and  using  carburetted 
hydrogen  gas.  The  Company  got  fairly  under  way  about  1820, 
its  first  president  being  William  Lorman.  The  gas-works  were 
located  at  the  corner  of  North  and  Saratoga  streets,  and  the 
first  public  building  lighted  with  gas  by  the  Company  was 
the  old  "Mud"  or  "Belvedere"  Theatre,  at  the  north-west 
corner  of  North  and  Saratoga  streets.  The  first  private 
dwelling  lighted  with  gas  was  that  of  the  late  Jacob  J.  Cohen 
on  North  Charles  street;  the  second,  that  of  the  late  Hugh 
Birckhead,  in  the  same  street.  Froni  that  time  the  consumption  of 
gas  steadily  increased,  until,  instead  of  the  three  original  takers  in 
1820,  there  were,  in  1870,  15,301  consumers  of  gas  in  the  city. 
Besides  this,  the  Company  also  supplies  3400  city-lamps  for  light- 
ing the  streets. 

1817.  On  the  11th  of  February,  the  Hibernian  Society  of  Balti- 
more was  incorporated,  and  on  the  16th  of  February  the  Second 
Dispensary  was  incorporated  by  the  Legislature. 

At  this  period,  Sunday-schools  were  organized  by  the  religious 
fiocieties  generally,  and  the  members  of  the  Catholic  Church  es- 


CHROKIOLES  OF  BALTIMOKE.  387 

tablished  a  free  school  for  both  sexes,  which  was  forthwith  incor- 
porated. Mr.  John  McKim,  deceased  this  year,  had  requested  his 
heirs  to  appropriate  six  hundred  dollars  of  ground  rents  per  annum 
for  the  support  of  a  free  school  under  the  direction  of  the  Friends' 
Society.  This  institution,  founded  by  John  McKiqa  and  supported 
by  his  endowment,  now  occupies  the  beautiful  structure  erected  by 
his  son  Isaac  McKim,  at  the  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Aisquith 
streets.    It  is  built  in  imitation  of  the  temple  of  Theseus  at  Athens. 

On  the  5th  of  March,  at  night,  the  wing  occUpied  by  the  crimi- 
nals in  the  penitentiary,  containing  about  300,  was  set  on  fire  and 
nearly  consumed,  but'no  lives  were  lost. 

At  a  meeting  of  sundry  persons  convened  at  the  house  of  Henry 
Payson,  Esq.,  on  the  10th  day  of  February,  1817,  for  the  purpose  \^ 
of  taking  into  consideration  the  expediency  of  forming  a  religious 
society,  and  of  building  a  new  church  for  the  accommodation  of 
Christians  who  are  Unitarians,  and  who  cherish  liberal  sentiments 
on  the  subject  of  religion,  Henry  Payson  was  called  to  the  chaii", 
and  Nathanael  Williams  appointed  secretary.  The  object  of  the 
meeting  having  been  stated  and  discussed,  it  was  unanimously  re- 
solved, that  it  was  expedient  and  desirable  to  form  a  society  for  the 
purposes  aforesaid  ;  and  a  plan  or  constitution  of  government  being 
proposed,  as  provided  by  an  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Mary- 
land, entitled  "  An  Act  to  incorporate  certain  persons  in  every 
Christian  Church  or  congregation  in  this  State,"  the  same  was 
debated  and  adopted.  From  this  assembly  of  gentlemen,  most  of 
them  originally  from  New  England,  the  First  Independent  or  Uni- 
tarian Church  of  Baltimore  took  its  origin.  A  lot  on  the  north- 
west corner  of  Charles  and  Franklin  streets  was  shortly  afterward 
purchased,  and  Maximilian  Godefroy,  a  distinguished  architect 
of  the  day,  was  employed  to  design  and  build  a  church.  The 
corner-stone  of  the  present  noble  edifice  was  accordingly  laid  with 
due  ceremony  on  June  5th,  1817,  and  the  building  having  been 
sufficiently  advanced  for  public  worship,  it  was  solemnly  dedicated 
to  the  service  of  Almighty  God  on  the  29th  of  October,  1818.  On 
November  Ist  of  the  same  year,  the  first  Sunday  services  were 
held  in  it;  the  Eev.  Mr.  Colman  officiating  in  the  morning,  and^-^ 
the  Rev.  Br.  Freeman  in  the  evening.  The  Eev.  Jared  Sparks  of  ^ 
Cambridge,  Mass.,  was  engaged  to  preach  for  some  weeks,  and  on  v 
the  31st  of  January,  1819,  he  was  unanimously  called  to  the  pastor- 
ate of  the  church.  He  accepted  the  invitation,  and  was  ordained 
accordingly  on  May  5th.  The  sermon  on  this  occasion  was  preached 
by  the  celebrated  Dr.  William  Ellery  Channing  of  Boston,  Mass., 
the  most  distinguished  champion  of  the  Unitarian  faith,  and  it  was 
regarded  as  one  of  the  most  powerful  efforts  of  his  life.  Mr. 
Sparks  was  a  man  of  much  ability  as  a  writer  and  thinker,  and 
greatly  beloved  for  his  fine  social  qualities.  During  his  ministry  he 
entered  into  a  controversy  with  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  E.  Wyatt  of  St.  Paul's 
Church,  who  had  warmly  attacked  the  principles  of  the  Unitarian 


v^ 


388  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOBE. 

faith ;  and  Mr.  Sparks  replied  in  a  series  of  articles  defending  Uni- 
tarianism  with  signal  skill.  His  pastorate  lasted  until  July,  1823, 
when  he  resigned  his  charge,  partly  on  account  of  ill  health  and  a 
desire  of  change  of  pursuits.  He  left  the  ministry  altogether,  al- 
though he  always  remained  a  Unitarian,  and  henceforth  devoted 
himself  to  literary  labors.  He  became  widely-known  as  one  of  the 
foremost  of  American  historians  by  his  "  Life  and  Letters  of  George 
Washington,"  "Life  and  Letters  of  Franklin,"  and  "Correspon- 
dence of  the  Eevolution."  He  was  editor  of  the  North  American 
Review  arid  of  "  Sparks'  American  Biography,"  for  three  years  Pro- 
fessor of  History  in  Harvard  University,  and'became  also  its  presi- 
dent. He  died  universally  respected  and  beloved  on  March  14th, 
1866,  in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age.  He  retained  always 
an  affe.ctionate  interest  in  the  city  and  people  of  Baltimore.  "  The 
amount  of  Mr.  Sparks'  literary  labor  and  its  popular  estimation, 
may  be  judged  from  the  fact  that  more  than  six  hundred  thousand 
volumes  of  his  various  publications  have  been  published  and  dis- 
posed of." 

After  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Sparks  the  church  struggled  on 
for  some  years  without  a  settled  minister,  various  clergymen  sup- 
lying  the  pulpit  from  time  to  time  until  April  23,  1828,  when  the 
•ev.  George  W.  Burnap,  who  had  for  nearly  a  year  previous  been 
preaching  in  the  church,  was  ordained  as  its  pastor.  Mr.  Burnap 
was  a  young  man  when  he  entered  on  his  ministry,  and  he  con- 
tinued to  be  the  devoted  and  zealous  shepherd  of  his  flock  for  a 
period  of  near  thirty-two  years.  During  this  period  he  became 
widely  known  as  a  writer  in  controversial  theology,  and  also  pub- 
lished a  number  of  volumes,  such  as  "  Lectures  to  Young  Men," 
"Lectures  to  Young  Women,"  &c.,  &c.,  which  gave  him  a  deserved 
and  handsome  reputation  in  literature.  He  was  universally  be- 
loved for  his  f)ure  and  unselfish  character,  and  w^as  on  terms  of 
cordial  friendship  with  many  of  the  orthodox  clergy  in  Baltimore. 
During  the  latter  part  of  his  ministry  some  persons  seceded  from 
the  church,  and  established  another  congregation  under  charge  of 

Kev.  Bowen,  preaching   at   the   old   Masonic   Hall.     Mr. 

Bowen  continued  the  pastor  of  this  second  society  until  some  time 
after  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion,  when  he  entered  the  Federal 
army  as  chaplain.  Dr.  Burnap  died  suddenly  on  September  8th, 
1859,  to  the  great  grief  of  his  congregation. 

The  Rev.  ^.  H.  Chamberlain,  of  Canton,  Mass.,  was  elected 
to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  Dr.  Burnap,  and 
he  was  duly  installed  on  March  28th,  1860.  About  a  year  after 
he  was  settled  the  Civil  War  broke  out,  and  a  number  of  per- 
sons left  the  church  on  account  of  politics.  Mr.  Chamber- 
lain continued  in  charge  until  January  Ist,  1863,  when  he  resigned 
the  pastorate,  chiefly  on  account  of  a  change  in  his  religious  views. 
His  resignation  was  accepted,  and  he  subsequently  united  himself 
to  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  ordained  to  its  ministry.     Dur- 


CHEONIOLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  389 

ing  Mr.  Chamberlain's  ministry  the  Unitarian  Church  was  injured 
by  a  fire,  burning  a  number  of  the  pews,  &c.,  caused  by  a  defect  in 
the  furnace. 

The  Eev.  John  F.  W.  Ware,  of  Cambridge,  Mass.,  was  invited 
on  January  12,  1864,  to  become  the  pastor  of  the  church,  and  ac- 
cepting the  call,  he,  without  any  formal  installation,  began  duty 
on  May  15,  1864,  He  was  a  forcible  and  able  pulpit  orator,  but 
becoming  dissatisfied  with  his  situation,  he  resigned  his  charge  on 
June  29,  1867.  He  continued  for  some  time,  however,  to  preach 
elsewhere  in  the  city,  and  his  Sunday  evening  discourses  at  Ford's 
Opera  House  attracted  much  attention.  After  Mr.  Ware's  depar- 
ture there  was  another  interregnum  for  some  time  in  the  affairs  of 
the  church,  various  ministers  conducting  the  services,  and  among 
them  the  Eev.  Orville  Dewey,  D.D.  A  choice  was  at  length  made 
of  the  Eev.  Edward  C.  Guild,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  who  entered  upon 
his  duties  on  September  19,  1869.  He  continued  in  charge  until 
May  27,  1872,  when,  greatly  to  the  regret  of  his  flock,  he  sent  in 
his  resignation,  remaining,  however,  as  the  pastor  until  September 
1st.  The  Eev.  Charles  E.  Weld,  B.  D.,  who  had  just  graduated  at 
the  Divinity  School  of  Cambridge,  Mass.,  was  invited  to  become 
the  minister  in  place  of,  Mr.  Guild  on  October  27,  1872.  He  ac- 
cepted the  position  thus  tendered,  and  was  accordingly  ordained 
as  the  pastor  of  the  church  on  Thursday,  January  2d,  1873.  Mr. 
Weld  is  a  descendant  of  the  celebrated  Dr.  Jonathan  Edwards,  of 
Northampton,  Mass.,  the  famous  orthodox  divine.  Mr.  Weld 
brings  to  his  charge  the  finest  mental  accomplishments,  while  his 
pulpit  oratory  is  remarkable  for  depth  of  thought  and  fascination 
of  style.  Under  his  ministry  the  congregation  has  already  largely 
increased,  and  the  affairs  of  the  church  are  more  prosperous  than 
ever  before. 

A  society  was  formed  in  aid  of  the  Colonization  Society,  which 
was  established  at  Washington,  to  procure  the  voluntary  trans- 
portation of  free  blacks  to  the  coast  of  Africa.     Col.  Howard,  who"^^ 
was  vice-president  of  the  parent  society,  was  chosen  president  of 
this  one.     Luke  Tiernan,  treasurer,  and  Edward  J.  Coale,  secretary. 

On  the  18th  of  June  departed  this  life  at  Georgetown,  aged  70 
years,  the  Most  Eev.  Leonard  Neale,  second  Archbishop  of  Balti- 
more ;  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Eev.  Ambrose  Mareschal,  who 
was  consecrated  on  the  14th  of  December  of  the  following  year. 
Bishop  Neale  was  distinguished  for  sound  judgment,  profound  learn- 
ing, heroic  zeal,  and  unaffected  humility.  He  was  born  at  Port 
Tobacco,  in  the  Province  of  Maryland,  on  the  15th  of  October,  1746, 
of  wealthy  and  respectable  parents,  whose  ancestors  emigrated  to 
this  country  with  Lord  Baltimore,  in  the  year  1632,  from  Ireland. 

On  Friday  night,  the  8th  of  August,  the  rain  descended  with 
exceeding  violence.  It  was  almost  an  incessant  and  increasing 
torrent  or  deluge  of  water,  until  about  1  o'clock  P.  M.  on  Satur- 
day.    By  this  time  Jones  Falls,  which  runs  through  the  city  of 


390  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

Baltimore,  and  divides  that  part  familiarly  called  "  Old  Town  "  from 
the  rest,  had  swelled  to  a  great  height.  This  stream  is  about  14 
miles  long,  with  a  very  rapid  descent;  passes  through  a  hilly 
country,  and  affords,  perhaps,  more  mill-seats  than  almost  any  creek 
of  its  length  in  the  United  States ;  nearly  all  of  which  are  very 
highly  improved.  In  general,  it  may  be  at  any  pointforded  without 
reaching  above  a  horse's  knee,  and  within  the  compact  parts  of 
the  city  is  confined  by  stone-walls  built  on  piles,  by  houses  on  its 
banks,  or  wharved  to  a  space  of  60  feet  wide  above  Baltimore 
Street  bridge,  but  of  some  greater  width  below  to  the  basin.  At 
1  o'clock  the  wooden  bridge  at  Centre  street  (the  highest  on  the 
stream  witbin  the  newly  extended  limits  of  the  city-limits)  was 
lifted  from  its  abutments  and  happily  deposited  in  £^  garden  below. 
Many  of  the  mill-dams  above  had,  by  this  time,  been  swept  away, 
and  their  accumulated  waters  were  added  to  the  torrent.  The 
next  bridge,  at  Bath  street,  also  of  wood,  shared  the  fate  of 
the  former,  but  passed  in  an  undivided  body  down  the  stream  and 
lodged  against  the  stone  bridge  at  Gay  street.  Here  it  instantly 
collected  an  immense  mass  of  floating  timber,  parts  of  houses,  &c., 
and  formed  a  complete  dam.  The  water  then  spread  over  the  low 
grounds  west  of  the  Falls,  and  impetuously  passed  down  Fish  street 
(now  Saratoga)  to  Harrison  and  Frederick  streets, — that  part  of 
the  city  called  the  "  Meadow  "  being  overflowed  to  the  depth  of 
10  to  15  feet.  The  greatest  force  of  the  torrent  in  this  part  fell 
against  the  brick  houses  near  the  intersection  of  the  south  side  of 
Gay  with  Frederick  and  Harrison  streets,  and  especially  in  the 
latter,  where  some  frame  buildings  were  in  a  moment  swept  off, 
and  those  of  brick  hardly  resisted  the  force  of  the  stream,  their 
foundations  being  near  rooted  up.  Harrison  is  a  very  wide  street, 
extending  northwardly  from  what  is  called  the  "  Market  Space," 
or  place  where  the  principal  market-house  of  the  city  is  located, 
and  afforded  V3nt  for  an  immense  quantity  of  water,  in  many 
places  more  than  six  feet  deep,  and  of  such  power  at  the  head  of 
the  market-house  as  to  render  it  unsafe  for  man  or  horse  to  cross 
it, — though,  except  for  about  half  an  hour,  when  the  flood  was  at 
its  greatest  height,  it  was  forde4  by  carts  loaded  with  people;  but 
a  coach,  in  attempting  it,  was  swept  off  and  lodged  against  the  posts 
at  the  market,  the  horses  very  narrowly  escaping.  Market  Street 
bridge,  built  of  stone  and  not  being  dammed  as  that  at  Gay  street, 
was  protected  by  the  diversion  that  the  damming  of  the  latter 
caused,  stood  the  current  which  passed  under  it  with  the  rapidity 
of  an  arrow.  Before  this,  the  two  light  foot-bridges  between 
Market  and  George  Streets  (now  Lonibard  Street)  bridges,  had 
given  way, — and  George  Street  bridge  of  wood,  old,  and  designed 
to  have  been  speedily  supplied  by  one  of  stone,  soon  shared  the 
same  fate ;  it  lodged  crosswise  against  the  stone  bridge  at  Pratt 
street,  and  soon  formed  another  complete  dam.  The  water  then 
took  an  additional  rise,  but  rather  momentary,  of  about  three  feet 


.  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  391 

in  less  than  three-quarters  of  a  minute ;  and  a  large  quantity  of 
property,  until  then  but  partially  injured,  was  sacrificed.  This  was 
the  lowest  bridge  on  the  Falls,  and  the  water,  after  passing  it, 
spread  over  the  low  grounds  in  its  course  to  the  basin,  and  did  but 
little  comparative  damage.  Of  all  the  bridges  on  the  Falls,  that 
at  Market  street  only  escaped  uninjured.  Those  at  Gay  and  Pratt 
streets  were  so  much  injured  that  they  could  only  be  passed  on 
foot  in  safety,  and  were  required  to  be  rebuilt, —  one  arch  of  each. 

It  is  utterly  impossible  to  embody  on  paper  the  scene  that  this 
deluge  presented.  Houses,  horses,  cattle,  with  many  swine,  carts, 
drays,  and  other  carriages,  with  perhaps  thousands  of  cords  of 
wood,  and  immense  quantities  of  heavy  timber  of  all  sorts  and  de- 
scriptions, and  some  entire  trees,  with  a  multitude  of  articles  of 
household  furniture  and  mechanical  industry,  hogsheads  and  barrels 
of  whiskej",  flour,  &c.,  &c.,  and,  on  two  or  three  occasions,  human 
beings,  were  seen  mingled  in  tremendous  confusion,  dashing  against 
each  other,  and  impelled  with  irresistible  force.  Women  and 
children  in  the  upper  stories  of  their  houses  were  sending  forth 
their  shrieks,  and  calling  for  assistance  from  their  frail  fellow-men 
gallantly  risking  their  lives  to  rescue  them,  but  without  much  suc- 
cess until  after  the  flood  was  at  its  greatest  height,  which  was 
about  three  o'clock.  When  we  recollect  the  awful  force  of  the 
water,  and  measure  the  depth  that  it  had,  we  are  humbled  with  a 
sense  of  gratitude  that  so  few  persons  were  lost — not  exceeding  six 
in  the  whole.  There  was  much  doubt  and  considerSible  dispute 
whether  this  freshet  was  so  great  as  that  suffered  in  1786.  "  We 
of  ourselves  know  nothing  of  the  latter,  but  from  all  that  we 
can  hear,  are  inclined  to  believe  that  a  greater  quantity  of  water 
came  down  then  than  on  Saturday  last,  but  that  this  freshet  was 
higher  in  several  places  (owing  to  the  encroachments  upon  the 
water-course  and  other  obstructions  of  the  stream)  by  3  J  or  4  feet 
than  the  former ;  but,  possibly,  lower  in  others,  more  immediately 
on  the  banks  of  the  Falls." 

On  Mondaj^  July  28th,' "The  First  Mechanical  Volunteers," 
one  of  the  companies  attached  to  the  fifth  regiment,  erected  on  the 
spot  where  the  advanced  party  under  Major  Heath  was  engaged 
with  the  British  forces  on  the  battle-field  at  North  Point,  a  mon- 
ument to  the  memory  of  Aqu ilia  Randall,  one  of  the  members  who 
fell  in  that  engagement.  •  The  company,  headed  by  their  comman- 
der Capt.  B.  C.  Howard,  marched  from  the  city  at  an  early  hour, 
and  were  joined  on  the  ground  at  ^11  o'clock  by  Col.  Heath,  Lieut.- 
Col.  Barry,  Major  Steuart,  and  several  other  officers  of  the  regi- 
ment. The  ceremony  of  putting  up  the  monument  was  then  com- 
menced, and  in  a  very  short  time  completed  under  the  direction  of 
Mr.  Towson,  Lieut,  of  the  company.  Having  completed  the  ne- 
cessary labors  of  the  undertaking,  the  company  was  then  drawn 
up  in  front  of  the  monument ;  the  officers  of  the  regiment  attend- 
ing by  invitation  were  posted  in  front  of  the  comj^any,  and  Cap- 


392  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

tain  Howard  delivered  a  modest  but  impressive  address.  After 
firing  three  volleys  over  the  monument,  the  company  was  dismissed 
to  partake  of  a  handsome  collation. 

On  the  12th  of  October,  Andrew  Clemments,  an  industrious 
French  farmer,  at  the  north  extremity  of  Gay  street,  was  killed  by 
another  Frenchman,  Jean  Lemarde,  in  his  employ,  on  the  way  from 
market,  and  his  body  was  concealed  in  the  garden.  On  November 
21st,  Lemarde  was  convicted,  and  on  November  23d  he  attempted 
suicide  by  opening  a  vein  in  his  arm.  On  the  9th  of  December, 
after  his  sentence  to  death,  he  hanged  himself  in  his  cell  by  mak- 
ing a  rope  of  his  shirt.  He  left  the  following  writing  :  "  A  Chinese 
condemned  to  death  by  a  special  court,  it  is  to  his  honor  to  be  his 
own  executioner.  That  which  is  virtue  with  one  nation  is  vice 
with  another.  The  sun  enlightens  all.  What  were  you  before  you 
existed  ?  Nothing.  What  will  you  be  .when  you  cease  to  exist  ? 
Nothing.  So  ends  Jean  Lemarde,  aged  47  years,  nine  months  and 
nine  days.     Died  victim." 

At  the  anniversaries  of  the  battle  of  North  Point  and  of  the 
bombardment  of  Fort  McHenry,  the  companies  which  had  assisted 
in  the  defence  of  Fort  McHenry  visited  that  now  very  respectable 
fortress,  where  they  partook  of  a  splendid  repast  in  the  presence 
of  Commodore  Eogers  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Armistead.  The 
happy  occasion  was  embraced  to  present  to  the  gallant  Commodore 
Kogers  a  rixjh  service  of  plate,  prepared  for  him  by  the  citizens  of 
Baltimore,  in  testimony  of  his  services  at  the  time  of  need. 

The  powder  mills  belonging  to  Messrs.  Levering  and  others, 
about  seven  miles  from  Baltimore,  blew  up  on  October  4th,  with 
terrible  effect.  There  were  three  explosions  in  succession,  by  which 
four  men  were  killed  and  several  badly  wounded. 

On  the  29th  of  September,  Messrs.  Eichard  Caton,  Isaac  Mc- 
Kim,  and  John  Hoffman,  on  the  part  of  a  number  of  citizens, 
presented  to  Commodore  Stephen  Decatur,  then  in  the  city  of 
Washington,  a  splendid  service  of  plate,  as  a  testimonial  of  their 
respect  for  his  private  virtues,  and  gratitude  for  his  distinguished 
public  services. 

Died  on  Friday  morning,  the  24th  of  October,  Col.  Nathaniel 
Eamsay  of  Baltimore,  who  in  the  Eevolutionary  war  distinguished 
himself  as  a  brave,  meritorious,  and  humjine  officer.  He  was  loved 
and  esteemed  by  all  the  army,  particularly  by  the  great,  good  and 
discerning  man.  General  Washington.  At  the  battle  of  Monmouth, 
when  our  army  was  pressed  bynhe  enemy  advancing  rapidly.  Gen. 
Washington  asked  for  an  officer.  Col.  Eamsay  presented  himself; 
the  General  took  him  by  the  hand  and  said,  "  If  you  can  stop  the 
British  ten  minutes  (till  I  form)  you  will  save  my  army."  Col. 
Eamsay  answered,  "I  will  stop  them  or  fall."  He  advanced  with 
his  party,  engaged  and  kept  them  in  check  for  half  an  hour,  nor 
did  he  i^etreat  until  the  enemy  and  his  troops  were  mingled ;  and 
at  last,  in  the  rear  of  his  troops,  fighting  his  way,  sword  in  hand, 
fell  pierced  with  many  wounds,  in  sight  of  both  armies. 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  393 

The  different  Marine  Insurance  Companies  determined  to  have 
the  shoals  of  the  river  sounded,  and  buoys  fixed  to  be  a  guide  to 
the  shipping,  which  was  undertaken  by  Capt.  Lewis  Brantz,  and 
the  corporation  caused  the  soundings  to  be  carried  throughout  the 
harbor.  But  the  (xeneral  Government  afterwards  assumed  the 
charge  of  the  buoys,  and  in  1820  erected  a  light-house  at  the 
Bodkin,  and  another  at  North  Point. 

1818.  Departed  this  life  on  Saturday  the  25th  of  April,  Lieut.- 
Colonel  George  Armistead,  of  the  United  States  army,  the  defender 
of  Fort  McHenry  on  the  memorable  13th  September,  1814,  in 
the  39th  year  of  his  age,  and  was  consigned  to  the  tomb  on  Sun- 
day, with  every  respect  that  a  grateful  people  could  bestow.  Dur- 
ing the  solemnities  of  the  occasion,  a  detachment  of  the  1st  regi- 
ment of  artillerists  of  the  3d  brigade  fired  minute  guns  from 
Federal  Hill.  The  procession  was  the  largest  ever  witnessed  in 
this  city  on  a  similar  occasion. 

The  eastern  mail  was  robbed  a  few  hours  after  it  left  the  city, 
on  the  night  of  the  11th  of  March,  and  Hare  and  Alexander  were 
convicted  of  the  deed  in  the  United  States  Court,  and  having  put 
the  driver  in  jeopardy  of  his  life,  were  hung  in  the  jail  yard,  on 
Thursday  the  10th  of  September.  On  this  occasion,  the  mode  of 
execution  from  a  cart  was  changed  to  a  drop  or  scaffold,  with  a 
trap  door,  and  so  continued  in  later  executions. 

"  The  Savings  Bank  "  was  incorporated,  conducted  by  twenty- 
four  managers,  of  whom  Captain  Daniel  Howland  was  chosen 
president. 

Joshua  Barney  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  on  the  6th  of 
July,  1759.  He  went  to  sea  when  a  small  boy,  and  at  the  age  of 
fourteen  years  was  second  mate  of  a  vessel,  and  at  sixteen  was 
commander.  After  many  adventures  abroad,  he  arrived  in  the 
Chesapeake  in  October,  1775.  The  following  June  he  was  ap- 
pointed a  lieutenant  in  the  United  States  navy,  and  was  the  first 
to  unfurl  the  American  flag  in  Maryland.  He  was  a  very  active 
oflScer  during  the  whole  war.  He  brought  the  first  news  of  peace 
with  Great  Britain  on  the  12th  of  March,  1783.  Continuing  in 
service,  he  was  one  of  the  six  commanders  appointed  under  the 
Act  of  1793,  but  he  declined  the  honor.  He  went  to  France  with 
Monroe,  and  was  the  bearer  of  the  American  flag  to  the  National 
Convention.  He  entered  the  French  service  in  command  of  two 
frigates.  He  resigned  his  French  commission  in  1802,  and  re- 
turned home.  He  again  entered  the  naval  service  of  the  United 
States  in  1812,  and  distinguished  himself  during  the  war  that 
ensued.  He  died  of  bilious  fever  at  Pittsburg  on  the  1st  of  De- 
cember, 1818,  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine  years  and  six  months. 

A  most  destructive  fire  happened  in  Baltimore  on  Thursday, 
the  22d  of  October.  It  was  discovered  in  one  end  of  the  old 
tobacco  inspection  warehouse  on  Philpot  and  Queen  streets  (now 
Pratt),   Fell's  Point.      Owing  to  a  very  strong  northwest  wind 


394  CHEONIOLES  OF  BALTIMOKE. 

at  the  time,  the  conflagration  soon  increased,  and  spread  very 
rapidly  to  the  east  and  south,  and  in  a  short  period  a  ijumber  of 
warehouses  were  in  flames,  including  two  frame  dwellings  occupied 
by  Messrs.  James  Morrison  and  John  Eobinson,  also  three  other 
frame  dwellings  and  a  blockmaker's  and  ship-joiners's  shop. 
The  fire  then  extended  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  and 
burnt  three  brick  dwellings  occupied  by  Messrs.  Samuel  Ken- 
nard,  Joseph  Coleman,  and  George  Wagner.  Six  of  the  frame 
and  two  of  the  brick  houses  belonged  to  Wm.  Patterson. 

The  loading  of  tobacco  in  the  rivers  being  almost  wholly  dis- 
continued, the  quantity  brought  to  Baltimore  was  greatly  in- 
creased, and  a  market  continually  open  through  intermediary 
dealers.  Messrs.  Amos  and  George  Williams  obtained  a  license  to 
erect  an  inspection  warehouse  on  O'Donnell's  wharf  The  next 
year  the  public  warehouse  at  the  Point  was  accidentally  burned 
down,  and  in  1820  Mr.  Moses  Shepherd  had  another  warehouse 
licensed  for  him  on  Light  street  wharf,  w^hen  the  warehouses  of 
Mee^srs.  O'Donnell  and  Williams  were  united  under  one  inspec- 
tion. The  year  after  Messrs.  Samuel  E.  Smith  and  Christopher 
Hughes  obtained  licenses  to  erect  a  warehouse  each  on  or  near 
Light  street  wharf,  the  first  of  which  was  built  accordingly ;  and 
two  years  after  Mr.  William  Patterson  obtained  another  license  for 
a  warehouse  on  his  wharf  near  Commerce  street. 

The  number  of  public  carriages  licensed  and  in  use  at  this  time 
was  of  hackney-coaches  100,  of  carts  350,  drays  200,  and  of  scows 
or  lighters  about  20. 

1819.  In  the  summers  of  1819  and  1821,  the  city  of  Baltimore 
was  visited  by  that  dreadful  scourge  yellow  fever.  Its  ravages  were 
principally  confined  to  that  section  of  Baltimore  called  Fell's  Point. 
The  utmost  effort  of  medical  skill  was  unable  to  arrest  its  pro- 
gress. The  young  and  vigorous,  as  well  as  the  aged  and  infirnj, 
were  alike  victims  of  the  fatal  malady.  Business  was  in  a  great 
measure  suspended.  Most  of  those  whose  means  enabled  them  to 
remove  from  the  "  infected  district,"  as  it  was  designated,  sought 
refuge  in  the  country,  or  in  distant  parts  of  the  city.  The  poor 
v^  and  sick  were  almost  the  only  inhabitants  of  a  portion  of  the  city 
that  had  been  distinguished  for  its  active  enterprise  and  the  thrifty 
.industry  of  its  population.  Want  of  employment  deprived  many 
^^  families  of  that  support  which  willing  industry  had  never  failed  to 
provide.  The  utmost  efforts  of  the  well  were  required  through- 
out the  day  and  night  in  attending  the  sick.  Here  a  father  of  a 
family  was  nursed  by  a  devoted  wife,  whose  little  ones  required  all 
her  care:  there  a  wife  was  indebted  to  a  hardy  and  athletic  hus- 
band, who  w^ould  have  toiled  with  pleasure  during  the  long  summer- 
day  for  his  loved  ones,  but  was  sadlv  deficient  in  the  gentle  blan- 
dishments of  a  nurse.  Sometimes  both  were  stricken  down,  and 
the  care  of  parents  devolved  upon  inexperienced  childhood.  Often 
the  sad  scene  was  varied  by  death,  and  the  sick  survivors  saw  the 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE,  395 

objects  mo8t  dear  to  them  on  earth  borne  to  the  silent  grave  with- 
out being  able  to  pay  the  last  sacred  rites  to  parent,  child,  or 
cherished  partner.  The  physicians,  with  the  lofty  intrepidity  of 
their  profession,  exhausted  their  skill  and  their  strength  in  assidu- 
ous attention  to  the  sufferers,  seconded  by  some  few  generous  spirits 
who  dared  to  be  nurses  in  the  midst  of  pestilence.  Death  struck 
down  some  of  the  physicians,  and  the  streets  became  more  deserted 
and  the  sufferers  more  desolate.  The  destitute  condition  of  the 
sufferers  awakened  the  warm  sympathy  of  their  more  favored 
fellow-citizens,  and  Baltimore,  ever  distinguished  for  its  generous  . 
impulses,  made  provision  for  the  sick  in  the  Maryland  Hospital, 
and  established  an  encampment  on  the  hills  on  the  north-eastern 
side  of  the  city,  to  which  the  poor  were  removed  and  were  provided 
with  provisions  at  the  public  expense.  In  the  same  tents,  and  on  the 
very  spot  where  they  had  encamped  a  few  years  before  in  military 
array,  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  Fell's  Point  now  found  refuge 
from  an  enemy  far  more  dreaded  than  "  an  army  with  banners." 
And  the  beauteous  spectacle  was  exhibited  of  citizens  the  most 
distinguished  for  virtue,  talents  and  wealth,  devoting  their  utmost 
energies  to  alleviate  the  sorrows  of  those  who  were  houseless  and 
penniless.  Among  the  survivors  the  effects  were  visible  long  after 
the  epidemic  had  ceased.  As  winter  approached,  widowed  mothers  V. 
and  orphan  children  occupied  the  places  of  once  cheerful  and  happy 
families.  Men  who  had  been  accustomed  to  earn  a  comfortable  \ 
subsistence  for  themselves  and  families  by  their  industry,  were  now 
to  be  seen  with  enfeebled  constitutions  and  broken  spirits  mourning 
the  loss  of  the  wife  of  their  bosom,  or  of  children  who  had  been 
their  comfort.  With  some,  want  of  employment,  with  others,  in- 
ability to  work,  made  assistance  from  the  benevolent  necessary."^  / 
The  distresses  of  the  citizens  were  greatly  increased  by  the  failure  / 
of  the  "  City  Bank,"  and  mismanagement  of  the  office  of  the  United %•/ 
States  and  other  banks,  accompanied  by  the  fall  in  the  price  of 
flour  and  tobacco  in  foreign  markets,  affecting  the  prices  of  all  kinds 
of  property  here. 

After  several  previous  unsuccessful  attempts  to  organize,  in  the 
city  of  Baltimore,  an  association  for  the  promotion  of  science,  in 
the  year  1819  a  few  gentlemen  formed  a  society,  which  met  in  ^ 
humble  room  over  a  stable,  in  the  rear  of  the  houses  on  the  north- 
west corner  of  Lexington  and  St.  Paul  streets.  Amopgst  its  mem- 
bers were  Eobert  Gilmor  and  Drs.  Ducatel,  Prick,  George  Wil- 
liamson and  Macaulay.  Notwithstanding  the  zeal  of  its  mem- 
bers, the  society  was  very  short-lived.  Its  funds,  however,  were 
carefully  husbanded ;  and  subsequently,  amounting  to  over  $1200, 
they  were  given  to  the  Academy  which  was  formed  in  1822.  This 
was  the  first  successful  attempt  to  establish  a  scientific  institution. 
Dr.  L.  H.  Gerardin,  a  distinguished  French  savant,  who  was  also 
Principal  of  Baltimore  College,  was  chosen  as  the  first  president. 
He  died  iir  the  year  1825.     During  his  presidency,  the  Academy 


396  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE, 

met  at  Baltimore  Colleo^e,  and  subsequently  over  the  Post-office,  at 
the  north-east  corner  of  Fayette  and  North  streets.  On  the  16th 
of  February,  1826,  the  members  were  incorporated,  under  the  name 
of  the  "  Maryland  Academj^  of  Science  and  Literature."  After  this, 
the  Academy  removed  to  the  Athenaeum,  at  the  south-west  corner 
of  Lexington  and  St.  Paul  streets.  Here  the  collections  were  greatly 
increased,  a  valuable  museum  was  formed,  and  the  members  were 
active  and  zealous,  till  the  7th  of  February,  1835,  when  the  build- 
ing, and  with  it  the  greater  part  of  the  library  and  collections  of 
the  Academy,  were  destroyed  by  fire  (see  fire  1835).  After  this, 
the  Academy  became  almost  extinct.  There  are  still  living  three 
venerable  gentlemen  who,  fifty  years  ago,  were  members  of  this 
society ;  viz.,  Philip  T.  Tyson,  Josias  Pennington  and  G-eorge  W. 

,  Andrews.  In  1836  the  Academy  was  again  revived,  and  the 
meetings  were  held  over  the  Post-office,  in  its  old  room.  Dr. 
Patrick  Macaulay  was  chosen  president.  In  1837  was  published 
the  first  and  only  volume  of  the  "Transactions  of  the  Maryland 

\/Academy  of  Science  and  Literature."  After  a  short  and  languish- 
ing existence  of  about  8  years,  the  Academy  was  dissolved  in  1844, 
and  its  books  and  collections  were  distributed  amongst  its  members. 
After  1844,  unless  we  except  the  Geological  and  Phrenological  So- 
cieties, nothing  was  attempted  in  Baltimore  for  the  cultivation  of 
science.  Both  these  associations  were  very  short-lived.  On  the 
^  7th  May,  1855,  the  Maryland  Historical  Society  established  a 
"  Committee  on  Natural  History."  This  Committee  met  at  the 
rooms  of  the  Historical  Society  every  fortnight,  until  the  close  of 
the  year  1862.  On  the  22d  January,  1863,  a  meeting  was  held  at 
the  house  of  Philip  T.  Tyson ;  and  the  present  "  Maryland  Academy 
of  Sciences  "  was  organized,  by  the  adoption  of  a  Constitution,  and 
the  election  of  Mr.  Tyson  as  its  president.  The  meetings  of  the 
Academy  were  held  every  fortnight  at  the  house  of  some  member 
of  the  Academy,  until  April,  1867,  when  they  were  held  at  the 
building  of  the  Faculty  of  Art  and  Sciences  of  the  University  of 
Maryland,  No.  32  Mufberry  Street.  On  the  15th  March,  1867, 
the  Academy  was  incorporated,  under  the  name  of  the  Maryland 
Academy  of  Sciences.  A  room  was  subsequently  rented  in  1868, 
in  the  Chatard  Building,  southwest  corner  of  Lexington  and 
Charles  streets;  and  a  museum  and  a  library  were  commenced. 
In  1873  the  Academy  obtained  a  lease  on  a  lot  of  ground  on  Mul- 
berry street,  from  the  Uniyersity  of  Maryland,  on  which  is  now 
being  erected  a  commodious  building  for  a  museum  and  hall,  for 
the  meetings  of  the  Academy.  In  1873,  a  new  constitution  and 
by-laws  were  adopted ;  and  all  things  seem  to  encourage  the 
hope  that  this  Academy  will  be  more  prosperous  than  any  that 
have  preceded  it. 

Gen.  Andrew  Jackson  arrived  in  Baltimore  from  Philadelphia 
on  the  27th  of  February,  and  his  approach  was  announced  by  dis- 
charges of  artillery  from  a  detachment  of  Captain  Wilson's  Inde- 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  397 

pendent  Blues,  stationed  on  Federal  Hill.  On  landing,  he  was  re- 
ceived by  Captain  Barrett's  fine  company  of  Eegular  Blu^-^s,  and 
very  handsomely  escorted  to  his  quarters  at  Williamson's  hotel. 
During  the  day  he  was  waited  upon  by  a  great  number  of  our  most 
respectable  citizens,  who  were  received  with  great  affability  and 
frankness.  At  one  o'clock  the  members  of  the  City  Council  and. 
the  officers  of  the  corporation,  with  the  Mayor  at  their  head,  visited 
him,  and  presented  an  appropriate  address,  to  which  Gen.  Jack- 
son made  a  flattering  response.       ^ 

Died  on  the  16th  of  June,  after  a  most  painful  and  lingering 
illness,  Capt.  George  Stiles,  late  Mayor  of  Baltimore,  in  the  59th 
year  of  his  age.  Also  on  the  Ist  of  July,  Majo-r-General  Levin 
Winder,  in  the  63d  year  of  his  age,  a  soldier  of  the  Eevolution, 
late  Governor  of  Maryland,  and  recently  Grand  Master  of  Masons 
therein. 

A  society  was  organized  for  the  gratuitous  distribution  of  soup 
to  the  necessitous,  and  soon  after  another  one  for  the  prevention  y^ 
of  pauperism  generally.  On  the  25th  of  October,  the  encampment 
near  the  city  of  those  fearing  the  yellow-fever  was  broken  up,  and 
the  people  returned  to  their  former  homes.  The  generous  people 
of  Taneytown  and  its  neighborhood,  in  Frederick  county,  trans-  y 
mitted  to  the  commissioners  of  the  poor  twenty  barrels  of  flour 
and  a  large  invoice  of  clothing  and  other  articles  for  the  use  of 
those  who  needed  them. 

On  the  15th  of  August  died,  much  lamented,  the  learned  and 
eloquent  Rev.  Dr.  James  Inglis,  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian^^ 
congregation,  who  was  succeeded  by  the  Hev.  William  Nevins. 

On  the  17th  of  March,  certain  persons  in  Baltimore  suspended 
a  "  stuffed  paddy  "  from  the  masthead  of  a  schooner  lyin^  at  one 
of  our  wharves.  A  number  of  the  natives  of  Ireland  collected  and 
cut  down  the  mast,  and  otherwise  injured  the  vessel ;  the  civil  au- 
thorities promptly  interfered,  and  the  chiefs  of  the  party  were 
secured  and  held  to  answer  for  the  ofl'ence  at  the  next  sitting  of 
the  city  court. 

1820.  The  liberal  citizens  of  Baltimore  contributed  to  the  suffer- 
ers by  the  great  fire  in  Savannah,  Ga.,  the  sum  of  $5,232. 

The  late  James  Dall,  of  Baltimore,  bequeathed  to  the  president 
and  directors  of  the  Bank  of  Maryland  the  sum  of  $5,000,  in  trust 
to  establish  a  free  school  in  this  city  on  the  plan  of  the  Boston 
schools. 

The  Exchange  Building  was  regularly  opened  for  business  in 
June,  and  the  great  hall  was  filled  with  the  most  important  mer- 
chants of  the  city,  who  agreed  to  meet  at  a  certain  hour  in  each 
day  for  the  despatch  of  business.  The  building  created  universal 
admiration,  and  was  considered  to  be  one  of  the  handsomest  es- 
tablishments of  the  kind  in  the  world. 

On  Monday,  Nov.  13th,  the  pews  of  the  Cathedral  were  offered 
at  auction,  when  one-half  were  sold,  producing  upwards  of  $40,000. 


398  CHROHICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

On  the  2d  of  March,  John  F.  Ferguson,  William  Murphy,  Thos. 
O'Brian,  Charles  \yeaver,  Isaac  AUister,  John  Jackson  and  Israel 
Denny,  who  seized  upon  the  privateer  Irresistible  in  the  port  of 
Margaretta,  in  1819,  and  brought  her  to  the  United  States,  and  on 
the  voyage  also  they  were  charged  with  the  commission  of  certain 
acts  of  piracy  of  which  they  were  convicted,  were  brought  before 
his  Honor  Judge  Bland,  who,  after  a  short  but  impressive  address, 
pronounced  upon  them  the  sentence  of  death.  The  awful  sentence 
of  the  law  was  only  carried  out  on  two  of  them,  John  F.  Ferguson 
and  Israel  Denny,  who  were  executed  on  Thursday,  April  13th. 

As  the  Eastern  mail,  due  at  Baltimore,  did  not  arrive  on  the 
25th  of  May  on  regular  time,  a  suspicion  was  entertained  that 
it  had  been  robbed.  The  alarm  was  instantly  raised,  and  parties 
of  citizens  went  out  immediately  to  scour  the  country  in  all  direc- 
tions. The  driver,  mail  and  carriage  were  found  about  eight  and 
a  half  miles  from  the  city,  in  a  thicket  near  the  Philadelphia  road, 
where  a  quantity  of  brushwood  had  been  laid  to  obstruct  it.  The 
driver  (John  Heaps)  was  discovered  with  his  arms  extended  and 
fastened  to  the  trees,  murdered  by  a  bullet  wound  and  two  stabs 
in  his  breast,  the  mail-bags  cut  open  and  rifled,  and  the  fragments 
of  letters  strewed  upon  the  ground.  On  the  afternoon  of  the 
same  day  two  persons  were  arrested  in  Baltimore  and  committed 
to  jail,  charged  with  the  murder  and  robbery,  one  of  them  named 
Perry  Hutton,  the  other  named  Morris  N.  B.  Hull.  On  their  per- 
sons were  found  more  than  $6000,  and .  their  trunks  being  ex- 
amined, upwards  of  $10,000  more  were  recovered.  At  the  time  of 
their  trial  they  made  a  full  confession  of  their  guilt  to  Judge 
Bland  of  the  United  States  District  Court,  and  on  the  14th  of  July 
were  hung  in  the  jail-yard. 

With  this  trial  was  connected  a  singular  transaction,  the  only 
one  of  its  kind,  we  believe,  that  ever  occurred  in  this  country. 
We  have  an  account  of  it  from  one  who  was  not  himself  an  eye- 
witness, but  had  it  described  to  him  by  one  of  the  participants. 

While  the  trial  was  pending,  and  before  Hutton  had  made  his  con- 
fession, there  was  a  great  desire  felt  by  the  excited  public  that  on© 
or  the  other  would  admit  the  deed.  The  evidence  so  far  had  been 
altogether  circumstantial,  and  while  there  was  a  general  belief  in 
the  guilt  of  the  accused,  the  erroneous  popular  view  of  the  more 
conclusive  natur.e  of  direct  testimony  made  every  one  feel  that  a 
confession  from  either  would  be  a  most  satisfactory  thing.  To 
obtain  this  recourse  was  had  to  a  device  founded  upon  a  form  of 
ordeal  used  in  the  Dark  Ages ;  not  publicly,  but  by  a  few  persons 
with  the  connivance  of  some  of  the  authorities. 

A  room  in  the  jail  was  prepared  for  the  purpose.  It  was  hung 
with  black,  and  in  the  centre,  on  a  table  covered  with  black  cloth, 
was  laid  the  corpse  of  the  murdered  man,  the  breast  bare,  and  a 
few  lights  around  it.  This  was  concealed  by  a  screen  from  the 
sight  of  any  one  entering  the  room.     The  prisoners  were  brought 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  399 

separately  out  of  their  cells  at  night,  without  any  intimation  of 
the  purport  of  this  summons,  were  led  into  the  room  and  to  the 
screen,  when  suddenly  each  was  placed  before  the  table,  and  a 
stern  voice,  breaking  the  silence,  commanded,  "  Lay  your  hand 
there ! "  upon  the  breast  of  the  corpse. 

In  ancient  times  this  ordeal  had  arisen  from  a  superstition  that 
the  corpse  of  the  victim  wohld  bleed  again  at  the  touch  of  the 
murderer's  hand,  and  it  is  not  unlikely  that  this  belief  may  yet 
linger  in  some  of  the  dark  holes  and  corners  of  the  earth.  Per- 
haps those  who  tried  tha  experiment  thought  that  the  accused 
men  might  dread  "the  judgment  of  God"  thus  solemnly  appealed 
to;  but  it  is  more  probable  that  they  only  hoped  that  the  sudden 
shock  might  frighten  them  from  their  caution  and  surprise  them 
into  a  confession. 

Hutton,  it  is  said,  was  so  overcome  by  the  sight  that  he  shook 
in  every  limb,  was  near  fainting,  and  could  barely  force  himself 
to  touch  the  body.  Hull,  on  the  contrary,  showed  not  the  slightest 
emotion  ;  he  calmly  and  with  a  graceful  gesture  laid  his  hand 
lightly  upon  the  breast  of  the  corpse,  and  looked  steadily  at  those 
around,  the  least  moved  of  any  there.  So  the  test  was  without 
result  so  far  as  any  immediate  disclosure  was  concerned,  unless  in- 
deed it  led  to  Hutton's confession  afterwards;  but  we  have  thought 
it  worth  recording  as  the  first  and  last'instance,  so  far  as  we  are 
aware,  of  the  blood-ordeal  in  America. 

%  In  1823  the  mail  was  again  robbed  on  the  same  road,  for  which 
three  persons,  employed  in  the  neighborhood,  were  sentenced  by 
the  United  States  Court  to  confinement  for  several  years. 

The  Bellona  powder  mills,  near  the  city,  again  exploded  on  the 
morning  of  the  29th  of  August;  three  men  were  killed  and  several 
dreadfully  wounded. 

A  meeting  of  the  presidents  of  the  several  banks  of  the  city 
was  held  on  the  7th  of  September,  and  it  was  resolved,  after  the 
16th  inst.,  that  they  will  not  "  either  issue  or  reissue  any  notes 
less  than  five  dollars,  and  will  not  receive  in  payment  or  on  de- 
posit such  notes  other  than  their  own." 

On  the  morning  of  the  28th  of  August  some  of  the  prisoners 
in  the  Maryland  Penitentiary  made  a  desperate  attempt  to  escape  ; 
one  was  killed  and  several  severely  wounded  by  the  ofiicers  and 
their  guard. 

Kembrandt  Peale  of  Baltimore  is  engaged  on  his  celebrated 
picture,  the  "  Court  of  Death,"  from  Bishop  Porteus'  poem. 

John  Montgomery,  Esq.,  is  elected  Mayor  of  the  city. 

1821.  On  the  Slst  of  May,  the  Roman  Catholic  Cathedral,  which 
was  begun  in  1806,  was  consecrated  by  the  Most  Eev.  Archbishop 
Mareschal,  assisted  by  the  Bishop  of  Philadelphia  and  the  Bishop  of 
Boston.  This  building,  suspended  by  the  war,  was  recommenced 
in  1817,  by  funds  arising  from  a  sale  of  the  old  cemetery  on  Charles 
street,  part  of  their  grounds  obtained  for  the  cathedral  itself  on 


400  CHEONICLES    OF   BALTIMOEE. 

Franklin  street,  and  a  lottery,  together  with  individual,  contribu- 
tions. 

On  the  21st  of  August,  departed  this  life,  in  the  seventy-second 
year  of  his  age,  Gen.  John  Swann,  formerly  Brig.-Greneral  of  the 
third  brigade,  and  a  meritorious  officer  of  the  cavalry  of  the  Eevo- 
lutionary  army. 
.  Four  persons  were  killed  and  two  badly  wounded  by  an  explo- 
sion of  the  stamping  mill  at  the  "Bellona  powder  works,  near  Balti- 
more, on  Monday,  October  15th ;  among  the  former  was  the  man- 
ager of  the  works. 

1822.  It  is  fortunate  for  the  popular  fame  of  Marshall,  that  besides 
rearing  the  monument  of  his  constitutional  decisions,  he  served  in 
the  army  of  the  Eevolution  and  wrote  the  life  of  Washington. 
The  reputation  of  Kent  and  Story  is  held  by  their  graceful  addi- 
tions to  the  literature  of  their  profession.  Wirt  was  an  able 
Attorney-General,  but  he  will  be  better  known  as  a  pleasing  author, 
and  through  the  genial  biography  of  Kennedy.  William  Pinckney, 
the  eminent  lawyer  of  Maryland,  has  perhaps  more  than  any  of 
those  we  have  mentioned,  a  strictly  professional  reputation.  He 
was  born  at  Annapolis,  Maryland,  March  17,  1764.  His  father, 
Jonathan  Pinckney,  an  Englishman  by  birth,  is  enrolled  among 
the  Loyalists  of  the  Eevolution.  It  \^^as  characteristic  of  the  inde- 
pendence of  the  son,  that  even  in  boyhood  he  chose  the  opposite  and 
patriotic  side.  We  next  hear  of  him  at  Baltimore  engaged  in  the 
study  of  medicine  with  a  leading  practitioner,  a  pursuit  which  does 
not  appear  to  have  held  him  long  from  the  main  occupation  of  his 
life.  Falling  in  with  Samuel  Chase,  the  subsequent  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  he  commenced  the  study  of  his  profession  under  his 
excellent  direction,  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  and  after  a  course  of 
three  years  was  called  to  the  bar  in  1786.  Leaving  Annapolis, 
Pinckney  began  practice  in  Harford  county  on  the  Susquehanna, 
from  which  district  he  was  sent  in  1788  to  the  State  Convention 
which  ratified  the  constitution  of  the  United  States ;  and,  in  the 
same  year,  a  representative  to  the  House  of  Delegates,  of  which 
he  continued  a  member  from  the  county  till  his  return  to  Anna- 
polis in  1792.  He  was  in  the  meantime  married,  at  Havre  de  Grace, 
to  Miss  Ann  Maria  Eodgers,  the  sister  of  Commodore  Eodgers. 
For  three  years  from  1792  he  was  a  member  of  the  executive 
council  of  Maryland,  when  he  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  the  Legis- 
lature from  Anne  Arundel  county.  He  w^as  in  1796  appointed  by 
President  Washington  a  commissioner  on  the  part  of  the  United 
States  under  Jay's  British  Treaty  of  1794,  to  determine  the  claims 
of  American  merchants  to  compensation  for  losses  and  damages 
sustained  by  acts  of  the  English  Government.  He  remained  in 
England  till  1804,  engaged,  besides  the  duties  of  the  commission, 
in  the  adjustment  of  an  important  claim  in  chancery  of  the  State 
of  Maryland.  On  his  return  to  America  in  1804,  he  resumed  the 
practice  of  the  law  at  Baltimore.     In  the  following  year  he  was 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE.  401 

appointed  Attorney-General  of  the  State.  In  1806  be  was  again 
sent  to  England  as  commissioner  jointly  with  Mr.  Monroe,  respect- 
ing the  continued  aggressions  of  that  power.  On  the  retirement 
of  Monroe  in  1807  he  was  left  minister  resident  in  London,  in  which 
capacity  he  remained  till  he  earnestly  solicited  his  recall  from  Mr. 
Madison  in  1811.  On  his  arrival  in  Maryland  he  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  State  Senate,  and  at  the  close  of  the  year  received 
the  appointment  from  President  Madison,  of  Attorney-General  of 
the  United  States.  He  was  an  earnest  advocate  and  supporter  of 
the  war  of  1812.  He  defended  the  policy  of  the  Government  by  his 
pen,  and  when  his  region  was  invaded,  marched  at  the  head  of  a 
company  of  riflemen  to  Bladensburg,  in  its  defence,  and  was  wounded 
in  tht  tight.  In  181-4  he  resigned  his  post  as  Attorney-General. 
In  1815,  he  was  chosen  a  representative  in  Congress  from  the  city 
of  Baltimore.  He  resigned  his  seat  before  the  expiration  of  his 
term,  on  his  appointment  by  President  Monroe  as  minister  to 
Russia  and  special  envoy  to  Naples.  He  returned  to  Baltimore  in 
1818,  and  resumed  his  old  practice  at  the  bar.  He  was  retained  in 
the  Supreme  Court  in  1819  by  the  Bank  of  the  United  States,  in 
maintaining  its  claim  of  exemption  from  State  taxation.  In  1820;. 
Pincknej'  was  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate.  He  continued^ 
meanwhile,  his  labors  in  the  Supreme  Court,  and  it  was  while  in 
these  double  employments  of  the  Senate  and  bar,  preparing  new 
debates,  that  his  health  suddenly  failed  him.  He  suffered  a  severe 
attack  of  illness  in  the  middle  of  February,  1822,  which  in  a  short 
time  terminated  his  life  on  the  twenty-fifth  of  that  month. 

There  must  have  been  something  highly  impressive  in  Pinckney*8 
conduct  at  the  bar,  to  secure  the  high  terms  in  which,  with  a  full 
exercise  of  criticism,  he  is  spoken  of  by  his  contemporaries.  Story 
asserts  that  "  no  man  could  hear  him  for  any  length  of  time  with- 
out being  led  captive  by  his  eloquence."  In  an  analysis  of  his  style, 
the  same  judicious  authority  tells  us  of  his  "marvellous  felicity  " 
in  a  "  complete  mastery  of  the  whole  compass  of  the  English  lan- 
guage," giving  to  his  style  "  an  air  of  originality,  force,  copious- 
ness and  expressiveness  which  struck  the  most  careless  observer." 
Koger  B.  Taney  says :  '*  When  William  Pinckney  returned  from 
England  and  resumed  the  practice,  the  reign  of  Luther  Martin  was 
at  an  end.  He  was  a  perfect  contrast  to  Martin.  He  was  very 
attentive  to  his  dress,  indeed  more  so  than  was  thought  suitable 
for  his  ago  and  station.  It  approached  to  dandyism,  if  it  did  not 
reach  it.  .  He  was  always  dressed  in  the  extreme  of  the  newest 
fashion,  and  for  some  time  after  his  return,  took  notes  at  the  bar 
and  spoke  with  gloves  on  nice  enough  to  wear  in  a  ball-room.  I 
have  lieard  almost  all  the  great  advocates  of  the  United  States, 
both  of  the  past  and  present  generation,  but  I  have  seen  none 
equal  to  Pmckney.  He  was  a  profound  lawyer  in  every  depart- 
ment of  the  science,  as  well  as  a  powerful  and  eloquent  debater." 
His  death  was  announced  in  the  House  of  Representatives  by  Mr. 
26 


402  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Eandolph,  of  Yirginia,  who  eaid  :  "  I  rise  to  announce  to  the  Honse 
the  not  unlooked'-for  death  of  a  man  who  filled  the  first  place  in 
the  public  estimation,  in  the  first  profession  in  that  estimation,  in 
this  or  any  other  country.  We  have  been  talking,  of  General 
Jackson,  and  a  greater  than  he  is  not  here,  but  gone  forever.  I 
allude,  sir,  to  the  boast  of  Maryland,  and  the  pride  of  the  XJnit-ed 
States — the  pride  of  us  all,  but  more  particularly  the  pride  and  or- 
nament of  the  profession  of  which  jon,  Mr.  Speaker  (Mr.  Philip 
P.  Barbour),  are  a  member,  and  an  eminent  one."  Chief-Justice 
Marshall  remarked  to  Judge  John  Scott,  an  eminent  lawyer  at 
Eichmond,  in  the  presence  of  that  distinguished  lawyer  Walter 
Jones,  that  Mr.  Pinckney  was  the  greatest  man  he  had  ever  seen  in 
a  court  of  justice,  and  Mr.  Jones  remarked,  "Yes  ;  no  such  man  has 
ever  appeared  in  any  country  more  than  once  in  a  century."  *'He 
was  a  great  man,"  wrote  Wirt  on  his  death — "  on  a  set  occasion, 
the  greatest,  I  think,  at  our  bar."  "  He  was  desirous  of  fame," 
says  Story,  "  of  that  fame  which  alone  is  enduring,  the  fame  which 
reposes  on  sound  learning,  exalted  genius,  and  diligent,  nay,  inces- 
sant study."  For  these  things,  and  as  an  able,  honoi-ed  represen- 
tative of  the  State  at  home  and  abroad,  his  career  will  reward  the 
most  patient  investigation.  Luther  Martin  was  now  a  wreck. 
His  vast  learning  was  hidden  in  the  oblivious  darkness  of  an  extin- 
guished intellect.  And  so  generous,  and  withal  so  improvident, 
had  been  this  great  lawyer,  that  after  all  the  great  professional 
harvests  he  had  reaped,  the  Legislature  of  Mar^^land,  in  February, 
1822,  passed  the  following  joint  resolution  :  '^Resolved,  That  each 
and  every  practitioner  of  law  in  this  State  shall  be,  and  he  is  here- 
by compelled,  from  and  after  the  passage  of  this  resolution,  to  ob- 
tain from  the  clerk  of  the  county  court  in  which  he  may  practise, 
a  license  to  authorize  him  so  to  practise,  for  which  he  shall  pay 
annually,  on  and  before  the  first  day  of  June,  the  sum  of  five  dol- 
lars :  which  said  sum  is  to  be  deposited  by  the  clerk  of  the  county 
court  from  which  he  may  procure  such  license,  in  the  treasury  of 
the  Western  Shore  or  Eastern  Shore  as  the  case  may  be,  subject  to 
the  order  of  Thomas  Hall  and  William  H.  Winder,  Esqs.,  who  are 
hereby  appointed  trustees,  for  the  application  of  the  proceeds 
raised  by  virtue  of  this  resolution  to  the  use  of  Luther  Martin : 
provided  that  nothing  herein  contained  shall  be  taken  to  compel  a 
practitioner  of  law  to  obtain  a  license  in  more  than  one  court,  to 
be  annually  renewed,  under  penalty  of  being  suspended  from  the 
bar  at  which  he  may  practise.  And  provided,  that  this  resolution 
shall  cease  to  be  valid  at  the  death  of  the  said  Luther  Martin." 

At  this  time  there  are  thirteen  cotton-mills  in  the  vicinity  of 
Baltimore,  which  drive  at  least  32,880  spindles.  Two  woollen  mills, 
one  copper-rolling-mill — which  is  the  only  one  of  note  in  the  United 
States — three  extensive  rolling-mills  which  manufacture  annually 
at  least  1500  tons  of  iron  into  rods,  hoops,  bolt  and  sheet-iron,  be- 
sides at  least  30  of  the  best  and  most  improved  merchant-mills 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  403 

within  the  limits  and  environs  of  the  city,  that  nnanufacture  about 
300,000  barrels  of  flour  annually.  r 

Died  at  nis  seat  near  the  city,  at  an  advanced  age,  Col.  Nicholas 
Rogers,  formerly  one  of  the  justices  of  the  county  and  Orphans' 
Court,  and  aide  of  Major-General  Baron  de  Kalb  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution. 

The  commissioners  for  opening  streets  employed  Mr.  T.  Popple- 
ton,  who  published  a  plat  of  the  whole  city,  harbor,  &c.,  embellished 
by  views  of  all  the  principal  buildings. 

A  society  is  formed  to  loan  useful  books  to  the  youths  of  the 
city,  called  the  Apprentice's  Library,  of  which  Col.  James  Mosher 
is  chosen  president. 

On  Sunday  the  23d  of  June,  there  happened  the  greatest  fire 
ever  known  in  this  city  up  to  this  time.  It  commenced  in  a  lumber 
yard  in  the  rear  of  McElderry's  wharf,  and  soon  communicated  to 
two  adjacent  yards.  The  three  yards  were  computed  to  have  had 
not  less  than  two  million  feet  of  lumber  in  them.  All  this  stock 
of  combustible  material  was  soon  in  a  blaze,  and  with  it  from  25  to 
30  buildings,  most  of  them  large  and  valuable  warehouses  on  the 
wharf  filled  with  goods.  Seventeen  were  destroyed  in  one  range. 
The  contents  of  some  of  these  were  also  nearlj''  consumed,  and 
many  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  goods  were  thrown  into  the  dock, 
as  if  for  the  desperate  purpose  of  lessening  the  amount  of  com- 
bustible matter.  This  vast  body  of  fire  defeated  the  most  power- 
ful efforts  to  check  it  for  about  four  hours.  It  is  hard  to  imagine 
the  quantity  of  heat  thrown  out,  but  the  curbstones  of  a  narrow 
street  that  separated  the  board-yards  from  the  warehouses  were 
dissolved  by  it,  and  blocks  of  marble  and  free-stone  in  a  stone- 
cutter's yard  to  the  value  of  $3000  were  destroyed,  converted  into 
lime  or  cracked  to  pieces. 

The  statue  was  placed  on  the  "  Battle  Monument "  on  the  12th 
of  September,  according  to  the  plan  and  ceremonies  adopted  by 
the  Building  Committee. 

On  the  2d  of  December  533  paupers  of  the  city  and  county 
were  removed  to  the  new  Alms  House  at  Calverton,  two  miles  west 
of  the  city. 

Edward  Johnson,  Esq.,  is  again  elected  Mayor  of  the  city. 

The  following  letter  was  written  by  the  Hon.  Williatn  Wirt  to 
his  daughter: 

"  Baltimore,  November  24th,  1822. 

"Jf?/  Dear  Catharine — Yesterday  morning  I  arose  before  day, 
shaved  and  dressed  by  candle-light,  took  my  cane  and  walked  to 
market.  There  are  two  market-houses,  each  of  them  about  three 
or  four  times  as  long  as  ours  in  Washington.  The  first  one  I  came 
to  was  the  meat  market ;  the  next,  which  was  nearest  the  basin, 
was  the  fish  and  vegetable  market.  O  !  what  a  quantity  of  superb 
beef,  mutton,  lamb,  veal,  and  all  sorts  of  fowls  —  hogsheads  full  of 


404  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

wild  ducks,  geese,  pheasants,  partridges;  and  then,  on  one  side  of 
the  raarket-house,  leaving  only  a  narrow  lane  between  them,  a 
line  of  wagons  and  carts,  groaning  under  the  loads  of  country  pro- 
ductions ;  these  wagons  and  carts  on  one  side  and  the  market- 
houses  on  the  other,  forming  a  lane  as  long  as  from  our  house  to 
St.  John's  Church.  I  must  not  forget  to  mention  the  loads  of 
sweet-cakes  of  all  sorts  and  fashions  that  covered  the  outside 
tables  of  the  market-houses,  and  the  breakfasts  that  were  cooking 
everywhere,  all  around,  for  the  country  people  who  came  many 
miles  to  market.  You  may  conceive  the  vast  quantity  of  provi- 
sions that  must  be  brought  to  this  market,  when  j^ou  are  told  that 
sixty  thousand  people  draw  their  daily  supplies  from  it,  which  is 
more  than  twice  as  many  people  as  there  are  in  Washington, 
Georgetown,  Alexandria,  and  Richmond,  all  put  together.  Well, 
and  so  after  I  had  walked  all  round  and  round  and  through  the 
market-house,  I  left  it  and  bent  my  steps  towards  the  country,  and 
walked  two  miles  and  a  half  out  to  Mr.  Thompson's  to  breakfast. 
It  had  been  cloudy  and  rainy  for  several  days,  but  the  night  be- 
fore had  been  clear,  and  although  the  road  was  still  wet,  the  morn- 
ing above  head  was  bright  and  beautiful.  After  walking  about  a 
mile,  I  came  to  the  summit  of  a  hill  that  overlooks  the  city,  and 
there  I  stopped  a  moment  to  take  breath  and  look  back  on  it. 
The  ground  had  begun  to  smoke  from  the  warmth  of  the  rising 
sun,  and  the  city  seemed  to  spread  itself  out  below  me  to  a  vast 
extent  —  a  huge  dusky  mass,  to  which  there  seemed  no  limit.  But 
towering  from  above  the  fog  was  the  Washington  Monument  (a 
single  beautiful  column  160  feet  in  height,  which  stands  in  How- 
ard's Park,  and  is  rendered  indescribably  striking  and  interesting 
from  the  touching  solitude  of  the  scene  from  which  it  lifts  its 
head),  and  several  noble  steeples  of  churches  interspersed  through- 
out the  west  of  the  city,  whose  gilded  summits  were  now  glitter- 
ing in  the  sun.  Casting  the  eye  over  Baltimore,  it  lights  upon  the 
Chesapeake  bsLj,  and  after  wandering  over  that  flood  of  waters,  it 
rests  on  Fort  McHenry  and  its  star-spangled  banner.  This  is  the 
fort  where  our  soldiers  gained  so  much  glory  last  war,  and  the 
very  banner  with  regard  to  which  Mr.  Key's  beautiful  song  of  the 
'  Star-Spangled  Banner '  was  written. 

"After  feasting  my  eye  for  some  time  on  the  rich,  diversified, 
and  boundless  landscape  that  lay  before  me,  meditating  on  the 
future  grandeur  of  this  city  and  the  rising  glories  of  the  nation,  I 
turned  around  my  face  to  resume  my  walk  into  the  country,  when 
all  its  soft  beauties  burst,  by  surprise,  upon  me.  For,  while  I  had 
b.een  looking  back  on  the  town,  bay,  and  fort,  the  sun  had  risen, 
and  was  now  so  high  that  its  light  was  pouring  full  upon  hill  and 
valley,  field  and  forest,  blazing  in  bright  reflection  from  all  the 
eastern  windows  of  the  hundreds  of  country-houses  that  crowned 
the  heights  around  me,  and  dancing  on  all  the  leaves  that  waved 
and  wantoned  in  the  morning  breeze.    No  city  in  the  world  has  a 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  405 

more  beautiful  country  around  it  than  Baltimore,  in  the  direction 
of  the  west,  north,  and  east.  In  the  direction  of  Washington  it  is 
unimproved,  but  in  the  other  points  all  that  could  have  been  ex- 
pected from  wealth  and  fine  taste  has  been  accomplished.  The 
grounds,  which  were  originally  poor,  have  been  made  rich ;  thoy 
lie  very  finely,  not  flat  and  tame,  nor  yet  abrupt  and  rugged,  but 
rising  and  falling  in  forms  of  endless  diversity,  sometimes  soft  and 
gentle,  at  others  bold  and  commanding.  This  beautifully  undu- 
lating surface  has  been  improved  with  great  taste,  the  fields  richly 
covered  with  grass,  the  clumps  of  trees,  groves  and  forests  pruned 
of  all  dead  limbs  and  all  deformities,  and  flourishing  in  strong  and 
healthy  luxuriance.  The  sites  for  the  houses  are  well  selected, — 
always  upon  some  eminence,  embosomed  amid  beautiful  trees,  from 
which  their  white  fronts  peep  out  enchantingly,  for  the  houses  are 
all  white,  which  adds  much  to  the  cheerfulness  and  grace  of  this 
unrivalled  scenery.  I  hope  one  of  these  days  to  show  it  to  you  in 
person,  and  then  you  will  be  able  to  imagine  what  a  delightful 
ramble  I  had  to  Mr.  Thompson's  yesterday  morning.  I  took  them 
quite  by  surprise,  but  it  was  a  most  agreeable  one,  and  they  were 
rejoiced  to  see  me.  Mr.  Thompson  inquired  most  kindly  after  all 
in  Washington,  and  giving  me  a  good  country  breakfast  (most  de- 
lightful butter),  brought  me  back  to  town  in  his  gig,  where  we 
arrived  by  nine  o'clock,  an  hour  before  court.     Was  not  this  an 

industrious  morning  ? 

******** 

"  Your  affectionate  father, 

"  Wm.  Wirt." 

1823.  A  company  lately  incorporated,  erect  a  shot-tower  on  the 
west  side  of  North  Gay  street,  which  was  raised  187  feet  above 
ground  by  Jacob  Wolfe,  "builder,  under  the  direction  of  Col.  Joseph 
Jamieson,  president  of  the  company. 

A  number  of  gentlemen  associate  together  to  establish  an 
Athenaeum,  and  the  institution  is  commenced  by  the  purchase  of 
books,  etc. 

This  is  a  time — before  the  introduction  of  railways — when  it  is 
proper  to  make  mention  of  some  three  or  four  old  Baltimore  in- 
stitutions, which  are  fast  fading  away  in  the  world's  progress;  we 
mean  the  vast  blue,  white-canvassed  Conestoga  wagons,  their  g'rand 
Pennsylvania  horses,  the  stage  coaches,  and  the  taverns  or  inns,  with 
their  conspicuous  "  signs,"  their  substantial  fare,  wide  yards  and 
liberal  stables ;  and  the  frocked  wagoners  and  teamsters  who  drove 
or  tended  their  stalwart  beasts  for  burthen  or  for  market.  These 
taverns  and  their  signs  were  frequent  reminders  to  Englishmen  of 
the  country  inns  found  in  every  British  town  and  hamlet;  and 
alas !  but  few  of  them  remain  among  us  of  the  present  generation. 
These  were  still  the  times  of  horseback  and  saddle-bag  travelling. 
Most  of  our  citizens  who  have  not  passed  far  beyond  middle  life, 


^; 


406  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

will  still  remember  the  "  Golden  Horse  "  which  swung  so  gaudily  at 
the  northwestern  corner  of  Franklin  and  Howard  streets ;  and 
the  "  White  Swan,"  which  still  floats,  like  a  dim  ghost  of  its  former 
self,  on  the  sign,  a  square  beyond,  at  the  southeastern  corner  of 
Franklin  and  Eutaw  streets ;  while  the  "  Golden  Lamb  "  reclined 
on  its  rich  yellow  fleece  until  a  few  years  ago,  at  the  northwestern 
corner  of  Paca  and  Franklin  streets,  until  it  was  supplanted  by  a 
confectionery;  or  the  "Black  Horse,"  and  some  other  country 
inns,  beyond  the  turn  of  Franklin  street  into  Pennsj^lvania  avenue. 
Then  there  wasXthe  "  Hand  Tavern "  and  yard,  still  surviving 
on  Paca,  near  Lexington  street,  giving  refuge  to  the  market  people 
and  their  wagons  and  cattle  ;  and  the  chained  "  Black  Bear  "  Inn, 
designed  for  the  same  purposes,  next  to  the  corner  of  Howard,  on 
Saratoga  streetJwhere  the  Bevans  now  cut  and  carve  their  marble 
mantels  and  tombs.  The  more  aristocratic  "  General  Wayne  "  Inn, 
Cugle  &  Frost's  stylish  "  hostelrie  "  for  Western  travellers,  horse- 
dealers  and  cattle-drovers,  was  at  the  corner  of  Paca  and  Balti- 
more streets,Xwhere  the  Eevolutionary  hero  still  faintly  survives 
on  the  weather-beaten  sign  which  was  raised  to  its  present  place 
near  fifty  years  ago.  The  "May  Pole"  was  still  further  south  of 
this  on  Paca  and  German  streets,  and  the  "Three  Tuns  Tavern" 
yet  beyond,  at  the  corner  of  Paca  and  Pratt  streets.  These  were 
the  main  houses  of  entertainment,  cattle-yards  and  stables,  for 
horse-dealers,  wagoners,  and  cattle  men,  west  of  the  Falls ;  while 
Old  Town  had  its  famous  "Bull's  Head,"  on  Front  street,  the 
"  Kising  Sun,"  on  High  street,  and  the  well-known  "  Habbersett's," 
whose  hospitable  doors  and  excellent  tables  were  always  open  to 
the  dealers  and  farmers  of  Harford  county  especially.  The  old 
"Fountain  Inn,"  with  its  limpid,  gushing  sign,  was  always  the  pet 
of  the  Eastern-Shoremen,  (so  accessible  as  they  came  up  Light 
street  from  the  Basin,)  long  after  it  ceased  to  be  the  pet  of  the 
Presidents,  after  Jefl'erson's  day  and  the  rise  of  the  "  Indian  Queen," 
under  Gadsby's  auspices,  and,  long  subsequently,  to  "  Barnum's  " 
in  the  square,  and  "  The  Eutaw  House,"  which  were  the  two  first 
inns  that  wholly  discarded  the  old-fashioned  index  of  a  "  sign." 
There  was  also  the  famous  "  Globe  Inn  "  on  Baltimore  and  Howard 
streets.  s^At  most  of  these,  in  the  days  of  turnpikes,  the  daily,  tri- 
weekly, or  weekly  stage-coach  called  regularly,  with  sounding 
horn,  to  take  up  the  passengers  "booked"  at  the  officeY  The 
western  taverns  were  filled  with  staunch,  rough  teamsters  and 
drovers,  and  the  tavern  yards  generally  occupied  by  fat  cattle  for 
the  shambles,  and  splendid  horses  for  sale,  trade  or  swap;  while 
westwardly  from  Howard  street,  along  Franklin  to  its  junction 
with  Pennsylvania  avenue,  and  out  the  avenue  to  George  street, 
and  often  beyond  it,  in  the  busy  season,  one  half  of  this  great 
highway  was  nightly  blocked  up  by  the  ponderous  Conestoga 
wagons,  and  their  supurb  teams  feeding  or  munching  in  a  trough 
fastened  to  the  wagon-poles.     Next  day  they  delivered  their  flour, 


OHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  407 

whiskey  and  provisions  along  Howard  and  other  streets,  and 
quickly  reloaded  with  groceries,  drj^  and  fancy  goods  for  the  West, 
and  speedily  set  forth  with  their  four  or  six-in-hand  team,  each 
animal  tinkling  his  jolly  crest  of  a  dozen  bells  along  the  narrow 
defiles  of  the  AUeghanies,  the  drivers  cracking  their  huge,  savage 
whips,  giving  notice  of  each  other's  approach  in  the  many  passes 
of  the  mountains  or  valleys. 

But  Baltimore  was  to  take  a  fresh  start  in  the  race  of  prosperity. 
She  had  been  temporarily  disheartened  and  crippled,  but  not  des- 
troyed ;  for  her  natural  resources  could  not  be  taken  away,  and 
the  people  who  had  improved  them  in  earlier  days  were  still  at 
band  to  engage  in  new  operations.  The  men  of  enterprise  and 
talent  were  still  there,  and  though  not  so  young  or  hopeful,  were 
nevertheless  not  without  zeal  and  enterprise,  tempered  by  experi- 
ence. They  saw  that  a  change  had  come  over  the  spirit  of  Ameri- 
can trade,  not  only  by  the  cessation  of  war  at  home  and  in  Europe, 
but  that  great  material  imjiroveraents  in  transportation,  steam, 
and  the  rivalries  of  successful  trade  were  operating  on  the  minds 
of  younger  men  of  equal  intelligence,  in  other  sections  of  the  na- 
tion ;  and  that,  when  success  creates  rivals,  peace  not  only  affords 
but  stimulates  the  means  for  successful  rivalry.  They  savv  that 
labor,  patience,  capital,  were  to  take  the  place  of  that  rapid,  daring 
war-commerce  which  had  so  magically  assisted  the  fortunes  of 
Amei-ican,  and  especially  Baltimore  merchants,  for  twenty  or 
thirty  years.  They  saw  that  enterprise,  to  be  repaid,  must  be 
content  with  slower  processes,  and  that  the  clipper  of  our  bay 
was  no  longer  the  Aladdin  of  their  counting-houses.  With  this 
patience  at  heart,  though  .of  course  reluctantly  admitted,  an  aus- 
picious change  took  place  in  the  commercial  affairs  of  Baltimore  ^ 
between  1820  and  1825.  Capital  and  enterprise  again  became 
active.  The  extensive  establishments  and  ventures  became  more 
limited,  but  were  still  more  significant  in  both  foreign  and  do- 
mestic trade.  Baltimore  was  then,  undoubtedly,  still  the  largestV 
flour  market  in  the  world,  sending  forth  in  1822  205,345  barrels, 
and  244,950  in  1823.  Of  tobacco  we  shipped  to  foreign  countries 
19,250  hogsheads  in  1822,  and  21,733  hogsheads  in  1823 ;  as  well 
as  large  quantities  of  provisions  and  manufactured  goods.  The 
shipments  of  1822  and  1823  showed  that  we  had  no  crushing  ri- 
valry to  contend  with  in  trade  that  circumstances  have  so  greatly 
chunged- 

Our  ships  went  principally  to  the  Spanish  Main,  to  Buenos 
Ayres,  to  Brazil,  to  Chili,  Peru  and  Mexico,  and  this  species  of 
commerce  in  succeeding  years  has  fixed  itself  upon  a  fair  basis  of 
equulity,  so  far  as  our  enterprise  and  capital  were  able  to  support 
it  in  competition  with  other  ports.  Our  people  seem  to  have  been 
impressed  with  the  idea,  since  then,  that  the  first  duty  of  Balti- 
more was  to  recover  possession  of  the  internal  trade  of  the  country  ; 
and  hence  probably  more  reliance  has  been  placed  on  the  magical 


408  CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE. 

change  which  the  "Internal  Improvement"  system  was  to  pro- 
duce, as  soon  as  fresh  modes  of  communication  were  opened  with 
the  growing  West  and  its  dependencies.  The  idea  seems  to  have 
been  that  if  we  could  soonest  reach  the  vast  Western  trade  by  the 
shortest  route,  we  should  command  it ;  and  that  Baltimore  would  be 
re-established,  and  advance  to  continental  supremacy.  While 
waiting  these  long  years  for  the  fruition  of  this  hope,  it  is  possible 
that  the  commerce  and  manufactures  of  our  city  have  not  ad- 
vanced as  rapidly  as  they  might  have  done  under  different  inspira- 
tions ;  yet  certain  it  is,  that  ever  since  1825-8  the  minds  of  our 
people  have  been  greatly  concerned  with  canals  and  railways,  and 
the  supreme  results  they  were  to  produce  for  Baltimore  and  Mary- 
land. 

On  the  2l8t  of  December,  a  town-meeting  was  held  in  the  ro- 
tunda of  the  Exchange,  (now  our  post-office  building)  to  take  the 
opinion  of  the  people  on  the  subject  of  canals,  and  especially  to  dis- 
cover whether  the  citizens  preferred  a  canal  to  be  made  first  to  the 
Susquehanna  river  or  to  the  Ohio.  A  great  majority,  it  seems, 
preferred  the  canal  to  the  Susquehanna.  Accordingly  an  act  was 
passed  by  the  Assembly  then  in  session,  authorizing  the  corporation 
of  the  city  to  make  a  canal  to  the  head  of  tide-water  on  the  Sus- 
quehanna, and  thence  to  the  Conewaga  falls  in  Pennsylvania,  if 
such  an  extension  should  be  permitted  by  the  Legislature  of  that 
State.  Another  act  was  also  passed  incorporating  a  company  to 
make  a  canal  from  the  tide-water  of  the  Potomac  to  the  Ohio 
river,  if  assented  to  by  the  National  Government  and  the  States 
through  which  the  canal  would  pass.  G.  Winchester,  Esq.,  Judge 
Bland,  and  John  Patterson,  Esq.,  were  commissioned  by  the  State 
to  survey  a  route  for  the  Susquehanna  canal. 

John  Oliver,  Esq.,  of  Baltimore,  lately  deceased,  left  the  sum  of 
$20,000  to  the  Hibernian  Society,  of  which  he  was  president,  for 
the  purpose  of  establishing  a  free  school  in  this  city,  for  the  educa- 
tion of  poor  children  of  both  sexes,  without  distinction  as  to  their 
religious  tenets. 

The  trustees  of  the  Orphaline  Charity  School,  aided  by  liberal 
donations  from  several  individuals,  purchase  of  the  trustees  of  the 
Baltimore  College  a  part  of  their  grounds  on  Mulberry  street,  and 
erect  a  spacious  school-house. 

1824.  In  the  Assembly,  the  act  of  the  Virginia  Legislature,  in- 
corporating the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal  Company,  was  con- 
firmed ;  and  in  1825,  stock  to  the  amount  of  the  State's  interest  in 
the  Potomac  Canal  Company,  with  5000  additional  shares,  were  to 
be  vested  in  the  new  company  on  the  part  of  Maryland.  A  simi- 
lar number  of  shares  were  to  be  taken  in  the  Susquehanna  Company, 
then  again  incorporated,  the  old  Susquehanna  Canal  Company's 
interest  being  secured  in  the  new  one. 

On  the-  10th  of  August,  the  corner-stone  of  the  Baltimore  Athe- 
nsBum  was  laid,  with  appropriate  ceremonies,  at  the  S.  W.  corner 
of  St.  Paul  and  Lexington  streets 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  409 

On  the  24th  of  August  a  deputation  from  the  corporation  of 
Baltimore,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Beale  Randall,  E.  L.  Finley,  and 
Edward  G.  Woodyear,  arrived  in  New  York,  and  were  presented 
by  the  Mayor  of  that  city  to  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  in  the  City 
Hall.  On  being  introduced,  Mr.  Finley  presented  to  the  General  the 
resolutions  adopted  by  the  City  Council  of  Baltimore,  welcoming 
him  amongst  them  as  the  "  guest  of  the  city  of  Baltimore." 

Agreeably  to  the  arrangements  made,  the  elegant  steamboat 
United  States,  commanded  by  Capt.  Tripp,  left  Baltimore  on  Wed- 
nesday, the  6th  of  October,  to  receive  Gen.  La  Fayette  at  French- 
town.  She  was  fitted  out  and  furnished  in  the  most  splendid  man- 
ner, and  among  her  passengers  were  the  committee  from  the  cor- 
poration, consisting  of  John  B.  Morris,  Wm.  Patterson,  Beale  Ran- 
dall, Benjamin  C.  Howard,  John  Reese,  Samuel  Moore,  Edivard  G. 
Woodj-ear,  and  E.  L.  Finley,  and  Cols.  Lloyd  and  Dickinson,  aides  to 
the  Governor.  The  military  committee  consisted  of  Maj.-Gen. 
Harper  and  suite,  and  Cols.  Steuart,  Robinson,  Sheppard,  Milten- 
berger,  Heath,  Edes,  Leakin,  and  Stiles,  and  Lieut.-Col.  Barry  and 
Major  Hoffman.  Gen.  Smith  and  Col.  Bentalou  attended,  to  re- 
present the  Cincinnati.  Among  the  invited  gentlemen  present  was 
the  venerable  Mr.  Du  Bois  Martin,  a  citizen  of  Baltimore,  who 
provided  and  commanded  the  vessel  which  first  landed  La  Faj-ette 
in  America.  When  the  boat  arrived  at  Frenchtown,  the  Governor's 
aides,  accompanied  bj^  a  squadron  of  cavalry,  proceeded  to  meet 
the  General  at  the  Delaware  line.  In  the  meantime  Mr.  Adams, 
Secretary  of  State,  arrived  on  his  way  to  Washington.  He  had 
been  previously  invited,  and  cheerfully  joining  himself  to  the  party, 
was  introduced  to  all  present.  The  General  having  been  detained, 
did  not  arrive  at  the  Maryland  line  till  after  one  o'clock  in  the 
morning.  He  was  there  presented  by  Louis  McLane,  chairman  of 
the  Delaware  committee,  to  the  aides  of  the  Governor  of  Maryland. 
The  first  aide  announced  to  the  General  in  very  appropriate  and 
warm  terms,  in  behalf  of  Gov.  Stevens,  a  cordial  welcome  to  the 
State  of  Maryland ;  and  informed  him  that  they  were  ready  to 
escort  him  to  headquarters,  which  was  established  at  Fort  McHenry^ 
Baltimore.  The  aides  of  the  Governor  then  conducted  the  General 
on  board  the  steamboat,  where  the  deputations  received  him  upon 
deck.  Mr.  John  B.  Morris,  president  of  the  First  Branch  City 
Council,  and  chairman  of  the  committee,  advanced  to  the  guest, 
and  addressed  him  in  a  manner  that  evinced  at  once  that  he  felt 
what  he  spoke  from  the  bottom  of  his  heart.  The  General  having 
but  just  left  his  Delaware  friends,  and  meeting  so  suddenly  this  re- 
ception, it  affected  him  most  sensibly.  He  pressed  his  hand  to  his 
heart  and  said,  "  I  am  grateful."  He  was  then  introduced  by  Mr. 
Morris  to  the  gentlemen  of  the  corporation — then  to  General  Har- 
per, who  addressed  him  on  the  part  of  the  military.  General 
Smith  and  Col.  Bentalou  stepped  forward  and  announced  to  him 
the  object  of  their  mission,  and  the  joy  they  felt  in  meeting  him 


410  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

again.  The  General  embraced  them  in  the  warmest  and  most  af- 
fectionate manner,  and  inquired  particularly  after  his  old  friends 
and  associates  "  in  times  that  tried  men's  souls."  The  meetinaj  of 
the  General  with  the  amiable,  retiring  and  venerable  Mr.  Du  Bois 
Martin  was  of  a  most  touching  character  to  the  sensitive  mind  ; 
they  held  each  other  by  tbe  hand  and  conversed  together  in  French 
for  a  considerable  time.  After  the  introductions  were  gone  through, 
Captain  Tripp  announced  that  he  had  an  entertainment  ready  for 
the  company.  They  all  followed  the  General  to  the  cabin,  and  a 
little  after  3  o'clock  the  General  repaired  to  the  ladies'  cabin,  pre- 
pared for  his  lodging-room,  and  invited  Mr.  Adams  to  accompany 
him. 

During  the  night  the  rain  poured  down  in  torrents;  but  just 
as  the, boat  entered  the  Patapsco  the  threatening  clouds  dispersed, 
the  morning  sun  shone  forth  its  brightest  effulgence  and  seemed 
to  bid  "  Welcome  to  La  Fayette."  On  approaching  the  fort,  the 
steamboats  Maryland^  Virginia^  Philadelphia,  and  Eagle,  all  beauti- 
fully dressed,  with  jS^ags  and  streamers  flying,  came  down  the  river, 
full  of  anxious  citizens,  to  meet  the  boat  United  States,  and  passed 
transversely  around  her.  As  they  did  so,  the  people  on  board 
waved  their  h-ats  and  gave  the  most  hearty,  enlivening,  and  oft- 
repeated  cheering.  The  five  boats  in  regular  order,  the  United 
States  leading  the  van,  proceeded  for  the  fort,  where  they  came 
alongside  alternately,  the  passengers  saluting  the  General,  which 
he  received,  uncovered,  in  the  most  cordial  and  delicate  manner. 
"  The  whole  scene  was  most  interesting  —  it  was  splendid  —  we 
cannot  describe  it.  The  imagination  must  take  the  place  of  the 
pen." 

The  landing  was  a  very  interesting  scene.  The  first  barge, 
commanded  by  Capt.  Gardner,  and  manned  by  some  of  our  most 
respectable  ship-masters,  was  the  first  that  made  for  the  shore. 
It  contained  Gen.  La  Fayette,  Mr.  Secretary  Adams,  Gen.  Smith, 
Mr.  Du  Bois  Martin,  and  Mr.  Morris.  In  the  second  boat,  George 
Washington  La  Fayette  (the  General's  son).  Monsieur  La  Vasseur, 
Col.  Paul  Bentalou,  Mr.  Wm.  Patterson,  and  the  Governor's  aides. 
The  other  members  of  the  deputation  followed  in  succession.  The 
General  was  received  at  the  platform  of  Fort  McHenry  by  Col. 
Hindman  of  the  army  of  the  United  States,  and  Edward  G.  Wood- 
year,  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements.  The  officers 
of  the  army  and  navy  now  in  Baltimore,  the  citizen  volunteers  at 
Fort  McHenry  during  the  bombardment,  the  Committee  of  Vigi- 
lance and  Safety  of  1814,  and  the  officers  of  the  36th  and  38th 
United  States  regiments  of  infantry  had  their  stations,  and  the 
General  })assed  through  their  line  on  his  march  up  to  the  "  star 
fort."  Upon  entering  the  gate  the  troops  of  the  garrison  pre- 
sented arms,  then  opened  to  the  right  and  left,  which  brought  to 
bis  view  the  tent  of  Washington  ;  upon  which  Governor  Stevens 
advanced  from  the  tent,  and  greeted  him  with  a  hearty  Welcome 


CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  411 

address  to  the  State  of  Maryland.  Upon  its  conclusion  the  Gov- 
ernor conducted  him  to  the  tent,  where  he  found  the  Society  of 
the  Cincinnati,  the  patriarchs  of  the  Eevolution.  Here  he  was 
received  and  embraced  by  all  of  them.  The  scene  was  one  of  the 
most  impressive  and  heart-touching  that  was  ever  witnessed.  All 
were  convulsed  into  tears,  but  they  were  tears  of  joy  and  gratula- 
tion.  As  soon  as  the  feeling  of  the  occasion  had  a  little  subsided, 
Col.  Howard  presented  an  address,  to  which  the  General  made  the 
following  reply  : 

"  The  pleasure  to  recognize  my  beloved  companions  in  arms ; 
the  sound  of  names  whose  memory  is  dear  to  me :  this  meeting 
under  the  consecrated  tent  where  we  so  often  have  pressed  around 
our  paternal  commander  in-chief,  excite  emotions  which  your  sym- 
pathizing hearts  will  better  feel  than  I  can  express.  This  fort  also, 
most  nobly  defended  in  the  last  war,  while  it  brings  the  affecting 
recollection  of  a  confidential  friend  in  my  military  family,  associates 
with  it  the  remembrance  of  the  illustrious  defence  of  another  fort, 
in  the  Revolutionary  war,  by  the  friend  now  near  me,  (Gen..  Smith). 
It  has  been  the  lot  of  the  Maryland  Line  to  acquire  glory  in  in- 
stances t)f  bad  as  well  as  good  fortune,  and  to  whom  can  I  better 
speak  of  the  glory  of  that  Line  than  in  addressing  Col.  Howard  ? 
My  dear  brother  soldiers,  my  feelings  are  too  strong  for  utterance, 
I  thank  jon  most  affectionately." 

In  uttering  his  affectionate  and  feeling  reply,  the  General  testi- 
fied by  his  manner  how  deeply  his  heart  was  engaged  in  the  solemn 
and  interesting  occasion.  The  meeting  of  La  Fayette  with  the 
venerable  Charles  Carroll,  Col.  John  E.  Howard,  Generals  Stewart, 
Strieker,  Eeed,  Benson,  and  other  Eevolution ary  soldiers,  in  the 
tent  of  Washington,  had  a  most  powerful  effect  on  the  feelings  of 
all.  He  grasped  their  hands,  he  folded  them  in  his  arms,  and  with 
his  eyes  brimful  of  tears,  and  others  who  like  him  had  fairly  stood 
in  the  hottest  of  the  fight  in  many  battles,  were  dissolved  by  the 
pressure  of  the  recollections  that  thickened  upon  them.  He  recog- 
nized several  oFthem,  especially  Sergeant  Everhardt,  who  had  once 
been  instrumental  in  saving  his  life  in  battle.  Within  the  tent  was 
a  part  of  the  camp  equipage  of  Washington,  containing  knives, 
plates,  &c.,  which  were  exposed  to  view.  On  one  side  of  the  tent 
was  placed  an  American  cannon,  and  on  the  other  side  a  French 
one,  both  of  which  had  been  used  at  the  siege  of  Yorktown.  After 
the  presentation  of  Gen.  Macomb,  Cols.  Jones  and  Hook,  and  Maj. 
Vandeventer  of  the  U.  S.  army,  with  Captains  Nicholson  and 
Claxton  of  the  navy,  George  Washington  Custis,  the  owner  of  the 
tent,  and  several  ladies,  the  entire  party  sat  down  to  an  elegant 
collation.  Upon  leaving  the  fort  the  General  was  escorted  into  a 
splendid  barouche,  drawn  by  four  elegant  black  horses,  attended  by 
grooms  in  full  livery.  Seated  with  him  were  Charles  Carroll  of 
Carrollton,  Gen.  S.  Smith,  and  Col.  John  E.  Howard.  The  General's 
son,  Mons.  Le  Yasseur,  and  Governor  Stevens  occupied  the  next  j 


412  CHR0NI0LE5   OF   BA.Lri\IORB. 

a  third  contained  Gen.  Strieker,  Col.  Bentalou  and  Mr.  DeBois 
Martin,  and  the  committee  of  arrangements  and  the  Society  of  Cin- 
cinnati followed  in  carriages.  As  he  passed  Federal  Hill,  a  de- 
tachment of  artillery  saluted  him  with  twenty-four  guns. 

The  General  entered  the  city  at  Forrest  (now  Charles)  street, 
and  at  the  intersection  of  Montgomery  street  he  passed  under  a' 
beautiful  arch  of  forty  feet  span,  flanked  at  each  end  by  another 
of  fifteen  feet  span.  On  the  smaller  arches  were  the  mottoes 
'  Brandywine,  Yorktown,  and  on  the  principal  arch.  Welcome  La 
Fayette.  The  General  was  then  conducted  through-  Light,  Lee, 
Sharp,  Pratt,  and  Paca  streets,  and  was  greeted  everywhere  with 
the  huzzas  of  the  citizens  and  the  waving  of  handkerchiefs,  from 
every  position  which  afforded  the  least  prospect  of  beholding  him. 
At  the  intersection  of  Paca  and  Baltimore  streets  the  following 
arrangement  was  made :  The  General  remained  in  the  front 
barouche  alone,  the  gentlemen  who  accompanied  him  thus  far  now 
taking  their  seats  in  the  second  and  third  barouches.  As  he  en- 
tered Baltimore  street,  the  elevated  ground  rendered  him  a  con- 
spicuous object  for  many  squares  below,  and  thousands  of  voices 
now  set  up  a  united  shout  of  welcome.  At  the  intersection  of 
Baltimore  and  Eutaw  streets  was  erected,  fronting  to  the  west, 
the  city  arch.  This  elegant  structure  was  composed  of  three 
semi-circular  arches.  The  centre  arch  was  forty  feet  in  chord  over 
the  coachway ;  the  lateral  ones  were  about  twelve  feet  in  chord, 
all  springing  from  the  same  line,  and  on  piers  or  pedestals  of  suit- 
able proportions.  The  outer  line  of  each  archivalte  was  formed 
by  a  wreath  of  laurel,  from  which  (at  about  one  foot  apart)  radi- 
ated well  polished  baypnets.  On  the  vertex  of  the  great  arch  was 
the  great  star  of  fellowship,  in  a  blue  field,  encircled  by  thirteen 
silver  stars,  from  which  radiated  the  national  ensigns,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 
After  passing  under  the  city  arch,  the  General  entered  upon  the 
right  of  the  splendid  line  of  artillery,  infantry,  and  riflemen,  sta- 
tioned in  the  order  designated  by  the  Major-General  of  the  divi- 
Bion.  The  General  received  the  salutes  of  the  different  corps  as 
he  passed  the  line  uncovered;  while,  from  the  windows  and  other 
positions  along  the  streets,  thousands  of  handkerchiefs  were  waved  • 
by  the  ladies,  adorned  in  their  loveliest  smiles  and  gayest  attire. 

Continuing  along  the  line,  the  General  came  to  a  beautiful 
structure,  which  the  citizens  of  the  third,  fourth,  fifth,  and  sixth 
wards  had  erected  in  honor  of  him,  at  Baltimore  street  bridge. 
At  a  short  distance  from  the  eastern  side  of  the  bridge  rose  to  a 
lofty  and  imposing  height  a  noble  civic  arch  of  thirty-six  feet  span 
in  the  clear,  raised  upon  square  Doric  columns  fifteen  feet  high, 
the  imposts  being  carried  over  the  foot-way  on  either  side,  with 
the  Doric  drop.  On  the  face  of  the  right  column,  ornamented  in 
oil  painting,  were  the  names  of  the  thirteen  original  States,  and 
on  the  left  column  the  names  of  the  most  distinguished  Eevolu- 
tionary  Generals.     The  whole  face  of  the  arch,  with  its  soffit,  was 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  413 

handsomely  ornamented  in  oil  paintings.  On  the  west  front  of 
the  crown  of  the  arch  was  a  portrait  of  Washington,  surmounted 
by  a  sculptured  gilt-eagle;  on  the  east  side  was  a  motto  of  ""Wel- 
come to  our  guest,"  surmounted  also  by  an  elegantly  sculptured 
eagle.  In  the  centre  of  the  imposts  over  the  foot-ways  were  por- 
traits of  Washington,  La  Fayette,  and  Warren,  and  the  whole 
decorated  in  the  most  elegant  and  tasteful  manner  with  flags  and 
festoons  of  drapery.  From  the  centre  of  the  arch  hung  a  large 
transparent  painting,  fifteen  feet  by  ten,  on  one  side  of  which  was 
represented  the  surrender  at  Yorktown,  including  a  full  length 
portrait  of  La  Fayette  ;  on  the  opposite  side  was  an  allegorical 
painting,  representing  Fame  presenting  to  History  a  wreath,  and 
communicating  to  her  the  event  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 
Between  the  figures  was  a  mound,  surmounted  by  a  square 
pedestal,  emblematic  of  our  simple  form  of  government.  "Upon 
the  pedestal  was  a  bundle  of  reeds,  erect,  bound  together  with  a 
fillet,  upon  which  was  inscribed  the  names  of  the  prominent  sup- 
porters of  liberty  at  that  period,  &c.  On  the  bridge  was  erected, 
at  equal  distances,  thirteen  arches  to  represent  the  old  thirteen 
States;  these  were  decorated  with  a  profusion  of  variegated 
lamps,  which,  with  the  transparencies  on  the  principal  arch,  were 
to  be  illuminated  in  the  evening. 

When  the  General  arrived  at  the  end  of  the  line  he  was  again 
received  by  the  escort  of  the  city  troops,  the  Cincinnati,  and  the 
corporation  committee.  He  was  then  conducted  through  Balti- 
more, Bond,  and  Pratt  streets,  throughout  which  the  same  testi- 
monies of  joy  and  gratitude  were  exhibited  towards  him.  On  " 
entering  Gay  street,  he  passed  in  view  of  the  boys  belonging  to  the 
different  schools,  with  their  teachers  at  their  head,  drawn  up  six 
deep,  in  uniform  dress,  and  wearing  La  Fayette  badges. 

Passing  up  Gay  street,  the  General  alighted  at  the  principal  en- 
trance of  the  Exchange,  and  was  conducted  into  the  great  hall, 
where  the  Mayor  and  City  Council  were  in  waiting  to  receive  him. 
The  seats  on  the  floor  of  the  hall  were  occupied  by  distinguished 
strangers,  deputations  from  neighboring  cities  and  towns,  Revolu- 
tionary soldiers,  and  officers  of  the  army  and  navy.  The  galleries 
were  occupied  by  ladies.  The  General  was  conducted  to  an  ele- 
vated platform  at  the  we>*t  end  of  the  hall,  the  floor  of  which  was 
covered  with  crimson  cloth,  and  at  either  end  was  a  marble  bust  of 
Washington  and  Hamilton.  Upon  this  elevation  the  General  was 
received  by  the  Mayor  with  an  address.  To  which  the  General 
made  a  repl}^,  in  which  he  said: — "It  is  under  the  auspices  of  Bal- 
timore patriotism,  by  the  generosity  of  the  merchants,  by  the  zeal 
of  the  ladies  of  this  city,  at  a  critical  period  when  not  a  day  was 
to  be  lost,  that  I  have  been  enabled  in  1781  to  begin  a  campaign, 
the  fortunate  issue  of  which  has  still  enhanced  the  value  of  the 
service  then  rendered  to  our  cause." 

We  will  here  subjoin  a  list  of  those  noble  citizens  of  Baltimore 


414 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 


(at  that  time  an  obscure  village)  adverted  to  by  La  Fayette,  and  the 
amount  subscribed  by  each,  at  one  of  the  most  critical  moments  of 
our  Revolutionary^  history.  When  the  Congress  was  sorely  pressed 
for  money,  and  the  army  in  want  of  almost  everything  necessary 
to  its  comfort  and  efficiency,  they  noblj''  came  forward  and  ad- 
vanced to  General  La  Fayette,  on  his  simple  obligation,  a  sum  of 
money  to  enable  him  to  procure  clothing  for  his  suffering  army  : 


Jacob  Hart $276  14 

Richard  Carson 234  06 j 

Nathaniel  Smith 93  56^ 

Nicholas  Rogers 102  89 

Ridgely  and  Pringle.  ...  234  06^ 

Stephen  iStewart 379  18 

William  Neill  411  87 

Daniel  Bowley 234  06^ 

Hugh  Young 458  70 

Samuel  &  R.  Purviance. .  468  13 

Russell  and  Hughes.  236  06^ 

Russell  and  Gilman Il7  03i 


James  Calhoun |272  52 

James  McHenry 110  76i 

John  Sterrett 250  16i 

Charles  Carroll 124  76 

John  Smith,  Jr 351  10 

William  Smith 468  13 

Alex  Donaldson 117  03^ 

Stewart  and  Salmon 468  13 

William  Patterson 468  13 

John  McLure 468  13 

Thomas  Russell 210  60 

Samuel  Hughes 702  20 i 


When  the  reply  of  the  General  was  delivered,  the  members  of 
the  corporation  were  respectively  introduced,  after  which  a  num- 
ber of  the  soldiers  of  the  Revolution  who  had  been  mustered  by 
Col.  Mosher.  The  scene  was  highly  interesting :  tears  of  delight 
lolled  down  their  furrowed  cheeks.  The  Mayor  also  introduced 
to  the  General,  Alexander  McKim,  William  Patterson,  Samuel  Hol- 
lingsworth,  and  Nathaniel  Levy,  as  a  small  remnant,  as  he  ob- 
,served,  of  the  gallant  and  patriotic  troop  of  "  First  Baltimore  Cav- 
alry" who  voluntarily  repaired  to  the  standard  of  La  Fayette  on 
his  call  upon  Maryland  for  soldiers,  and  fought  under  him  in  Vir- 
ginia during  the  campaign  in  1781. 

After  a  short  interval  the  General  again  entered  his  barouche, 
and  was  escorted  to  an  elevated  pavilion  at  the  intersection  of 
Light  and  Baltimore  streets,  accompanied  by  the  Governor,  mem- 
bers of  the  Cincinnati,  Mayor  and  members  of  the  corporation, 
where  he  received  the  passing  salute  of  all  the  troops  under  arms, 
commencing  with  cavalry.  It  was  perhaps  the  most  splendid 
military  display  that  our  country  can  easily  furnish,  Baltimore 
having  long  been  remarkable  for  the  number  and  the  beauty  of 
her  volunteer  corps,  which  on  the  present  occasion  were  joined  by 
our  old  friends  from  York,  Pennsylvania,  and  several  companies 
from  Frederick,  Annapolis,  Elkridge,  Prince  George's,  &c.,  horse 
and  foot. 

An  association  of  youths,  called  the  De  Kalb  Cadets,  were  ad- 
mitted into  the  line  on  the  left  of  the  National  Guards.  The  mar- 
shals of  the  association  had  each  a  scroll  in  his  hand,  bound  with 
blue  ribbon,  upon  which  was  inscribed  the  word  "  gratitude."  As 
tney  arrived  in  succession  at  the  pavilion,  each  marshal  deposited 
his  scroll  at  the  feet  of  the  General.  He  repeatedly  opened  and 
Closed  his  arms,  as  if  in  the  act  of  pressing  them  to  his  heart ; 


CHRO^'ICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  415 

and  when  the  procession  had  ended,  suddenly  turned  away  and 
burst  into  tears.  He  was  then  escorted  to  his  lodgings  at 
the  Fountain  Inn,  where  he  reposed  awhile,  being  much  ex- 
hausted. In  about  two  hours,  being  somewhat  refreshed,  he,  with 
the  Ma}'or,  passed  through  the  multitude  assembled  round  the 
house,  shaking  hands  with  a  great  number  of  people.  lie  then 
retired,  to  rest,  and  afterwards  dined  with  the  committee  of  the 
corporation  with  about  one  hundred  invited  guests. 

In  the  evening  there  was  a  general  illumination  ;  many  trans- 
parencies were  exhibited  and  great  taste  displayed  in  the  orna- 
ments of  the  windows.  The  streets  were  thronged  with  people 
until  past  ten  o'clock,  when  the  citizens  and  strangers  generally 
went  to  rest.  Never  did  an  illumination  pass  off  with  more  honor 
to  a  city  than  this.  The  General  passed  through  the  streets  incog. ^ 
and  expressed  his  delight  at  the  appearance  of  the  people  and 
highly  praised  their  orderly  deportment. 

The  next  day  he  received  visitors  at  the  Exchange  and  dined 
with  the  corporation,  &c.,  &c.,  and  in  the  evening  visited  the  Grand 
Lodge;  after  which  he  attended  the  splendid  ball  given  in  Holli- 
day  Street  Theatre,  which  had  been  fitted  up  for  the  occasion. 
After  the  introduction  of  the  surviving  officers  and  soldiers  of  the 
Kevolution  who  resided  in  and  near  Baltimore,  to  General  La  Fa- 
yette on  Friday,  he  observed  to  one  of  the  gentlemen  near,  "  I  have 
not  seen  among  these  my  friendly  and  patriotic  commissary,  Mr. 
David  Poe,  who  resided  in  Baltimore  when  I  was  here,  and  out  of 
his  own  very  limited  means  supplied  me  with  five  hundred  dollars 
to  aid  in  clothing  my  troops,  and  whose  wife,  with  her  own  hands, 
cut  out  five  hundred  pairs  of  pantaloons,  and  superintended  the 
making  of  them  for  the  use  of  my  men."  The  General  was  in- 
formed that  Mr.  Poe  was  dead  but  that  his  widowwas  still  living. 
He  expressed  an  anxious  wish  to  see  her.  The  good  old  lady 
heard  the  intelligence  with  tears  of  joy,  and  the  next  day  visited 
the  General,  by  whom  she  was  received  most  affectionatel}' ;  he 
spoke  in  grateful  terms  of  the  friendly  assistance  he  had  received 
from  her  and  her  husband :  "  Your  husband,"  said  he,  pressing  his 
hand  on  his  breast,  "  was  my  friend,  and  the  aid  I  received  from 
you  both  was  greatly  beneficial  to  me  and  my  troops."  The  effect 
of  such  an  interview  as  this  may  be  imagined  but  cannot  be  de- 
scribed. On  the  11th  General  La  Fayette  left  the  city  with  an 
escort  for  Washington. 

John  Montgomery  is  elected  Mayor. 

On  the  16th  of  February  Elisha  Tyson  died,  who  had  reached  ^^ 
the  age  of  threescore  and  fourteen.     He  was  the  great  champion 
of  the  rights  of  the  sable  sons  of  Africa;  and  it  is  thought  that 
not  less  than  3000  persons  of  color  attended  his  remains  to  the 
grave. 

William  H.  Winder  was  born  February  18th,  1775,  in  Somerset 
County,  Maryland.     He  received  his  early  education  at  Washington 


416  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

Academy,  Somerset  county,  and  finished  at  the  TJniversity  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  commenced  the  study  of  law  with  his  uncle,  John 
Henry,  completing  his  studies  in  Annapolis  in  the  office  of  Gabriel 
Duval,  afterwards  one  of  the  judges  of  the  Supreme  Court.  In 
1798,  at  the  age  of  twenty-three,  he  was  elected  to  the  Legislature. 
In  1799  he  married  his  cousin  Gertrude,  daughter  of  William  Polk, 
of  Somerset,  Judge  of  the  General  Court  for  the  Eastern  Shore. 
In  1802  he  removed  to  Baltimore,  and  his  talents  soon  placed  him 
in  the  foremost  rank  of  his  profession.  In  March,  1812,  he  was 
appointed  lieutenant-colonel.  In  the  ensuing  spring  he  was  com- 
missioned as  brigadier-general,  with  a  warm  acknowledgment  of 
his  valuable  services  from  the  Secretary  of  War.  At  Stony  Creek 
he  was  taken  prisoner,  but  soon  after  was  paroled.  Immediately 
upon  his  release  he  was  appointed  adjutant-general,  and  when  the 
danger  to  the  Capital  became  imminent,  he  was  invested  with  the 
command  of  the  Tenth  District,  for  which  post  he  had  the  honor 
to  be  selected  by  Mr.  Madison  himself.  He  was  defeated  at  Bladens- 
burg,  with  an  army  numerically  about  equal  to  the  British,  but 
with  the  exception  of  four  hundred  men,  a  mere  mob — thrust  upon 
him  at  the  last  moment,  some  arriving  fifteen  minutes  before  the 
action,  none  before  the  18th — some  without  ammunition,  without 
arms,  some  with  arms  that  had  been  condemned.  The  Capital  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  After  the  retreat  of  the  British 
from  Baltimore,  General  Winder  received  orders  to  proceed  to  the 
Niagara  frontier,  where  his  services  were  deemed  important.  A 
committee  having  been  appointed  by  Congress  to  investigate  the 
cause  of  the  disaster  at  Bladen sburg,  their  report  bore  unfavorably 
upon  the  conduct  of  General  Winder,  absent  at  the  time.  He  ap- 
plied immediately  to  the  President  for  a  court  of  inquiry,  which 
was  granted,  and  General  Scott,  Colonels  Fenton  and  Drayton, 
were  appointed  a  court,  and  met  in  Baltimore,  January  26th,  1815. 
After  a  recital  of  the  means  at  his  disposal,  they  concluded  their 
report  thus:  "They  nevertheless  feel  it  to  be  their  duty  to  sepa- 
rate the  individual  from  the  calamities  surrounding  him,  and  to 
declare  that,  to  the  officer  on  whose  conduct  they  are  to  determine, 
no  censure  is  attributable;  and,  on  the  contrary,  when  they  take 
into  consideration  the  complicated  difficulties  and  embarrassments 
under  which  he  labored,  they  are  of  opinion,  notwithstanding  the 
results,  that  he  is  entitled  to  no  little  commendation.  Before  the 
action  he  exhibited  industry,  zeal  and  talent,  and  during  its  con- 
tiiiuaiicc  a  coolness,  promptitude  and  personal  valor  highly  honor- 
able to  iiiinsclf  and  worthy  of  a*  better  fate."  At  the  close  of  the 
war  iiu  icsigned  his  commission  and  returned  to  the  practice  of 
his  p^ofe^<8ion.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the 
24th  of  May,  1824,  in  the  49th  year  of  his  age,  his  practice  was 
the  lal7;y^l  at  the  Baltimore  bar,  and  one  of  the  largest  in  the 
United  StaUs  .Supreme  Court.  He  was  interred  with  the  highest 
Masonic,  civic  and  iniliiaiy  honors,  and  it  was  estimated  there  were 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  41 


n 


15,000  persons  assembled  to  pay  the  last  tribute  of  respect  to  his 
memory. 

On  Monday  evening  and  Tuesday  morning,  June  28th  and  29th, 
we  had  about  the  most  severe,  if  not  the  severest,  thunder-storm 
that  was  ever  witnessed  in  this  city.  A  number  of  houses  were 
struck  with  lightning  and  one  man  killed  ;  but  it  is  chiefly  to 
record  the  following  singular  circumstance : — A  flash  struck  the 
auction  store  then  at  the  corner  of  Charles  and  Baltimore  streets. 
One  part  of  the  shaft  followed  the  main  branch  of  the  gas  pipe  on 
the  northern  side  of  Baltimore  street  in  an  easterly  direction,  and 
for  the  distance  of  about  four  squares  extinguished  all  the  gas 
lamps  in  its  passage,  scarcely  doing  any  other  injury;  another  part 
of  the  shaft  followed  the  main  branch  of  the  gas-pipe  in  a  westerly 
direction,  as  high  as  McClellan's  Alley,  extinguishing  in  like 
manner  every  gas  lamp  in  its  passage  on  the  northern  side  of  Balti- 
more street,  doing  no  other  injury,  comprehending,  in  the  whole 
extent,  nearly  eight  squares  on  Baltimore  street.  The  gas  lamps  on 
the  south  side  of  Baltimore  street  were  perfectly  unaffected  by  the 
flash.  In  one  of  the  stores  adjacent  to  the  auction  room,  entirely 
lighted  by  gas,  the  total  darkness  so  soon  followed  the  bright  blaze 
of  the  electric  fluid,  that  the  persons  therein  entertained  for  a  short 
time  the  horrible  idea  that  they  had  become  blind. 

An  Act  was  passed  by  the  Legislature  extending  the  jurisdiction^ 
of  City  Justices  of  Peace  in  matters  of  small  debts  to  one  hundred 
dollars,  and  to  Justices  generally,  a  new  jurisdiction  in  action  of 
trespass  not  exceeding  fifty  dollars  damages. 

On  the  13th  of  February  there  was  a  town  meeting  held  at  the 
Exchange,  to  protest  against  the  caucus  of  Congressmen  to  nomi- 
nate candidates  for  President  and  Vice-President,  and  in  the 
course  of  the  summer  ward  meetings  were  held  by  the  friends 
of  General  Andrew  Jackson  and  John  Quincy  Adams. 

On  the  18th  of  April  the  boiler  of  the  steamboat  Eagle^  return- 
ing from  the  Patuxent  and  Annapolis,  exploded,  and  Henry  M. 
Murray,  State  District  Attorney,  passenger,  and  some  hands  were 
severely  injured.  Mr.  Murray  languished  until  the  28th,  when  he 
died  from  the  accident,  which  was  the  first  fatal  explosion  in  the 
Chesapeake. 

On  the  19th  of  December,  died  of  a  paralysis  under  which  he 
had  suffered  many  years,  William  Buchanan,  of  George,  Eegister 
of  Wills  of  this  county. 

1825.  In  March  General  Jackson  arrived  in  Baltimore,  and  in 
the  evening  attended  a  ball  given  in  his  honor  at  Barnum's.  On 
Saturday  morning  he  presented,  by  request,  a  stand  of  colors  to 
the  Forsyth  company  of  riflemen,  a  valuable  and  numerous  corps ; 
from  tw^elve  to  two  o'clock  he  received  all  such  as  were  pleased  to 
wait  upon  him,  with  his  accustomed  courtesy.  The  press  of  the 
])eople  to  take  him  by  the  hand  was  great;  a  collation  was  pro- 
vided in  an  adjoining  room,  of  which  many  hundreds  partook.  In 
27 


418  CHROKICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

the  evening  he  visited  the  theatre,  where  he  was  received  with 
distinguished  marks  of  respect.  On  the  following  morning  he 
departed  for  his  residence  in  Tennessee,  being  escorted,  for  some 
distance  out  of  the  city,  by  a  number  of  gentlemen  on  horseback. 

The  following  companies  and  societies  received  this  year  acts 
of  incorporation  :  The  Academy  of  Sciences,  Eobert  Gilmor,  presi- 
dent; The  Maryland  Institute  of  Arts,  W.  Stewart,  president; 
The  Pennsylvania,  Delaware  and  Maryland  Steam  Navigation 
Company  ;  The  Fireman's  Insurance  Company ;  The  Lafayette 
Beneficial  Society;  The  Patapsco  Fire  Engine  Company;  The 
jEtna  Company  for  the  manufacture  of  iron,  and  the  Seamen's 
Union  Bethel  Society. 

Some  of  the  uniformed  volunteer  militia  of  the  city,  consisting 
of  a  regiment  of  infantry,  riflemen,  cavalry  and  artillery  each,  are 
formed  into  a  brigade  by  law,  and  Col.  George  H.  Steuart  is  ap- 
pointed their  General. 

Robert  Goodloe  Harper  was  born  near  Fredericksburg,  Vir- 
ginia, in  1765.  In  1785  he  graduated  at  Princeton.  After  leaving 
college  he  proceeded  to  Philadelphia,  and  from  thence  sailed  for 
Charleston,  South  Carolina,  where  he  in  a  short  time  was  elected 
to  the  Legislature.  In  1794  he  was  elected  to  the  National  House 
of  Representatives,  serving  with  distinction  until  1801.  In  1801 
he  retired  from  Congress.  He  married  Catharine,  daughter  of 
Charles  Carroll,  of  Carrollton,  and  removed  to  Baltimore.  He  was 
employed  as  counsel  for  Judge  Samuel  Chase  in  his  famous  trial  of 
impeachment,  in  connection  with  J.  Hopkinson  and  Luther  Mar- 
tin. He  also  defended  Aaron  Burr.  He  participated  in  the  de- 
fence of  Baltimore  against  the  attack  of  the  British  in  1814,  and 
during  the  war  attained  the  rank  of  Major-General.  In  1815  he 
was  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate,  and  took  an  able  and 
active  part  in  the  debates.  In  1819-20  he  visited  Europe  with  his 
family.  His  own  reputation  and  the  celebrity  of  his  father-in-law 
gave  him  ready  access  to  the  most  illustrious  society  of  the  con- 
tinent. He  returned  to  Baltimore,  resuming  the  practice  of  his 
profession,  and  taking  a  very  active  interest  in  the  Maryland  Colo- 
nization Society.  He  died  very  suddenly  on  the  14th  of  January, 
1825.  He  had  only  the  day  before  argued  a  case  in  court  for  three 
hours  with  his  usual  ability,  and  gave  no  sign  of  the  slightest  in- 
disposition up  to  the  very  moment  of  his  death.  He  attended  a  large 
party  the  evening  before  his  decease,  and  appeared  in  most  lively 
spirits.  The  succeeding  morning,  after  breakfast,  while  standing 
before  the  fire  and  reading  a  newspaper,  he  fell  and  instantly  ex- 
pired. General  Harper's  mind  was  of  singular  clearness,  and  his 
power  of  statement  was  considered  almost  unequalled.  His  private 
virtues  endeared  him  to  a  wide  circle  of  friends,  and  his  public 
Bcrvices  rendered  him  an  honor  to  the  State  and  to  the  nation. 

Died  suddenly,  on  the  23d  day  of  June,  in  the  67th  year  of  his 
age,  Gen.  John  Strieker,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  and  comman- 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE  419 

der  of  the  third  brigade  at  the  battle  of  North  Point  on  the  12th 
of  September,  1814,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  president  of  the 
Bank  of  Baltimore.  He  was  one  of  the  most  amiable  and  best  of 
men.     His  remains  were  interred  with  military  honors. 

Mrs.  Ellen  Moale  died  in  this  city  in  March.  She  was  the  first 
white  child  born  within  the  city  of  Baltimore,  which  at  the  period 
of  her  death  contained  70,000  souls. 

December  14th  being  the  day  appointed  for  the  meeting  of  the 
delegates  from  the  several  counties  of  Maiyland,  to  deliberate 
upon  measures  best  calculated  to  promote  the  internal  improve- 
ment of  the  State,  at  eleven  o'clock  the  delegates  appointed 
by  the  several  counties  hereinafter  mentioned,  assembled  in  the 
chamber  of  the  first  branch  of  the  City  Council  of  Baltimore,  ap 
propriated  for  their  accommodation  by  the  Mayor  of  the  city.  The 
meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  Honorable  John  R.  Plater  of  St. 
Marj-'s  county,  when  on  motion  of  Governor  Sprigg,  of  Prince 
George's  county,  the  venerable  Charles  Carroll  of  CarroUton  was 
unanimously  appointed  to  preside  over  the  deliberations  of  the 
convention.  On  motion  of  Daniel  Jenifer,  Esq.,  of  Charles  county, 
John  S.  Skinner,  Esq.,  of  the  city  of  Baltimore,  was  appointed 
secretary,  and  Thomas  Phenix,  of  said  city,  assistant  secretary. 
The  roll  being  called,  the  following  gentlemen  answered  to  their 
names,  viz:  from  Frederick  County,  John  McPherson,  William 
Tyler,  Grafton  Duvall,  Richard  Potts,  John  Nelson,  John  Thomas, 
John  Lee.  Alleghany  County,  John  McMahon,  John  McHenry, 
John  Hoye,  John  Tepleman,  Andrew  Bruce,  Robert  Swan.  Wash- 
ington County,  William  Gabby,  Thomas  Buchanan,  Wm.  Fitzhugh, 
John  Blackford,  William  Price,  Thos.  C.  Brent,  Franklin  Anderson. 
Anne  Arundel  County,  Thomas  Snowden,  Daniel  Murray,  Charles 
Carroll  of  CarroUton,  Geo.  Howard  of  Waverly.  Harford  County, 
Israel  D.  Maulsby,  John  Forward,  George  M.  Gill,  Alexander 
Norris,  Charles  S.  Sewell.  Baltimore  County,  Tobias  E.  Stansbury, 
R.  T.  Spence,  Elias  Brown,  James  Howard,  John  Spear  Smith, 
George  Harrj-man,  Joseph  R.  Foard.  Baltimore  City,  John  E. 
Howard,  Thomas  Ellicott,  Isaac  McKim,  George  Hoffman,  William 
Lorman,  John  P.  Kennedy.  Annapolis  City,  Dennis  Claude,  James 
Murray,  J.  J.  Speed,  Thomas  H.  Carroll,  Jeremiah  Hughes.  Prince 
George's  County,  Sam'l Sprigg,  John  R.  Magruder, Robert  W.Bowie, 
John  C.  Herbert,  Wm.  T.  Wootten,  Wm.  Bowie  of  Walter,  Geo. 
Semmes.  Montgomery  County,  Geo.  C.  Washington,  Wm.  Darne, 
Richard  Holmes,  Archibald  Lee.  St.  Mary's  County,  John  R. 
Plater,  Peter  Gough,  Gerard  N.  Cassin,  Joseph  Stone,  Enoch  J. 
Millard,  H.  G.  S.  Key.  Charles  County,  Nicholas  Stonestreet, 
Daniel  Jenifer,  William  D.  Merrick,  Gwinn  Harris,  Henry  Brawner, 
John  Fergusson.  The  deliberations  of  the  convention  were  opened 
by  Mr.  Potts  of  Frederick  county,  who  after  a  few  preliminary 
remarks  submitted  a  set  of  resolutions,  which  were  concurred  in. 
The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  subject  of  internal  im- 


420  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOBE, 

provement,  and  the  consideration  of  the  ways  and  means  in  their 
judgment  best  calculated  to  effect  the  great  and  common  object 
of  the  people  of  Maryland,  submitted  a  report  that  the  practicability 
ofa  canal  from  Baltimore  to  intersect  and  unite  with  the  Chesa- 
peake and  Ohio  canal,  thence  to  Pittsburg,  and  thence  to  Lake 
Erie,  no  longer  admitted  of  a  doubt,  but  should  be  carried  out. 
)i)uring  the  year  a  line  of  packets  was  established  between 
l^  7^    Baltimore  and  Charleston,  Savannah,  and  ^ew  Orleans.^/ 

Messrs.  D.  Barnum,  W.  Shipley,  and  J.  Philips,  Jr.,  commenced 
to  erect  the  present  "Barnum's  City  Hotel,"  at  the  corner  of 
Fayette  and  Calvert  streets. 

1826.  At  the  election  for  City  Councilmen  •  in  October,  two 
gentlemen  of  the  Jewish  persuasion  were  chosen  by  the  suffrages 
of  a  large  part  of  the  citizens  of  their  several  wards  —  Messrs.  S. 
Etting  and  J.  I.  Cohen.  They  were  the  first  Jews  ever  elected  by 
the  people  in  Maryland,  being  until  lately  denied  the  rights  of  citi- 
zens by  the  Constitution  of  the  State.  Mr.  Etting  was  afterwards 
elected  President  of  the  First  Branch  of  the  City  Council. 

The  first  exhibition  of  the  Maryland  Institute  was  held  on 
Tuesday,  November  the  7th,  at  a  hall  in  South  Charles  street. 

On  the  12th  of  May  Mr.  Beacham  launched  from  his  ship-yard 
a  beautiful  sixty-four  gun  ship  for  the  Brazilian  Government. 

Soon  after  sunrise  on  the  20th  of  July,  the  tolling  of  the  bells 
of  the  city  announced  the  commencement  of  the  ceremonies 
which  a  grateful  people  were  about  to  offer  as  a  testimony  of  their 
profound  grief  for  the  death  of  the  illustrious  fathers  of  the  Eevo- 
lution,  Adams  and  Jefferson,  who  died  at  their  respective  homes 
on  the  fourth,  at  very  advanced  ages.  The  flags  of  the  shipping 
and  public  places  —  the  closed  doors  of  all  the  mercantile  estab- 
lishments—  the  dark  shrouding  of  the  chaste  and  beautiful  Battle 
Monument,  from  the  beaks  of  whose  eagles  hung  in  sweeping  folds 
large  pieces  of  mourning  drapery,  conspired  to  raise  the  deepest 
emotions  of  sorrow  for  the  afflictive  national  bereavement ;  and  the 
subsequent  solemn  and  impressive  spectacle  promoted  those  feel- 
ings of  grief  and  respect  which  are  the  surest  pledges  of  attach- 
ment ofiered  by  the  living  to  the  memory  of  the  dead.  A  proces- 
sion was  formed,  first  of  a  troop  of  horse,  and  immediately  behind 
it  followed  a  long  line  of  carriages  containing  the  clergy  of  the  dif- 
ferent denominations.  Then,  drawn  by  six  noble  black  horses,  with 
plumed  heads  and  housings  of  black  cloth,  came  the  funeral  car, 
bearing  upon  it  two  large  flat  coffins  shrouded  in  black,  &c.  After 
the  car,  as  chief  mourners,  came  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  accom- 
panied by  Col.  John  E.  Howard  and  Gen.  Samuel  Smith.  After 
these  came  the  State  authorities ;  then  came  old  grey-headed  men, 
who  could  tell  of '76  asof  yesterday ;  then  the  officers  of  the  differ- 
ent courts  and  municipal  authorities ;  then  society  after  society ; 
then  long  lines  of  youths  and  children ;  then  seamen,  with  their 
flags  enveloped  in  crape ;  then  came  the  crowd  of  citizens  of  all 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE.  421 

ages  and  conditions,  filling  the  street  from  side  to  side,  children 
leading  their  parents,  parents  leading  their  children ;  then,  closing 
the  procession,  on  came  the  deep  ranks  of  soldiers.  At  last  the 
head  of  the  column  reached  Howard's  Park,  and  turning  into  the 
Belvedere  gate,  wound  through  the  woods  until,  after  passing  the 
crown  of  the  hill,  it  descended  into  the  natural  amphitheatre  be- 
low. In  the  centre  of  this,  surrounded  by  twenty  thousand  people 
who  looked  down  upon  it,  was  the  platform  for  the  ceremonies ; 
this  crowd,  collected  under  the  broad  shadow  of  the  oaks,  all  look- 
ing to  one  object,  all  listening  to  one  theme  —  the  eulogy  of  Adams 
and  Jefferson.  At  the  sound  of  the  trumpet  the  opening  prayer 
was  delivered  by  Bishop  Soule ;  then  followed  the  oration  of  Gen. 
Smith,  and  the  ceremonies  were  concluded  with  a  prayer  by  Mr. 
Duncan. 

Col.  Jacob  Small  is  elected  Mayor. 

Died  at  his  residence  near  Baltimore,  on  the  26th  of  September, 
Captain  Eobert  Trail  Spence,  of  the  United  States  Navy.  He  had 
just  been  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  West  India  squadron. 
Ho  was  a  polished  gentleman  and  a  gallant  sailor.  And  in  this 
city,  from  a  fall  in  a  warehouse,  Col.  Paul  Bentalou. 

By  the  official  report  this  year  of  the  managers  of  the  Maryland  V^ 
Penitentiary,  it  appears  that  there  were  340  persons  confined  in 
this  institution.  The  nett  capital  of  the  institution  was  $203,840.18. 
The  profit  for  the  year  was  $12,347.12.  From  this  latter  sum, 
however,  is  to  be  deducted  $8,000  paid  annually  by  the  State 
towards  the  salaries  of  the  keepers,  &c.,  which  leaves  a  clear  gain 
of  nearly  $4,500  for  the  year. 

Luther  Martin,  a  very  distinguished  lawyer  who  graced  the 
bar  of  Maryland,  was  born  in  New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey,  in 
3744.  In  1762  he  graduated  at  Princeton  Collesce  with  the  hii^hest 
honors.  In  1771  or  1772  he  was,  through  the  aid  of  the  distin- 
guished George  Wythe  and  John  Kandolph,  admitted  to  the  Vir- 
ginia bar.  He  sojourned  for  a  session  at  Williamsburg,  and  then 
took  up  his  residence  in  Somerset,  Maryland,  and  established 
rapidly  a  very  lucrative  practice.  He  continued  to  attract  the 
public  as  an  able  and  brilliant  lawyer,  and  in  1774  he  was  ap- 
pointed one  of  the  convention  which  .assembled  at  Annapolis  to 
resist  the  pretensions  of  the  mother  country.  In  February,  1778, 
through  the  influence  of  Judge  Samuel  Chase,  Martin  was  ap- 
l^ointed  Attorney-General  of  the  State  of  Maryland.  In  1794  his 
friend  Judge  Chase,  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States, 
having  been  impeached  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  on  charges 
contained  in  eight  articles,  for  malfeasance  in  office,  Martin  de- 
fended him  in  connection  with  Robt.  Goodloe  Harper  and  J.  Hop- 
kinson.  His  argument  on  that  occasion  was  one  of  the  most  powerful 
ever  heard  in  an  American  court-room,  and  is  still  referred  to  with 
wonder.  Judge  Chase  was  acquitted.  It  was  the  fortune  of 
Martin  to  be  engaged  in  another  cause  of  wider  celebrity,  and  also 


422  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

again  with  Mr.  Harper,  in  the  trial  of  Aaron  Burr  for  high  trea- 
son. In  1807  Burr  was  brought  to  trial  before  the  Circuit  Court 
of  the  United  States  at  Eichmond,  Ya.,  for  ^reasonable  designs, 
"  in  preparing  the  means  of  a  military  expedition  against  Mexico, 
a  territory  of  the  King  of  Spain,  with  whom  the  United  States 
were  at  peace."  During  this  memorable  trial  Martin  exerted  all 
his  genius  in  defending  Burr,  who,  as  is  well  known,  was  acquitted. 
In  1814  Mr.  Martin  was  appointed  Chief  Justice  of  the  Court  of 
Oyer  and  Terminer  for  Baltimore  city  and  county,  and  held  the 
office  until  he  resigned.  In  1S18  he  was  again  appointed  Attorney- 
General  of  the  State  of  Maryland  and  District  Attorney  for  the 
city  of  Baltimore ;  but  by  this  time  the  advances  of  age  and  disease 
had  impaired  his  vigor  and  his  intellect,  so  that  he  was  unable  to  at- 
tend personally  to  his  duties.  His  powers  at  length  were  shattered 
by  a  stroke  of  paralysis,  and  owing  to  his  pecuniary  embarrassments 
he  removed  to  New  York,  accepting  the  friendly  hospitality  of 
Aaron  Burr,  who  repaid  the  services  which  Martin  had  rendered 
him  in  former  years,  until  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  the  cele- 
brated lawyer  died,  on  the  10th  of  July,  1826.  It  is  to  be  regretted 
ihut  one  so  gifted  should  have  been  afflicted  with  habits  of  ex- 
travagance and  intemperance,  which,  while  offering  warnings  to 
others,  rendered  his  own  life  often  unhappy,  and  in  his  old  age 
clouded  his  noble  intellect  and  reduced  him  to  extreme  penury. 

1827.  Upon  the  principles  contemplated  by  the  will  of  the  late 
John  Oliver,  Esq.,  a  lot  is  procured  on  North  street  by  the  Hiber- 
nia  Society,  and  a  spacious  school  house  erected,  finished  and  occu- 
pied accordingly. 

Dr.  Nathaniel  R.  Smith  is  appointed  to  the  chair  of  Surgery  in 
the  Medical  Universit3\ 

Mr.  William  Patterson  offered  to  the  corporation,  by  letter  dated 
the  24th  of  January,  two  squares  of  ground  on  Hampstead  Hill, 
with  additions  since  made  by  purchase,  which  is  now  known  as 
"  Patterson  Park,"  for  the  use  of  the  citizens  as  a  public  walk.  On 
the  1st  of  March  it  was  resolved  to  accept  the  same,  and  Jacob 
Small,  Mayor,  and  Solomon  Etting,  President  of  the  First  Branch 
City  Council,  and  Philip  Moore,  President  of  the  Second  Branch 
City  Council,  tender  the  thanks  of  the  citizens  through  tte  corpo- 
ration for  his  generous  and  liberal  gift. 

James  Kemp,  Bishop  of  the  P.  E.  Church,  died  on  the  16th  of  Oc- 
tober, aged  62  years.  He  was  much  regretted  by  his  pastoral  flock, 
and  highly  respected  by  all  who  knew  him  for  his  private  charities,  &c. 

The  City  Council,  on  the  9th  of  January,  unanimously  passed  a 
bill  adopting  the  law  of  the  Legislature  relative  to  the  establish- 
ment of  public  schools. 

On  Sunday  morning,  March  18th,  a  fire  broke  out  in  the  ware- 
house of  Mr.  Webb  in  Howard  street,  which,  with  the  warehouse 
adjoining,  and  the  chief  part  of  their  contents,  were  destroyed. 
John  Kankard  and  Frederick  Knij)  were  instantly  killed  by  the 
falling  of  the  gable  end  wall  of  one  of  the  warehouses. 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE.  423 

On  Tuesday,  March  20th,  subscription  books  were  opened  for 
stock  to  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  and  were  closed  on  the 
Slst.  There  were  taken  forty-one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
eighty-one  shares,  inclusive  of  the  five  thousand  allotted  to,  and 
taken  by,  the  corporation  of  Baltimore.  The  amount  of  money, 
therefore,  subscribed  by  this  city  alone  was  four  millions  one 
hundred  and  seventy-eight  thousand  dollars,  divided  among  twenty- 
two  thousand  names. 

On  the  16th  of  May,  the  ladies  of  the  city  get  up  a  fair  in  hand- 
some stj'le  at  the  Masonic  Hall,  St.  Paul  street,  for  the  relief  of  the 
suffering  inhabitants  of  Greece,  realizing  over  61,600. 

The  Baltimore  Light  Infantry  Company,  under  the  command 
of  Captain  John  H.  B.  Latrobe,  left  the  city  on  the  29th  of  April 
on  a  visit  to  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  at  which  place  they  received 
a  warm  and  cordial  w^elcorae.  This  company  was  the  right-flank 
or  first  company  of  the  5th  regiment,  which  took  so  distinguished 
a  part  in  the  defence  of  Baltimore  during  the  attack  made  by  the 
British  troops  in  1814,  and  was  the  first  volunteer  company  of 
citizen  soldiery  who  visited  a  neighboring  city  on  a  friendly  visit 
from  this  city. 

John  Eager  Howard  w^as  born  on  the  4th  of  June,  1752,  in 
Baltimore  county,  in  this  State.  His  grandfather,  Joshua  Howard, 
an  Englishman  by  birth,  having  while  yet  very  young  left  his  father's 
house  in  the  vicinity  of  Manchester  to  join  the  army  of  the  Duke 
of  York,  subsequently  James  IL,  during  Monmouth's  insurrection, 
was  afterwards  afraid  to  encounter  his  parent's  displeasure,  and 
came  to  seek  his  fortune  in  America.  This  was  in  the  year  1685-86. 
He  obtained  a  grant  of  the  land  in  Baltimore  county  on  which 
Col.  Howard  was  born,  and  which  is  still  in  the  family,  and  married 
Miss  Joanna  O.  Carroll,  whose  father  had  lately  emigrated  from 
Ireland.  Cornelius,  one  of  his  sons  by  this  lad}^,  and  father  of  the 
subject  of  this  brief  sketch,  married  Miss  Ruth  Eager,  the  grand- 
daughter of  George  Eager,  whose  estate  adjoined  and  now  makes 
a  considerable  part  of  this  city.  The  Eagers  came  from  England, 
probably  soon  after  the  charter  to  Lord  Baltimore,  but  the  records 
afford  little  information  prior  to  1668,  when  the  estate  near  Balti- 
more was  purchased. 

John  Eager  Howard,  not  educated  for  any  pai'ticular  profession, 
was  determined  to  that  of  arms  by  the  circumstances  of  his  country. 
One  of  the  first  measures  of  defence  adopted  by  the  colonies  against 
the  mother  country  was  the  assemblage  of  bodies  of  the  militia, 
termed  flying  camps.  One  of  these  was  formed  in  Maryland  in  1776, 
and  Mr.  Howard  was  appointed  to  a  captaincy  in  the  regiment  of 
Colonel  J.  Carvil  Hall.  His  commission,  signed  by  Matthew  Tilgh- 
man,  the  President  of  the  Convention  of  Maryland,  is  dated  the 
25th  of  June,  1776,  a  few  days  after  he  had  completed  his  twenty- 
fourth  year.  This  corps  was  dismissed,  however,  in  December  of 
tne  same  your,  Congress  having  required  of  each  of  the  States  to 


424  C1IE01?ICLES    OF   BALTIMORE . 

furnish  a  certain  portion  of  regular  troops  as  a  more  effective 
system  of  defence.  On  the  organization  of  the  seven  regiments 
which  were  to  be  furnished  by  Maryland,  Captain  Howard,  who 
bad  been  retained  by  the  wish  of  the  commissioners  empowered  to 
appoint  officers  rather  than  his  own,  was  promoted  to  a  majority 
in  one  of  them,  the  Fourth,  under  his  former  commander  Colonel 
Hall.  His  commission  is  dated  the  10th  of  April,  1777.  On  the 
Ist  of  June,  1779,  he  was  appointed  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Fifth, 
and  in  the  following  spring  he  was  transferred  to  the  Sixth ;  and, 
finally,  after  the  battle  of  Hobkirk's  Hill,  he  succeeded  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  Second,  in  consequence  of  the  death  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Ford,  who  never  recovered  of  a  wound  received  in  that 
battle.  To  the  services  of  Colonel  Howard  during  these  years  and 
throughout  the  war,  we  have  before  referred.  "  He  deserves,"  said 
Greene,  "a  statue  of  gold  no  less  than  Eoman  and  Grecian  heroes." 
"At  the  battle  of  Cowpens,"  says  Lee,  "he  seized  the  critical 
moment,  and  turned  the  fortune  of  the  day.  He  was  alike  con- 
spicuous, though  not  alike  successful,  at  Guilford  and  the  Eutaws ; 
and  at  all  times  and  on  all  occasions  eminently  useful."  Colonel 
Howard  continued  in  his  command  till  the  army  was  disbanded, 
when -he  retired  to  his  patrimonial  estate  near  this  city.  He  soon 
after  married  Margaret  Chew,  the  daughter  of  Benjamin  Chew,  of 
Philadelphia ;  a  lady  whose  courteous  manners  and  elegant  hospi- 
tality "will  long  be  remembered.  In  November,  1788.  Col.  Howard 
was  chosen  the  Governor  of  Maryland,  which  post  he  filled  for 
three  years ;  and  having  in  the  autumn  of  1796  been  elected  to  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the 
resignation  of  Mr.  Potts,  he  was  the  same  session  chosen  for  the 
full  term  of  service,  which  expired  on  the  4th  of  March,  1808.  He 
was  commissioned  a  major-general  of  militia  in  1794,  but  declined 
the  honor.  Washington  invited  him  to  a  seat  in  his  cabinet  at 
the  head  of  the  War  Department  in  1795.  That  honor  he  also 
declined.  He  lost  his  wife  in  1824 ;  and  on  the  12th  of  October, 
1827,  he  too  left  the  scenes  of  this  earth,  at  the  age  of  75  years. 
Honor,  wealth,  and  the  ardent  love  of  friends  were  his  lot  in  life, 
and  few  men  ever  went  down  to  the  grave  more  truly  lamented 
than  John  Eager  Howard.  His  remains  were  committed  to  the 
tomb,  attended  by  an  immense  civil  and  military  procession  ;  and 
the  general  gloom  that  pervaded  the  city  testified  the  great  respect 
and  esteem  for  his  worth  and  services.  Hon.  John  Quincy  Adams, 
the  President  of  the  United  States,  being  in  the  city,  attended  the 
funeral. 

On  the  14th  of  October  President  John  Quincy  Adams  arrived 
in  Baltimore  on  his  return  to  the  seat  of  government,  and  was  in- 
duced to  prolong  his  visit  until  Wednesday  the  17th.  On  Tuesday 
morning,  accompanied  by  a  large  party  of  citizens,  the  President 
visited  the  the  battle-ground  at  North  Point,  and  in  the  afternoon, 
from  2  o'clock  until  4,  received  the  visits  of  the  citizens;  among 


CHRONICLES    OF    BALTIMORE.  425 

other  visitors  were  the  consuls  of  different  nations,  and  the  Eev. 
Mr.  Eccleston,  vice-president  of  St.  Marv's  Collei^e,  attended  bjr  up- 
wards of  one  hundred  students  from  that  institution.  At  four 
o'clock  he  dined  with  the  Cincinnati  of  Maryland,  and  the  officers 
and  soldiers  wounded  in  the  battle  of  North  Point.  The  entertain- 
ment w^as  handsome  and  creditable  to  Mr.  Barnum.  From  seven 
to  nine  o'clock  he  received  the  visits  of  his  fellow-citizens,  of  whom 
he  took  leave  in  a  brief  and  cordial  address. 

The  profits  of  the  Maryland   Penitentiary  for  the  3'ear  1825  X/' 
amounted  to  $12,347.21 ;  1826,  $12,843.28 ;  and  of  this  year,  nearly 
$20,000. 

The  corps  of  engineers  detached  by  the  General  Government 
to  survey  the  route  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad  left  Balti- 
more on  the  20th  of  November. 

1828.  Mr.  Evan  Poultney  opens  a  banking  house  in  Baltimore 
street  in  June,  being  the  first  institution  of  this  kind  opened  in 
the  city. 

Messrs.  Luke  Tiernan,  E.  H.  Osgood,  Joshua  Mezick,  and  others, 
form  a  company,  and  obtain  a  charter  to  make  a  screw  dock  for 
repairing  ships'  bottoms,  the  same  being  erected  at  Mr.  Eamsay's 
wharf,  Thames  street,  Fell's  Point. 

Messrs.  Gideon  Lee,  Peter  Cooper,  Francis  Price,  Ely  Moore, 
James  Eamsay,  and  others  of  New  York,  and  Messrs.  W.  Patter- 
son, Columbus  O'Donnel,  Ebenezer  Z.  Finley,  W.  Gwjmn,  and 
others,  of  Baltimore,  purchase  the  lands  east  and  west  of  Harris's 
Creek,  with  the  water  rights  on  the  north  side  of  the  north  branch 
of  the  Patapsco,  from  the  neighborhood  of  the  Point  to  the  Laza- 
retto, and  obtain  charter  rights  by  the  name  of  the  Canton  Com- 
pany, of  which  Mr.  Gwynn  is  chosen  president. 

On  the  opening  of  subscriptions  in  March  for  the  Baltimore  and 
Susquehanna  Eailroad,  much  more  than  the  requisite  number  of 
shares  were  taken  in  the  city,  besides  a  few  shares  at  York,  although 
the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania  had  refused  to  aid  or  countenance 
the  undertaking  by  a  continuance  of  the  contemplated  road  within 
that  State. 

The  circular  brick  tower  erected  by  the  Phoenix  Company  for 
making  shot,  at  the  corner  of  Front  and  Fayette  stret^t,  reacWd 
the  intended  elevation,  being  two  hundred  and  thirtj-fbur  feet 
three  inches  high  from  the  pavement.  Its  diameter  at  the  bottom 
is  forty  feet,  and  at  the  top  twenty.  The  stone  foundation  wall  is 
ten  feet  thick  at  the  bottom,  and  six  at  the  top.  The  brick  work, 
which  commences  at  the  surface,  is  four  feet  and  a  half  thick,  of 
which  thickness  it  continues  for  the  height  of  nearly  fifty  feet ; 
when  it  diminishes  four  inches  in  every  story,  being  twenty  inches 
thick  at  the  top  of  the  parapet,  three  feet  in  height,  which  crowns 
the  summit.  This  huge  structure,  which  is  an  excellent  piece  of 
brick-work,  was  commenced  on  the  second  of  June,  1828,  and  fin- 
ished on  the  25th  of  November  same  year,  and  was  built  without 
scaffolding. 


-h 


!ot^-^KVa^>R^     %L/-A-A^^^^e'v-^    Nv.^urvAAA.^-^ 


426  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

The  celebration  of  the  Fourth  of  July,  and  the  ceremonies  at- 
tending the  commencement  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  raih-oad, 
brought  to  town  a  great  concourse  of  strangers  a  day  or  two  before 
the  celebration.  On  the  afternoon  and  evening  immediately  pre- 
ceding, all  the  roads  to  town  were  thronged  with  passengers,  while 
in  the  cit}^  itself,  the  lively  and  incessant  crowds  in  Baltimore 
street;  the  movements  of  various  cars,  banners,  and  other  decora- 
tions of  trades,  to  their  several  points  of  destination ;  the  erection 
of  scaffolds,  and  the  removal  of  window  sashes,  gave  many  "  notes 
of  preparation  "  for  the  ensuing  fete.  Fortunately,  the  morning  of 
the  fourth  rose  not  only  bright  but  cool,  to  the  great  comfort  of 
the  immense  throng  of  spectators  that,  from  a  very  early  hour, 
filled  every  window  in  Baltimore  street,  and  the  pavement  below, 
from  beyond  Bond  street  on  the  east,  far  west  on  Baltimore  street 
extended,  a  distance  of  about  two  miles.  What  the  numbers  were 
we  have  no  means  of  ascertaining;  fifty  to  seventy  thousand  spec- 
tators must  have  been  present,  among  the  whole  of  whom  was 
witnessed  a  quietness  and  good  order  seldom  seen  in  so  immense  a 
multitude.  The  procession  left  Bond  street  a  little  before  eight 
o'clock,  and  moved  up  Baltimore  street  in  the  order  previously  ar- 
ranged and  published.  The  good  ship  the  "  Union,"  completely 
rigged  on  Fell's  Point,  was  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  line,  and  as 
the  various  bands  of  music,  trades,  and  other  bodies  in  th-^  proces- 
sion passed  before  it,  it  was  evident  from  their  greetings  that  they 
regarded  this  combined  symbol  of  our  confederacy  and  navy  with 
especial  approbation. 

About  ten  oclock  the  procession  reached  the  spot  on  which  the 
foundation  stone  of  the  railroad  was  to  be  placed,  a  field  two  miles 
and  a  quarter  from  town,  south  of  the  Frederick  turnpike  road, 
and  near  Carroll's  upper  mills  on  Grwynn's  falls.  Through  the 
middle  of  this  field  runs,  from  north  to  south,  a  ridge  of  an  eleva- 
tion of  perhaps  thirty  feet,  in  the  centre  and  on  the  summit  of 
which  was  erected  a  pavilion  for  the  reception  of  Charles  Carroll 
of  Carrollton,  the  president  and  directors  of  the  railroad  company, 
the  engineers,  the  mayor  and  city  council,  and  the  orator  of  the 
day.  Among  the  guests  of  the  pavilion  were  also  the  Speaker  of 
the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States,  Governor  Coles 
of  Indiana,  the  members  of  Congress  and  the  Legislature,  the  Cin- 
cinnati and  the  Revolutionary  soldiers,  Col.  Grenier  and  Gen.  De- 
vereux.  On  either  side  of  the  pavilion  and  along  the  line  of  the 
ridge  was  ranged  the  cavalry.  In  front  of  it  towards  the  east,  and 
on  the  brow  of  the  ridge,  was  the  excavation  for  the  reception 
of  the  foundation  stone,  beneath  which,  and  parallel  with  the  ridge, 
lay  a  long  and  level  plain  in  which  the  procession  formed  on  its 
arrival,  facing  towards  the  pavilion.  The  cars  were  drawn  up  in  a 
l>ody  on  the  left  and  inclining  towards  the.  rear  of  the  pavilion. 
The  Masonic  bodies  formed  a  large  and  hollow  square  round  the 
iirat  btone. 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  427 

The  ceremonies  were  commenced  with  prayer  by  the  Eev.  Dr. 
"Wyatt,  Masonic  Grand  Chaplain,  the  vast  audience  uncovering 
their  heads,  when  Mr.  Heath,  after  an  eloquent  preface,  read  the 
Declaration  of  Independence.  The  Carrollton  March,  composed 
by  Mr.  Clifton,  was  then  performed.  Mr.  John  B.  Morris  de- 
livered an  eloquent  address  from  the  president  and  directors  of  the 
Company.  Upon  the  conclusion  of  the  address,  two  boys  dressed 
as  Mercuries  advanced  to  the  canopy,  and  prayed  that  the  prin- 
ters might  be  furnished  with  a  copy  of  the  remarks  and  address  just 
delivered,  that  they  might  be  printed  and  distributed  to  the  people. 
A  deputation  from  the  blacksmiths'  association  next  advanced  and 
presented  Mr.  Carroll  the  pick,  spade,  stone-hammer  and  trowel, 
prepared  by  them  for  the  occasion,  and  made  an  address.  The 
deputation  from  the  stonecutters  now  came  forward,  and  the  car 
containing  the  foundation  stone  was  driven  to  the  spot.  While 
the  stone  was  preparing,  Mr.  Carroll,  accompanied  b}^  the  grand 
marshal  of  the  day  and  Mr.  John  B.  Morris,  and  bearing  in  his 
band  the  spade  just  presented,  descended  from  the  pavilion  and  ad- 
vanced to  the  spot  selected  for  the  reception  of  the  foundation 
stone,  in  order  to  strike  the  spade  into  the  ground.  He  walked 
with  a  firm  step  and  used  the  instrument  with  a  steady  hand, 
verifying  the  prediction  of  a  song  published  on  the  morning  of  the 
fourth :  — 

"  The  hand  that  held  the  pen 
Never  falters,  but  again 
Is  employed  with  the  spade,  to  assist  his  fellow-men." 

The  stone  was  then  dexterously  removed  from  the  wagon  in 
which  it  had  been  conveyed  to  the  ground,  and  placed  in  its  bed. 
The  Grand  Master,  attended  by  the  P.  G.  Chaplain  of  Maryland, 
and  by  the  Grand  Master  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  then 
applied  his  instruments  to  the  stone,  and  after  handing  them  for 
the  same  purpose  to  the  other  Grand  Masters,  and  receiving  their 
favorable  report,  pronounced  it  to  be  "  well  formed,  true  and 
trusty."  The  Grand  Chaplain  invoked  the  benediction  of  heaven 
upon  the  success  of  the  enterprise,  the  prosperity  of  the  city,  and 
the  future  life  of  the  venerable  man  who  had  assisted  in  laying  the 
stone.  The  ceremony  was  concluded  in  the  usual  manner,  by 
pouring  wine  and  oil  and  scattering  corn  upon  the  stone,  with  a 
corresponding  invocation  and  response,  followed  by  the  grand  Ma- 
sonic honors. 

The  following  inscription  was  on  the  stone: — "  This  stone,  pre- 
sented by  the  stone-cutters  of  Baltimore  in  commemoration  of  the 
commencement  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad,  was  here  placed 
on  the  4th  of  July,  1828,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  assisted 
by  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  the  last  surviving  signer  of  the 
Declaration  of  American  Independence,  and  under  the  direction  of 
the  president  and  directors  of  the  Kailroad  Company."     On  each 


428  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

side  of  the  stone  was  this  inscription  : — "  First  stone  of  the  Balti- 
more &  O.  E.  E."  In  a  cavity  of  the  stone  was  deposited  a  glass 
C3iinder  hermetically  sealed,  containing  a  copy  of  the  charter  (the 
first  railroad  charter  obtained  in  the  United  States)  of  the  company 
as  granted  and  confirmed  by  the  States  of  Maryland,  Virginia, 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  newspapers  of  the  day,  together  with  a 
scroll  containing  these  words : 

"This  stone  is  deposited  in  commemoration  of  the  commence- 
ment of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad,  a  work  of  deep  and  vital 
interest  to  the  American  people.  Its  accomplishment  will  confer 
the  most  important  benefits  upon  this  nation,  by  facilitating  its 
commerce,  diff'using  and  extending  its  social  intercourse,  and  per- 
petuating the  happy  union  of  the  confederated  States.  The  first 
meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Baltimore  to  confer  upon  the  adoption 
of  proper  measures  for  undertaking  this  magnificent  work,  was  on 
the  2d  day  of  February,  1827.  An  Act  of  incorporation  by  the 
State  of  Maryland  was  granted  February  28th,  1827,  and  was  con- 
firmed by  the  State  of  Virginia  March  8th,  1827.  Stock  was  sub- 
scribed to  provide  funds  for  its  execution,  April  1st,  1827.  The 
first  board  of  directors  was  elected  April  23d,  1827.  The  company 
was  organized  April  24th,  1827.  An  examination  of  the  country 
was  commenced  under  the  direction  of  Lieut.-Col.  Stephen  H.  Long, 
and  Capt.  William  G.  McNeill,  TJ.  S.  topographical  engineers,  and 
William  Howard,  U.  S.  civil  engineer,  assisted  by  Lieuts.  Barney, 
Trimble,  and  Dillehunt,  of  the  XJ.  S.  artillery,  and  Mr.  Harrison, 
July  2d,  1827.  The  actual  surveys  to  determine  the  route  were 
begun  by  the  same  officers,  with  the  additional  assistance  of  Lieuts. 
Cook,  Gwynn,  Hazzard,  Fessenden,  and  Thompson,  and  Mr.  Gruion, 
Nov.  20th,  1827.  The  charter  of  the  company  was  confirmed  by 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  February  22d,  1828.  The  State  of  Mary- 
land became  a  stockholder  in  the  company,  by  subscribing  for  half 
a  million  dollars  of  its  stock,  March  6th,  1828.  And  the  construc- 
tion of  the  road  was  commenced  July  4th,  1828,  under  the  manage- 
ment of  the  following  named  Board  of  Directors: — Philip  Evan 
Thomas,  president;  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  William  Patter- 
son, Eobert  Oliver,  Alexander  Brown,  Isaac  McKim,  William  Lor- 
man,  George  Hoffman,  John  B.  Morris,  Talbot  Jones,  William 
Stewart,  Solomon  Etting,  Patrick  Macauley ;  George  Brown, 
treasurer."  A  national  salute  was  then  fired  by  the  artillery 
stationed  on  a  neighboring  hill  to  the  north.  At  night  a  display 
of  fire-works  took  place  on  Federal  Hill. 

In  December,  Mr.  Eoss  Winans  (then  of  new  Jersey)  exhibited 
in  Baltimore  the  model  of  a  rail  wagon  running  upon  its  way, 
weighing,  as  is  stated,  about  125  lbs.  On  this  little  wagon  were 
deposited  5  cwt.,  or  ten  "fifty-sixes,"  on  these  two  men  were  many 
times  placed,  and  the  whole  was  drawn  by  a  piece  of  twine  or  pack- 
thread playing  over  a  pulley,  by  which  a  half  pound  weight  was 
suspended,  and  which  was  publicly  handled  by  many  gentlemen, 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  429 

among  whom  was  the  venerable  Carroll  of  Carrollton.  Thus,  this 
piece  of  pack-thread  and  half-pound  powder  several  hundred  times 
drew  across  a  large  room  the  car  weighing  125  lbs.,  10  fifty-sixes, 
560  lbs.,  and  two  persons  300  lbs.— total  985  lbs. 

On  the  4th  of  July  the  rival  enterprise  of  the  Chesapeake  and 
Ohio  Canal,  in  which  this  State  is  greatly  interested,  was  com- 
menced with  similar  ceremonies,  President  Adams  himself  first 
breaking  ground. 

Died  on  the  29th  of  January,  in  the  60th  year  of  his  age,  the 
Most  Rev.  Ambrose  Mareschal,  Archbishop  of  Baltimore.  He  was 
a  man  universally  esteemed  for  his  piety,  benevolence  and  learning ; 
tolerant  in  his  principles,  he  respected  the  religious  tenets  of 
others,  and  was  only  anxious  to  excel  in  doing  good. 

^n  addition  to  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  and  Baltimore  and  Sus- 
quehanna Eailroad  Companies,  two  lines  of  steamboats  wciv  es- 
tablished this  year,  one  to  Washington  and  Alexandria,  and  the 
other  between  this  city,  Norfolk,  Petersburg,  and  Eichmond,  Va. 

The  winter  of  1827-8  being  exceedingly  mild,  and  no  ice  being 
made  in  the  neighborhood,  many  full  cargoes  were  received  for 
sale  from  several  ports  in  Maine,  and  proved  profitable;  this  was 
the  first  introduction  of  Northern  ice  in  this  city. 

It  being  known  that  the  Hon.  Henry  Clay  would  arrive  in 
Baltimore  on  Monday,  May  the  12th,  the  steamboat  Patuxent, 
crowded  with  citizens,  proceeded  down  the  river  to  meet  the 
boat  United  States,  When  the  boats  approached  each  other,  and 
it  was  ascertained  that  Mr.  Clay  was  a  passengei',  nine  cheers  from 
the  Patuxent  gave  to  that  gentleman  the  first  intimation  of  the 
presence  of  so  many  of  his  friends.  The  Patuxent  now  changed 
her  course,  and  taking  the  lead  of  the  United  States,  afforded  the 
committee  and  citizens  an  opportunity  of  being  on  the  wharfs 
to  receive  Mr.  Cla}^  at  his  landing.  Mr.  Clay  landed  in  the  pres- 
ence of  a  dense  crowd,  and  was  immediately  conducted  to  Bar- 
num's  Hotel.  The  next  day,  from  11  o'clock  in  the  morning  until 
2,  and  from  7  until  9  in  the  evening,  he  received  the  visits  of  all 
w^ho  were  pleased  to  call  upon  him,  and  during  these  five  hours 
there  was  one  continued  throng  of  people  passing  through  the 
room  which  he  occupied.  Mr.  Clay  having  declined  a  public  din- 
ner, partook  of  one  in  company  with  the  committee  who  attended 
upon  him,  and  the  chairmen    of  committees  of  the  several  wards. 

Oil  Monday,  May  26th,  (General  Swift  and  George  Winchester 
left  Baltimore  to  make  a  reconnoissance  of  the  country  between 
this  city  and  the  Susquehanna,  preparatory  to  the  commencement 
of  a  survey  for  the  proposed  Baltimore  and  Susquehanna  Railroad. 
On  the  ibllowing  day  Wm.  F.  Small,  civil  engineer,  left  the  city  for 
the  same  purpose. 

Baltimore  was  visited  by  a  violent  storm  on  the  evening  of 
Wednesday,  June  4th.  The  peals  of  thunder  were  tremendous, 
and  for  several  hours  incessant  flashes  of  lightning  illuminated  the 


•    430  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

heavens,  while  the  rain  poured  down  in  torrents.  The  lightning 
struck  at  least  twenty  different  points,  but  did  not  cause  any  mate- 
rial injury.  Between  the  Severn  and  Patapsco  rivers  some  hail 
as  large  as  hen-eggs  were  picked  up ;  one  measured  five  and  a  half 
inches  in  circumference  some  considerable  time  after  it  was  found. 
In  Calvert  County  a  colored  man  exposed  to  the  hail  was  so  much 
hurt  as  to  occasion  his  death. 

A  numerous  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Baltimore  was  held  at 
the  assembly-room  of  the  Fountain  Inn,  November  26th,  in  pur- 
suance of  public  notice,  to  memorialize  Congress  to  abolish  auctions 
and  auctioneers.  Mr.  Philip  E.  Thomas  was  called  to  the  chair, 
and  John  T.  Barr  and  Evan  Poultney  were  appointed  secretaries. 
Mr.  George  Warner,  Hugh  W.  Evans,  John  T.  Barr,  Wm.  Norris, 
and  Daniel  Eaymond  were  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  a 
memorial  to  Congress,  which  was  done. 

For  several  years  previous  to  1826,  a  number  of  intelligent  and 
zealous  citizens  of  Baltimore  feeling  great  solicitude  for  the  educa- 
tion of  the  rising  generation,  determined  to  make  provision  for  es- 
tablishing a  system  of  public  instruction.  These  generous  men 
gave  all  their  energies  and  feelings  to  the  cause,  and  enlisted  in  its 
behalf  an  influence  that  procured  the  passage  of  a  law  by  the  Leg- 
islature of  the  State,  in  February  of  the  year  1826,  authorizing  the 
'^city  of  Baltimore  to  establish  a  system  of  public  schools.  In  1827 
the  City  Council  took  some  favorable  action  in  the  matter,  but  no 
schools  were  put  in  operation  until  the  year  1829,  when  four 
schools  were  opened,  one  male  and  one  female  in  the  eastern, 
and  the  same  number  in  the  western  part  of  the  city.     The  first 

^^  one  was  opened  on  the  24th  of  September.  These  schools  were 
opened  in  rented  houses  entirely  unfitted  for  the  purpose,  and  very 
slender  means  were  furnished  the  commissioners  for  their  support ; 
nevertheless  they  succeeded  to  the  satisfaction  of  their  friends. 

V-  In  the  years  1838  and  1839,  many  modifications  and  improvements 
were  made  in  the  school  system.  The  monitorial  method,  which 
had  heretofore  been  pursued  in  the  schools,  was  abolished,  and  as- 
sistant teachers  appointed ;  a  more  extensive  course  of  instruction 
was  adopted,  and  the  central  high  school  established.     In  the  years 

V^  from  1840  to  1843,  five  additional  schools  were  added  to  the  system. 
In  1844  a  building  was  purchased  for  the  use  of  the  central  high 
school;  two  female  high  schools  were  established,  one  in  the  east- 
ern and  one  in  the  western  part  of  the  city.  In  1847  female 
teachers  were  employed  in  the  male  schools  with  decided  success. 
Primary  schools  were  opened  in  1848,  and  the  public  schools  first 
established  were  elevated  to  the  grade  of  grammar  schools,  and 
suitable  studies  were  introduced  into  them.  During  the  years  1849 
and  1850,  nine  primary  schools  were  established,  and  additional 
accommodations  and  conveuiences  were  furnished  for  male  and 
female  grammar  schools  already  in  operation. 

1829.  William  Wirt,  Esq.,  late  Attorney-General  of  the  United 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE,  431 

States,  moves  to  and  settles  with  his  family  in   this  city  in  April, 
where  he  had  often  displayed  his  talents  at  the  bar  before. 

The  Baltimore  bar,  at  that  date,  exhibited  in  its  composition  a 
eomewhat  remarkable  aspect.  It  had  but  very  recently  been  dis- 
tinguished by  an  extraordinary  assemblage  of  the  highest  order  of 
talent:  men  who,  singly,  would  have  shed  lustre  upon  any  pro- 
fessional assemblage  in  the  country,  and  who,  united  on  this  theatre, 
composed  a  constellation  which  attracted  universal  notice.  Luther 
Martin,  William  Pinkney,  Robert  Goodloe  Harper,  Eoger  B.  Taney 
and  William  H.  Winder  were  all  names  of  commanding  eminence. 
William  Wirt  came  in  amongst  these  to  add  new  radiance  to  a 
galaxy  already  of  the  brightest.  For  a  season  they  were  all  con- 
temporaries ;  but  for  a  brief  season  only.  Nearly  all  these  lights 
went  out  together.  Of  the  six,  Mr.  Wirt  and  Mr.  Taney  were  all 
that  remained  within  the  year  of  Mr.  Wirt's  settlement  in  Balti- 
more. A  younger  generation  stood  between  them.  A  long  interval, 
we  may  say  without  depreciation  of  the  merits  of  the  successors, 
separated  the  present  from  the  past.  Meredith,  Johnson,  Glenn, 
McMahon,  Mayer,  and  others  kindred  in  character  and  ability, 
were  comparatively  young  men,  and  were  now  to  step  into  the 
places  of  their  file-leaders  who  had  fallen  in  the  battle  of  life.  That 
column  has  since  advanced  to  occupy  an  honorable  ground  in  the 
van  of  a  large  array  of  talent  and  worth.  Mr.  Wirt  and  Mr.  Taney 
stood  amongst  them  and  at  their  head,  instructors  to  guide,  models 
to  be  imitated,  gifted  with  all  qualities  to  stimulate  the  ambition 
of  generous  minds  striving  after  an  honorable  fame. 

On  the  8th  of  August,  1729,  an  Act  of  Assembly  was  passed, 
entitled  "  An  Act  for  creating  a  town  on  the  north  side  of  Patapsco, 
in  Baltimore  county,  and  for  laying  out  into  lots  60  acres  of  land, 
in  and  about  the  place  where  one  John  Fleming  now  lives."  And 
Saturday  being  the  centenary  anniversary  of  this  interesting  event, 
which  the  citizens  had  resolved  to  celebrate  with  proper  ceremo- 
nies, it  was  embraced  by  the  directors  of  the  Baltimore  &  Sus- 
quehanna railroad  company  as  a  proper  occasion  to  lay  the  corner- 
stone of  the  great  work,  thus  adding  another  to  the  many  facili- 
ties which  have  contributed  to  advance  Baltimore  from  the  brief 
period  of  her  existence,  with  a  population  of  43  inhabitants  and  a 
boundary  of  60  acres,  to  the  third  city  in  the  Union,  containing  at 
this  time  a  population  of  80,000,  and  an  area  of  9,300  acres. 

The  ceremonies  of  the  day  were  commenced  by  an  assemblage 
of  citizens  at  seven  o'clock  in  Monument  Square,  where  seats  in 
front  of  the  Court-House  had  been  provided  for  the  Revolutionary 
soldiers.  Governor  and  other  officers  of  the  State,  city,  navy,  army, 
and  foreigners  of  distinction,  sheltered  by  a  canopy  decorated  in 
the  most  tasteful  manner;  when,  after  an  appropriate  and  impres- 
sive prayer  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Snethen,  they  were  addressed  by  Geo. 
W.  Read,  Esq.,  the  orator  selected  for  the  occasion,  in  an  eloquent 
and  patriotic  speech,  in  which  he  took  a  rapid  and  interesting  view 


432  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

of  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  city.  At  the  conclusion  of  the 
oration,  a  procession  was  formed  at  the  Masonic  Hall,  under  the 
direction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  which  had  been  re- 
quested by  the  directors  of  the  railroad  company  to  lay  the  corner- 
stone, consisting  of  the  grand  and  subordinate  lodges,  the  grand 
R.  A.  Chapter,  the  Knights  Templar,  the  directors  and  engineers 
of  the  railroad,  and  several  youthful  associations.  The  procession 
moved  at  about  half  past  nine  o'clock,  and  passed  through  several 
of  the  principal  streets.  Having  arrived  at  the  site  selected  for 
laying  the  stone,  the  Governor,  etc.,  took  seats  on  an  elegant  plat- 
form erected  for  their  accommodation.  The  chaplain  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  the  Eev.  Dr.  Williams,  then  addressed  the  Throne  of  Grace 
and  begged  a  blessing  on  the  great  undertaking.  George  Winches- 
ter, the  president  of  the  company,  then  delivered  an  address  ex- 
planatory of  its  objects  and  views;  and  having  concluded.  Colonel 
Wm.  Steuart,  the  Deputy-Grand  Master,  in  the  presence  of  the 
Masonic  brethren  and  the  thousands  assembled  to  witness  it,  per- 
formed the  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone.  The  mallet  or 
gavel  employed  on  this  occasion  was  the  one  used  by  the  Father 
of  his  Country  in  laying  the  corner-stone  of  the  Capitol  at  Wash- 
ington. The  Eev.  Mr.  Eeynolds,  of  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  next  offered 
up  a  beautiful  and  impressive  prayer.  He  was  followed  by  the 
Grand  Marshal,  who  read  the  inscription  on  the  composition  plate. 
On  one  side  were  engraved  these  words :  "  In  commemoration  of 
the  commencement  of  the  Baltimore  and  Susquehanna  railroad, 
this  stone  was  placed,  on  the  8th  day  of  August,  A.  D.  1829,  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  under  the  direction  of  the  presi- 
dent and  directorsofthe  railroad  company,  being  the  first  hundredth 
anniversary  of  Baltimore,  which  was  laid  under  an  act  of  assem- 
bly of  the  province  of  Maryland,  passed  on  the  8th  day  of  August, 
A.  D.  1729."  On  the  other  side  was  inscribed  the  following:  "In 
the  54th  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States.  Andrew 
Jackson,  President  of  the  United  States;  Daniel  Martin,  Governor 
of  Maryland;  Jacob  Small,  Mayor  of  the  city  of  Baltimore;  Geo. 
Winchester,  Pi-esident  of  the  railroad  company.  Directors:  James 
L.  Hawkins,  Sheppard  C.  Leakin,  Justus  Hoppe,  James  B.  Stans- 
bury,  Eobert  Purviance,  John  Kelso,  Thomas  Finlay,  Jas.  Howard, 
William  Jenkins,  James  C.  Gittings,  Henry  Didier.  William  F. 
Small,  Engineer.  Engraved  by  J.  Pratt."  When  the  Grand  Marshal 
bad  finished  reading  the  plate,  a  glass  jar  containing  the  news- 
papers of  the  day  and  the  current  American  coins,  was  deposited 
in  the  stone,  which  was  properly  cemented.  The  ceremonies  were 
closed  by  an  oration  from  E.  L.  Fin  ley,  Esq.,  which  was  worthy  of 
the  occasion,  and  delivered  with  such  power  and  effect  as  elicited 
the  most  intense  atteJiLion  from  the  numerous  auditors,  who  ex- 
pressed the  highest  gratification  at  the  able  manner  in  which  he 
tulfilled  the  duty  assigned  him.  The  procession  returned  to  the 
city  about  4  o'clock,  and  at  night  a  ttpiendid  display  of  fire-works 
terminated  the  ceremonies. 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE,  433 

On  the  29th  of  October,  the  Eoman  Catholic  Council  being  then 
in  session  in  this  city,  pursuant  to  a  resolution,  the  prelates  who 
composed  the  council  went  in  a  body  to  pay  their  respects  to  the 
venerable  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  the  surviving  signer  of  the 
glorious  charter  of  their  country's  freedom,  and  one  of  the  most 
aged  and  exemplary  members  of  their  church.  They  were  most 
hospitably  entertained,  and  delighted  with  the  good  old  patriot  and 
his  amiable  family. 

On  appropriating  to  State  purposes  the  proceeds  of  licensed 
lotteries  generally,  the  Legislature  granted  certain  portions, 
amounting,  with  the  profits  of  former  lotteries,  to  $178,000,  for  the 
completion  of  the  Washington  monument  in  this  city ;  enacting 
that  the  structure  should  be  considered  the  property  of  the  State, 
and  that  it  should  have  an  inscription  expressive  of  the  gratitude 
of  Maryland  to  the  hero  and  statesman  whose  honor  and  memory 
the  monument  was  intended  to  perpetuate.  This  enabled  the  man- 
agers to  proceed  with  the  work,  and  on  the  25th  of  November  was 
raised  the  last  piece  of  the  statue,  comprising  the  bust,  &c.,  to  the 
summit  of  the  monument.  It  was  cut  out  of  fine  white  marble 
from  the  quarries  on  the  York  road,  and  presented  by  Mrs.  F.  T. 
D.  Taylor,  of  Baltimore  County,  that  lady  having  patriotically 
given  it  without  charge.  The  statue  is  16  feet  high,  and  was, 
wrought  in  three  separate  pieces  from  one  block  of  36  tons,  by 
Henrico  Cancici,  Esq.,  an  Italian  sculptor  of  merit,  each  block, 
weighing  about  5^  tons  when  worked  ;  it  was  elevated  successfully 
by  means  of  a  pair  of  shears  attached  to  the  cap  of  the  column  by 
pulleys  and  capstan,  planned  and  directed  by  Capt.  James  l3. 
Woodside,  of  Washington. 

Charters  are  granted  for  a  congregation  of  Jews ;  the  Baltimore 
and  Eappahanock  Steam  Packet  Company,  the  Sugar  Kefining 
Companj-,  and  the  Howard  Fire  Company,  thus  increasing  the 
number  of  hose  and  fire  companies  in  the  city  to  fourteen. 

In  December,  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton  performed  the  cere- 
mony of  laying  the  last  stone  of  the  viaduct  at  Gwynn's  Falls,  and 
the  i^resident  and  directors  unanimously  resolved  that  this  noble 
structure  be  named  "The  Carrollton  Viaduct."  And  on  the  4th 
of  December  the  magnificent  bridge  over  the  Patapsco  was  made 
passable,  and  the  compliment  of  first  crossing  it  on  horseback  was 
reserved  for  the  venerable  and  valued  citizen  William  Patterson, 
who  preceded  the  president  and  directors  and  a  number  of  other 
citizens  assembled  on  the  interesting  occasion.  On  this  occasion 
twent^^-seven  persons  were  drawn  in  one  car  by  a  single  horse  at 
the  rate  of  9  or  10  miles  an  hour,  to  the  end  of  the  rail  line.  An- 
other car,  one  of  Winans',  in  returning  carried  thirty-seven  persons, 
among  them  several  ladies, — one  horse  being  used.  Some  interest- 
ing experiments  took  place  on  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  R.  R.  on  the 
28th  of  December,  and  were  continued  during  the  week.  Among 
the  number  we  find  the  following: — Two  dogs  attached  to  a  car 
28 


434  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

trotted  off  with  a  load  of  six  persons.  A  car  was  fitted  with  a  sail, 
and  though  the  breeze  was  gentle,  six  persons  were  carried  in  it  at 
a  rapid  rate.  On  the  22d  of  January,  1830,  a  car  which  had  been 
constructed  to  be  propelled  by  a  sail,  was  carried  along  at  the  rate 
of  20  miles  an  hour,  the  whole  length  of  the  rail. 

The  following  letter  was  written  by  Mrs.  Mary  Barney  to  Gen. 
Jackson,  which  will  show  the  "  politics  of  the  day."  Mrs.  Bar- 
ney was  the  wife  of  the  naval  officer  at  Baltimore,  removed,  whose 
place  was  supplanted  by  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Carr,  at  that 
time  editor  of  the  Baltimore  Republican^  whose  nomination  was  con- 
firmed in  the  Senate  by  a  majority  of  one  vote  only.  This  letter 
was  80  much  thought  of  at  the  time,  that  large  editions  of  it  were 
printed  on  satin  and  circulated  throughout  the  United  States : 

"  Baltimore,  June  13th,  1829. 

«  Sir  : — Your  note  of  the  22d  April,  addressed  to  me  through 
your  private  secretary,  accompanying  the  return  of  my  papers, 
which  expresses  your  '  sincere  regret  that  the  rules  which  you  had  felt 
bound  to  adopt  for  the  government  of  such  cases  did  not  permit  the 
gratification  of  my  wishes,*  aifords  no  palliation  of  the  injury  you 
have  inflicted  on  a  meritorious  officer  and  his  helpless  family :  it 
is  dark  and  ambiguous.  Knowing  that  the  possession  was  not 
alone  sufficient  justification  for  the  exercise  of  power,  unwilling 
that  your  character  for  firmness  should  suffer  by  the  imputation 
of  caprice,  or  that  your  reputation  for  humanity  should  be 
tarnished  by  an  act  of  wanton  cruelty,  you  insinuate  a  cause,  you 
hint  at  a  binding  rule,  and  lament  that  my  husband  is  within  its 
operation.  If  it  were  not  unworthy  the  character  of  Gen.  Jack- 
son, I  ask  you,  was  it  not  beneath  the  dignity  of  the  President  of 
these  United  States  to  insinuate,  if  bold  assertion  had  been  in  his 
power?  When  you  had  adopted  for  your  government  this  inexor- 
able rule,  was  it  not  cruel  in  you  to  conceal  it  from  those  on  whom 
it  was  to  operate  the  most  terrible  calamities  ?  Why  should  the 
President  of  a  free  country  be  governed  by  secret  rules  ?  Why 
should  he  wrap  himself  up  in  the  black  robes  of  mystery,  and, 
like  a  volcano,  be  seen  and  felt  in  his  effects,  while  the  secret 
causes  which  work  the  ruin  that  surrounds  are  hid  within  his 
bosom  ?  Is  this  rule  of  which  you  speak  a  law  of  the  land  ;  is  it 
a  construction  drawn  from  any  article  of  the  Constitution ;  or  is 
it  a  section  of  the  articles  of  war?  Is  it  a  rule  of  practice  which, 
having  been  acted  upon  by  any  of  your  illustrious  predecessors, 
comes  down  with  the  force  of  authority  upon  you  ?  Did  it  govern 
the  conduct  of  that  great  man  in  whose  mould  (according  to  vour 
flatterers)  you  were  formed  ?  If  so,  why  should  you  conceal  it  ? 
The  Constitution,  and  the  laws,  civil  and  military,  will  justify  you 
and  all  who  obey  them;  and  the  robes  of  power  which  you  wear 
cannot  be  stained  by  an  act  which  finds  a  precedent  in  the  conduct 
of  any  of  your  predecessors.    Is  it  any  old  principle  of  new  appli- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  435 

cation  in  the  art  of  government,  which,  having  escaped  the  search- 
ing mind  of  Washington  and  the  keen  vision  of  succeeding  Presi- 
dents, has  been  grasped  by  your  gigantic  mind  ?  Or  is  it  a  new, 
wholesome  principle  patented  to  you,  and  for  which  you  alone  are 
to  receive  all  the  rewards  (of  glory  at  least)  which  succeeding 
ages  never  fail  to  bestow  on  the  first  inventor  of  a  public  blessing? 

"  The  office  harpies  who  haunted  your  public  walks  and  your 
retired  moments  from  the  very  dawn  of  your  administration,  and 
whose  avidity  for  office  and  power  made  them  utterly  reckless  of 
the  honorable  feeling  and  just  rights  of  others,  cried  aloud  for  ro- 
tation in  office.  Is  that  magical  phrase,  so  familiar  to  the  dema- 
gogues of  all  nations  and  of  all  times,  your  great  and  much-vaunted 
principle  of  reform  ?  If  it  be,. by  what  kind  of  rotary  motion  is  it 
that  men  who  have  been  but  a  few  years  or  a  few  months  in 
office  are  swept  from  the  boards,  while  others  (your  friends)  re- 
main, who  date  their  official  calends  perhaps  from  the  time  of 
Washington  ?  What  sort  of  adaptation  of  skill  to  machinery  is 
that  which  brushes  away  those  only  who  were  opposed  to  your 
election,  and  leaves  your  friends  in  full  possession  ? 

"  Your  official  organ  would  impose  upon  the  public  the  belief 
that  you  had  adopted  the  Jeffersonian  rule  of  honesty  and  ca- 
pacity, and  that  incumbents  as  well  as  applicants  were  tested  by 
that  infallible  touchstone.  The  alleged  delinquencies  of  one  or  two 
public  officers  have  for  this  been  a  color,  and  the  dye  of  their 
avowed  iniquity  has  been  spread  with  industrious  cunning  over 
the  skirts  of  every  innocent  victim;  even  of  those  few  who  have 
been  thus  charged,  their  misconduct  (reported)  was  unsuspected 
until  the  prying  eyes  of  their  successors  came  to  inspect  the  official 
records  of  their  proceedings,  when  their  delegated  ingenuity,  as  in 
duty  bound,  could  do  no  less  than  find  them  guilty,  and  therefore 
could  not  have  been  the  cause  of  their  dismissal.  Yours,  therefore, 
is  not  the  Jeffersonian  rule.  You  ask,  respecting  incumbents  and 
applicants,  other  questions  than  '  is  he  honest,  is  he  capable  f '  and 
the  answer  to  your  question  decides  the  applicability  of  your  rule. 
By  thus  ascertaining  what  your  secret  rule  is  noty  we  may  easily 
come  to  the  discovery  of  what  it  is.  Supposing  you  serious  when 
you  sa}^  you  are  controlled  by  a  ride,  and  that  you  do  not  move 
blindl}'  like  other  storms,  but  that  you  have  eyes  which  see  and 
ears  which  hear,  and  hence  that  1  have  not  yet  described  your 
rule,  there  remains,  however,  but  one  motive  which  could  possibly 
have  governed  you  — punishment  of  your  political  opponents  and  re- 
wards for  your  friends.  This  is  your  rule,  and  however  you  may 
wish  to  disguise  it,  or  to  deceive  the  world  into  the  belief  that  your 
secret  principle  is  something  of  a  nobler  sort,  the  true  one  is  visible 
to  every  eye,  and  like  a  red  meteor  beams  through  your  midnight 
administration,  portending  and  working  mischief  and  ruin.  It  was 
prescribed  to  you  before  you  had  the  power  to  pursue  it  by  one  to 
whom  you  are  allied   by   happy   congeniality,   whom  you  have 


436  CHBONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

neither  the  ability  nor  the  wish  to  disobey,  before  whose  omnipo- 
tent breath  your  presidential  strength  lies  nerveless  as  infancy; 
who,  while  he  suffers  your  heart  to  pursue  its  wonted  palpitations, 
seems  to  have  locked  up  the  closet  which  confines  your  intellect. 
In  this  imprisonment  of  your  mental  powers  you  see  with  his  eyes 
and  hear  with  his  ears.  It  is  a  misfortune  for  this  great  nation 
that  you  were  born  for  him  and  he  for  you.  At  one  and  the  same 
time  he  is  your  minion  and  your  monarch,  your  priest  and  your 
demon,  your  public  counsellor  and  jowv  bosom  friend.  I  blush  for 
my  country  when  I  see  such  unnatural  formations,  such  a  can- 
cerous excrescence  fastened  upon  the  body  politic,  and  the  foot- 
stool of  the  President  converted  into  a  throne  for  a  slave. 

"The  injustice  of  your  new  principle  of  'reform'  would  have 
been  too  glaring  had  it  been  at  once  boldly  unfolded,  and  hence 
is  it  that  it  was  brought  out  by  degrees.  At  first  it  was  pretended 
that  those  only  who  had  made  use  of  ofiice  as  an  engine  for  elec- 
tioneering purposes  were  to  be  'reformed  away.'  But  when  it 
was  discovered  that  there  were  in  place  very  many  of  your  own 
friends  who  had  been  guilty  of  this  unconstitutional  impropriety, 
as  you  have  been  pleased  to  call  it,  who,  contrary  to  any  feeling  of 
gratitude  or  sense  of  duty,  had  stung  the  bosom  which  warmed 
and  the  hand  which  fed  them,  making  use  of  their  office  in  the  gift 
of  Mr.  Adams  as  the  means  of  furthering  your  designs  upon  the 
Presidency  to  his  exclusion,  and  that  your  rule  was  a  '  two-edged 
sword '  which,  if  honestly  borne,  would  '  cut  upon  both  sides,'  it 
was  so  carefully  withheld,  and  finally  gave  way  to  a  much  more 
comprehensive  scheme  of  reform. 

"It  was  next  declared  that  those  in  office  who,  in  violence  of 
opposition,  had  offended  you  in  one  particular  (I  need  not  name 
it)  should  meet  with  condign  punishment.  Indeed,  you  intimated 
in  your  private  conversation  with  my  husband  that  those  who 
had  passed  that  Eubicon  had  sealed  their  destruction.  But  the 
misfortune  attending  this  rule  was  that  there  were  none  in  office 
upon  whom  it  could  operate.  Has  the  charge  alluded  to  been  fixed 
upon  any  individual  of  the  multitude  of  those  who  have  been  re- 
formed away  ?  Was  it  ever  even  whispered  in  regard  to  my  unfor- 
tunate husband?     You  know  that  it  was  not. 

"  But  I  boldly  declare  that  such  a  rule  is  altogether  unworthy 
of  the  presidential  office  of  a  magnanimous  nation !  What !  wield 
the  public  vengeance  for  your  private  wrongs !  Hurl  from  the 
armory  of  the  nation  the  bolt  of  destruction  on  your  private  foes  I 
Was  the  power,  dignity,  and  wealth  of  the  Union  concentrated  in 
your  person  so  misused?  Had  a  foreign  prince  or  minister  com- 
mitted a  like  offence,  with  the  s^me  propriety  might  you  have 
made  it  a  cause  of  public  quarrel,  and  sent  from  the  ocean  and  the 
land  hecatombs  of  appeasing  ghosts. 

"The  whole  circumference  of  your  rule  at  length  expanded 
Itself  full  to  the  public  view;  the  reign  of  terror  was  unfolded,  and 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  437 

a  principle,  unprecedented  even  in  the  annals  of  tyranny,  like  a 
destroying  angel  ranged  through  the  land,  blowing  the  breath  of 
pestilence  and  famine  into  the  habitations  of  your  enemies. 

"  Your  enemies,  sir  ?  No  ;  your  political  opponents.  You  called 
them,  enemies ;  but  were  they  so  ?  Can  there  be  no  difference  of 
opinion  without  enmity  ?  Do  you  believe  that  every  man  who  voted 
for  Mr.  Adams,  and  who  had  not  received  from  you  some  personal 
injury,  preferred  him  because  he  hated  you?  Think  you,  sir,  that 
there  is  no  medium  between  idolatry  and  hate?  It  is  not  because 
you  think  there  is  no  such  medium,  but  because  your  elevated  am- 
bition will  allow  of  none.  This  makes  you  look  upon  all  those 
who  voted  against  you  as  your  bitter  foes.  1  most  firmly  believe 
that,  saving  those  whom  you  had  personally  made  your  enemies, 
every  honest  man  in  giving  his  suffrage  to  Mr.  Adams  obeyed  the 
dictates  of  his  judgment,  and  that  many  did  so  in  violence  to  their 
warmer  feelings  towards  you. 

"  My  husband,  sir,  never  was  your  enemy.  In  the  overflowing 
patriotism  of  his  heart  he  gave  you  the  full  measure  of  his  love 
for  your  military  services.  He  preferred  Mr.  Adams  for  the  Presi- 
dency, because  he  thought  him  qualified,  and  you  unqualified  for 
the  station.  He  would  have  been  a  traitor  to  his  country,  he  would 
have  had  even  my  scorn,  and  have  deserved  yours,  had  he  supported 
you  under  such  circumstances. 

"  He  used  no  means  to  oppose  you.  He  did  a  patriot's  duty  in 
a  patriot's  way.  For  this  he  is  proscribed — punished  I  Oh,  how 
punished!  My  heart  bleeds  as  I  write.  Cruel  sir,  did  he  commit 
any  offence  worthy  of  punishment  against  God  or  against  his 
country,  or  even  against  you  ?  Blush  while  you  read  this  question  ; 
speak  not,  but  let  the  crimson  negative  mantle  on  your  cheek !  No, 
Sir;  on  the  contrary,  it  was  one  of  the  best  acts  of  his  life.  When 
he  bared  his  bosom  to  the  hostile  bayonets  of  his  enemies,  he  was 
not  more  in  the  line  of  his  duty  than  when  he  voted  against  you ; 
and  had  he  fallen  a  martyr  on  the  field  of  fight,  he  would  not  more 
have  deserved  a  monument  than  he  now  deserves,  for  having  been 
worse  than  martyred  in  support  of  the  dearest  privilege  and  char- 
tered right  of  American  freemen. 

"  Careless  as  you  are  about  the  effects  of  your  conduct,  it  would 
be  idle  to  inform  you  of  the  depth  and  quality  of  that  misery  which 
you  have  worked  in  the  bosom  of  my  family :  else  would  I  tell  a 
tale  that  would  provoke  sympathy  in  anything  that  had  a  heart, 
or  gentle  drops  of  pity  from  every  eye  not  accustomed  to  look  upon 
scenes  of  human  cruelty  *  with  composure.'  Besides,  you  were 
appraised  of  our  poverty,  you  knew  the  dependence  of  eight  little 
children  for  food  and  raiment  upon  my  husband's  salary.  You 
knew  that  advanced  in  years  as  he  was,  without  the  means  to 
prosecute  any  regular  business,  and  without  friends  able  to  assist 
him,  the  world  would  be  to  him  a  barren  heath,  an  inhospitable 
wild.     You  were  able,  therefore,  to  anticipate  the  heart-rending 


438  '         CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

scene  which  you  may  now  realize  as  the  sole  work  of  your  hand. 
The  sickness  and  debility  of  ray  husband  now  call  upon  me  to  vin- 
dicate his  and  his  children's  wrongs.  The  natural  timidity  of  niy 
sex  vanishes  before  the  necessity  of  my  situation  ;  and  a  spirit,  Sir, 
as  proud  as  yours,  although  in  a  female  bosom,  demands  justice. 
At  your  hands  I  ask  it.  Eeturn  to  him  what  you  have  rudely  torn 
from  his  possession ;  give  back  to  his  children  their  former  means 
of  securing  their  food  and  raiment ;  show  that  you  can  relent,  and 
that  your  rule  has  had  at  least  one  exception.  The  severity 
practised  by  you  in  this  instance  is  heightened  because  accom- 
panied by  a  breach  of  your  faith  solemnly  pledged  to  my  husband.  He 
called  upon  you,  told  you  frankly  that  he  had  not  voted  for  you. 
What  was  your  reply  ?  It  was,  in  substance,  this :  '  that  every 
citizen  of  the  United  States  had  a  right  to  express  his  political 
sentiments  by  his  vote ;  that  no  charges  had  been  made  against 
Major  Barney :  if  any  should  be  made,  he  should  have  justice  done, 
he  should  not  be  condemned  unheard.'  Then,  holding  him  by  the 
hand  with  apparent  warmth,  you  concluded — '  Be  assured.  Sir,  I 
shall  be  particularly  cautious  how  I  listen  to  assertions  of  appli- 
cants for  office.'  With  these  assurances  from  you,  Sir,  the  President 
of  the  United  States,  my  husband  returned  to  the  bosom  of  his 
family.  With  these  rehearsed,  he  wiped  away  the  tears  of  appre- 
hension. The  President  was  not  the  monster  he  had  been  repre- 
sented. They  would  not  be  reduced  to  beggary ;  haggard  want 
would  not  be  permitted  to  enter  the  mansion  where  he  had  always 
been  a  stranger.  The  husband  and  the  father  had  done  nothing 
in  violation  of  his  duty  as  an  officer.  If  any  malicious  slanderer 
should  arise  to  pour  his  poisonous  breath  into  the  ears  of  the  Pre- 
sident, the  accused  would  not  be  condemned  unheard,  and  his  in- 
nocence would  be  triumphant — they  would  still  be  happj^  It  was 
presumable  also  that,  possessing  the  confidence  of  three  successive 
administrations  (whose  testimony  in  his  favor  I  presented  to  you) 
that  he  was  not  unworthy  the  office  he  held,  besides  the  signatures 
of  a  hundred  of  our  first  mercantile  houses,  established  the  fact  of 
his  having  given  perfect  satisfaction  in  the  manner  he  transacted  the 
busine'^s  of  his  office.  In  this  state  of  calm  security,  without  a 
moment's  warning,  like  a  clap  of  thunder  in  a  clear  sky  your  dis- 
missal came,  and  in  a  moment  the  house  of  joy  was  converted  into 
one  of  mourning. 

"  Sir,  was  not  this  the  refinement  of  cruelty  ?  But  this  was  not 
all.  The  wife  whom  you  have  thus  agonized  drew  her  being  from 
the  illustrious  Chase,  whose  voice  of  thunder  early  broke  the  spell 
of  British  allegiance,  when,  in  the  American  Senate,  he  swore  by 
Heaven  that  he  owed  no  allegiance  to  the  British  crown — one, 
too,  whose  signature  was  broadly  before  your  eyes,  affixed  to  the 
charter  of  Independenc3.  The  husband  and  the  father  whom  you 
have  thus  wronged  was  the  first-born  son  of  a  hero  whose  naval 
and  military  renown  brightens  the  page  of  your  country's  history 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  439 

from  76  to  1815,  with  whose  achievements  posterity  will  not  con- 
descend to  compare  yours  ;  for  he  fought  amidst  greater  dangers, 
and  he  fought  for  Independence.  By  the  side  of  that  father,  in 
the  second  British  war,  fought  the  son ;  and  the  glorious  12th  of 
September  bears  testimony  to  his  unshaken  intrepidity.  A  tvife,  a 
husband,  thus  derived;  a  "family  of  children  drawing  their  exist- 
ence from  this  double  Revolutionary  fountain,  you  have  recklessly, 
causelessly,  perfidiously,  and  therefore  inhumanly,  cast  helpless  and 
destitute  upon  the  icy  bosom  of  tiie  world ;  and  the  children  and 
grandchildren  of  Judge  Chase  and  Commodore  Barney  are  poverty- 
stricken  upon  the  soil  which  owes  its  freedom  and  fertility,  in  part, 
to  their  heroic  patriotism. 

"Sir,  I  would  be  unworthy  the  title  of  an  American  matron,  or 
an  American  wife,  if  I  did  not  vindicate  his  and  my  children's 
wrongs.  In  this  happy  land  the  panoply  of  liberty  protects  all, 
without  distinction  of  age  or  of  sex.  In  the  severity  practised  to- 
wards my  husband  (confessedly  without  cause),  you  have  injured 
me  and  my  children ;  you  have  grievously  injured  them,  without 
achieving  any  correspondent  good  to  individuals,  to  your  country, 
or  yourself.  Silence,  therefore,  would  be  criminal  even  in  me  ;  and 
when  the  honest  and  regular  feelings  of  the  people  of  this  country 
(who  cannot  be  long  deluded)  shall  have  been  restored,  and  when 
party  frenzy,  that  poison  to  our  national  happiness,  liberties  and 
honor,  shall  have  subsided,  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  exterminating 
fij^stem  of  *  reform  '  will  be  regarded  as  the  greatest  of  tyranny, 
though  now  masked  under  specious  names  and  executed  with  some 
of  the  formalities  of  patriotism  and  of  liberty.  It  is  possible  this 
communication  from  an  unhappy  mother,  and  from  a  female,  who, 
until  now,  had  many  reasons  to  love  her  country,  will  be  regarded 
by  you  as  unworthy  of  notice;  if  otherwise,  and  your  inclination 
corresponds  with  your  power,  you  have  still  the  means  of  repairing 
the  injury  you  have  done. 

"  I  am,  Sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

"Mary  Barney." 

The  "  New  Theatre  and  Circus,'*  (now  called  Front  Street,)  was 
first  opened  on  Thursday  evening,  September  10th,  under  the  most 
favorable  circumstances.  The  assemblage  of  spectators  was  "  larger 
than  previous  experience  led  persons  to  befieve  Baltimore  could 
supply,"  the  number  of  those  present  being  estimated  at  about 
3,000  persons.  It  was  opened  under  the  management  of  Mr.  W. 
Blanchard,  a  gentleman  at  the  time  well-known  throughout  this 
country  and  Canada  as  the  manager  of  a  first-class  equestrian 
corps.  The  performances  were  opened  with  a  prize  address,  written 
by  Mrs.  Eobert  Morris,  of  Philadelphia,  and  read  by  Mrs.  Hill,  of 
the  company,  from  the  London  and  New  York  theatres.  After  the- 
equestrian  performanc.es,  there  was  performed  a  musical  farce  en- 
titled "  The  Spoiled  Child."     Doors  opened  at  half-past  six,  and.  the 


440  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE 

curtain  rose  at  quarter-past  seven.  Boxes  50  cents,  pit  25,  ani 
colored  gallery  25  cents.  The  following  actors  and  actresses  made 
their  first  appearance  at  this  theatre:  Miss  Addie  Anderson  for  the 
first  time  as  Mazeppa.  Mrs.  Frank  Drew  was  born  near  Belair, 
Md.,  and  made  her  debut  here  in  1842  as  Duke  of  York  to 
the  elder  Booth's  "  Ei chard  Third."  Mrs.  Henry  Eberle  made 
her  debut  in  December,  1840,  as  Peggy  in  "Eaising  the  Wind." 
Mr.  J.  K.  Field  made  his  first  appearance  in  America  here  in  1838; 
Mr.  Samuel  W.  Glenn  made  his  first  appearance  here  on  November 
20th,  1848,  as  John  Jones  in  the  farce  of  that  name.  Mr.  John  S. 
Goodman  made  his  first  appearance  here.  J.  Adams  Graver  also  in 
1853.  Miss  Cornelia  Jeiferson  also  as  the  Duke  of  York.  Henry 
Charles  Jordan,  who  was  born  in  Baltimore,  made  his  debut  here 
May  1st,  1841,  as  Marlin  Sj^ike  in  the  "  Scourge  of  the  Ocean." 
Mr.  James  Wills  in  1831. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  Thursday,  October  the  6th,  at  the  Athe- 
Dffium,  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  Tem- 
perance Society,  the  Hon.  Judge  Brice  was  called  to  the  chair,  and 
Mr.  Francis  H.  Smith  appointed  secretary.  Doctor  Bond  pre- 
sented and  read  a  report  from  the  committee  appointed  at  a  former 
meeting,  to  draft  a  constitution  for  the  society.  On  motion,  the 
preamble  and  each  article  of  the  constitution  were  severally  read, 
discussed  and  adopted,  and  the  whole  finally  passed  unanimously. 

A  most  gratifying  spectacle  w^as  witnessed  in  Baltimore  on  the 
afternoon  of  Monday,  August  17th,  in  the  assemblage  "  of  the 
teachers  and  scholars  belonging  to  the  Sunday-schools  attached  to 
the  different  churches  in  the  city.  They  amounted  in  all  to  about 
5000,  and  proceeded  to  Howard's  Park,"  where  addresses  w^ere  de- 
livered, after  which  the  children  sang  several  hymns. 

Died  on  the  18th  of  April,  Edward  Johnson,  Esq.,  in  the  62d 
year  of  his  age,  one  of  the  most  benevolent  men  that  ever  lived, 
remarkable  for  his  fidelity  to  his  friends,  though  kind  unto  all 
men.  He  filled  the  office  of  a  delegate  to  the  General  Assembly, 
■was  twice  or  thrice  an  elector  of  our  Senate,  and  as  often  an  elector 
of  President  and  Vice-president  of  the  United  States,  and  six  or  seven 
times  chosen  Mayor  of  the  city,  the  duties  of  all  which  he  performed 
much  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people,  and  without  the  suspicion 
of  one  improper  motive.  And  on  the  17th  of  July,  Gen.  Charles 
Kidgely  of  Hampton,  in  the  70th  year  of  his  age.  He  was  lately 
Governor  of  Maryland.  From  early  age  possessed  of  a  princely 
estate,  few  individuals,  perhaps,  ever  more  enjoyed  what  are  called 
the  good  things  of  this  life  and  abused  them  so  little.  He  eman- 
cipated all  his  numerous  slaves  who  had  not  reached  the  age  of  45, 
but  the  males  under  27  and  the  females  under  25  were  to  remain 
until  they  arrived  at  these  ages. 

On  the  29th  of  December,  the  Steam  Sugar  Eefinery  of  D.  L. 
Thomas,  Esq.,  was  destroyed  by  fire,  bringing  ruin  and  desolation 
on  a  worthy  citizen  and  family. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  441 

The  Sisters  of  Providence,  a  religious  society  of  Catholic  colored 
women,  established  a  school  for  colored  girls  in  Baltimore  on  the 
5th  of  June.  Their  school  and  St.  Francis'  chapel  stood  in  Rich- 
mond street  on  the  site  of  Park  street  extended,  and  were  pulled 
down  to  make  way  for  the  new  avenue  in  1871. 

In  August  several  disgraceful  riots  occurred  among  the  laborers  V 
of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad  Company.  On  Friday,  August 
14th,  one  man  was  killed  near  the  city  and  several  wounded  in  a 
broil ;  and  on  Sunday  the  dwelling  of  Thomas  Elliott,  one  of  the 
contractors,  was  broken  up  by  a  body  of  men,  and  Mr.  E.  severely 
wounded. 

1830.  The  "Old  Baltimore  Museum"  may  be  styled  one  of  the 
old  landmarks  of  Baltimore,  and  possesses  reminiscences  connected 
with  remarkable  events.  This  institution,  which,  like  most  of  the 
other  museums  in  this  country,  owed  its  formation  to  the  inde- 
fatigable efforts  of  a  member  of  the  Peale  family,  is  situated  at  the 
northwest  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Calvert  streets,  and  occupied 
the  upper  part  of  the  late  large  building  that  has  recently  been 
damaged  by  fire.  In  September  1828  the  site  was  occupied  by 
three  frame  stores  and  dwellings,  which  were  sold  at  public  auction 
and  purchased  by  Mr.  John  Clark,  a  prominent  lottery  broker,  for 
the  sum  of  S27,200.  The  lot  at  the  corner,  fronting  19  feet  on 
Baltimore  street  and  63  feet  on  Calvert  street,  sold  for  $12,400 ; 
the  adjoining  lot,  21  feet  front  on  Baltimore  street,  sold  for  $7,500 ; 
and  the  lot  immediately  adjoining  the  last  mentioned,  21  feet  on 
Baltimore  street,  sold  for  $7,300.  Mr.  Clark  soon  after  tore  down 
the  old  buildings  and  erected  the  present  Museum  building.  The 
marble  front  of  the  first  story  and  the  large  arched  window  were 
put  in  by  him,  as  an  ornamental  facade  to  his  banking-house.  The 
Cohens  at  that  time  had  their  banking-house  on  the  opposite  or 
north-east  corner,  and  these  were  the  most  prominent  banking- 
houses.  The  post-oifice  was  close  by,  on  Calvert  street,  under  Bar- 
num's  Hotel.  In  December,  1829,  Mr.  Clark  rented  the  upper  part 
of  the  Museum  building  to  Mr.  Peale  as  a  museum,  who  removed 
from  the  old  building  on  Holliday  street,  now  occupied  by  the  City 
Council,  where  he  had  for  many  j'ears  carried  on  a  museum  and  a 
gallery  of  the  fine  arts.  Peale's  Museum  was  reopened  in  the  new 
building  for  the  first  time  on  Friday  evening,  January  1st,  1830.  The 
following  prices  of  admission  were  charged  :  Tickets  for  a  family, 
$10  per  year ;  for  a  gentleman  and  lady  per  year,  $5 ;  single  ad- 
mission, 25  cents  ;  children  half-price. 

For  many  years  the  Museum  was  used  for  the  exhibition  of  cu-  . 
riosities,  stuffed  birds  and  animals,  wax  figures,  pictures,  &c.,  &c., 
and  was  known  as  Peale's  Museum.  As  an  investment  the  enter- 
prise did  not  prove  a  success,  and  the  collection  passed  into  the 
hands  of  stockholders.  In  1833  it  was  under  the  control  of  trus- 
tees, and  managed  immediately  by  Mr.  J.  E.  Walker,  who  was  con- 
sidered at  the  time  an  untiring  and  able  caterer  for  the  amusement 


442  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

of  the  public.  In  1844  Mr.  Edmund  Peale  took  the  management 
of  the  concern,  and  meeting  with  more  success  than  his  predeces- 
sors, he  was  enabled  in  a  short  time  to  purchase  part  of  the  stock, 
and  eventually  the  whole  of  it.  He  instituted  dramatic  entertain- 
ments, which  previous  to  his  management  were  but  occasional. 
The  institution  soon  became  very  popular,  though  not  greatly 
profitable,  for  the  capacity  of  the  Saloon,  as  the  theatrical  part  of 
the  Museum  was  then  called,  was  quite  small  and  in  the  fourth 
story  of  the  building.  It  seated  not  more  than  five  hundred  per- 
sons. The  stage  was  managed  by  Messrs  Sefton  and  Chipendale. 
Mr.  John  E.  Owens  was  the  comedian,  Messrs.  Gallagher,  Johnston, 

Gamen,  Henry,  Machin, Eussell  (now  Mrs.  John   Hoey,  of 

New  York),  Wilkinson,  Watts,  Gannon,  who  was  a  great  favorite, 
Ludlow  St.  Clair,  Misses  Fanny  and  Emma  Juce,  formed  the  stock 
company.  T.  D.  Eice,  familiarly  called  Daddy  Eice,  Barney  Wil- 
liams, Walcot,  Brougham,  and  the  great  Western  were  the  stars. 

In  1845  Mr.  P.  T.  Barnum,  the  great  showman,  through  the 
agency  of  Mr.  Fordyce  Hitchcock,  purchased  the  Museum  from 
Mr.  Peale,  and  placed  it  under  the  management  of  his  uncle,  Mr. 
Alonson  Taylor.  Mr.  Taylor  only  lived  six  months  after.  At  his 
death  the  place  was  put  in  charge  of  Mr.  Charles  S.  Getz,  at 
present  our  renowned  scenic  painter,  who  painted  his  first  scene 
for  this  building,  and  who  conducted  it  until  it  was  purchased  by 
Mr.  Albert  N.  Hann,  in  behalf  of  the  "  Orphean  Family,"  a  musi- 
cal troupe,  who  during  their  management  produced  a  number  of 
English  operas.  Josh  Silsbee,  the  "  Yankee  comedian,"  formed  a 
partnership  with  Hann  in  the  spring  of  1847,  and  the  place  was 
remodelled  and  brought  one  story  lower,  giving  it  a  much  greater 
capacity,  enabling  the  management  then  to  engage  a  larger  num- 
ber of  actors  and  to  produce  a  much  finer  entertainment.  In  1849 
Silsbee  was  induced  to  start  a  similar  place  in  Philadelphia,  when 
he  sold  his  share  to  Mr.  John  E.  Owens ;  the  firm  then  was  Hann 
&  Owens. 

In  1850  Mr.  Owens  became  the  sole  proprietor.  In  1851  he 
sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Henry  C.  Jarrett,  now  one  of  the  most 
successful  theatrical  managers  in  the  country,  at  present  running 
Ni bio's  Theatre  in  New  York,  under  the  firm  name  of  Jarrett  & 
Palmer.  In  1856  Mr.  Jarrett  sold  out  to  Mr.  Geo.  Zeigler.  By 
this  time  the  Museum  had  become  a  wreck,  the  collection  was 
purchased  by  Mr.  Charles  S.  Getz,  who  distributed  the  works  of 
art  and  the  curiosities  that  were  left  among  different  institutions 
throughout  the  country.  In  the  financial  storm  which  swept  the 
country  in  1835  Mr.  Clark  ceased  to  become  the  owner  of  the 
building.  It  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  United  States  General 
Insurance  Company,  which  failed  in  company  with  many  other  in- 
stitutions. The  affairs  of  this  company  were  wound  up  by  the  late 
Judge  John  Glenn,  who  bought  up  most  of  the  stock  jointly  for 
himself  and  Mr.  Josiah  Lee,  banker.     After  the  death  of  these  two 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  443 

gentlemen,  the  interest  of  Mr.  Josiah  Lee  was  bought  about  1854 
by  W.  W.  Glenn,  Esq.  The  building  in  the  rear,  formerly  occupied 
by  the  Farmers'  and  Merchants'  Bank,  had  also  been  purchased  in 
joint  account,  thus  making  the  size  of  the  whole  lot  61  by  104 
feet.  The  whole  property  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Glenn  for  $80,000 
in  fee.  In  March,  1874,  he  sold  the  entire  property  to  the  Balti- 
more and  Ohio  Eailroad  Company  for  $225,000,  who  intend  erect- 
ing on  the  site  a  magnificent  building  for  the  Company's  use. 

Among  the  stars  who  performed  at  the  Museum  were  the  elder 
J.  B.  Booth,  James  W.  Wallack,  Jos.  E.  Murdoch,  J.  E.  Scott, 
Charles  Webb,  Geo.  Famen,  Edwin  Dean,  Joe  Cowell,  Chas.  Burke, 
Joseph  Jeiferson,  Edwin  Adams  and  John  S.  Clarke,  played,  in  the 
stock.  The  lady  stars  were  Miss  Charlotte  Cushman,  Mrs.  Famen, 
Miss  Julia  Dean,  Mrs.  Bowers  (in  the  stock).  Miss  Davenport,  Agnes 
Eobertson,  Mrs.  Sinclair,  Forrest,  the  Batemans,  and  many  others 
of  note.  The  following  actors  and  actresses  made  their  first  ap- 
pearance here:  John  W.  Albaugh,  February  Ist,  1855,  as  Brutus, 
under  the  management  of  Mr.  Joseph  Jefferson.  His  first  regular 
season  commenced  at  the  Holliday  Street  Theatre,  August  22d, 
1855.  Charles  Boniface  had  his  regular  engagement  here  in  1849. 
Mr.  S.  K.  Chester,  whose  right  name  is  S.  C.  Knapp,  made  his 
debut  here  November  12th,  1856,  as  Lehaire  in  "Eustace  Baudin." 
Mrs.  Fred.  B.  Conway  made  her  first  appearance  heie  in  1849.  Mr. 
A.  H.  Davenport  made  his  debut  in  November,  1848,  as  Willis  in 
"  Paul  Pry,"  at  the  Athenaeum,  where  he  played  for  two  months, 
and  then  went  to  the  Museum.  Miss  Mary  Ann  Graham  was  con- 
nected with  the  Museum  in  1856,  and  man-ied  Mr.  Clifton  W.  Tay- 
leure,  when  she  retired  from  the  stage.  Mrs.  John  Hoey  made  her 
first  appearance  in  America  on  the  stage  of  the  Museum  in  1839, 
which  was  then  under  the  management  of  De  Selden,  as  Eliza  in 
"  Nature  and  Philosophy,"  her  sister  Charlotte  playing  Colin.  Mr. 
Henry  C.  Jarrett's  first  essay  at  management  was  made  in  the 
purchase  of  the  Museum  in  December,  1851,  from  John  E.  Owens. 
Mr.  George  Clifford  Jordon,  who  was  born  in  Baltimore,  made  his 
debut  at  the  Museum  under  the  management  of  John  E.  Owens. 
Mr.  John  E.  Owens  was  born  in  England,  and  was  brought  by  his 
parents  when  three  years  of  age  to  Baltimore.  After  a  residence 
here  o.f  ten  years  he  removed  to  Philadelphia.  In  1849  he  became 
joint  manager  of  the  Museum  with  Mr.  Hann,  and  the  succeeding 
year  assumed  control  of  the  establishment.  Before  this  he  played 
at  the  Museum  for  $15  a  week.  On  the  8th  of  December,  1845, 
he  made  his  first  appearance  in  the  Museum  as  a  star  in  Gretna 
Green  and  State  Secrets  to  a  $70.50  house.  On  his  benefit  night, 
December  13th,  he  played  to  a  $124.62  house.  James  Wallack, 
Mrs.  Wallack,  and  J.  B.  Booth  the  elder,  played  one  night  to  a  $30 
house.  On  the  19th  of  April,  1845,  Mr.  Booth  played  Beauty  and 
the  Beast  for  his  benefit  to  a  $102  house.  Barney  Williams  was 
far  from  a  success  at  his  commencement.     On  the  16th  of  Decern- 


^ 


444  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

ber,  1845,  he  made  his  first  appearance  in  Baltimore  on  this  stage 
in  the  play  of  "  Bumpology  and  the  Irish  Tutor,"  to  a  $46.50 
house,  and  at  his  benefit  the  receipts  were  only  $55.87.  The  stars 
usually  played  on  shares;  if  they  had  a  bad  run,  the  proceeds  of  a 
benefit  generally  gave  them  money  enough  to  get  away  from  the 
city  with  their  wardrobe.  Mr.  John  Brougham  also  made  his  first 
appearance  in  Baltimore  on  the  Museum  stage.  He  played  on  the 
16th  of  September,  1845,  to  a  $45  house,  and  at  his  benefit  his  re- 
ceipts were  only  $70. 

On  the  22d  of  May,  the  president  and  directors  of  the  Balti- 
more and  Ohio  E.  E.  Co.  invited  the  members  of  the  Legislature 
and  other  officers  of  the  State,  with  the  Mayor  and  City  Council, 
the  editorial  corps,  and  some  distinguished  strangers  and  others, 
to  proceed  with  them  on  their  road  to  Ellicott's  Mills.  There  were 
about  100  in  all,  in  four  carriages  each  drawn  by  one  horse.  In 
one  of  them  Mr.  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton  returned  as  far  as 
Elk  Eidge,  where  he  took  the  stage  and  proceeded  to  Washington, 
being  the  first  person  who  used  this  road  as  on  a  journey  for  busi- 
ness not  connected  with  its  immediate  concerns.  On  the  24th  of 
May  the  cars  commenced  their  regular  journeys  for  business, 
charging  for  the  round  trip  75  cents.  On  the  28th  day  of  August, 
the  main  key-stone  of  the  arches  of  the  fine  granite  structure  pass- 
ing over  the  Frederick  turnpike  road  at  Ellicott's  Mills,  was  ad- 
justed in  the  presence  of  the  directors  of  the  company  and  many 
citizens  assembled  to  witness  the  ceremony.  Eobert  Oliver  was 
called  upon  by  the  master-builder  to  assist  in  adjusting  the  stone ; 
after  which,  the  president  of  the  company,  Philip  E.  Thomas,  ad- 
dressed the  spectators  in  a  happy  manner,  during  which  he  said: — 
"The  directors  of  the  Baltimore  &  O.  E.  E.  Co.,  having  deemed  it 
advisable  to  dignify  the  several  most  important  structures  upon  the 
road  by  the  names  of  those  citizens  under  whose  influence  and  pat- 
ronage this  great  work  has  been  sustained,  the  first  viaduct  was 
honored  with  the  name  of  the  oldest  and  most  revered  of  our  citi- 
zens, the  last  survivor  of  that  illustrious  band  who  signed  the  in- 
strument which  declared  us  an  independent  nation.  To  the  second 
was  assigned  the  name  of  a  liberal,  patriotic,  and  highly  esteemed 
fellow-citizen,WilliamPatterson.  The  noble  edifice  of  which  we  have 
just  witnessed  the  completion,  1  have  been  instructed  to  designate  by 
the  name  of  a  fellow-citizen  no  less  distinguished  for  his  liberality, 
public  spirit,  and  generous  support  of  the  magnificent  enterprise 
m  which  we  have  embarked.  This  structure  will  accordingly  here- 
after be  distinguished  by  the  name  of  the  Oliver  Viaduct." 

Died  in  Baltimore,  on  the  8th  of  May,  Samuel  Hollingsworth, 
Esq.,  in  his  74th  year,  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  the  last  survivor 
of  eleven  sons  and  two  daughters,  all  of  whom  lived  to  an  advanced 
age.  Mr.  Hollingsworth  took  up  arms  at  an  early  period  of  the 
Eevolution  ;  was  in  the  battles  of  Trenton,  Princeton,  &c.,  and  as 
first  lieutenant  of  a  troop  of  horse,  rendered  many  subsequent 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  445 

services.  He  was  a  much  valued  and  high-spirited  citizen  and  a 
zealous  patriot. 

The  Carmelites  or  Teresian  nuns,  whose  convent  is  on  Aisquith 
street,  is*  the  oldest  in  the  United  States,  excepting  the  Ursuline 
Convent  at  New  Orleans.  Eev.  Charles  Neale  brought  over  four 
religious  Sisters,  April  19,  1790,  and  built  them  a  house  at  Port 
Tobacco  at  his  own  expense.  They  were  Mother  Bernadine  Mat- 
thews, Superior,  her  sisters  Aloysius  and  Eleanor  Matthews,  from 
Hogstraet,  and  Sister  Mary  Dickinson,  from  the  convent  at  Antwerp. 
Mother  Mary  Dickinson  became  Superior  in  1800,  and  remained  so 
till  her  death,  March  27th,  1830.  The  convent  was  then  removed 
to  Baltimore  in  September  of  the  year  following. 

Baltimore  has  always  been  remarkable  for  enterprise ;  and  from 
the  beginning  her  enterprise  never  lost  sight  of  the  fact  that  she 
was  nearer  to  the  navigable  waters  of  the  West  than  any  other  of 
the  Atlantic  cities.  This  advantage  was  availed  of  in  the  construc- 
tion, first  of  turnpikes,  and  then  of  canals,  looking  towards  the 
setting  sun.  Although  no  one  then  anticipated  the  growth  of  the 
country  beyond  the  AUeghanies,  as  it  has  since  been  developed,  yet 
everybody  felt  that  there  were  good  things  in  store  there ;  and 
New  York,  Philadelphia,  Boston  and  Baltimore  all  es5>ayed  to  grasp 
them.  JSew  York  had  her  Erie  Canal,  which  aimed  at  flanking  the 
mountains  in  the  country  of  the  great  lakes.  Philadeljihia  bravely 
attacked  them  in  front,  and  so  did  Baltimore.  Boston  watched  for 
a  place  to  pass  them  anyhow.  Eailroads  were  then  not  thought  of. 
Canals  were  the  means  relied  on  ;  and  besides  the  New  York  Canal, 
there  was  a  canal  constructed  in  Pennsylvania  which  actually 
aftbrded  a  water  communication,  imperfect  it  is  true,  but  still  a 
communication,  between  the  East  and  West.  Baltimore  had  a 
hope,  at  one  time,  of  doing  the  same  thing  in  the  same  way ;  but 
the  report  of  General  Bernard  having  proved  that  a  canal  in  this 
direction  was  impracticable,  except  at  a  cost  infinitely  beyond  our 
means,  our  people  may  be  said  to  have  sat  down,  like  the  Israelites 
of  old  by  the  waters  of  Babylon,  and  wept.  yEmigration  was  not 
only  "spoken  of"  among  the  merchants,  but  emigration,  in  some 
cases,  actually  took  place  to  New  York  and  Philadelphia.  We  are 
speaking  now  of  the  years  1824  and  1825.  K,  The  visit  of  La  Fayette 
to  Baltimore  in  1824,  and  the  gorgeous  hospitality  with  which  he 
was  received,  threatened  to  be  the  fitful  flash  of  the  last  remnant 
of  our  enterprise,  before  its  light  and  its  warmth  were  finally  ex- 
tinguished. 

Prior  to  General  Bernard's  report,  a  great  discussion  before  the 
people  had  been  held  at  the  Exchange  as  to  the  best  canal  route 
between  Baltimore  and  the  West;  and  two  distinguished  lawyers — 
the  late  General  Eobert  Goodloe  Harper  and  Mr.  George  Winches- 
ter— discussed  the  merits,  respectively,  of  the  Potomac  and  the 
Susquehanna.  But  the  discussion  proved  to  have  been  an  idle  one  ; 
inasmuch  as,  without  the  means  of  building  a  canal  in  either  direc- 


446  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

tion,  it  was  of  but  little  moment  which  was  the  best  route.  And 
80  all  became  dispirited  ;  and,  if  they  did  not  actually  see  the  grass 
growing  in  our  streets,  they  at  any  rate  began  to  fancy  the  spaces 
between  the  stones  and  the  bricks  in  the  pavements  were  becoming 
unnaturally  green.  Just  about  this  time,  however,  railroads  were 
first  spoken  of.  During  the  fall  of  the  year  1826,  Philip  E.  Thomas, 
a  gentleman  of  fortune,  and  president  of  the  Mechanics'  Bank  of 
Baltimore,  and  George  Brown,  a  director  in  that  institution,  had 
frequent  conferences  in  relation  to  the  loss  that  Baltimore  had  sus- 
tained in  consequence  of  a  large  portion  of  its  trade  with  the  West 
having  been  drawn  to  the  cities  of  Philadelphia  and  ]Sew  York  by 
the  public  works  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  Erie  Canal,  and  the 
result  of  their  deliberations  was  a  firm  conviction  that,  unless  some 
early  means  could  be  devised  to  draw  back  this  trade,  it  would 
ultimately  be  lost  to  the  city  forever.  Previous  to  these  conversa- 
tions between  Messrs.  Thomas  and  Brown,  no  railroad  had  been 
constructed  either  in  Europe  or  this  country  for  the  general  con- 
veyance of  passengers  or  produce  between  distant  points.  A  few 
railroads  had  been  constructed  in  England  for  local  purposes,  such 
as  the  conveyance  of  coal  and  other  heavy  articles  from  the  mines 
or  places  of  production  to  navigable  water,  but  for  general  purposes 
of  travel  and  transportation  they  were  regarded  as  an  untried  ex- 
periment. 

It  is  amusing,  with  the  knowledge  we  now  have  of  such  things, 
to  look  back  to  the  fancies  of  1825  and  1826.  In  the  latter  year,  a 
sufficient  feeling  had  been  gotten  up  by  these  enterprising  and 
public-spirited  citizens  to  invite  some  twenty-five  of  the  most  in- 
fluential merchants  of  Baltimore,  with  some  other  citizens,  to  meet 
them  at  the  residence  of  Mr.  Brown  on  the  12th  day  of  February, 
1827,  the  call  being  "  to  take  into  consideration  the  best  means  of  re- 
storing to  the  city  of  Baltimore  that  portion  of  the  Western  trade  which 
has  lately  been  diverted  from  it  by  the  introduction  of  steam  navigation, 
and  by  other  causes^'  The  meeting  accordingly  assembled,  and  was 
well  and  influentially  attended.  William  Patterson,  Esq.,  was  ap- 
pointed chairman,  and  David  Winchester  secretary.  Various  docu- 
ments and  statements,  illustrating  the  efficiency  of  railroads  for  the 
conveying  of  articles  of  heavy  carriage  at  a  small  expense,  were 
presented  to  the  consideration  of  the  meeting  by  Messrs.  Thomas 
and  Brown,  and  the  superior  advantage  of  this  mode  of  trans- 
portation over  turnpike  roads  or  canals,  being,  according  to  these 
statements,  satisfactorily  shown,  a  resolution  was  adopted  referring 
them  to  a  committee,  whose  duty  it  should  be  to  examine  the  same, 
together  with  such  other  facts  and  experiments  as  they  might  be 
able  to  collect,  with  instructions  to  report  their  opinion  thereon, 
and  recommend  such  a  course  as  it  might  be  deemed  proper  to 
pursue.  The  committee,  appointed  in  accordance  with  this  resolu- 
tion, consisted  of  Philip  E.  Thomas,  Benjamin  C.  Howard,  George 
Brown,  Talbot  Jones,  Joseph  W.  Patterson,  Evan  Thomas  and  John 


CHRONICLES  OF   BALTIMORE.  447 

V.  L.  McMahon.  The  meeting  adjourned,  to  meet  again  on  the 
ensuing  Monday,  the  19th  of  Februar^^  when  a  report,  comprising 
thirty-four  closely  printed  pages,  was  presented  for  the  considera- 
tion of  the  meeting  by  Philip  E.  Thomas,  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee, embracing  much  valuable  information.  The  report  was 
unanimously  adopted,  and  on  mature  consideration  a  set  of  resolu- 
tions were  also  adopted  by  the  meeting.  The  following  gentlemen 
were  then  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  an  application  to  the 
Legislature  of  Maryland  for  an  act  of  incorporation  :  Charles 
Carroll  of  CarroUton,  Philip  E.  Thomas,  William  Patterson,  Wil- 
liam Lorman,  Isaac  McKim,  George  Warner,  Eobert  Oliver,  Ben- 
jamin C.  Howard,  Charles  Eidgely  of  Hampton,  Solomon  Etting, 
Thomas  Tenant,  W.  W.  Taylor,  Alexander  Brown,  Alexander 
Fridge,  John  McKim,  Jr.,  James  L.  Hawkins,  Talbot  Jones,  John 
B.  Morris,  James  Wilson,  Luke  Tiernan,  Thomas  Ellicott,  Alexan- 
der McDonald,  George  Hoffman,  Solomon  Birckhead  and  William 
Steuart. 

The  distinguished  Marylander  and  eminent  lawyer,  John  V.  L. 
McMahon,  who  was  a  delegate  from  the  city  of  Baltimore  in  the 
Legislature  of  the  State,  drew  up  the  original  charter  of  the  road, 
and  through  his  indefatigable  exertions  he  succeeded  in  obtaining 
its  passage.  This  document,  which  is  the  fir»t  railroad  charter  ob- 
tained in  the  United  States,  indicates  the  penetrating  knowledge 
and  forethought  of  the  author  as  to  the  powers  that  would  be  re- 
quired by  such  a  corporation  ;  and  has  been  used  as  a  model  for 
most  of  the  subsequent  charters  obtained  from  the  Legislatures  of 
the  various  States  for  the  construction  of  roads  that  were  started 
as  soon  as  the  practicability  of  the  railroad  system  was  fully  demon- 
strated by  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  Company. 

On  the  24th  day  of  April,  1827,  the  first  railroad  company  in 
the  United  States  was  launched  into  existence,  with  a  capital  of  one 
and  a  half  million  of  dollars,  with  liberty  to  increase  it ;  and  the 
city  of  Baltimore  and  the  State  of  Maryland  were  authorized  to 
subscribe  to  the  stock.  The  following  gentlemen  were  elected  as 
the  first  board  of  directors,  by  whom  PhilipB-.-Thomas  was  chosen 
president,  and  George  Brown  treasurer :  Charles  Carroll  of  Car- 
roUton, George  Hoftman,  William  Patterson,  Philip  E.  Thomas, 
Eobert  Oliver,  Thomas  Ellicott,  Alexander  Brown,  John  B.  Morris, 
Isaac  McKim,  Talbot  Jones,  William  Lorman  and  William  Steuart. 
Of  this  noble  band  of  public  benefactors,  to  whom  Baltimore  is  so 
deeply  indebted  for  their  far-seeing  enterprise,  and  the  energy, 
perseverance  and  unflagging  determination  with  which  they  prose- 
cuted it,  devoting  their  united  labors  and  means  to  the  undertak- 
ing, but  one  now  survives,  viz.  John  B.  Morris,  who  has  just  cause  to 
regard  the  work  finished  as  a  munificent  legacy  to  the  State  and 
cit}^,  upon  which  he  may  safelj^,  and  with  great  and  just  pride,  rest 
his  reputation  for  future  generations. 

Then  came  a  scene  which  almost  beggars  description.     By  this 


448  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

time  public  excitement  had  gone  far  beyond  fever  heat  and  reached 
the  boiling  point.  Everybody  wanted  stock.  The  number  of 
shares  subscribed  were  to  be  apportioned  if  the  limit  of  the  capital 
should  be  exceeded ;  and  every  one  set  about  obtaining  proxies. 
Parents  subscribed  in  the  names  of  their  children,  and  paid  the 
dollar  on  each  share  that  the  rules  prescribed.  Before  a  survey 
had  been  made — before  common  sense  had  been  consulted  even, 
the  possession  of  stock  in  any  quantity  was  regarded  as  a  provi- 
sion for  old  age ;  and  great  was  the  scramble  to  obtain  it.  The 
excitement  in  Baltimore  roused  public  attention  elsewhere,  and  a 
railroad  mania  began  to  pervade  the  land.  But  Baltimore  led  all 
the  rest — there  can  be  no  doubt  of  that. 

Then  came  the  surveys.  A  mission  of  engineers  was  sent  to 
England  while  the  surveys  were  going  on  at  home.  Everything 
was  done  with  an  eager  enthusiasm  that  was  unexampled  even  in 
our  enterprising  annals.  The  directors  availing  themselves  of  the 
public  feeling,  gratified  their  subscribers  by  permitting  them  to 
double  their  stock.  And  yet,  with  the  best  skill  of  the  country  at 
work,  the  vaguest  ideas  prevailed.  Presently  the  surveys  were  so 
far  completed  that  the  choice  of  a  route  might  be  made.  At  this 
time  the  wise  men  of  the  City  Council  came  to  the  aid  of  the 
company's  engineering  talent,  and  refused  to  pay  a  dollar  of  their 
subscription  of  $500,000  unless  the  road  was  located  at  an  eleva- 
tion of  sixty-six  feet  above  tide ;  and  the  railroad  company — which 
would  otherwise  in  all  probability  have  brought  the  work  in  to 
the  city  line,  which,  after  a  lapse  of  forty  years,  it  has  just  com- 
pleted from  the  deejD  cut  to  Ostend  street — was  forced  to  come  to 
Pratt  street  at  its  junction  with  Amity  alley,  where  Mount  Clare 
station  now  covers  acres  of  ground  with  its  shops  and  engine 
houses. 

It  was  a  great  idea  in  those  days  to  tunnel  under  Howard 
street,  come  out  in  Centre  street,  then  a  part  of  Howard's  Park, 
and  crossing  the  Falls,  reach  the  shipping  at  Fell's  Point  with  the 
wealth-diffusing  railroad,  which  people  regarded  as  the  rose  of  a 
vast  watering-pot,  the  smallest  of  whose  tricklings  was  to  fertilize 
the  spot  it  fell  upon,  whatever  its  previous  desolation  and  aridity. 
The  fact  is,  that  almost  every  one  seemed  to  be  impressed  with 
the  idea  that  the  closer  the  railroad  could  be  brought  to  his  alley 
gate  the  better  for  his  property.  People  often  ask  now-a-days 
why  the  railroad  did  not  take  the  route  so  lately  adopted,  and 
whose  excellence  was  so  ap^mrent.  Mr.  Pichard  Caton  once  began 
to  build  a  road  out  of  his  own  means.  They  ask  why  the  com- 
pany made  the  great  embankment  west  of  Mount  Clare ;  why  it 
built  that  costly  structure  of  hewn  granite,  the  Carrollton  Viaduct, 
and  the  almost  equally  costly  but  less  imposing  bridge  across 
Gwynn's  Kun.  The  reason  is  here  given.  The  conscript  fathers 
of  the  city  so  ordained  in  their  utter  ignorance,  and  the  compan}-, 
hardly  then  much  wiser,  were  too  poor  to  make  i.ny  efiicient  re- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  449 

Bistance  to  an  ineffable  absurdity,  to  which  the  conduct  of  the 
three  wise  men  of  Gotham  affords  the  nearest  parallel.  And  here, 
on  the  4th  of  July,  1828,  in  bright  sunshine,  assembled  the  glitter- 
ing procession  which  buried  it  in  the  ground.  First  came  Masons 
with  banners  and  music.  Then  came  the  trades  with  anvil-ring- 
ing, with  type-setting,  with  vats  smoking,  with  labor  of  all  kinds 
in  full  operation,  and  with  banners  and  music  too.  Then  came  the 
good  ship  the  Constitution^  with  the  sails  all  set,  with  streamers 
floating,  and  with  guns  run  out,  as  if  to  war  against  the  world 
that  would  assail  the  sacred  instrument  of  which  it  was  the  em- 
blem. Then  came  Charles  Carroll  of  Carollton,  the  last  surviving 
signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  a  spare,  attenuated  old 
man,  verging  on  his  fourscore  years  and  ten.  small  in  size,  but  ac- 
tive in  his  movements,  with  eyes  still  bright  an(^  sparkling,  with  a 
voice  thin  now  and  feeble,  but  clear  and  distinct,  as  in  emphatic 
utterances  the  venerable  and  venerated  man  prophesied  the  suc- 
cess of  the  great  work  on  whose  corner-stone  he  that  day  struck 
the  gavel  and  applied  the  square. 

Mr.  John  W.  Garrett,  the  present  head  of  the  company,  with 
broad  and  comprehensive  intelligence,  unequalled  energy,  and  un- 
failing perseverance,  has  already  carried  the  work  which  he  con- 
trols far  be3^ond  its  original  confines,  extending  its  power  acrqss 
the  Ohio  on  the  one  side,  and  on  the  other  side  by  a  European 
organization,  making  the  Old  World  even  pay  tribute  to  the  energy 
and  enterprise  of  this  portion  of  the  New. 

As  soon  as  the  grading  was  completed  for  a  mile  west  of  Mount 
Clare,  the  iron  strap,  then  called  a  rail,  was  laid  down  and  a  car 
was  built,  not  unlike  a  country  market-wagon,  without  a  top,  and 
mounted  upon  wheels  whose  flanges  were  on  the  outside.  In  this 
car  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  Alexander  Brown,  William  Pat- 
terson, Philip  E.  Thomas  and  others  of  the  directors  of  the  com- 
pany, with  some  leading  citizens  of  Baltimore,  made  trips  back- 
wards and  forwards,  drawn  by  a  single  horse,  with  the  same  elation 
that  we  now  see  among  the  boys  who  are  lucky  enough  to  secure 
a  free  ride  on  the  platform  of  a  passenger  car  as  it  passes  along  the 
streets.  After  the  directors  were  served,  the  public  were  permitted 
to  enjoy  the  same  luxury,  twelve  and  a  half  cents  a  head  for  the  round 
trip.  And  this  was  the  first  money  ever  earned  on  a  railroad,  con- 
structed for  general  purposes,  in  America.  Maunch  Chunk  was  a  coal 
road,  and  Qaincy  a  granite-quarry  road  ;  but  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Eailroad  was,  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  a  railroad.  In  the 
beginning,  no  one  dreamed  of  steam  upon  the  road.  Horses  were 
to  do  the  work  ;  and  even  after  the  line  was  completed  to  Frederick, 
relays  of  horses  trotted  the  cars  from  place  to  place.  In  this 
way  the  Eelay  House,  at  the  junction  of  the  Washington  Branch, 
obtained  its  name.  One  great  desideratum  was  to  reduce  the  fric- 
tion of  the  axles  in  their  boxes;  and  about  this  time  Mr.  Eoss 
Winans  made  his  appearance  in  Baltimore,  and  instantly  became  a 
29 


450  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

celebrity  with  his  friction-wheel — unquestionably  an  ingenious  and 
beautiful  contrivance.  Mr.  Winans  went  to  Europe  with  his  in- 
vention and  was  there  plundered  of  the  most  valuable  portion  of  it 
— "the  outside  bearing" — through  the  bad  faith  of  those  whom  he 
permitted  to  try  it  in  public  as  an  experiment.  The  outside 
bearing,  of  which  he  is  unquestionably  the  inventor,  in  its  applica- 
tion to  railroad  carriages,  is  now  the  only  bearing  used  throughout 
the  world.    Not  only  was  friction  sought  to   be  avoided  by  im- 

E roving  the  machinery  to  be  used  on  the  road,  but  the  road  itself 
ecame  the  subject  of  experiment;  and  miles  and  miles  of  iron 
straps  were  laid  on  stone  curbs,  to  the  great  edification  of  the  pub- 
lic. To  ride  in  a  railroad  car  in  those  days  was,  literally,  to  go 
thundering  along,  the  roll  of  the  wheels  on  the  combined  rail  of 
stone  and  iron  being  almost  deafening.  In  due  season,  however,  it 
was  discovered  that  the  wheels  were  hammering  the  iron  straps 
out  of  existence. 

When  steam  made  its  appearance  on  the  Liverpool  and  Man- 
chester railroad,  it  attracted  great  attention  here.  But  there  was 
this  difficulty  about  introducing  an  English  engine  on  an  American 
road.  An  English  road  was  virtually  a  straight  road  ;  an  American 
road  had  curves  sometimes  of  as  small  radius  as  two  hundred  feet. 
For  a  brief  season  it  was  believed  that  this  feature  of  the  early 
Anierican  roads  would  prevent  the  use  of  locomotive  engines.  The 
contrary  was  demonstrated  by  a  gentleman  still  living  in  an  active 
and  ripe  old  age,  honored  and  beloved,  distinguished  for  his  private 
worth  and  for  his  public  benefactions ;  one  of  those  to  whom  wealth 
seems  to  have  been  granted  by  Providence  that  men  might  know 
how  wealth  could  be  used  to  benefit  one's  fellow-creatures.  We 
refer  to  Mr.  Peter  Cooper,  of  New  York,  Mr.  Cooper  was  satisfied 
that  steam  might  be  adapted  to  the  curved  roads  which  he  saw 
would  be  built  in  the  United  States,  and  he  came  to  Baltimore, 
which  then  possessed  the  only  one  on  which  he  could  experiment,  to 
vindicate  his  belief  He  had  another  idea,  which  was  that  the 
crank  could  be  dispensed  with  in  the  change  from  a  reciprocating 
to  a  rotary  motion ;  and  he  built  an  engine  to  demonstrate  both 
articles  of  his  faith.  The  machine  was  not  larger  than  the  hand- 
cars used  by  workmen  to  transfer  themselves  from  place  to  place, 
and  the  boiler  was  not  as  large  as  the  kitchen-boiler  attached  to 
many  a  range  in  modern  mansions.  It  was  of  about  the  same  diam- 
eter, but  not  much  more  than  half  as  high.  It  stood  upright  in  the 
car,  and  was  filled,  above  the  furnace,  which  occupied  the  lower 
section,  with  vertical  tubes  made  of  gun-barrels.  The  cylinder  was 
but  three  and  a  half  inches  in  diameter,  and  speed  was  gotten  up 
by  gearing.  No  natural  draught  could  have  been  sufficient  to  keep 
up  steam  in  so  small  a  boiler,  and  Mr.  Cooper  therefore  used  a 
blowing-apparatus,  driven  by  a  drum  attached  to  one  of  the  car- 
wheels,  over  which  passed  a  cord  that  in  its  turn  worked  a  pulley 
on  the  shaft  of  the  blower.     The  contrivance  for  dispensing  with  a 


CHRONICLES  OF   BALTIMORE  451 

crank  came  to  nothing.  Among  the  first  buildings  erected  at 
Mount  Chire  was  a  large  car-house,  in  which  railroad-tracks  were 
laid  at  right  angles  with  the  road  track,  communicating  with  the 
latter  by  a  turn-table — a  liliputian  aifair  indeed,  compared  to  the 
revolving  platforms,  its  successors,  now  in  use.  Iji  this  car-shop 
Mr.  Cooper  had  his  engine,  and  here  steam  was  first  raised,  in  the 
presence  of  Mr.  George  Brown,  the  treasurer  of  the  company,  his 
father  Mr.  Alexander  Brown,  Mr.  Philip  E.  Thomas,  and  one  or  two 
more.  Mr.  Cooper  with  his  own  hands  opened  the  throttle  and 
admitted  the  steam  into  the  cylinder,  the  crank-substitute  operated 
successfully  with  a  clacking  noise,  while  the  machine  moved  slowly 
forward,  with  some  of  the  bystanders  who  had  stepped  upon  it. 
And  this  was  the  first  locomotive  for  railroad  purposes  ever  built 
in  America,  and  this  was  the  first  transportation  of  persons  by 
steam  that  had  ever  taken  place  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 

Mr.  Cooper's  success  was  such  as  to  induce  him  to  try  a  trip  to 
Ellicott's  Mills,  and  an  open  car,  the  first  used  upon  the  road  al- 
ready mentioned,  having  been  attached  to  his  engine,  and  filled 
with  the  directors  and  some  friends,  the  first  journey  by  steam  in 
America  was  commenced.  The  trip  was  most  interesting,  The 
curves  were  passed  without  difficulty  at  a  speed  of  fifteen  miles  an 
hour.  The  grades  were  ascended  with  comparative  ease;  the  day 
was  fine,  and  the  company  in  the  highest  spirits.  The  return  from 
the  Mills — a  distance  of  thirteen  miles — was  made  in  fiftj'-seven 
minutes.  This  was  on  the  28th  of  August,  1830.  But  the  triumph 
of  this  "  Tom  Thumb"  engine  was  not  altogether  without  a  draw- 
back. The  great  stage-proprietors  of  the  day  were  Stockton  and 
Stokes ;  and  on  this  occasion  a  gallant  gray  of  great  beauty  and 
power  was  driven  by  them  from  town,  attached  to  another  car  on 
the  second  track — for  the  company  had  begun  by  making  two 
tracks  to  the  Mills — and  met  the  engine  at  the  Kelay  House  on  its 
way  back.  From  this  point  it  was  determined  to  have  a  race 
home ;  and,  the  start  being  even,  away  went  horse  and  engine,  the 
snort  of  the  one  and  the  putf  of  the  other  keeping  time  and  tune. 
At  first  the  gray  had  the  oest  of  it,  for  his  steam  could  be  applied 
to  the  greatest  advantage  on  the  instant,  while  the  engine  had  to 
wait  until  the  rotation  of  the  wheels  set  the  blower  to  work.  The 
horse  was  perhaps  a  quarter  of  a  mile  ahead  when  the  safety-valve 
of  the  engine  lifted,  and  the  thin  blue  vapor  issuing  from  it  showed 
an  excess  of  steam.  The  blower  whistled,  the  steam  blew  off  in 
vapory  clouds,  the  pace  increased,  the  passengers  shouted,  the  en- 
gine gained  on  the  horse,  soon  it  lapped  him,  the  silk  was  plied,  the 
race  was  neck, and  neck,  nose  and  nose,  then  the  engine  passed  the 
horse,  and  a  great  hurrah  hailed  the  victory.  But  it  was  not  re- 
peated, for  just  at  this  time  when  the  gray's  master  was  about 
giving  up,  the  band  driving  the  pulley  which  drove  the  blower 
slipped  from  the  drum,  the  safety-valve  ceased  to  scream,  and  the 
engine  for  want  of  breath  began  to  wheeze  and  pant.     In  vain  Mi*. 


452  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

Cooper,  who  was  his  own  engineman  and  fireman,  lacerated  his 
hands  in  attempting  to  replace  the  band  upon  the  wheel ;  in  vain, 
he  tried  to  urge  the  fire  with  lightwood ;  the  horse  gained  on  the 
machine,  and  passed  it ;  and  although  the  band  was  presently  re- 

E laced  and  steam  again  did  its  best,  the  horse  was  too  far  ahead  to 
e  overtaken,  and  came  in  the  winner  of  the  race.     But  the  real 
victory  was  with  Mr.  Cooper  notwithstanding. 

A  competitor  that  steam  had  to  contend  with  on  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  Kailroad  was  a  "horse  power."  A  horse  was  placed  in 
a  car  and  made  to  walk  on  an  endless  apron  or  belt,  and  to  com- 
municate motion  to  the  wheels,  as  in  the  horse-power  machine  of 
the  present  day.  The  machine  worked  after  a  fashion  well  enough, 
but  on  one  occasion,  when  drawing  a  car  filled  with  editors  and 
representatives  of  the  press,  it  ran  into  a  cow,  and  the  passengers 
being  tilted  out,  rolled  down  an  embankment,  were  naturally  enough 
unanimous  in  condemning  the  contrivance.  And  so  the  horse-power 
car,  after  countless  bad  jokes  had  been  perpetrated  on  the  cowed 
editors,  passed  out  of  existence,  and,  until  now,  probably  out  of 
mind.  Following  vhe  horse-power  car  came  the  Meteor.  This 
was  a'  sailing  vehicle,  the  invention  of  Mr.  Evan  Thomas,  who  was 
perhaps  the  first  person  who  "  talked  railroad  "  in  Baltimore.  It 
required  a  good  gale  to  drive  it,  and  would  only  run  when  the  wind 
was  what  sailors  call  abaft  or  on  the  quarter.  Head  winds  were 
fatal  to  it,  and  Mr.  Thomas  was  afraid  to  trust  a  strong  side-wind, 
lest  the  Meteor  might  upset.  So  it  rarely  made  its  appearance, 
except  a  northwester  was  blowing,  when  it  would  be  dragged  out 
to  the  further  end  of  the  Mount  Clare  embankment,  and  come  back 
literally  with  flying  colors.  It  was  an  amusing  toy,  nothing  more, 
and  it  is  referred  to  now  as  an  illustration  of  the  crudity  of  the 
ideas  prevailing  forty-five  years  ago  in  reference  to  railroads. 

An  advertisement  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad  Com- 
pany ottering  a  premium  for. the  best  locomotive  adapted  to  its 
curved  road,  brought  several  competitors  into  the  field,  the  best  of 
whom  was  Mr.  Phineas  Davis  of  York,  Pennsylvania,  whose  engine 
became  the  model  of  the  first  engines  which  were  regularly  used 
on  the  road.  Mr.  Davis'  boiler  was  a  double  cylinder — the  fire- 
place being  on  the  inside,  and  the  fire  surface  was  increased  by  a 
cheese-like  projection  downwards  above  the  fire-.  It  was  the  first 
engine  in  this  country  whose  wheels  were  coupled,  so  as  to  have  a 
double  and  not  a  single  pair  of  drivers.  When  the  Peter  Cooper 
boiler  was  put  into  this  plan  of  engine,  it  made  what  are  known  as 
the  "  grasshopper  engines,"  some  of  which  are  still  in  use  after 
forty  years  of  service,  as  regulators  in  the  company's  stations. 

Space  does  not  allow  us  to  go  over  in  detail  the  various  attempts 
at  locomotive  enginery  which  came  into  existence  only  to  disappear. 
As  it  was  with  engines,  so  it  was  with  cars.  Those  who  travel  in 
the  eight  and  six  teen-wheel  cars  of  the  present  day,  can  scarcely 
believe  the  tedious  process  by  which  such  results  have  been  arrived 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  453 

at.  As  already  said,  the  first  car  was  like  a  market-cart  on  rail- 
road wheels.  The  next  car  was  a  nine-passenger  coach,  simi- 
larly mounted,  with  the  old-time  leathern  braces  and  C  springs. 
For  a  long  while  this  fashion  prevailed;  and  gaudily  painted  ve- 
hicles, built  by  Mr.  Richard  Imlay,  were  occasionally  exposed  for 
public  admiration  in  Monument  Square  before  being  placed  upon 
the  railroad.  In  winter  these  were  lined  with  green  baize  curtains, 
and  the  seats,  instead  of  being  crosswise,  were  placed  around  them. 
And  this  continued  till  Mr.  Ross  Winans  planned  the  first  eight- 
wheeled  car  ever  built  for  passenger  purposes,  and  called  it  by  the 
appropriate  name  of  the  "  Columbus."  To  him  is  unquestionably 
due  the  first  organization  of  this  sort  made  in  the  world.  The 
Columbus  was  a  large  box,  such  as  any  competent  mechanic,  other 
than  a  coach-maker,  could  build.  It  was  supported  on  trucks  at 
either  end — had  seats  on  top,  which  were  reached  by  a  ladder  at 
one  of  the  corners  of  the  car,  which  were  cut  off,  so  to  speak,  and 
where  the  doors  were.  It  was  followed  by  several  extraordinary 
looking  contrivances,  one  of  which  the  workmen  nicknamed  "  the 
sea  serpent,"  while  another  was  called  the  "dromedary."  Each  of 
these  was  an  improvement  on  its  predecessor.  Then  came  a  car 
which  embodied  the  perfected  idea  called  the  "Winchester,"  and 
then  came  what  was  known  as  the  "  Washington "  cars,  which 
were  the  eight-wheeled  cars  of  the  present  day. 

The  question  has  sometimes  been  mooted  whether  Baltimore  and 
its  great  Western  railroad  are  really  entitled  to  the  credit  of  first 
using  a  locomotive  engine  in  America.  There  can  be,  however,  no 
doubt  of  the  fact.  Mr.  John  H.  B.  Latrobe  is  a  living  witness  of  it ; 
and  the  testimony  is  documentary.  It  was  after  the  demonstration 
by  Peter  Cooper  that  the  Baltimore  and  Susquehanna  railroad 
Company,  now  the  Northern  Central,  imported  the  locomotive 
Herald  from  England.  A  volume  might  be  written  of  such  recol- 
lections as  the  foregoing. 

In  October,  1849,  Mr.  Louis  McLane  resigned  his  position  as 
president  of  the  road,  over  which  he  had  presided  for  eleven  years, 
and  Thomas  Swann,  Esq.,  for  several  months  previous  one  of  the 
most  active,  energetic,  and  able  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  was 
immediately  chosen  his  successor,  with  a  unanimity  that  clearly 
evinced  the  high  estimation  in  which  he  was  held  by  his  associates. 
Mr.  Swann,  as  early  as  1851,  promised  to  stand  with  his  guests  of 
the  city  of  Baltimore  and  the  States  of  Virginia  and  Maryland  on 
the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  at  Wheeling,  on  the  1st  of  January,  1853, 
and  on  that  day,  after  years  of  delay,  surrounded  by  embarrass- 
ments and  staggering  under  the  vastness  of  the  undertaking — with 
a  credit  almost  exhausted,  its  few  remaining  friends  scattered 
and  disheartened,  a  communit}^  over-taxed,  and  an  opposition 
rendered  formidable  by  the  honesty  of  the  convictions  under  which 
they  acted — this  great  work  entered  upon  its  extiension  from  Cum- 
berland to  the  city  of  Wheeling,  a  distance  of  more  than  two  hun- 


451  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

dred  miles,  which  it  soon  accomplished,  fulfilling  his  predictions  to 
the  letter. 

Benjamin  II.  Latrobe,  the  chief  engineer,  has  achieved  —  in 
tracking  this  great  national  highway  through  mountain  gorges 
that  Avere  almost  impenetrable  to  the  foot  of  man  —  an  imperish- 
able renown.  The  work  will  stand  through  all  future  ages  as  a 
monument  of  his  skill  as  an  engineer,  arid  of  that  indomitable  per- 
severance which  conceives  nothing  impossible,  and  that  knows 
"  no  such  word  as  fail."  The  undertaking  was  one  of  magnitude 
and  boldness.  Mr.  Latrobe  is  as  distinguished  for  his  modesty, 
urbanity  and  social  charms  as  for  his  eminence  as  an  engineer. 
He  was  educated  for  a  lawyer,  but  his  inclinations  were  found 
after  a  few  years'  practice  to  run  in  a  counter  direction,  and  being 
already  an  accomplished  draughtsman  and  a  mathematician,  he 
first  entered  on  his  new  profession  under  Jonathan  Knight,  who 
was  the  chief  engineer  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad  during 
the  first  fourteen  years  of  its  existence. 

John  H.  B,  Latrobe,  Esq.,  the  distinguished  legal  counsellor  of ' 
the  company,  and  brother  of  the  chief  engineer,  was  educated  for 
an  engineer,  but  maturity  brought  to  him  a  taste  for  metaphysics 
and  law,  and  they  have  both  chosen  the  path  intended  for  them 
as  shining  marks  in  their  respective  professions.  The  knowledge 
of  law  has,  however,  been  of  great  service  to  the  company  in  the 
performance  of  his  duties  by  the  first  as  an  engineer,  whilst  the 
knowledge  of  engineering  possessed  by  the  other  has  been  of  equal 
advantage  in  protecting  the  varied  interests  of  the  company  from  en- 
croachment. It  was  during  the  first  year  of  the  company's  exist- 
ence that  John  H.  B.  Latrobe  was  retained  as  its  legal  counsellor. 
He  was  at  that  time  a  very  young  man,  and  had  just  entered  upon 
the  practice  of  his  profession.  His  manifold  and  important  ser- 
vices, and  his  zealous  devotion  to  the  interests  of  the  road,  in 
whose  behalf  he  has  so  fully  exercised  his  great  abilities,  have 
long  since  established  the  wisdom  that  led  to  his  appointment. 
The  clearness  of  his  perception,  the  systematic  precision  of  his 
mind,  and  the  untiring  industry  and  almost  military  discipline 
with  which  he  marches  through  his  multifarious  labors,  have 
enabled  him  to  bestow  much  attention  to  public  interests  as  well 
as  to  perform  his  professional  duties.  Mr.  Latrobe  is  known  to 
possess  the  most  varied  abilities.  As  a  lawyer,  a  mathematician,  au 
artist,  a  man  of  liberal  and  enlarged  views,  a  friend  to  public  im- 
provement, and  a  true  philanthropist,  he  has  everywhere  met  with 
the  public  recognition  which  he  so  richly  deserves.  Although  con- 
stantly-pressed with  private  professional  pursuits  of  a»more  general 
and  profitable  character,  Mr.  Latrobe  has  always  seemed  to  regard 
the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad  as  a  favored  client,  sharing  with 
its  originators  and  founders  in  the  pride  with  which  they  have 
watched  its  progress  and  witnessed  its  completion. 

Periods  of  the  various  openings  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Kailrottd : 


.CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  455 

Opened  to  Ellicott's  Mills  by  horse  power,  24*h  May,  1830. 

"  Ellicott's  Mills  by  sleam,  30th  August,  1830. 

"  Frederick  *'  1st  Dec.,  1831. 

"  Point  of  Rocks      "  1st  April,  1832. 

"  Harper's  Ferry      "  Ist  Dec,  1834. 

"  Bladensburg  "  20th  July,  1834. 

"  Washington  "  25th  August,  1834. 

"  oppos'e  Hancock  "  1st  June,  1843. 

"  Cumberland  "  5th  Nov.,  1842. 

"  Piedmont  "  21st  July,  1851. 

"  Fairmount  "  22d  June,  1852. 

"  Wheeling  "  1st  Jan.,  1853. 

At  this  time  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad  was  the  longest 
in  the  world. 

The  cause  which  led  Mr.  Peter  Cooper  to  deviate  from  the  path 
of  his  legitimate  business  to  become  the  builder  of  the  first  Ameri- 
can locomotive,  is  explained  by  the  perusal  of  his  letter  to  Mr. 
William  H.  Brown,  in  answer  to  some  inquiries  upon  that  subject : 

"  New  York,  May  ISth,  1869. 
"  Mr.  William  H.  Brown  : 

'^My  Dear  Sir  : —  In  reply  to  your  kind  favor  of  the  10th  inst., 
I  write  to  say  that  1  am  not  sure  that  I  have  a  drawing  or  sketch 
of  the  little  locomotive  placed  by  me  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Eailroad  in  the  summer  of  1829,  to  the  best  of  my  recollection. 

"  The  engine  was  a  very  small  and  insignificant  afi'air.  It  was 
made  at  a  time  when  I  had  become  the  owner  of  all  the  land  now 
belonging  to  the  Canton  Company,  the  value  of  which  I  believed 
depended  almost  entirely  upon  the  success  of  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Eailroad.  At  that  time  an  opinion  had  become  prevalent 
that  the  road  was  ruined  for  steam  locomotives  by  reason  of  the 
short  curves  found  necessary  to  get  around  the  various  points  of 
rocks  found  in  their  course.  Under  these  discouraging  circum- 
stances many  of  the  principal  stockholders  were  about  abandon- 
ing the  work,  and  were  only  prevented  from  forfeiting  their  stock 
by  my  persuading  them  that  a  locomotive  could  be  so  made  as  to 
pass  successfully  around  the  short  curves  then  found  in  the  road, 
which  only  extended  thirteen  miles  to  Ellicott's  Mills. 

"  When  I  had  completed  the  engine  I  invited  the  directors  to 
witness  an  experiment.  Some  thirty-six  persons  entered  one  of 
the  passenger  cars  and  four  rode  on  the  locomotive,  which  carried 
its  own  fuel  and  water,  and  made  the  first  passage  of  thirteen 
miles,  over  an -average  ascending  grade  of  eighteen  feet  to  the 
mile,  in  one  hour  and  twelve  minutes.  We  made  the  return  trip 
in  fifty-seven  minutes.  * 

"  I  regret  my  inability  to  make  such  a  sketch  of  the  engine  as 
I  would  be  willing  to  send  you  at  this  moment  without  further 
time  to  do  so. 

"  Yours  with  great  respect,  Peter  Cooper." 


456  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

On  the  28th  of  June  the  ground  of  the  old  '^City  Hall,"  on  the 
east  side  of  Holliday  street,  was  purchased  by  the  city  for  the 
sum  of  $1610,  subject  to  a  ground  rent  of  $306 ;  the  improvements 
cost  $8,124.04. 

The  first  fatal  accident  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad  oc- 
curred in  September.  The  driver  of  a  car  laden  with  37  persons, 
because  of  some  bad  conduct  of  the  horse,  which  he  was  attempt- 
ing to  correct,  lost  his  seat,  and  falling  on  one  of  the  rails,  was  so 
dreadfully  cut  and  bruised  by  the  wheels  that  he  immediately  died. 
The  receipts  on  the  road  for  the  first  sixteen  weeks  amounted  to 
nearly  $17,000. 

The  events  of  the  French  revolution  were  celebrated  by  a  mili- 
tary and  civic  procession  in  Baltimore,  on  Monday,  October  25th. 
After  having  passed  through  several  of  the  principal  streets,  the 
procession  halted  in  Monument  Square,  where  a  beautiful  oration 
was  delivered  by  Mr.  William  Wirt.  After  he  had  taken  his  seat, 
Gen.  Samuel  Smith  rose  and  delivered  a  short  address.  Mr.  John 
S.  Skinner,  then,  as  secretary  to  the  meeting,  read  certain  resolu- 
tions, with  an  address  to  the  people  of  France,  all  of  which  were 
concurred  in,  and  the  meeting  adjourned. 

After  the  ceremonies  were  concluded,  the  Typographical  Asso- 
ciation, to  the  number  of  about  eighty  persons,  proceeded  to  the 
execution  of  a  resolution,  adopted  on  a  former  occasion,  of  deposit- 
ing their  own  proper  flag  with  Mr.  Hezekiah  Niles,  editor  of  the 
Register,  as  the  senior  employer  in  the  city,  together  with  the  tri- 
color, which  they  had  provided  and  displayed  in  the  procession  by 
the  side  of  the  "  Star  Spangled  Banner  "  of  their  own  country. 
Capt.  Hickman  and  his  veteran  company  of  the  5th  Eegiment,  with 
Capt.  Deems  with  his  company  of  Baltimore  Yagers,  with  the 
splendid  military  band  attached,  under  the  direction  of  Capt. 
itoundtree,  honored  the  occasion  by  a  tender  of  their  services, 
which  were  gratefully  accepted  on  the  part  of  the  craft  by  their 
Marshal.  After  being  joined  by  the  "Mechanical  Volunteers" 
(This  company,  it  is  said,  was  the  body-guard  of  Washington  at  the 
battle  of  Germantown,  and  honored  with  the  same  station  in  1794, 
when  engaged  in  the  "  Whiskey  Insurrection,")  who  unexpect- 
edly but  very  agreeably  expressed  a  wish  to  unite  in  the  ceremo- 
nies, proceeded  to  the  Central  Fountain  in  Calvert  street,  followed 
by  the  Printers'  Association,  headed  by  Mr.  Niles,  who  was  sup- 

Sorted  by  Mr.  Murphy,  one  of  the  editors  of  the  American,  and 
Ir.  A.  J.  W.  Jackson,  one  of  the  oldest  journeymen  of  the  profes- 
sion, flanked  by  Mr.  Samuel  Sands,  the  Marshal,  and  his  assistants, 
Messrs.  J.  N.  Millington  and  Bailey,  with  the  flag  of  the  craft,  and 
4;ho8e  of  the  United  States  and  France  floating  in  harmony.  The 
whole  marched  to  Mr.  Niles'  dwelling  in  St.  Paul  street,  near  which 
a  largo  number  of  ladies  and  other  persons  had  assembled.  Mr.  Niles, 
with  Mr.  Murphy  on  his  right,  and  Mr.  Jackson  on  his  left,  took  a 
place  on  the  lower  step  of  entrance  into  his  house,  and,  the  parties 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  457 

being  uncovered,  Mr.  Sands,  bearing  the  flag  of  fraternity,  and  sup- 
ported by  his  assistant  marshals,  advanced,  and  delivered  a  beautiful 
and  eloquent  address.  Upon  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Sands'  address  the 
flags  were  presented,  and  being  united  formed  a  kind  of  arch  over 
the  head  of  Mr.  Niles,  who  descended  from  the  step  and  replied  in 
a  long  and  eloquent  address.  The  three  flags  were  now  passed  into 
the  second  story  of  Mr.  Niles'  house,  where  they  were  received  by 
the  ladies  of  the  family  and  others  assembled  to  witness  the  cere- 
mony, and  with  delicate  kindness  festooned  them  over  his  editorial 
chair.  The  printers  and  the  military  then,  in  numbers  suited  to 
the  capacity  of  the  room,  entered  and  partook  of  some  slight  re- 
freshments, during  which  some  good  toasts  were  given  by  several 
gentlemen.  The  printers  then  re-formed  and  marched  to  Barrett's 
tavern,  where  resolutions  were  adopted  returning  thanks  to  Mr. 
Niles,  tbe  military  companies,  Mr.  Barrett  for  the  use  of  his  rooms, 
and  Mr.  Samuel  Sands,  the  marshal. 

1831.  The  "Odd-Fellows"  of  Baltimore  celebrated  their  anni- 
versary in  this  city  on  the  26th  of  April,  and  dedicated  tbeir  new 
and  magnificent  hall  in  Gay  street.  About  500  were  computed  to 
be  in  the  procession,  with  their  banners  and  other  ornaments,  and 
made  a  very  respectable  and  imposing  show.  One  oration  was  de- 
livered in  Trinity  Church  by  James  L.  Kidgely,  and  another  after 
the  dedication  of  the  hall  by  T.  Y.  W"alsh.  The  number  of  this  as- 
sociation in  Baltimore  at  this  time  was  supposed  to  exceed  1500. 

On  the  29th  and  30th  of  June,  a  contractor  on  the  3d  division 
of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad,  about  twent^^-five  miles  from 
the  city,  absconded,  leaving  his  laborers  unpaid.    The  laborers  took  v/ 
the   law   into   their   own   hands  and   commenced  to  destroy  the 
property  of  the   company,  because  their  employer  had  wronged, 
them  I     They  were  between  200  and  300  strong,  and  with  piek-axe8,\^ 
hammers  and  sledges,  made  a  furious  attack  on  the  rails,  sills  and 
whatever  else  the}^  could  destroy.     The  sheriff  of  the  county  and 
his  posse  were  resisted  by  these  ignorant  or  wicked  men,  and  a 
requisition  was  made  on  Brigadier-General  Steuart  for  a  detach- 
ment of  the  volunteers  under  his  command ;  and,  though  it  rained 
very  hard,  a  sufficient  number  of  soldiers  started  in  the  cars  from 
the  depot  at  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  night  of  the  30th  of  June,  and 
reached  the  scene  of  violence  before  daylight  the  next  morning. 
The  rioters  suffered  themselves  to  be  arrested  by  the  military  with-    / 
out  opposition,  but  some  of  them  precipitately  fled.     In  the  after-'*^ 
noon  forty  of  those  reported  to  be  principals  w^ere  brought  into 
Baltimore  and  lodged  in  jail,  and  eighteen  or  twenty  w^ere  arrested 
and  brought  in  next  day  b}^  a  detachment  which  remained  behind 
for  the  purpose.     The  prisoners,  being  brought  before  Judge  Han- 
son on  a  subsequent  day,  were  severally  examined  and  nearly  all 
discharged. 

The  Baltimore  and  Susquehanna  railroad  was  opened  for  public 
travel  on  the  4th  of  July — the  rails,  on  one  track,  being  laid  for 
more  than  six  miles,  through  the  valley  of  Jones  Falls. 


458  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Died  on  the  4th  of  July,  James  Madison,  late  President  of  the 
United  States.  Honors  were  paid  to  th^  memory  of  the  deceased 
by  hoisting  the  flags  at  half-mast,  the  tolling  of  bells,  firing  of 
minute-guns,  and  the  passage  of  resolutions  by  the  local  authorities 
and  other  bodies  of  citizens. 

On  the  8th  of  June,  the  following  experiment  was  tried  on  the 
Susquehanna  railroad :  it  consisted  in  placing  the  horses  between 
two  cars,  where  they  were  confined  by  means  of  shafts  extending 
from  one  car  to  the  other,  resting  at  each  end  upon  the  pivot  piece 
80  as  to  allow  them  free  play  in  passing  the  curves.  The  shafts  were 
made  of  strong  timber,  so  that  the  horse  or  horses  "  cannot  possibly 
get  off  the  road  ;  and  to  guard  against  the  horse  stumblmg,  a  broad 
belt  of  leather  is  passed  from  shaft  to  shaft  underneath  the  animal, 
of  sufficient  strength  to  prevent  his  going  down  ;  for  greater  se- 
curity, two  bows  of  iron  are  made  to  pass  from  the  shafts  over  the 
back  of  the  horse.  By  all  these  means  the  horse,  though  entirely 
free  in  his  action,  is  confined  above,  below  and  on  each  side,  so  that 
it  is  impossible  for  him  to  get  off  the  track  of  the  road." 

The  abduction  of  Morgan,  and  the  extraordinary  proceedings 
which  followed  it,  had  produced  remarkable  excitement,  especially 
in  the  Northern  and  Western  States.  It  is  a  curious  history  which 
will  ever  occupy  a  notable  page  in  the  annals  of  the  time,  and  is 
too  well  known  to  need  repetition  here.  Like  other  exciting  topics 
which  have  taken  hold  of  the  public  mind  in  this  country,  it  led  to 
the  organization  of  a  distinct  political  party — the  "anti-Masonic." 
The  zeal  to  destroy  Masonry  rose  above  all  other  subjects  of  public 
concern  ;  and  a  large  body  of  respectable  and  judicious  men  were 
found  in  several  States,  who  were  willing  to  forego  all  the  ordinary 
»  inducements  to  the  old  political  organization,  and  to  embody  them- 
selves into  a  party  to  accomplish  this  one  object.  This  "anti- 
Masonic  "  party,  it  was  said,  at  the  period  to  which  we  refer,  sup- 
posed themselves  able  to  command  a  vote  of  half  a  million  in  this 
countr3\  Sincere  and  zealous  in  their  purpose,  unquestionably 
honest  and  patriotic  in  all  that  they  contrived  and  intended  to  do, 
and,  as  we  have  already  said,  intelligent,  thoughtful  and  able  in  the 
general  complexion  of  the  men  at  their  head,  they  had  arranged  a 
convention  of  delegates  to  be  chosen  from  the  several  States,  who 
were  to  meet  by  appointment  in  Baltimore  in  September,  to  select 
a  candidate  for  the  Presidency.  In  pursuance  of  this  arrange- 
ment, about  one  hundred  and  twelve  delegates  assembled  in  Balti- 
more at  the  Athenaeum,  on  Monday,  the  26th  of  September.  It 
was  distinguished  for  its  talent,  and  for  the  weight  of  characttr 
which  it  presented.  It  was  looked  upon  with  curious  and  deep 
interest  throughout  the  whole  country  ;  with  approbation  by  many, 
but  with  a  settled  and  stern,  though  silent  hostility,  by  that  numer- 
ous and  respectable  class  of  citizens  which,  in  every  State,  yet  con- 
stituted the  body  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  On  the  28th  of  Sep- 
V^  tember  the  convention  tendered  to  Mr.  William  Wirt,  then  a  resi- 


CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  459 

dent  of  Bjiltimore,  the  nomination  for  the  Presidency  of  the  United 
States.     Mr  Amos  EUmaker,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  selected  by  them 
as  the  candidate  for  the  Yice-Presidency.     On  the  evening  of  the 
same   day  Mr.  Wirt  sent  a  communication  to  the  convention  ac- 
cepting the  nomination.     This  paper  explained  the  grounds  of  his 
acceptance,  and  forms  an  important  document  in  an  interesting 
passage  of  political  history.     This  letter  was  received  with  entire 
approbation    by  the  convention,  and  a  resolution   was    therefore 
adopted,  recommending  "to  their  fellow-citizens  throughout  the 
United  States,  a  cordial  and  vigorous  supj^ort  of  Mr.  Wirt  at  the 
next  election,  as  the  anti-Masonic  candidate  for  the  office  of  Presi-- 
dent  of  the  United  States."     The  result  of  the  election  next  year-x 
was  that,  out  of  two  hundred  and  eighty-six  electoral  votes  which    J 
were  cast  in  the  colleges.  General  Jackson  received  two  hundred./ 
and  nineteen,  Mr.  Clay  forty-nine,  Mr.  Floyd,  who  took  the  vote  I 
of  South  Carolina,  eleven,  and  Mr.  Wirt  seven — these  seven  being  j 
the  votes  of  the  State  of  Vermont.  -^ 

The  National  Eepublican  Convention  met  in  the  city  of  Balti- 
more at  the  Athenaeum  on  Monday,  December  12th,  about  140 
members  in  attendance.  Governor  Barbour,  of  Virginia,  president. 
On  Tuesday  Henry  Clay  was  unanimously  nominated  by  the  con- 
vention as  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  President  of  the  United 
States.  On  Wednesday  Mr.  John  Sergeant,  of  Pennsylvania,  was 
nominated  as  candidate  for  Vice-President.  On  motion  of  Mr. 
Halstead,  of  New  Jersey,  thanks  were  unanimously  voted  to  Luke 
Tiernan,  Hezekiah  Niles,  Nathaniel  F.  AVilliams,  William  II.  Free- 
man, Charles  F.  Mayer,  Joshua  Med  tart,  and  James  Harwood,  of  the 
National  Pepublican  Committee,  and  to  John  B.  Morris,  Henry  V. 
Sommcrville,  N.  F.  Williams  and  James  Harwood,  the  committee 
of  arrangements  on  the  part  of  the  citizens. 

1832.  The  centennial  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  Gen.  George 
Washington  was  celebrated  in  this  city  on  the  22d  of  February 
with  more  than  ordinary  delight  to  the  citizens.  Every  avenue 
leading  to  Monument  Square  was  crowded  with  thousands  of  anxious 
spectators  in  the  early  part  of  the  day,  and  every  window  was 
filled  with  elegantly  attired  females,  each  indicating  by  her  looks 
the  deep  interest  ehe  felt  in  this  public  manifestation  of  a  whole 
nation's  attachment  to  the  memory  of  the  purest  patriot  that  ever 
adorned  the  pages  of  history.  The  procession  moved  from  the 
square  at  the  time  appointed,  and  passed  in  front  of  the  residence 
of  the  venerable  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  who  was  unable  to 
attend.  They  arrived  at  the  Front  Street  Theatre  or  Circus,  where 
Wm.  H.  Collins,  Esq.,  read  Washington's  Farewell  Address,  pre- 
ceded by  a  few  appropriate  remarks  ;  after  which  J.  H.  B.  Latrobe, 
Esq.,  addressed  the  assembly  "in  a  strain  of  chaste  and  fascinating 
eloquence  which  rivetted  the  attention  and  excited  the  admiration 
of  all  present."  The  Mayor  and  Council  of  Frederick  and  other  in- 
vited guests  were  entertained  by  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  of 
Baltimore  at  Barnum's  City  Hotel. 


460  CHKONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEB. 

The  health  officer,  who  visits  all  vessels  arriving  at  the  port  of 
Baltimore,  reports  the  arrival  of  1,429  foreigners  in  1827 ;  1,843  in 
1828;  1,581  in  1829;  4,100  in  1830;  4,381  in  1831;  7,946  in  1832. 
These  numbers  do  not,  probably,  include  the  whole,  because  the 
health  officer  not  being  required  to  visit  vessels  arriving  during  the 
winter  months,  makes  no  report  of  passengers  who  reach  this  port 
during  that  season. 

The  Jackson  General  Convention  met  at  the  Athenaeum,  May 
the  21st,  and  the  next  day  nominated  as  the  Democratic  candidate 
for  Vice-President,  Martin  Van  Buren,  of  New  York.  At  this  con- 
vention the  two-third  rule  was  adopted,  which  has  since  been  ad- 
hered to.  The  Jackson  Convention  also  met  a  part  of  the  time  in 
"  Warfield's  Church,"  in  St.  Paul's  street,  near  Saratoga,  which 
deistical  church-building  was  afterward  incorporated  with  Mr.  N. 
C.  Brooks'  Baltimore  Female  College.  During  the  proceedings  of 
the  convention  an  alarm  was  given,  and  one  or  two  men  jumping 
out  of  the  window  were  somewhat  injured. 

On  the  23d  of  May  the  Young  Men's  Convention,  then  in  session 
at  Washington,  appointed  a  committee  of  one  from  each  State  to 
wait  on  Charles  Carroll  of  CarroUton  to  testify  the  sense  of  grateful 
respect  entertained  by  the  country  for  the  last  of  the  illustrious 
band  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  In  con- 
formity with  their  appointment,  nearly  all  the  members  of  the 
committee  assembled  in  Baltimore,  and,  accompanied  by  several 
members  of  the  convention,  proceeded  in  a  body  to  his  residence, 
and  were  introduced  to  him  separately  by  Mr.  Brantz  Mayer; 
after  which  Mr.  Mayer,  chairman  of  the  committee,  addressed  him 
in  a  few  appropriate  remarks.  After  Mr.  Mayer  had  concluded, 
Mr.  Carroll  declared  himself  highly  gratified  by  the  expression  of 
the  feelings  of  the  young  men  of  the  United  States,  and  hoped  they 
might  enjoy  uninterruptedly  through  life,  and  transmit  unimpaired 
to  their  posterity,  the  noble  institutions  of  this  happy  land.  . 

On  the  15th  of  July  a  furious  fire  broke  out  in  the  extensive 
lumber-yard  of  Wm.  Carson  &  Co.,  on  Buchanan's  wharf,  and  soon 
reached  the  great  range  of  warehouses  on  Smith's  wharf  The 
whole  stock  of  lumber,  except  a  small  portion  thrown  in  the  dock, 
was  consumed,  and  five  warehouses,  with  the  chief  part  of  their 
contents.  The  warehouses  were  occupied  by  Messrs.  Whites,  Buck 
&  Hedrick,  Manning  &  Hope,  Mr.  Hugh  Boyle,  and  Mr.  Lester. 
Two  persons  were  killed  and  four  others  very  badly  wounded  by 
the  falling  walls. 

V  During  the  year  Baltimore  passed  through  her  season  of  trial 
by  a  visitation  of  that  awful  disease  "  cholera."  The  Mayor  and  the 
officers  of  health  made  all  preparations  for  it  which  the  nature  of 
circumstances  and  the  means  placed  in  their  hands  would  permit. 
However,  it  raged  during  the  summer  season,  and  during  the  month 
of  September  the  number  of  deaths  in  Baltimore  bj^  cholera  was 

V  /  J  0  .     At  the  Alms  House  its  ravages  were  terrible.    On  the 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE,  461 

breaking  out  of  the  disease  the  inmates  were  about  500,  of  which 
number  the  deaths  were  125.  When  the  dreadful  scourge  which 
bad  depopulated  our  cities  visited  Philadelphia,  the  civil  authorities 
of  that  city  expressed  a  wish  to  have  the  assistance  of  the  Sisters  V'^ 
of  Charity.  The  wish  was  made  known  to  this  community  by  the 
Eight  Eev.  Dr.  Kenrick,  and  by  return  of  mail  thirteen  heroines 
were  landed  in  Philadelphia,  ready  to  rush  with  joy  to  the  assist- 
ance of  those  from  whom  the  rest  of  the  world  seemed  to  fly  with 
horror.  In  Baltimore  the  same  request  was  made,  and  was  met 
with  equal  heroism.  It  was  here  that  was  immolated  the  first 
victim  of  charity,  in  the  person  of  Sister  Mary  Frances,  the  v^ 
daughter  of  the  late  Benedict  Boarman  of  Charles  County,  Mary- 
land, once  admired  in  the  extensive  circle  in  which  she  moved.  On 
the  morning -of  the  d^y  on  which  she  died,  she  fainted  from 
weakness  occasioned  by  the  premonitory  symptoms  of  cholera. 
While  preparing  to  take  the  remedies  which  had  been  prescribed 
for  her,  a  patient — a  colored  woman — was  brought  into  the  hos- 
pital. The  case  seemed  desperate  and  to  require  immediate  assist- 
ance, and  the  heroic  Sister  forgot  herself  to  give  relief  to  the 
patient.  But  her  delicate  frame  was  too  weak,  and  the  disease 
too  strong,  and  in  a  few  hours  the  cherished,  accomplished,  and 
pious  Mary  Frances  was  a  lifeless  corpse.  The  death  of  this  Sister 
did  not  deter  the  others.  There  was-  no  panic  or  alarm,  not  even  • 
concern,  but  -with  a  devotedness  which  can  scarcely  be  conceived 
or  credited,  her  place  was  sought  with  emulation,  and  the  cata- 
strophe only  increased  their  courage.  The  next  victim  was  Sister 
Mary  George,  the  daughter  of  Jacob  Smith,  a  wealthy  farmer  in 
Adams  Co.,  Pennsylvania.  She  dedicated  herself  at  an  early  age 
to  the  service  of  her  neighbors,  and  was  soon  called  to  receive  the 
crown  which  her  devoted  charity  deserved.  She  died  in  Baltimore 
of  the  epidemic,  in  the  19th  year  of  her  age.  Several  other  mem- 
bers of  this  heroic  band  were  attacked  either  in  the  cholera  bos-  • 
pitals  or  in  the  county  and  city  alms  house,  where  the  epidemic 
was  most  fatal.  They  cannot  be  better  pictured  than  in  the  words 
of  the  honorable  Maj^or  of  the  city  of  Baltimore  in  a  letter  he 
wrote  to  the  citizens  on  this  occasion.  "  To  behold,"  says  he, ''  life 
thus  immolated  in  so  sacred  a  cause,  produces  rather  a  sensation  of 
awe  than  of  sorrow,  a  sentiment  of  resignation  to  the  Almighty 
fiat  rather  than  a  useless  regret  at  the  afflicting  event."  Their  re- 
mains were  attended  to  the  grave  by  the  Mayor  and  the  members 
of  the  Board  of  Health,  and  other  officers  Of  the  corporation. 
During  the  prevalence  of  the  disease  Archbishop  Whitfield 
tendered  his  spacious  mansion  on  the  corner  of  Charles  and 
Mulberry  streets,  to  be  used  as  a  hospital  for  the  sick. 

The  following  letter  was  sent  by  the  Mayor  of  Baltimore  to 
Eev.  A.  J.  Elder  ; 

"  Mayor's  Office,  Baltimore^  Nov.  3d,  1832. 

"  Eev.  A.  J.  Elder  :    Dear  Sir : — The  duties  assigned  me   as 


462  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Mayor  of  Baltimore  being  concluded  this  day,  I  cannot  retire  to 
the  quietude  of  private  life  without  acknowledging  the  obligation 
which  the  Board  of  Health  and  myself  are  under  to  you,  Sir,  for 
your  persevering  attention  to  our  afflicted  fellow-citizens,  and 
through  you  to  those  invaluable  Sisters  of  Charity,  whose  bene- 
volent conduct  has  been  of  such  essential  utility  in  alleviating  the 
horrors  incident  to  the  fatal  epidemic,  which,  a  short  period  since, 
raged  in  our  city.  But  their  attention  to  the  sick  was  not  the  only 
service  rendered  by  the  /Sisters  of  Charity.  They  voluntarily  fur- 
nished clothing  at  their  own  expense  to  the  destitute  orphans  of 

\^ those  who  fell  victims  to  the  cholera;  thus  exhibiting  the  purest 
system  of  unostentatious  charity  that  could  have  been  devised. 
At  the  hospitals  their  labor  and  attention  became  so  important,  and 
their  exertions  so  incessant,  that  even  they  were  often  ph3'sically 
exhausted  and  required  the  helping  hand  of  others.     At  this  time 

Ny  the  Sisters  of  Charity  at  the  Orphan  Asylum  and  the  Infirmary 
freely  tendered  their  sisterly  assistance  to  smooth  the  path  of 
anxiety  and  care  of  those  especially  devoted  to  the  hospitals.  But  it 
surely  is  a  solemn  consideration  that  the  Sisters  of  Charity  will 
retire  with  two  less  of  their  number  than  when  they  commenced 
their  labor  of  love  in  Baltimore.  The  rapacious  and  desolating 
scourge,  with  indiscriminate  violence,  seized  Sisters  Mar'y  Frances 
and  Mary  George,  and  transferred  their  administering  spirits  to 
regions  of  peace  and  tranquillity.  We  humbly  bow  in  submission 
to  the  Divine  dispensation,  confiding  in  the  Evangelist  who  saith, 
*  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord.'  The  Board  of  Health 
and  myself  have  deemed  it  an  imperious  duty,  in  behalf  of  the  citi- 
zens of  Baltimore,  to  express  our  warmest  gratitude  and  deepest 
sense  of  obligation  for  those  services  which  were  given  without 
compensation — thereby  leaving  us  doubly  your  debtors.  Be  pleased 
therefore,  my  dear  Sir,  to  tender  the  sincere  and  grateful  thanks 
of  the  Board  of  Health  and  myself,  to  Sisters  Barbara,  Clare,  Loe- 
cadia,  Julia,  and  Euprozene,  at  hospital  No.  2;  to  Sisters  Mary 
Paul,  Dometella,  Mary  Jane,  and  Mary  James,  at  hospital  No.  3  ; 
to  Sisters  Ambrosia,  Superiorof  the  Infirmary,  and  also  to  Henrietta, 
Dorothea,  Hillaria,  Octavia,  Delphine,  and  Chrysostom,  of  that  in- 
stitution ;  to  Sisters  Felicity,  Superior  of  the  Orphan  Asylum,  and 
also  to  Camilia,  Bernerdine,  Marcellina,  Brozilia,  and  Alphonso,  of 
that  institution.  And  although  they  will  receive  no  pecuniary  re- 
muneration from  us,  yet  I  humbly  hope  their  reward  is  registered 
in  heaven.  1  remain,  dear  Sir,  yours  and  the  Sisters  of  Charity's 
obliged  friend  and  humble  servant,  William  Stewart, 

"Mayor  of  the  City  of  Baltimore." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Baltimore,  without  distinction 
of  parties,  held  at  the  Exchange  on  Thursday,  the  27th  of  Decem- 
ber, in  pursuance  of  the  call  of  the  Mayor  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  ordinance  and  proceedings  of  the  convention  lately  held 


CHRONICLES  OP  BALTIMORE.  463 

in  South  Carolina,  on  the  subject  of  nullification :  the  meeting 
was  organized  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Hon.  Judge  R.  B.  Magru- 
der,  by  the  appointment  of  the  Hon.  Jesse  Hunt,  Mayor  of  the 
city  of  Baltimore,  as  president.  On  motion  of  the  Hon.  P.  Lau- 
renson,  William  Patterson  and  Robert  Oliver  were  appointed  vice- 
presidents.  On  motion  of  Gen.  Geo.  H.  Steuart,  E.  L.  Fin  ley  and 
J.  S.  Nicholas  were  appointed  secretaries.  The  president  then 
announced  the  object  for  which  the  meeting  was  called,  and  that 
he  was  ready  to  receive  the  suggestions  of  any  of  the  citizens  pre- 
sent. The  Hon.  Isaac  McKim  then  read  and  submitted  a  series  of 
resolutions,  which  were  unanimously  adopted,  and  from  which  we 
extract  the  following :  "  That  the  proceedings  of  the  State  conven- 
tion of  South  Carolina,  and  the  political  principles  avowed  in  the 
extraordinary  and  unprecedented  document,  styled  an  ordinance, 
are  disapproved  by  this  meeting  as  tending  to  disturb  the  harmony 
of  government,  menacing  the  integrity  of  the  Union,  violating 
good  faith,  and  impairing,  if  not  destroying,  the  general  prosperity. 
That  we  highly  and  entirely  approve  the  opinions  and  sentiments 
avowed  in  the  proclamation  of  the  President  of  the  United  States. 
In  this  important  public  act  we  recognize  the  wisdom  of  the  states- 
man, the  firmness  and  inflexible  integrity  of  the  patriot,  and  the 
deep  feeling  of  solicitude  becoming  a  father  of  his  country,  in 
the  existing  crisis  of  difficulty  and  danger — with  him  we  proclaim, 
the  Union  must  be  preservedy 

The  first  train  of  cars  from  the  "  Point  of  Rocks  "  arrived  in 
Baltimore  on  the  20th  of  April,  laden  with  between  300  and  400 
barrels  of  flour. 

There  were  building  in  the  ship-yards  of  Baltimore,  in  August, 
eight  ships,  six  schooners,  and  one  steamboat. 

Charles  Carroll,  surnamed  of  CarroUton,  and  the  son  of  Charles 
Carroll  and  Elizabeth  Brook,  was  born  on  the  twentieth  of  Sep- 
tember, 1737,  at  Annapolis,  in  the  State  of  Maryland.  In  1745, 
then  eight  years  of  age,  he  was  sent  to  France  to  be  educated.  At 
the  age  of  twenty  he  commenced  the  study  of  law  in  London.  He 
returned  to  Maryland  in  1764,  just  in  time  to  enter  heart  and  soul 
into  the  strife  which  his  countrymen  were  waging  against  tyranny. 
He  had  struggled  against  the  stamp  tax ;  he  now  took  his  place 
again  by  the  side  of  his  brethren,  in  the  opening  contest  against 
Parliament.  With  Daniel  Dulany  himself  he  grappled,  and  the 
controversy  was  the  most  marked  of*  the  day.  It  was  carried  on 
under  the  names  of  the  "  First  Citizen,"  and  "  Antilon."  His  ar- 
ticles were  able  and  eloquent,  as  able  and  eloquent  as  those  of  his 
great  and  learned  opponent,  who  had  long  stood  the  leading  mind 
of  Maryland  ;  and  they  were  more  etfective.  He  conquered,  for  he 
fought  on  the  side  of  liberty. 

The  talent  and  firmness  evinced  by  Mr.  Carroll  in  his  contest 
with  Dulany  raised  him  at  once  to  a  high  station  in  the  confidence 
of  the  people ;  and  we  find  him,  during  the  years  1773-4-5,  actively 


464  CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMOBE. 

engaged  in  all  the  measures  which  were  taken  in  opposition  to  the 
course  of  Great  Britain's  colonial  policy.  In  January,  1775,  Mr. 
Carroll  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  first  committee  of  observation 
that  was  established  in  Annapolis,  and  in  the  same  year  he  was 
elected  a  delegate  to  represent  Anne  Arundel  County  in  the  pro- 
vincial convention.  In  February,  .1776,  he  was  appointed  a  com- 
missioner by  Congress,  then  in  session  at  Philadelphia,  with  Dr. 
Franklin,  Archbishop  Carroll,  and  Samuel  Chase,  to  proceed  to 
Canada  to  induce  the  inhabitants  of  that  country  to  join  the  United 
Provinces  in  opposition  to  Great  Britain.  On  the  4th  of  July,  1776, 
Mr.  Carroll  was  appointed  for  the  first  time  a  delegate  to  Congress 
on  his  return  from  Canada,  and  on  the  18th  of  July  took  his  seat 
in  that  body.  The  engrossed  copy  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence was  placed  on  the  desk  of  the  Secretary  of  Congress  on 
the  second  of  August,  to  receive  the  signatures  of  the  members, 
and  Mr.  Hancock,  president  of  Congress,  during  a  conver- 
sation with  Mr.  Carroll,  asked  him  if  he  would  sign  it.  "Most 
willingly,"  was  the  reply,  and  taking  a  pen,  he  at  once  put  his  name 
to  the  instrument.  "  There  go  a  few  millions,"  said  one  of  those 
who  stood  by ;  and  all  present  at  that  time  agreed,  that  in  point 
of  fortune  few  risked  more  than  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton. 

Mr.  Carroll  continued  in  Congress  until  the  year  1778,  when 
the  treaty  with  France  removing  from  his  mind  all  doubt  as  to 
the  ultimate  success  of  the  war  of  the  Eevolution,  and  his  duty  as 
a  Senator  of  Maryland  requiring  his  attendance  in  Annapolis,  he 
resigned  his  seat,  and  for  the  future  devoted  himself  to  the  local 
politics  of  his  native  State.  In  the  year  1781  he  was  re-elected  to 
the  Senate  of  Maryland,  in  which  he  had  been  the  first  under  the 
new  constitution,  and  in  which  he  had  already  served  five  years; 
and  in  December,  1788,  was  chosen  Eepresentative  of  Maryland  in  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States,  immediately  after  the  adoption  of  the 
Federal  Constitution.  In  1791  Mr.  Carroll  vacated  his  seat  in  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States,  and  in  the  same  year  was  once  more 
chosen  to  the  Senate  of  Maryland.  In  1796  he  was  again  re- 
elected ;  and  in  1797  was  one  of  the  commissioners  appointed  to 
settle  the  boundary  line  between  Virginia  and  Maryland.  Mr.  Car- 
roll continued  an  active  member  of  the  Senate  of  his  native  State 
until  1801,  when  he  retired  from  public  life,  and  lived  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  accumulated  honors  and  social  arid  domestic  happiness, 
until  November  14th,  1882,  when  he  passed  away  in  the  ninety- 
sixth  year  of  his  age,  in  this  city,  as  though  he  was  going  to  sleep, 
his  strength  haying  gradually  decreased  until  exhausted,  and  life 
was  extinguished,  as  it  were,  without  an  effort;  and  when  he  passed 
away  to  the  sleep  of  peace,  the  tears,  not  alone  of  Maryland,  but 
of  the  whole  nation,  flowed  for  the  last  survivor  of  the  signers  of 
the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

^  On  the  13th  of  November,  1832,  a  number  of  gentlemen  con- 
vened at  the  office  of  the  American  Farmer,  for  the  purpose  of  form- 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  465 

ing  a  Horticultural  Society,  when  B.  I.  Cohen,  Esq.,  was  called  to 
the  chair,  and  J.  Irvine  Hitchcock  appointed  secretary.  H.  F. 
Dukehart,  Gideon  B.  Smith,  and  George  W.  Dobbin  were  appointed 
a  committee  to  draft  the  constitution  and  by-laws.  A  second  meet- 
ing was  held  on  the  20th,  when  the  committee  reported  the  draft 
of  a  constitution  and  by-laws,  which,  with  some  modifications,  were 
adopted.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  a  number  of  gentlemen  were 
elected  officers. 

1833.  The  Hon.  John  Eandolph  of  Eoanoke,  Va.,  reached  this 
city  on  the  19th  of  May  from  Washington,  and  proceeded  to  Phila- 
delphia on  the  20th,  where  he  died  on  the  24th.  He  travelled  in 
his  old-fashioned  English  coach  and  four,  with  a  postillion  on  one 
of  the  leading  horses,  and  "Juba"  on  the  box.  His  passage 
through  Pratt  street  to  the  City  Hotel  was  the  occasion  of  some 
little  inconvenience  and  irritation  to  him.  By  the  time  he  reached 
the  hotel,  the  crowd  was  so  dense  in  front  of  it  that  his  entrance 
at  the  principal  door  was  impossible.  At  length  the  remarkable 
equipage  proceeded  to  the  door  on  Fayette  street,  and  he  was  con- 
veyed from  the  coach  into  the  hotel  in  the  arms  of  "  Juba,"  his 
favorite  servant. 

The  Cathedral  was  robbed  on  the  18th  of  April  of  sundry  candle- 
sticks, crucifixes,  &c. 

The  Eoman  Catholic  Council  opened  its  session  in  this  city,  in  the 
Cathedral,  on  the  20th  of  October.  The  most  Eev.  Dr.  Whitfield, 
Archbishop  of  Baltimore,  presided. 

The  corner-stone  of  St.  James'  Eoman  Catholic  Church  was 
laid  on  Wednesday  afternoon,  May  Ist,  at  the  corner  of  Monument 
and  Aisquith  streets,  by  the  Most  Eeverend  Archbishop  Whitfield. 

A  new  line  of  steamers  between  this  city  and  Philadelphia,  via 
the  canal,  commenced  operations  on  Saturday,  May  4th. 

During  President  Jackson's  visit  to  Baltimore  in  June,  he  had 
an  interview  with  the  celebrated  Indian  chief  Black  Hawk  and 
other  Indians,  who  arrived  here  on  the  same  day  he  did.  So  great 
was  the  pressure  of  the  immense  crowds  of  persons  who  attended 
to  get  a  sight  of  Black  Hawk  and  his  companions  that  it  was 
thought  necessary  to  remove  them  to  Fort  McHenry,  previous  to 
which,  however,  they  were  conveyed  in  carriages  through  the 
principal  streets  of  the  city. 

The  Horticultural  Society  of  Maryland  held  their  first  exhibi- 
tion on  Wednesday,  June  12th,  at  the  Athenaeum.  The  Hon.  John 
P.  Kennedy  delivered  the  opening  address  to  a  large  auditory  of 
ladies  and  gentlemen. 

An  earthquake  was  felt  in  Baltimore  on  Tuesday,  August  27th. 

The  Hon.  Henry  Clay  arrived  in  Baltimore  on  Tuesday,  Oct. 
8th,  and  received  the  visits  of  a  large  number  of  the  citizens.  He 
was  invited  to  a  public  dinner,  which  he  found  necessary  to  de- 
cline. 

Extracts  from  the  papers  of  November  13th ;  "  Being  up  this 
30 


466  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE, 

morning  at  five  o'clock,  I  witnessed  one  of  the  most  grand  and 
alarming  spectacles  which  ever  beamed  upon  the  eye  of  man. 
The  light  in  my  room  was  so  great  that  I  could  see  the  hour  of 
the  morning  by  my  watch  which  hung  over  the  mantle,  and  sup- 
posing that  there  was  fire  near  at  hand,  probably  on  my  own 
premises,  I  sprung  to  the  window,  and  beheld  the  stars,  or  some 
other  bodies  presenting  a  fiery  appearance,  descending  in  torrents 
as  rapid  and  numerous  as  I  ever  saw  flakes  of  snow  or  drops  of 
rain  in  the  midst  of  a  storm.  Occasionally  a  large  body  of  appa- 
rent fire  would  be  hurled  through  the  atmosphere,  which  without 
noise  exploded,  when  millions  of  fiery  particles  would  be  cast 
through  the  air.  To  the  eye  it  presented  the  appearance  of  what 
may  be  called  a  raining  of  fire,  for  I  can  compare  it  to  nothing 
else.  Its  continuance,  according  to  my  time,  was,  from  the  moment 
when  I  first  discovered  it,  twenty  minutes ;  but  a  friend,  whose 
lady  was  up,  says  it  commenced  at  half-past  four ;  that  she  was 
watching  the  sick  bed  of  a  relative,  and  therefore  can  speak  posi- 
tive as  to  the  hour  of  its  commencement.  If  her  time  was  cor- 
rect, then  it  rained  fire  fifty  minutes.  The  shed  in  the  adjoining 
yard  to  my  own  was  covered  with  stars,  as  I  supposed,  during  the 
whole  time.  A  friend  at  my  elbow,  who  also  witnessed  it,  in 
whose  veracity  I  can  place  the  most  implicit  reliance,  confirms  my 
own  observation  of  the  phenomenon,  and  adds,  that  the  fiery  par- 
ticles which  fell  south  descended  in  a  southern  direction,  and  those 
north  took  a  northern  direction.  He  thinks  it  commenced  earlier 
than  the  period  at  which  I  first  witn'essed  it,  and  that  it  lasted 
longer;  that  when  his  clock  chimed  six  there  were  still  occasional 
descents  of  stars." 

"  While  most  of  our  fellow- citizens  were  comfortably  wrapped 
in  the  arms  of  Somnus,  we  beheld  one  of  the  most  sublime  and 
awful  spectacles  which  nature  can  present.  At  five  o'clock  this 
morning  the  sky  was  perfectly  serene,  and  not  a  cloud  was  to  be 
seen.  On  a  sudden  the  heavens  became  illuminat  ed  by  thousands 
of  shooting-stars  going  in  the  direction  of  the  northwest.  The 
phenomenon  lasted  without  intermission  for  nearly  thirty  minutes. 
The  meteors  were  of  various  sizes,  some  larger,  some  smaller, 
some  forming  long  trains,  which  remained  for  several  seconds  in 
the  heavens.  They  were  observed  not  in  one  part  of  the  sky  only, 
but  the  north,  the  south,  the  east,  and  the  west  were  equally 
spangled.  At  twenty  minutes  past  five  a  meteor,  we  would  sup- 
pose about  six  inches  in  diameter,  exploded  with  considerable 
noise  almost  perpendicularly  over  the  northwest  part  of  the  city. 
The  blaze  was  splendid,  so  as  to  give  the  sky  the  appearance  of 
sunrise.  It  shot  in  the  direction  of  the  northwest,  leaving  a 
stream  of  light,  which  assumed  a  serpentine  form,  apparently  of 
thirty  feet  in  length,  and  lasted  more  than  one  minute.  We  were 
amused  at  the  difi'erent  eff'ects  produced  upon  the  few  beholders. 
borne  in  dreadful  aflfright  predicted  the  end  of  the  world,  others  of 


CHEONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE.  467 

more  stern  souls  were  sure  that  it  at  least  prognosticated  some 
dreadful  war,  whilst  the  philosopher,  smiling  at  their  simplicity, 
calmly  viewed  the  phenomenon,  wonderful  as  it  was." 

Nelson  Wallis  and  Aurelia  Chase,  both  colored  persons,  were 
executed  in  Baltimore  on  Friday,  the  20th  of  December,  the  first 
for  rape  of  a  very  atrocious  character,  and  the  second  for  deliber- 
ately poisoning  her  mistress. 

On  the  27th  of  September,  at  about  11  o'clock  A.  M.,  the  new 
and  extensive  planing  mills  and  lumber-yard  of  Messrs.  Rowland  & 
Woollen  on  Lombard  street,  opposite  the  Medical  College,  took  fire, 
and  were  entirely  consumed,  with  a  great  quantity  of  dressed  and 
undressed  plank.  It  was  the  most  rapid  fire  that  this  city  ever 
witnessed — as  may  be  supposed  from  the  fact  that  three  horses, 
attached  to  a  wagon  which  was  loading  in  the  yard,  with  the 
wagon,  were  consumed,  being  instantly  enveloped  in  flames^  One 
of  the  firemen,  Mr.  Columbus  Vinkle,  was  killed,  being  run  over 
by  the  suction  engine  of  the  Howard  Company. 

During  the  year  a  number  of  gentlemen  held  several  meetings 
at  Elisha  Snikes'  Temperance  House,  on  Thames  street.  Fell's  Point, 
and  after  some  preliminary  arrangements,  organized  the  first  Tribe 
of  Bed  Men,  now  known  as  "  Logan  Tribe,  No.  1,  Improved  Order 
of  Red  Men."  On  the  20th  of  May,  1835,  the  Great  Council  of 
Maryland  was  organized  by  Messrs.  George  A.  Peters,  William  F. 
Jones,  Charles  Skillinan,  Joseph  Branson  and  Edmund  Lucas,  in  the 
city  of  Baltimore. 

1834.  The  annunciation  on  the  24th  of  March  by  the  directors 
of  the  Bank  of  Maryland,  declaring  its  inability  to  prosecute 
its  business  an}^  longer,  fell  with  a  heavy  shock  on  this  com- 
munity. At  a  meeting  of  the  officers  of  the  several  banks  of 
the  city,  convened  at  the  Union  Bank,  to  take  into  consideration 
the  state  of  affairs  arising  from  the  closing  of  the  business 
of  the  Bank  of  Maryland,  William  Lorman,  president  of  the 
Bank  of  Baltimore,  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  Nicholas  Brice,  of 
the  Farmers  and  Merchants'  Bank,  acted  as  secretary.  The  presi- 
dent of  the  Union  Bank  informed  the  meeting  that  the  Bank  of 
Maryland  had  made  a  deed  of  trust,  which  they  were  prepared  to 
deliver,  conveying  all  the  property  of  the  bank  to  him  in  trust  for 
the  general  and  equal  benefit  of  its  creditors,  &c.  It  was  unani- 
mously resolved  by  the  presidents  and  cashiers  present,  that  in 
their  opinion  it  is  advisable  that  Mr.  Ellicott  accept  the  deed  of 
trust,  &c.  On  the  28th  of  March  a  very  numerous  meeting  of  the 
creditors  of  the  Bank  of  Maryland  was  held  at  the  Exchange.  Wm. 
Patterson  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  the  Hon.  Nicholas  Brice 
appointed  secretary.  A  committee  of  fifteen  was  appointed  to  ad- 
vance the  interest  of  said  creditors,  and  to  bring  the  afi'airs  of  said 
Bank  of  Maryland  to  a  just  and  speedy  settlement. 

Upon  the  arrival  in  this  city  of  Messrs.  McDuffie,  Preston, 
Binney  and  Webster,  on  Saturday  and  Sunday,  April  19th  and  20tM 


468  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

they  were  met  on  the  wharf  by  5000  citizens,  who  escorted  them, 
amidst  great  enthusiasm,  to  the  Exchange  and  Barnum's,  where 
the  gentlemen  delivered  brief  addresses. 

Mr.  Alexander  Brown,  the  founder  of  the  house  of  Alexander 
Brown  &  Sons,  was  born  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  in  1764,  and  mar- 
ried at  Bally mena,  Ireland,  where  all  his  children  were  born,  and 
where  he  was  engaged  in  business.  In  the  year  1800,  leaving  his 
younger  children,  George,  John  A.,  and  James,  to  be  educated  in 
England,  he  came,  with  his  wife  and  eldest  son  William,  to  Balti- 
more. He  brought  with  him  a  small  capital,  and  immediately  en- 
gaged in  the  business  of  importing  and  selling  Irish  linens.  In  the 
year  1810  the  eldest  son  William  went  to  Liverpool,  and  there 
established  with  his  brother  James  the  firm  of  William  &  James 
Brown  &  Company,  which  subsequently  became  Brown,  Shipley  & 
Co.,  a.  branch  of  which  has  since  been  established  in  London. 
William  Brown  died  in  Liverpool  in  1864  possessed  of  great  wealth, 
after  having  for  many  years  represented  the  county  of  Lancashire 
in  the  British  Parliament,  and  having  been  created  a  Baronet  in 
1862.  He  endowed  a  free  public  library  and  the  erection  of  a  noble 
building  for  its  accommodation  in  Liverpool.  In  the  year  1811  the 
firm  of  Alexander  Brown  &  Sons  was  formed  in  the  city  of  Baltimore, 
and  still  continues  to  exist,  being  now  composed  of  George  S.  Brown 
and  William  H.  Graham,  son  and  son-in-law  of  George  Brown. 
In  1818  John  A.  Brown  established  a  branch  of  the  house  in  Phila- 
delphia, under  the  name  of  John  A.  Brown  &  Co.,  and,  in  1825, 
James  Brown  settled  in  New  York,  and  established  the  firm  of 
Brown  Brothers  &  Co.  George  Brown  continued  to  reside  in  Balti- 
more with  his  father.  John  A.  Brown  retired  in  1839,  and  the 
business  is  now  carried  on  in  Philadelphia,  as  well  as  in  New  York, 
under  the  firm  of  Brown  Brothers  &  Co.  While  Mr.  Alexander 
Brown  lived,  Baltimore  continued  to  be  the  headquarters  of  all  the 
houses,  and  several  times  a  year,  and  on  every  important  occasion, 
it  was  the  custom  of  all  the  brothers  in  this  country  to  meet 
together  and  take  counsel  with  their  father  and  each  other.  Mr. 
Alexander  Brown  died  on  the  3d  of  April,  1834,  of  pneumonia,  which 
he  contracted  at  a  meeting  of  merchants,  over  which  he  presided,  at 
the  Exchange,  on  the  occasion  of  a  panic  which  then  prevailed, 
growing  out  of  the  failure  of  the  Bank  of  Maryland. 

On  the  23d  of  April,  a  great  meeting  of  the  people  was  held  in 
Monument  Square,  to  adopt  certain  proceedings  with  a  view  of  ex- 
pressing the  opinions  of  the  citizens  on  the  late  protest  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States.  General  Wm.  McDonald  presided, 
assisted  by  many  vice-presidents,  &c.  The  multitude  were  addressed 
by  John  P.  Kennedy,  Charles  C.  Harper,  Joshua  Jones  and  John 
V.  L.  McMahon,  Esqs.  And  it  is  not  a  little  remarkable  that  each 
of  these  gentlemen,  in  times  not  long  past,  were  among  the  most 
zealous  and  distinguished  supporters  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  (Andrew  Jackson).    A  series  of  resolutions  was  passed,  re- 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  469 

pudiating  the  doctrines  of  the  protest,  and  sustaining  the  Senate 
and  others,  and  for  the  formation  of  a  "  State  Whig  Society,"  &c. 
We  regret  to  add,  that  some  violent  actions  took  place  with  an 
evident  design  to  disturb  or  break  up  the  meeting,  by  persons  who 
had  not  been  invited  to  attend  it ;  but  they  were  resisted  and  put 
down..  On  the  evening  following,  in  South  street,  some  young 
"  Whigs  "  met  to  form  a  military  association,  and  were  attacked 
by  the  "  Democrats,"  but  the  Mayor  and  his  posse  interfered,  and 
not  much  harm  was  done. 

The  United  States  Insurance  Company  suspended  payment  on 
the  30th  of  April. 

In  the  month  of  May,  John  B.  Morris  and  E.  W.  Gill,  Esqs., 
trustees  for  the  benefit  of  the  creditors  of  the  Bank  of  Maryland, 
made  a  report  concerning  the  affairs  of  that  institution,  which 
Thomas  Ellicott,  the  other  trustee,  declined  to  unite  in.  The 
result  seems  to  be  this — that  the  supposed  available  means  of  the 
bank  were  $1,001,661,  with  doubtful  and  disputed  claims  in  its 
favor  amounting  to  $683,569  more  ;  whereas  the  circulation,  certifi- 
cates and  other  claims  against  the  bank,  amounted  to  $1,683,218. 

The  city  of  Baltimore  designated  Thursday,  July  10th,  to  ex- 
press by  suitable  testimonies  its  feelings  on  the  occasion  of  the 
death  of  the  illustrious  La  Fayette.  The  ceremonies  were  imposing 
in  the  highest  degree,  and  peculiarly  appropriate  to  the  solemn 
event  which  the  whole  population  united  in  commemorating.  At 
daybreak  minute-guns  were  fired  by  a  detachment  of  artillery, 
which  were  responded  to  by  the  melancholy  toll  of  the  bells  of 
the  different  churches.  All  the  vessels  in  port  and  all  the  public 
places  had  their  flags  at  half-mast,  and  many  of  those  of  the 
latter  were  trimmed  with  the  sable  tokens  of  mourning.  At  a 
few  minutes  after  nine  the  funeral  procession,  led  by  the  chief 
marshal,  Henry  Thompson,  assisted  by  his  aides.  Cols.  Heath  and 
Thomas,  commenced  its  movement  along  Baltimore  street,  start- 
ing from  the  bridge  at  Christ  Church.  Murray's  excellent  band  of 
music  was  in  front  playing .  appropriate  funeral  marches.  The 
military  corps  followed,  having  on  their  right  the  fine-looking  de- 
tachment of  United  States  artillerists  under  command  of  Captain 
Thompson.  The  volunteer  infantry  and  rifle  regiments  followed, 
^o  these  succeeded,  in  a  barouche,  the  officiating  clergymen,  the 
Kev.  Dr.  Henshaw  and  the  Eev.  E.  J.  Breckinridge ;  the  orator  of 
the  day,  Francis  H.  Davidge,  Esq.,  and  Gen.  Samuel  Smith,  presi- 
dent of  the  Society  of  Cincinnati.  The  pall-bearers  followed,  also 
in  barouches,  viz  :  William  Patterson,  James  H.  McCuUoch,  Wm. 
McDonald,  Eobert  Smith,  Eobert  Oliver,  Nathan  Levy,  David 
Harris,  William'  Lorman.  The  sarcophagus  came  next,  drawn  by 
four  led  horses,  all  caparisoned  in  deep  mourning.  It  was 
covered  with  black  cloth,  and  placed  upon  a  car  resting  upon  four 
massive  wheels.  The  design  and  symbols  were  after  the  Egyptian 
style.     Each  end  of  the  car  terminated  in  a  large  scroll,  with  an 


470  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

a»ppropriate  symbol  on  it.  That  on  the  front  was  a  shield  with  an 
alligator,  intended  to  represent  that  in  the  western  hemisphere 
La  Fayette  first  shed  his  blood  in  defence  of  the  rights  of  man. 
On  the  other  scroll  was  the  representation  of  a  horse,  emblematic 
of  Europe,  in  which  quarter  of  the  globe  he  also  contended  for 
liberty.  On  the  other  side  of  the  sarcophagus  were  these  inscrip- 
tions :  "  On  the  Ist  September,  A.  D.  1757,  Born."  "  On  tlie  2l8t 
May,  A.  D.  1834,  Died."  Between  the  inscriptions  was  the  figure 
of  a  lachrymal  urn.  On  each  end  of  the  sarcophagus  was  a 
winged  globe,  the  emblem  of  eternity.  Following  the  sarcopha- 
gus was  a  white  horse,  caparisoned  as  the  charger  of  a  deceased 
general  officer,  and  led  by  an  attendant  in  mourning.  Then  came 
as  mourners  a  body  of  French  gentlemen,  bearing  at  their  head 
the  French  and  American  national  standards  shrouded  in  black, 
the  Mayor  and  officers  and  members  of  the  city  corporation  walk- 
ing next  in  order.  Then  followed  the  Trades'  Union  and  the 
numerous  mechanical  associations  represented  in  it.  The  original 
Pulaski's  banner  was  catried  on  this  occasion  at  the  head  of  the 
Trades'  Union.  The  juvenile  associations  of  Fell's  Point  came 
next,  followed  by  the  Washington  Hose  and  Mechanical  Fire  Com- 
panies, and  after  them  came  the  medical  students  and  polemic  as- 
sociations, all  with  banners  and  badges,  the  teachers  and  scholars 
of  the  male  public-schools  Nos.  1,  2,  3  and  4.  The  Order  of  Inde- 
pendent Odd-Fellows,  comprising  the  various  lodges  and  orders  of 
that  institution,  followed.  The  Grand  Lodge  was  the  last  in  line 
on  foot,  and  the  procession  was  finally  terminated  by  the  "  En- 
campment of  Patriarchs  "  in  full  suits  of  mourning,  all  mounted 
on  horses  elegantly  caparisoned  in  mourning. 

The  procession  moved  slowly  through  the  densely  crowded 
streets  to  the  sound  of  the  muffled  drums  and  the  dirges  of  the 
several  bands  of  music,  to  the  appointed  place  in  Howard's  Park. 
The  customary  honors  to  the  military  rank  of  the  deceased  were 

?aid  in  the  most  impressive  manner  amid  the  deepest  attention, 
'he  most  striking  and  solemn  period  was,  however,  when  the 
address  to  the  throne  of  Grace  was  commenced  by  the  Eev. 
Mr.  Henshaw.  At  the  word,  the  whole  vast  multitude  stood  un- 
covered and  in  silence  around  the  bier.  Thousands  and  tens  of 
thousands  of  faces  were  seen  rising  on  every  side  above  each  other 
to  the  farthest  distance,  all  full  of  solemnity  and  feeling.  The 
mourning  banners  that  rose  above  the  naked  heads,  the  melancholy 
note  of  the  distant  bell,  the  solemn  minute-gun  heard  duly  from 
afar  in  the  strange  silence,  the  black  bier  in  the  midst,  and  the 
solitary  voice  of  the  minister  speaking  of  death  and  the  departed, 
formed  a  combination  of  aifecting  and  impressive  incidents  well 
calculated  to  touch  and  elevate  the  feelings.  When  the  prayer 
was  concluded,  the  venerable  General  Samuel  Smith  addressed 
the  people  in  eulogy  of  the  character  and  services  of  La  Fayette. 
The  orator  of  the  day,  Francis  H.  Davidge,  Esq.,  followed,  and  ad- 


CHRONICLES  OF   BALTIMORE.  471 

dressed  an  attentive  audience  for  upwards  of  an  hour,  in  a  eulogy 
detailing  the  career  of  La  Fayette  and  his  claims  upon  American 
gratitude.  When  Mr.  Davidge  concluded  his  oration,  the  Eev.  Mr. 
Breckinridge  offered  an  appropriate  and  fervent  prayer,  with 
which  the  ceremonies  at  the  park  were  closed.  The  procession 
then  took  up  the  line  of  march  to  its  place  of  meeting  for  dis- 
missal. 

Mr.  E.  B.  Taney,  late  Secretary  of  Treasury,  returned  to  Balti- 
more on  the  11th  of  July,  and  was  escorted  into  the  city  by  a 
cavalcade  of  about  200  gentlemen,  when  he  met  a  large  number 
of  his  political  friends  at  the  Columbian  Garden.  The  party  was 
addressed  by  Mr.  Taney,  Mr.  Benton,  of  the  Senate,  and  Mr.  Allen, 
of  the  House  of  Eepresentatives,  from  Ohio.  There  was  a  heavy 
storm  of  wind  and  rain  from  the  north,  which  carried  away  the 
awnings  over  the  tables  and  completely  drenched  the  company 
while  Mr.  Benton  was  speaking. 

A  meeting  of  the  citizens  was  convened  on  the  8th  of  Novem- 
ber, at  the  Exchange,  in  pursuance  of  public  notice  given  by  the 
Mayor,  at  the  request  of  "  the  convention  appointed  to  promote 
the  trade  and  commercial  interests  of  Baltimore,"  for  the  purpose 
of  considering  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting  held  in  Cumberland, 
Alleghany  county,  in  relation  to  the  extension  of  the  Chesapeake 
and  Ohio  Canal.  Jesse  Hunt,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  the  city,  was  called 
to  the  chair,  and  John  S.  Hollins  and  Benjamin  I.  Cohen  appointed 
secretaries.  The  objects  of  the  meeting  were  then  stated  by  Chas. 
F.  Mayer,  with  appropriate  and  impressive  remarks ;  and  at  the 
conclusion  he  submitted  a  preamble  and  resolutions,  which,  being 
considered,  were  unanimously  adopted. 

On  the  18th  of  November,  Mr.  Gorman,  one  of  the  contractors 
of  the  Washington  railroad,  about  eighteen  miles  from  this  city, 
was  assailed  in  his  own  shanty  by  eight  or  ten  men,  supposed  to  be 
some  of  those  at  work  on  the  road.  Mr.  John  Watson,  a  superin- 
tendent, was  also  in  the  shanty  on  a  casual  visit.  Both  gentlemen 
were  forcibly  dragged  out,  beaten  severely,  and  left  in  a  state  of 
insensibility.  These  outrages  thus  perpetrated  by  these  cruel  riif- 
fi^tns  were  not  sufficient,  it  seems,  to  satisfy  their  blood-thirsty 
cravings.  About  midnight  the  next  day  they  surrounded  the  office  - 
where  Mr.  Watson  was  lying  wounded,  and  after  breaking  open 
the  door,  they  deliberately  murdered  him  in  a  most  barbarous  and 
shocking  manner,  the  back  of  his  head  Vjeing  cut  open  and  the 
brains  scattered  about.  Mr.  William  Messer,  one  of  Mr.  W's  as- 
sistants, who  was  present  in  the  office  when  the  attack  on  it 
was  made.  Was  dragged  out  and  shot  dead.  Another  of  the  super- 
intendents, Mr. Gallon,  was  also  shot  dead ;  several  other  per- 
sons were  injured,  but  none  dangerously.  The  miscreants,  after  the 
murders,  proceeded  to  rob  the  premises.  On  the  25th  a  detach- 
ment of  the  first  brigade  marched  to  the  scene  of  disturbance  and 
arrested  nearlj^  300  Irish  laborers,  and  conveyed  them  under  guard 
to  the  jail  in  this  city. 


^y 


472  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Died  on  the  19th  of  October,  in  the  64th  year  of  his  age,  the  Most 
Eev.  James  Whitfield,  Archbishop  of  Baltimore.  His  career  in  his 
elevated  station  was  marked  with  prudence  and  zeal.  His  fortune 
was  considerable,  and  it  was  generously  consecrated  to  the  purposes 
of  religion.  The  Cathedral  experienced  his  liberality,  and  the 
beautiful  edifice  of  St.  James  in  our  city  is  a  lasting  monument 
of  his  munificence. 

Died  on  the  28th  of  December,  Eobert  Oliver,  Esq.,  in  the  77th 
year  of  his  age.  He  was  much  valued  for  his  liberality,  benevo- 
lence and  public  spirit,  and  one  of  the  'most  enterprising  of  our 
merchants,  and  strongest  of  capitalists. 

William  Wirt  died  on  Tuesday  morning,  February  18th,  in 
Washington,  D.  C.  Hon.  Daniel  Webster  in  his  address  to  the 
Supreme  Court,  which  adjourned  in  honor  of  his  memory,  says : 
"  It  is  announced  to  us  that  one  of  the  oldest,  one  of  the  ablest, 
one  of  the  most  distinguished  members  of  this  bar  has  departed 
this  mortal  life.  Wm.  Wirt  is  no  more  !  He  has  this  day  closed 
a  professional  career  amongst  the  longest  and  most  brilliant  which 
the  distinguished  members  of  the  profession  in  the  United  States 
have  at  any  time  accomplished.  Unsullied  in  everything  which 
regards  professional  honor  and  integrity,  patient  of  labor,  and  rich 
in  those  stores  of  learning  which  are  the  rewards  of  patient  labor, 
and  patient  labor  only ;  and  if  equalled,  yet  certainly  allowed  not 
to  be  excelled,  in  fervent,  animated,  and  persuasive  eloquence,  he 
has  left  an  example  which  those  who  seek  to  raise  themselves  to 
great  heights  of  professional  eminence  will  hereafter  emulously 
study.  Fortunate,  indeed,  will  be  the  few  who  shall  imitate  it 
successfully!  "  The  funeral  took  place  on  the  20th.  The  highest 
honors  were  rendered  to  it.  Both  Houses  of  Congress  adjourned 
to  enable  their  members  to  attend  the  body  to  the  tomb.  Such  a 
proceeding  had  never  yet  been  accorded  by  the  J^Tational  Legisla- 
ture, except  to  deceased  members  of  one  or  the  other  House.  In 
the  procession  were  seen  the  President  of  the  United  States,  the 
Vice-President,  the  heads  of  departments,  the  diplomatic  corps,  the 
bench  and  bar  of  the  Supreme  Court,  the  members  of  the  two 
Houses  of  Congress,  officers  of  the  army  and  navy,  and  a  large 
concourse  of  private  citizens.  The  body  was  conducted  to  the 
National  Cemetery,  and  around  the  tomb  were  gathered  the  most 
illustrious  of  the  land.  Adams,  Jackson,  Calhoun,  Yan  Buren, 
Marshall,  Story,  Clay,  Webster,  Southard,  Taney,  Binney,  Sergeant, 
Woodbury,  Everett,  (Jass,  Generals  Scott,  Macomb,  Eogers,  and 
Chauncey,  and  many  others  whose  renown  in  council,  in  court,  in 
camp  and  on  sea  have  added  lustre  to  the  history  of  the  nation, 
were  the  witnesses  to  the  laying  down  of  the  remains  of  William 
Wirt  in  their  last  resting-place. 

A  new  locomotive  engine,  built  by  Mr.  Charles  Eeeder,  of  this 
city,  for  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad,  while  on  its  trial-trip  on 
Tuesday,  November  11th,  in  conveying  a  heavy  train  of  cars,  ex- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  473 

ploded,  by  which  the  engineer  was  killed  and  the  fireman  badly 
wounded.     This  was  the  first  locomotive  explosion  on  this  road. 

The  Maryland  Savings  Institution  suspended  operations  on  the 
6th  of  May,  which  caused  a  severe  run  upon  the  Savings  Bank  of 
Baltimore. 

The  Baltimore  Republican  of  Saturday,  May  10th,  has  the  follow- 
ing : — "  Attention !  !  !  Those  young  men  of  Baltimore  who  are 
willing  to  pledge  life^  fortune,  and  sacred  honor  in  the  support  of 
their  patriotic  Chief  Magistrate,  against  the  lawless  course  of  a  fac- 
tious Senate,  are  requested  to  assemble  on  Thursday  evening  next, 
the  15th  inst.,  at  half-past  seven  o'clock,  at  the  Columbian  Gardens. 
The  object  of  the  meeting  will  be  explained  in  an  address  from  a 
friend  to  the  cause  of  equal  rights  and  universal  suffrage''  The  meet- 
ing was  large  and  resulted  in  the  passage  of  a  few  stereotype-like 
resolutions. 

Pursuant  to  a  call  from  the  Jackson  Eepublican  Convention  of 
the  city  of  Baltimore,  a  meeting  of  the  friends  of  the  national  ad- 
ministration assembled  in  Monument  square,  on  the  evening  of 
Wednesday,  May  7th.  On  motion  of  Col.  U.  S.  Heath,  the  meet- 
ing was  organized,  and  William  Frick,  Esq.,  was  called  to  the  chair. 
The  president  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting,  when  resolutions 
offered  by  Col.  B.  C.  Howard  were  adopted.  The  meeting  was  ad- 
dressed by  Col.  B.  C.  Howard,  Samuel  Brady,  William  George  Eeed, 
John  Nelson,  and  Col.  U.  S.  Heath. 

The  most  remarkable  instance  of  rapid  sailing  recorded,  is  prob- 
ably the  case  of  the  brig  John  Gilpin,  of  Baltimore,  a  thorough 
clipper  of  course,  which  vessel  left  Baltimore  in  the  year  1832,  and 
arrived  in  Batavia  after  a  passage  of  82  days ;  piroceeded  from 
thence  to  Canton  in  11  days,  from  Canton  to  Manilla  in  5  days, 
from  Manilla  through  the  Straits  of  Sunda,  round  south  of  New 
Holland,  to  latitude  48  or  50  degrees  to  Valparaiso,  in  85  days,  and 
from  Valparaiso  to  Lima  in  6  days  and  1*7  hours — making  an 
aggregate  distance  of  34,920  miles  in  189  days  17  hours,  averaging 
a  fraction  more  than  one  hundred  and  eighty-three  miles  per 
day. 

1835.  On  the  7th  of  February  we  had  two  fires  in  Baltimore. 
The  first  broke  out  in  the  extensive  chair-factory  of  Mr.  Daily,  on 
Market  street,  adjacent  to  Jones  Falls;  and  being  of  a  combustible 
nature,  was  entirely  consumed.  And  a  little  after  11  o'clock  A.  M., 
same  day,  it  was  discovered  that  the  very  large  building,  the  Athe- 
na;um,  at  the  corner  of  St.  Paul's  and  Lexington  streets,  was  on  fire. 
It  being  dreadfully  cold  the  hydrants  had  to  be  thawed  by  fire ; 
and  the  apparatus  from  the  preceding  fire  was  in  a  bad  state 
of  fitness  for  action.  This  great  building  with  all  its  contents,  ex- 
cept in  the  offices  in  the  basement  and  on  the  second  floor,  were 
consumed.  It  was  chiefly  occupied  by  lawyers'  offices  and  differ- 
ent societies.  The  beautiful  and  costly  philosophical  apparatus  of 
the  Mechanical  Institute,  (not  long  since  imported  from  France) 


474  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

with  two  or  three  society  libraries,  (one  of  them  very  extensive), 
and  that  of  the  Maryland  Academy  of  Arts,  with  its  valuable  cab- 
inets, (not  perhaps  to  be  replaced),  a  splendid  organ  in  the  saloon, 
with  other  costly  articles  and  fixtures,  were  all  lost.  And  on  the 
13th  of  February,  the  court-house,  (which  at  the  time  was.  per- 
haps the  largest  and  the  best  building  of  its  kind  in  America),  was 
nearly  destroyed  by  fire.  The  city  and  county,  and  Orphans' 
court,  with  the  grand  jury,  &c.,  were  in  session  when  it  was  dis- 
covered, and  all  the  important  records  were  either  removed  or  re- 
mained in  safety  in  the  fire-proof  rooms  in  the  first  story.  The 
fire  was  checked  on  the  second  floor,  so  that  the  city  court-room, 
though  not  fire-proof,  was  preserved  by  the  perseverance  of  the 
firemen  ;  but  all  above  that  floor  was  destroyed.  The  burning  of 
the  cupola  was  a  grand  but  distressing  object  to  look  at,  and  had 
it  happened  in  the  night,  would  have  illuminated  the  whole  city. 
During  the  same  week  attempts  were  made  to  fire  the  Eev.  Mr. 
Duncan's  church  in  Lexington  street,  the  Female  Orphan  Asylum  in 
Franklin  street,  the  Friends'  meeting-house  in  Lombard  street,  the 
Baltimore  Gazette  office,  the  middle  district  police  station,  the 
Museum,  the  Liberty  and  Union  engine-houses,  the  Exchange,  and 
several  other  large  establishments.  The  Mayor  offered  a  reward 
of  $500  for  the  incendiary  or  incendiaries,  or  either  of  them,  but 
no  distinct  trace  was  ever  discovered  of  the  persons  who  were 
supposed  to  have  caused  the  fires. 

On  the  25th  of  February,  the  range  of  stables  in  the  rear  of 
the  Western  Hotel,  at  the  corner  of  Howard  and  Saratoga  streets, 
being  on  fire,  the  firemen  attended  with  their  usual  promptitude 
and  zeal,  and  it  was  soon  discovered  that  the  destruction  would  be 
complete ;  but  in  the  midst  of  their  operations,  one  of  the  stable 
walls  fell,  and  instantly  killed  four  firemen  and  badly  wounded 
several  others.  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  persons  killed: 
William  McNelly,  Stewart  D.  Downes,  Michael  Moran  and  William 
Macklin.  The  fire  department  met  and  took  charge  of  the  inter- 
ment of  the  remains  of  these  unfortunate  men,  and,  after  a  long 
procession,  with  imposing  and  appropriate  ceremonies,  assisted  by 
a  large  body  of  "  Odd  Fellows,"  deposited  them  in  the  earth,  in 
the  most  feeling  and  respectful  manner. 

On  the  4th  of  May,  books  were  opened  for  subscription  to  the 
shares  of  the  Merchants'  Bank  of  Baltimore,  and  in  ten  days  364,133 
shares  were  subscribed.  On  each  share  $10  were  paid,  making  the 
gross  amount  received  $3,641,330,  thus  showing  the  spirit  of  specu- 
lation which  had  entered  into  everything  at  this  date. 

The  Bank  of  Maryland  (the  history  of  which  is  that  of  one  of 
the  most  stupendous  and  general  frauds  ever  committed,  bearing 
specially  hard  upon  the  industrious  poor)  was  shut  up  in  March 
1834,  and,  though  about  seventeen  months  had  elapsed,  no  satis- 
factory statement  of  its  afi'airs  were  laid  before  its  creditors,  being 
obstructed  by  the  "law's  delay"  and  other  causes  that  were  not 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  475 

understood  by  the  people  at  large.  In  the  meantime,  however, 
the  late  president  of  the  bank  (Evan  Poultney)  and  others  were 
battering  one  another  by  heavy  pamphlets,  with  which  the  public 
were  made  weary  and  disgusted.  But  the  creditors  refrained  and 
bore  these  things  as  they  ought ;  and  the  citizens  remained  quiet, 
though  the  loss  of  character  effected  by  the  miserable  failure  of 
the  bank,  affected  the  interests  of  the  city  much  more  than  the 
amount  of  money  the  creditors  of  the  bank  had  lost.  Within  the 
year,  by  the  bankruptcy  of  the  Susquehanna  Bank,  the  Bank  of  Mary- 
land, the  Maryland  Savings  Institution,  the  United  States  Insur- 
ance Company,  the  reduced  value  of  the  stock  in  others,  as  much 
as  25  per  cent,  in  some  cases,  and  the  failure  of  two  or  three  other 
rag-shops,  the  people  were  plundered  of  more  than  two  millions 
of  dollars,  perhaps  three  millions.  They  bore  all  this  with  as- 
tonishing meekness.  On  Monday,  the  3d  of  August,  another 
weighty  pamphlet  appeared,  and  this,  with  certain  comments  upon 
it  by  Mr.  Poultney,  are  put  forward  as  the  cause  of  the  riots  that 
followed,  for  a  "  feverish  "  state  was  soon  visible.  On  the  evening 
of  the  6th,  a  small  number  of  persons  assembled  opposite  the 
splendid  residence  of  Mr.  Eeverdy  Johnson  on  Monument  Square. 
They  dispersed,  however,  after  breaking  a  few  panes  of  glass,  at 
the  request  of  the  Mayor,  who  was  induced,  however,  by  the  signs 
that  appeared,  to  issue  the  following  call  for  a  public  meeting  : 

"Mayor's  Office,  August  7th,  1835. — In  compliance  with  the 
wishes  of  a  large  number  of  my  fellow-citizens,  I  hereby  request 
the  citizens  of  Baltimore  to  assemble  in  town  meeting,  at  the  Ex- 
change, at  four  o'clock  this  afternoon,  for  the  purpose  of-  adopting 
such  measures  as  may  be  deemed  proper  to  insure  the  preservation 
of  the  public  peace.  Jesse  Hunt,  Mayor.'* 

And  thus  was  given  an  importance  and  notorietyto  the  matter 
which  many  thought  did  not  belong  to  it.  The  meeting,  however, 
was  held,  and  Jesse  Hunt  was  appointed  president,  and  S.  C. 
Leakin,  Wm.  Krebs,  C.  O'Donnell,  Dr.  T.  E.  Bond  and  W.  G. 
Bead,  Esq.,  were  appointed  vice-presidents,  and  William  H. 
Norris  secretary.  On  motion  of  J.  G.  Proud,  the  five  vice-presi- 
dents were  appointed  a  committee  to  report  suitable  resolutions 
for  the  consideration  of  the  meeting.  The  committee,  after  having 
retired,  reported  a  number  of  resolutions,  which  were  adopted. 
On  motion  of  James  H.  Thomas,  Esq.,  it  was  "  Eesolved,  That,  in 
the  opinion  of  this  meeting,  it  would  promote  the  peace  of  the 
city  if  the  present  trustees  would  relinquish  the  trust  held  by 
them,  and  transfer  over  to  the  creditors  of  the  Bank  of  Maryland 
the  books  and  papers  connected  therewith."  The  meeting  then 
adjourned.  The  motion  of  Mr.  Thomas  was  passed  by  acclamation, 
and  here  it  is  proper  to  say  that  the  trustees  alluded  to  were  John 
B.  Morris  and  E.  W.  Gill,  Esqs.     Mr.  Thomas  Ellicott,  the  other 


476  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

trustee,  had  long  before  made  known  his  willingness  to  relinquish 
his  trust  and  throw  the  whole  concern  into  the  hands  of  the 
creditors  of  the  bank,  but  Messrs.  Gill  and  Morris  thought  they 
could  not  do  so  without  encountering  a  pecuniary  responsibility 
that  they  were  unwilling  to  meet — the  best  legal  advice  having 
been  taken ;  nor  were  they  satisfied  that  such  was  the  wish  of  a 
majority  of  the  creditors  of  the  bank. 

On  Friday  evening,  the  7th  of  August,  the  Mayor  was  on  the 
ground  in  Monument  Square,  attended  by  the  city  bailiffs,  the 
watchmen,  and  many  citizens  for  his  support.  The  crowd  was 
much  larger  than  on  the  preceding  night,  and  more  panes  of  glass 
were  broken.  They  were  addressed  by  the  Mayor  and  by  Gen.  W. 
Jones,  of  Washington,  who  happened  to  be  in  the  city.  They  were 
respectfully  listened  to,  and  the  crowd  dispersed  at  about  11  o'clock. 
At  about  seven  o'clock  on  Saturday  night  the  Mayor,  having  pre- 
viously called  together  a  considerable  number  of  citizens,  it  was 
agreed  to  station  several  hundred  of  them,  each  provided  with  a 
staff  or  insignia  of  office,  to  guard  every  avenue  leading  to  Eeverdy 
Johnson's  residence  in  Monument  Square.  About  thirty  of  this 
guard  were  mounted  on  horses.  By  dark,  multitudes  of  people  had 
assembled.  The  principal  point  of  concentration,  at  this  time,  was 
in  Baltimore  street,  at  the  intersection  of  North  Calvert  street, 
which  leads  to  the  square.  Here  the  crowd  made  frequent  rushes 
upon  the  guard.  Brickbats  and  stones  were  showered  upon  the  guard 
like  hail,  and  ultimately  by  the  guard  returned.  A  number  of  the 
latter  were  severely  bruised  and  wounded.  They,  however,  kept 
their  posts,  and  a  large  portion  of  the  rioters,  finding  it  impossible 
to  get  access  to  Mr.  Johnson's  house,  started  off  to  the  house  of  Mr. 
John  Glenn,  on  North  Charles  street,  which  was  not  guarded,  and 
commenced  throwing  stones  and  missiles  at  the  windows  and  front 
door.  The  house  was  of  brick,  strongly  built,  and  the  door  was 
barricaded  in  anticipation  of  an  attack.  For  a  brief  space  of  time 
the  assailants  were  diverted  from  their  assaults  upon  the  house  by 
a  number  of  the  mounted  guard  rushing  down  and  firing  upon 
them.  The  assailants,  however,  soon  renewed  their  attacks  upon 
the  house,  and  after  a  continued  effort  of  near  half  an  hour,  it  was 
taken  possession  of,  and  all  the  furniture  it  contained  was  broken 
up  and  thrown  into  the  street  and  utterly  destroyed.  The  work 
of  demolition  was  renewed  some  time  during  Sunday  by  numbers 
of  young  men  and  boys,  who  got  in  and  continued  through  the 
afternoon  to  break  up  the  woodwork  and  to  beat  down  the  jambs 
of  the  outer  wall.  A  portion  of  the  front  wall  of  the  second  and 
third  story  was  thrown  down,  and  the  house  exhibited  the  appear- 
ance of  a  wreck.  The  guard  stationed  in  different  parts  of  the  city, 
finding  themselves  so  severely  attacked,  armed  themselves  with 
muskets.  At  about  one  o'clock  on  Sunday  morning  a  company  of 
some  twenty-five  or  perhaps  thirty  armed  citizens  marched  against 
the  rioters  in  Charles  street.     They  were  received  with  a  shower 


CHEONICLES  OF   BALTIMORE,  477 

of  stones,  and  in  return  fired  into  the  crowd  they  opposed.  They 
loaded  and  fired  several  times.  The  police  and  guard  also  fired 
upon  their  assailants  at  their  several  stations  a  number  of  times. 
On  Sunday  night  the  attack  was  renewed  upon  Keverdy  John- 
son's house,  which  was  soon  entered,  and  its  furniture,  a  very  ex- 
tensive law  library,  and  all  its  contents  were  cast  forth,  and  a  bon- 
fire made  of  them  in  front  of  the  house.  The  whole  interior  was 
torn  out  and  cast  upon  the  burning  pile.  The  marble  portico  in 
front  and  a  great  portion  of  the  front  wall  were  torn  down  by 
about  11  o'clock.  Previous  to  this,  however,  an  attack  was  com- 
menced upon  the  house  of  John  B.  Morris  in  South  street.  His 
dwelling  was  entered  and  cleared,  and  the  furniture  and  other  con- 
tents piled  up  in  the  street  and  burnt.  In  the  course  of  the  pro- 
ceedings the  house  took  fire  inside,  as  Eeverdy  Johnson's  was  also 
near  doing  from  the  bonfire  near  it.  In  both  instances  the  en- 
gines were  brought  promptly  to  the  spot,  and  the  fire  put  out,  so 
that  the  neighboring  dwellings  should  not  suffer.  From  John  B. 
Morris's  house  they  proceeded  to  that  of  the  Mayor  of  the  city, 
Jesse  Hunt,  Esq.,  broke  it  open,  took  out  the  furniture,  and  burnt 
it  before  the  door.  They  also  destroyed  the  furniture  of  Evan  T. 
EUicott,  and  much  injured  his  dwelling  in  Pratt  street.  They  pro- 
ceeded to  the  new  house  of  Hugh  McElderry  in  North  Calvert 
street,  now  finishing,  broke  the  front  windows,  entered  the  door 
and  began  to  destroy  the  house,  when  the  builder  appeared,  and 
stated  that  as  it  was  not  finished  the  key  had  not  been  given  up, 
and  that  all  the  injury  it  might  sustain  would  fall  upon  him,  and 
thus  complete  his  ruin.  Upon  this  assurance  they  desisted  and 
retired.  All  the  property  destroyed  was  supposed  to  have 
belonged  to  the  directors  of  the  Bank.  The  mob  also  at- 
tacked Captain  Willey's  hardware  store  in  Franklin  street,  and 
commenced  destroying  its  contents,  but  desisted  at  the  urgent 
solicitations  of  Mr.  Lynch,  who  assured  them  that  he,  and  not 
Mr.  W.,  was  the  owner,  and  that  Capt.  Willey  had  left  town.  The 
house  of  Dr.  Hintze  was  assailed,  but  his  lady  making  her  appear- 
ance, and  declaring  that  the  property  was  her  own,  she  having  re- 
ceived it  from  her  father's  estate,  they  listened  to  her  appeal  and 
departed  without  doing  any  injury.  Capt.  Bentzinger's  house  was 
also  attacked,  and  all  his  furniture  destroyed.  This,  as  well  as 
the  attack  on  Capt.  Willey  and  Dr.  Hintze,  was  because  of  their 
opposition  to  the  rioters.  The  very  valuable  libraries  of  Mr. 
Johnson  and  Mr.  Glenn  were  destroyed,  worth  many  thousand 
dollars  each.  All  their  stock  of  wines,  and  many  other  valuable 
articles,  fell  a  prey  to  the  crowd,  and  were  offered  for  sale  at  small 
prices.  The  difi'erent  stations  where  guards  were  posted  to  pre- 
vent access  to  the  square,  were  all  more  or  less  frequently  the 
scene  of  alarm  and  contention,  and  with  the  discharge  of  firearms, 
the  shouts  of  the  multitude,  and  the  rapid  passage  of  the  horse- 
men, the  night  had  a  truly  fearful  aspect.     The  watch-house  on 


478  CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

North  street,  the  receptacle  for  the  prisoners,  was  the  scene  of  in- 
cessant din  and  commotion.  At  daybreak  on  Sunday  niorning 
the  prisoners,  fifty-five  in  number,  were  conveyed  to  jail.  On 
Sunday  the  power  of  the  city  was  in  strange  hands,  and  the 
Mayor  posted  up  an  address  for  the  people  to  "  remain  at  home, 
&c,"  which  he  thus  explains  on  Monday  : 

"  Mayor's  Office,  Baltimore,  August  10th. —  Having  stated  in  a 
publication  of  yesterday,  in  reference  to  the  melancholy  occur- 
rences of  the  past  nights,  that  firearms  were  resorted  to  against 
my  judgment  and  advice  ;  and  having  learned  with  extreme  pain, 
that  the  language  used  by  me  has  induced  some  persons  to  suppose 
that  the  use  of  firearms  was  entirely  unauthorized  by  any  compe- 
tent power,  I  deem  it  an  imperative  act  of  justice,  at  the  first 
moment  of  being  informed  of  the  interpretation  which  I  supposed 
this  part  of  my  publication  of  yesterday  might  bear,  distinctly  to 
state  that  the  persons  who  used  firearms  were  fully  authorized  so 
to  do,  but  again  repeat  the  order  was  not  issued  by  me. 

"  Jesse  Hunt,  Mayor.'' 

And  thus  was  the  city  yielded ;  and,  in  consequence,  the  prisoners 
made  on  Sunday  morning  were  released,  as  they  certainly  would 
have  been  on  Sunday  night  by  their  colleagues.  On  Sunday,  the 
people,  without  a  head,  had  nothing  to  do  but  to  look  on  and 
tremble.  No  one  felt  himself  safe,  as  everything  was  given  up. 
Anarchy  prevailed.  The  law  and  its  officers  were  away.  But 
Monday  morning  changed  the  aspect  of  things.  It  now  appeared 
that  the  people  were  called  upon  to  defend,  not  only  their  property, 
but  also  their  lives ;  and  it  was  manifest  that  there  was  a  general 
but  gloomy  resolution  entertained  to  do  both.  Things  had  re- 
verted to  their  original  elements ;  there  was  no  law,  and  a  head 
was  wanted  to  bring  order  out  of  confusion.  This  was  easily  found 
in  Gen.  Samuel  Smith,  who  being  elected  chairman  by  a  great  as- 
semblage at  the  Exchange,  accepted  the  trust  reposed  in  him,  and, 
with  the  alacrity  of  youth,  though  in  his  83d  year,  took  his  seat, 
and  told  the  assembly  that  the  time  for  resolving  had  passed  away, 
and  that  for  action  had  arrived.  The  flag  of  the  Union  had  been 
previously  raised,  and  with  it  at  their  head,  the  people  marched 
to  Howard's  Park,  when  being  addressed  briefly  by  Gen.  Smith 
and  others,  and  told  what  they  ought  to  do,  they  speedily  retired 
to  prepare  themselves  instantly  to  obey.  The  orders  were  to  arm 
and  to  repair  to  the  City  Hall.  The  fire  companies  were  also  called 
out,  and  appeared  on  the  ground  in  great  force.  The  Mayor  hav- 
ing retired  from  his  seat,  (which  he  formally  resigned  the  next 
day),  the  president  of  the  First  Branch  of  the  Council,  General 
Anthony  Miltenberger,  ex  officio,  took  his  place,  and  aided  by  Gen. 
Smith,  issued  the  necessary  orders.  On  Monday  evening  a  large 
display  of  citizens  in  arms  attended  at  the  Mayor's  office ;  they  were 
stationed  in  different  parts  of  the  city  with  the  firemen,  ready  also 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  479 

for  action.  Peace  prevailed  during  the  night.  The  streets  were  as 
quiet  as  the  grave,  except  in  the  heavy  tread  of  detachments  of 
armed  men  to  reconnoitre  its  different  parts.  A  body  of  one  hun- 
dred United  States  regular  troops  reached  the  city  from  Washing- 
ton, and  a  number  from  Fort  Severn,  Annapolis.  They  were  not 
needed,  as  order  prevailed,  and  the  laws  were  respected. 

Those  proscribed  by  the  mob  having  fled  the  city  for  safety,  a 
meeting  was  held  by  the  First  Company  of  Baltimore  Independent 
Volunteers,  who  unanimously  adopted  and  signed  the  following  re- 
solutions by  all  the  members  of  the  company :  "  Eesolved,  that  the 
First  Company  of  the  Independent  Volunteers  view  with  horror 
and  detestation  the  late  illegal  and  riotous  proceedings  which  have 
taken  place  in  the  city  of  Baltimore.  Eesolved,  that  Messrs.  Ee- 
verdy  Johnson,  John  Glenn,  Evan  T.  Ellicott,  David  M.  Ferine, 
Hugh  McElderry,  John  B.  Morris,  and  Eichard  M.  Gill  be,  and  they 
are  hereby  invited  to  return  to  our  city,  and  that  we  pledge  our- 
selves to  support  them  and  all  others  who  have  been  proscribed  by 
the  late  mob  both  in  their  persons  and  their  property  against  all 
illegal  combinations.  And  further  resolved,  that  in  order  to  accom- 
plish this  object  we  will  remain  united  as  a  company,  and  that  we 
will  hold  ourselves  in  readiness  to  join  in  their  defence  whenever 
our  services  may  be  required."  Eeverdy  Johnson,  Esq.,  took  refuge 
in  Fort  McHenry. 

The  following  persons  were  arrested  and  subjected  to  fines  and 
imprisonment  for  participation  in  the  riots :  Joseph  Walters,  Jesse 
Massey,  Jackson  Bowen  alias  John  Bo  wen,  James  Spencer,  Peter 
Harman,  Benjamin  A.  Lynch,  William  Harrison,  John  McKewin, 
David  Biggart,  Samuel  Farr,  and  James  C.  Jones.  They  were 
afterwards  pardoned  by  the  Governor. 

^  The  Baltimore  and  Washington  Eailroad  was  formally  opened 
on  the  25th  of  August.  V  It  was  a  grand  and  glorious  sight.  The 
procession  consisted  of  seventeen  cars  loaded  with  about  fifty  happy 
persons  each,  which  were  drawn  by  four  locomotive  engines  :  the 
George  Washington,  John  Adams,  Thomas  Jefferson,  and  James 
Madison.  Arriving  at  Bladensburg,  they  met  another  train  of 
cars  from  Washington  also  drawn  by  a  locomotive,  and  filled  with 
public  functionaries  and  other  invited  guests,  and  were  congratu- 
lated on  the  result  of  the  labors  of  the  railroad  company.  The 
whole  party  then  proceeded  to  Washington,  and  soon  arrived  at 
the  depot  at  the  foot  of  Capitol  Hill,  where  a  vast  crowd  of  people 
were  assembled,  and  rent  the  air  with  acclamations  at  this  victory 
of  science  over  time  and  space. 

Gen.  Samuel  Smith  was  elected  on  the  7th  of  September,  almost 
unanimously,  Mayor  of  the  city,  in  opposition  to  Moses  Davis,  to 
fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resignation  of  Jesse  Hunt. 

Wm.  Adams,  a  negro,  who  was  condemned  for  the  murder  of 
Captain  Tilden,  was  executed  on  Friday  morning,  May  29th,  in  the 
jail-yard.  For  about  ten  minutes  he  addressed  the  crowd,  which 
was  very  large,  and  composed  principally  of  females. 


480  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

On  Saturday,  May  30th,  thirty-four  acres  of  ground,  jmrt  of  the 
McHenry  estate,  situated  on  West  Baltimore  street,  corner  of 
Fremont,  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Thomas  Winans,  was  purchased 
for  fifty-two  thousand  dollars.  And  on  the  same  day,  the  edifice 
known  as  the  "  Baltimore  Assembly  Kooms,"  corner  of  Holliday 
and  Fayette  streets,  was  sold  at  auction  for  ten  thousand  dollars 
to  B.  I.  Cohen. 

Our  city  was  visited,  on  Saturday  afternoon,  June  27th,  by  a 
violent  storm  of  rain  accompanied  by  heavy  wind  and  thunder. 
Two  houses  on  Albemarle  street  covered  with  tin  were  unroofed, 
without  further  injury,  and  one  of  the  chimneys  left  standing  in 
the  court-hoase  after  its  recent  conflagration  was  thrown  down — 
possibly  struck  by  lightning,  as  some  of  the  persons  in  the  house 
were  induced  to  believe,  its  fall  being  immediately  after  a  vivid 
flash.  In  its  fall  the  chimney  broke  down  a  temporary  roof  erected 
to  protect  from  the  rain  the  offices  on  the  first  floor,  which  were 
used  by  the  county  clerk,  and  the  ruins  of  the  chimney  and  roof 
fell  on  the  staircase  and  partly  into  the  hall  of  the  building.  It 
was  here  that  the  most  serious  injury  was  caused.  Mr.  Thomas 
Marshall,  son  of  the  venerable  Chief-Justice  of  the  United  States, 
had  arrived  in  the  city  a  few  hours  before  on  his  way  to  Philaael- 
phia  to  visit  his  sick  parent.  He  was  walking  with  a  friend  in  the 
street  near  the  court-house  when  the  rain  commenced,  and  both 
sought  shelter  in  the  hall  from  the  storm.  Mr.  Marshall  unfortu- 
nately occupied  a  position  immediately  within  the  reach  of  the 
falling  ruins,  which  were  precipitated  on  his  head,  and  wounded 
him  so  severely  that  he  expired  on  Monday  following,  at  the  house 
of  his  friend  and  relative  Dr.  Alexander.  Mr.  Marshall  graduated 
at  Princeton  in  1803,  and  was  endowed  by  nature  with  a  rich  and 
brilliant  intellect,  and  was  esteemed  as  a  gentleman  of  great  worth 
and  usefulness.  He  possessed  a  large  landed  estate  in  Yirginia, 
and  was  a  member  of  the  Virginia  House  of  Delegates. 

Mr.  Niles,  in  his  Register  of  September  5th,  speaking  of  the 
times,  says  :  "  During  the  last  and  present  week  we  have  cut  out 
and  laid  aside  more  than  five  hundred  articles  relating  to  the 
various  excitements  now  acting  on  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
public  and  private!  Society  seems  everywhere  unhinged,  and  the 
demon  of  blood  and  slaughter  has  been  let  loose  upon  us !  We 
have  the  slave  question  in  many  different  forms,  including  the  pro- 
ceedings of  kidnappers  and  man-stealers,  and  others  belonging  to  the 
free  negroes ;  the  proscription  and  prosecution  of  gamblers ;  with 
mobs  growing  out  of  local  matters — and  a  great  collection  of  acts  of 
violence  of  a  private  or  personal  nature,  ending  in  death ;  and  regret 
to  believe,  also,  that  an  awful  political  outcry  is  about  to  be  raised 
to  rally  the  poor  against  the  rich!  We  have  executions  and 
murders  and  riots  to  the  utmost  limits  of  the  Union !  The  charac- 
ter of  our  countrymen  seems  suddenly  changed,  and  thousands  in- 
terpret the  law  in  their  own  way — sometimes  in  one  case,  and  then 
in  another,  guided  apparently  only  by  their  own  will ! " 


OHKONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  481 

^Messrs.  Clark  &  Kellog  established  a  new  line  of  packets  to  run 
between  Baltimore  and  New  Orleans,  y 

A  bold  attempt  was  made  on  Saturday  night,  October  31st,  to 
rob  the  Merchants'  Bank  of  Baltimore.  Soon  after  midnight  the 
watchmen  of  the  bank  heard  a  noise,  and  upon  one  of  them  going 
to  the  south  side  of  the  Exchange,  he  heard  a  movement  within 
the  Maryland  Insurance  Office,  followed  by  the  throwing  up  of  one 
of  the  front  windows  on  Gay  street.  The  rogue  it  appears  jumped 
from  the  window,  but  did  not  clear  the  iron  railing  of  the  area  in 
front,  and  thus  sprained  his  ankle  severely.  His  groans  soon  at- 
tracted the  other  watchman,  and  as  the  latter  came  up,  the  robber 
attempted  to  knock  him  down  with  a  short  elastic  stick  loaded  at 
each  end  with  lead,  which  he  had  attached  to  his  wrist.  The 
watchman,  however,  received  no  injury,  and  the  rogue  was  secured. 
On  gaining  admission  to  the  insurance  office,  it  was  found  that  the 
villain,  by  means  of  false  keys,  had  opened  the  large  book-safe  or 
vault  in  the  office,  and  had  been  industriously  at  work  in  endeavor- 
ing to  effect  an  entrance  through  the  brick  wall  at  its  north  end 
into  the  bank.  He  was  provided  with  every  implement  which 
a  regular  workman  would  require  in  removing  a  wall  or  opening 
locks. 

On  Sunday  night,  December  6th,  ten  of  the  prisoners  confined 
in  the  Baltimore  City  jail  effected  their  escape. 

Mr.  William  Gwynn  Jones,  editor  and.  proprietor  of  the  Balti- 
timore  Gazette^  was  detected  on  Friday,  May  24th,  in  robbing  the 
post-office  of  many  letters  (about  100),  being  seized  in  the  act  of 
taking  them  away.  He  enjoyed  a  fair  character,  and  had  privileges 
in  the  post-office  which  were  never  again  extended  to  any  one. 
It  appears  that  he  had  carried  on  this  business  a  considerable  time, 
recklessly  destroying  post  notes  and  drafts  requiring  endorsements, 
and  causing  much  trouble  and  loss  greater  than  the  amount  of  the 
money  that  he  obtained, — which  latter,  as  he  said,  was  about  two 
thousand  dollars.     His  family  was  highly  respectable. 

The  following  is  his  conviction  in  the  United  States  Circuit 
Court :  "The  United  States  vs.  William  Gwynn  Jones.  Fourth  Cir- 
cuit District  of  Maryland,  November  term,  1835  : — The  Grand  Jury 
preferred  against  the  traverser  three  bills  of  indictment  for  steal- 
ing letters  and  packets  out  of  the  post-office  in  this  city,  in  violation 
of  the  22d  section  of  the  post-office  law.  The  first  contained 
sundry  counts  charging  the  party  with  taking  letters  enclosing 
money.  The  second  contained  sundry  counts  for  taking  letters 
containing  drafts,  &c.,  and  packets.  The  third  contained  different 
counts  for  taking  letters  not  containing  articles  of  value.  To  those 
three  indictments  the  traverser  plead  guilty.  His  Honor  Judge 
Glenn  this  day  (10  inst.)  pronounced  sentence :  On  the  first  indict- 
ment that  the  traverser  be  imprisoned  for  five  years ;  on  the  second, 
that  he  be  imprisoned  for  four  years ;  and  on  the  third,  that  he  be 
imprisoned  for  twelve  months  and  pay  a  fine  of  five  dollars.  And 
31 


482  CHEONICLES   OF  BALTIMOEE. 

further,  that  during  these  several  imprisonments  he  be  kept  at  hard 
labor  in  the  Penitentiary  of  the  State  of  Maryland. 

"N.  Williams,  District  Attorney  for  the  United  States." 

It  is  supposed  that  William  Gwynn  Jones  also  set  fire  to  the 
Athenaeum  and  the  Court  House. 

The  aged,  patriotic  and  universally  esteemed  citizen,  William 
Patterson,  Esq.,  departed  this  life  on  Saturday,  February  7th,  1835, 
in  the  eightj^-third  year  of  his  age ;  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  a 
liberal  contributor  to  his  adopted  country  in  the  time  of  its  need, 
the  oldest  of  the  merchants  of  Baltimore,  and  probably,  also, 
the  most  wealthy  of  that  worthy  class  of  our  population.  He 
possessed  a  high  public  spirit,  with  much  private  kindness  and 
charity;  and,  with  respect  to  either,  was  always  among  the  fore- 
most to  do  good.  He  had  no  enemies ;  many,  very  many  friends. 
In  the  Orphans'  Court  we  find  the  following  sketch  of  his  life  at- 
tached to  his  will,  which  was  written  by  him,  August  20th,  1827, 
and  signed  in  the  presence  of  John  B.Morris,  R.  Wilson,  Hamilton 
Graham,  and  S.  Y.  Soloman.  It  w^as  recorded  on  the  12th  day  of 
February,  1835,  and  is  a  curious  and  instructive  document,  well 
worthy  of  examination  : 

"Having  lived  beyond  the  common  period  allotted  for  man 
(being  now  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  my  age),  and  having  seen 
much  of  the  world,  it  may  be  gratifying  to  some  and  useful  to 
others  of  my  descendants,  to  give  them  some  account  of  myself,  as 
well  as  to  notice  some  cursory  remarks  that  have  struck  me  in  the 
course  of  my  life ;  and  I  have  therefore  thought  it  not  inconsistent 
or  improper  to  commence  this  my  last  will  and  testament  with  the 
following  sketch.  My  family  were  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  the 
established  religion  of  Ireland,  in  which  I  was  born  and  brought 
up  with  great  care  and  attention ;  and  from  the  religious  impres- 
sions which  I  then  received  I  am,  under  the  guidance  of  a  divine 
and  kind  providence,  indebted  for  my  future  conduct  and  success  in 
life.  My  father  was  a  farmer  in  the  country  with  a  large  family. 
His  name  was  William.  My  mother's  name  was  Elizabeth  (her 
maiden  name  was  Peoples).  They  were  both  descended  from  a  mix- 
ture of  English  and  Scotch  families  who  had  settled  in  Ireland 
after  the  conquest  of  that  country.  I  was  born  on  the  first  of 
November,  old  style,  in  the  year  seventeen  hundred  and  fifty-two, 
at  the  place  called  Fanat,  in  the  County  of  Donegal,  Ireland,  and 
was  sent  by  my  family  at  the  early  age  of  fourteen  years  to  Phil- 
adelphia, tor  the  purpose  of  being  brought  up  to  mercantile  pur- 
suits, where  I  arrived  in  the  month  of  April,  1766,  and  was  placed 
in  the  counting-house  of  a  Mr.  Samuel  Jackson,  an  Irish  merchant, 
who  was  pretty  extensively  concerned  in  the  shipping  business, 
and  who,  in  company  with  others  of  his  friends,  usually  built  a  new 
ship  or  vessel  every  year.  This  gave  me  an  early  knowledge  and  at- 
tachment to  that  business,  a  passion  that  has  followed  me  through 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  483 

life  ;  and  although  I  may  be  said  to  have  been  fortunate,  I  would 
not  advise  any  young  friend  to  engage  in  or  to  follow  the  shipping 
business  without  great  caution,  and  in  a  limited  degree  to  gain  ex- 
perience, without  which  it  is  impossible  to  succeed.  Commerce  in 
the  shipping  line  is  one  of  the  most  dangerous  pursuits  that  can 
possibly  be  engaged  in.  I  have  known  the  trade  of  this  country 
for  upwards  of  sixty  years,  and  I  am  persuaded  that  in  that  time, 
not  one  in  fifty  shipping  merchants  have  succeeded,  either  in  New 
York,  Philadelphia  or  Baltimore ;  this  is  a  lamentable  consideration, 
but  I  believe  no  less  true.  1  became  interested  in  sea  vessels  at 
Philadelphia  as  far  back  as  the  years  1773  and  '74,  and  have  con- 
tinued very  largely  in  the  business  ever  since,  with  various  success. 
I  have  lived  and  transacted  business  as  a  shipping  merchant  under 
four  different  governments,  namely :  the  British  at  Philadelphia 
before  the  Kevolution,  the  Dutch  at  St.  Eustatia,  and  the  French 
at  Martinique,  both  in  the  early  part  of  the  Eevolution  ;  and  lastly 
at  Baltimore,  from  the  time  of  my  arrival  in  the  year  1778  to  the 
present  time,  when  the  American  Revolution  commenced,  in  which 
I  took  great  interest.  It  appeared  to  me  that  one  of  the  greatest 
difficulties  we  should  experience  was  the  want  of  powder  and  arms, 
in  consequence  of  the  great  precautions  taken  by  the  British  gov- 
ernment to  prevent  their  being  brought  to  this  country  from  other 
places.  This  induced  me  in  the  year  1775  to  embark  all  the  property 
I  then  possessed  in  parts  of  two  vessels  and  their  cargoes,  destined 
from  Philadelphia  to  France,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  returning  with 
powder  and  arms,  and  in  one  of  which  I  embarked  myself  One  only 
of  those  vessels  got  safe  back  to  Philadelphia,  where  she  arrived  in 
the  month  of  March,  1776,  with  the  cargo  intended,  and  in  a  most 
critical  time,  when  it  was  said  that  General  Washington,  then  before 
Boston  with  the  army,  had  not  powder  sufficient  to  fire  a  salute. 
On  my  way  from  Europe  I  stopped  at  the  Island  of  St.  Eustatia, 
in  the  month  of  Februarry,  1776,  where  I  was  persuaded  by  some 
of  my  friends  to  remain  and  carry  on  business  with  America;  and 
which  I  was  the  more  induced  to  do  on  account  of  the  great  inter- 
course that  soon  took  place,  affording  the  Americans  the  opportu- 
nity of  collecting  and  shipping  arms  and  ammunition,  and  almost 
everything  necessary  for  carrying  on  the  war. 

"  I  remained  at  St.  Eustatia  for  about  eighteen  months,  and  find- 
ing that  the  Dutch  Government  (although  perfectly  well  disposed) 
were  not  able  to  protect  the  Americans  and  their  trade  against  the 
British,  I  thought  it  most  advisable  to  remove  from  thence  to  Mar- 
tinique, where  I  continued  in  business  until  my  return  to  Baltimore.. 
The  scene  of  my  commercial  business  in  the  West  Indies  centred  at 
St.  Eustatia,  St.  Martin's,  and  St.  Pierre  Martinique.  Governor  de 
Graff  commanded  at  the  former,  Governor  Ilylegaratthe  second,  and 
the  Marques  de  BuUie  at  the  latter;  they  are  all  since  dead,  but  it  is 
due  to  their  memories  to  observe  that  ihey  one  and  all  contributed 
greatly  in  promoting  the  interest  of  America,  in  affording  every 


484  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

facility  in  their  power  to  the  Americans  who  lived  under  their  gov- 
ernments. Governor  de  Graff  in  particular  was  called  home  to 
Holland  to  answer  for  the  partiality  shown  to  Americans.  Having 
had  some  valuable  friends  and  connections  in  Europe  and  America,  I 
established  myself  with  great  advantage  at  St.  Eustatia  and  Mar- 
tinique, where  I  soon  made  what  was  then  considered  a  fortune. 
Bay  sixty  to  eighty  thousand  dollars ;  but  as  the  trade  with  America 
was  attended  with  great  hazard  and  no  insurance  could  be  effected, 
I  lost  by  British  captures  and  sea  losses,  in  little  more  than  a  month, 
nearly  one-half  of  what  I  was  then  worth.  This  of  course  gave 
me  considerable  concern,  and  brought  me  to  the  determination  that 
if  I  should  live  to  come  to  America  (being  then  in  bad  health)  that 
I  would  certainly  realize  one-half  at  least  of  what  I  might  possess, 
and  sport  with  the  other  half  in  commerce  as  a  prudent  gambler 
would  do  at  games  of  chance ;  for  I  did  then,  and  still  do  consider 
commerce  in  the  shipping  line  as  a  hazardous  and  desperate  game 
of  chance. 

"I  arrived  in  Baltimore  from  Martinique  in  the  month  of  July, 
1778,  and  brought  with  me,  in  fast-sailing  vessels,  cash  and  mer- 
chandize more  than  a  hundred  thousand  dollars  value,  rated  at  the 
standard  value  of  gold  and  silver;  for  Continental  paper  was  then 
the  only  currency  in  circulation,  and  was  at  a  depreciation  of  four 
pence,  at  which  rate  I  sold  some  gold  brought  in  with  me  from  the 
West  Indies.  The  first  thing  I  thought  of  after  my  arrival  was  to 
put  my  former  resolution  into  practice,  by  investing  about  one-half 
the  proceeds  of  my  property  in  real  estate,  and  this  I  accomplished 
as  soon  as  practicable ;  and  the  purchases  I  then  made  remain  in 
my  possession  to  the  present  day,  having  made  it  a  rule  never  to 
purchase  real  property  on  speculation  with  a  view  to  sell  again, 
and  never  but  when  I  had  the  money  to  spare  without  running  into 
debt ;  and  by  adhering  to  this  rule  I  have  from  time  to  time  in- 
creased my  purchases  of  real  property  as  f-dst  as  I  made  money  by 
commerce,  never  risking  more  at  any  time  than  one-half  what  I 
was  worth,  considering  that  were  I  even  to  lose  that  half  I  had 
•till  left  a  sufficiency  to  make  myself  and  family  comfortable  and 
independent.  A  merchant  possessing  a  fortune  should  never  put 
more  at  risk  than  one-half  what  he  is  worth,  and  should  he  have 
the  misfortune  to  lose  that  half  (which  is  more  than  probable),  he 
ought  to  retire  immediately  from  business,  or  it  is  fifty  to  one  that 
he  will  lose  the  other  half  and  be  left  a  beggar.  Want  of  this  pre- 
caution has  been  the  cause  of  many  failures  after  pecfple  had  made 
fortunes,  but  unfortunntcly  merchants  consider  themselves  entitled, 
or  rather  disgraced,  unless  they  will  trade  not  only  up  to  their 
capital,  but  as  far  beyond  it  as  they  can  obtain  credit.  What  better 
18  this  than  a  gambler  staking  his  money  on  games  of  chance  and 
doubling  his  bets  every  time  he  wins.  It  is  true  that  chance  may 
favor  him  for  a  time ;  luck,  however  (as  it  is  termed  by  the  thought- 
less), must  change,  and  he  is  soon  broke  and  ruined  j  and  such  is  the 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  485 

fate  of  merchants  who  make  use  of  all  their  capital  and  credit  in 
commerce  in  the  shipping  line,  nor  have  I  ever  known  one  to  succeed 
on  this  principle  for  any  length  of  time.  1  am  perfectly  sensible 
that  had  I  placed  my  spare  money  at  interest  instead  of  investing  it 
in  real  estate,  that  it  would  have  been  much  more  productive  in  my 
own  life-time.  This,  however,  was  not  my  object,  because  my  life  was 
uncertain,  and  I  might  have  a  young  family  to  take  chance  in  the 
world.  Considering  mj^self,  therefore,  acting  for  my  posterity,  I  have 
thought  it  better  to  leave  them  real  estate  than  money  and  stocks ; 
the  two  latter  being  too  easy  parted  with,  whilst  the  former  is  more 
likely  to  stick  by  them,  and  is  the  last  thing  that  young  people 
think  of  selling  after  everything  else  is  disposed  of. 

"In  the  course  of  an  active  and  extensive  pursuit  in  commerce 
for  more  than  half  a  century,  it  now  affords  me  some  pleasure  to 
believe  and  to  say,  that  in  the  course  of  that  time  I  have  made 
the  fortunes  of  some,  saved  others  from  ruin,  and  have  found  em- 
ployment and  bread  for  thousands  of  my  fellow-mortals ;  and  I 
can  further  say  with  satisfaction,  that  no  one  could  ever  come  to 
me  and  say,  'Neighbor,  or  friend,  you  got  the  advantage  of  me ; 
I  was  uninformed  of  the  late  news  and  the  rise  of  the  market ' ; 
nor  could  any  one  ever  say  to  me,  '  You  acted  unfriendly  or  un- 
generously by  me,  first  in  taking  advantage  of  my  necessities  by  as- 
sisting me  for  the  moment,  and  afterwards  in  obtaining  my  prop- 
erty at  a  sacrifice  for  much  less  than  it  was  worth.'  It  has  ever 
been  a  rule  with  me,  never  to  purchase  or  sell  property  of  any 
kind  but  where  the  seller  and  buyer  were  on  a  perfectly  equal 
footing  as  to  information.  Everything  I  possess  was  pur- 
chased openly  and  fairly  in  the  market,  and  thank  God!  I  have 
thus  far  lived,  and  I  hope  to  die,  with  a  clear  conscience.  In 
order  to  get  through  the  world  with  ease  and  satisfaction  in  large 
concerns,  it  is  not  only  necessary  to  be  always  just,  but  often  gene- 
rous; nor  is  there  anything  lost  by  this,  when  it  is  considered 
that  those  who  act  on  this  principle  will  generally  have  a  prefer- 
ence in  all  their  dealings  with  others. 

"  In  earl}^  life  at  Philadelphia  I  experienced  considerable  in- 
convenience in  not  being  able  to  find  young  people  suitable  for 
companions.  They  were  almost  all  more  or  less  tainted  with  folly 
or  vice,  and  did  not  seem  to  suit  my  turn  of  mind.  This  obliged 
me  to  associate  with  people  much  older  than  myself,  and  to  take 
to  the  study  of  books  to  fill  up  my  time,  both  of  which  I  found  of 
great  advantage,  as  it  led  to  warm  friendships  that  lasted  through  life 
without  a  single  exception.  At  this  time  I  applied  myself  pretty 
much  io  the  study  of  natural  philosophy,  for  which  I  had  a  great 
propensity;  and  had  I  then  possessed  an  independence  of  two  thou- 
sand dollars  a  year,  Neptune  should  never  have  sported  with  my 
fortune  and  feelings  in  future  life. 

"  On  my  arrival  in  the  West  Indies  in  the  year  1776,  it  opened 
quite  a  now  scene  to  me,  for  which  I  was  little  qualified ;  for  I  had 


486  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE 

previously  lived  all  my  life  among  religious  people  of  correct  prin- 
ciples, and  it  was  quite  the  contrarj^  with  most  of  my  new  ac- 
quaintances and  those  I  had  to  transact  business  with.  No  one 
eame  there  to  settle  for  life;  all  were  in  quest  of  fortune  to  retire 
and  spend  it  elsewhere.  Character  was  little  thought  of.  Of 
course  it  required  the  utmost  circumspection  and  caution  to  steer 
clear  of  difficulties.  A  kind,  superintending  Providence  in  this,  as 
in  many  other  concerns  of  my  life,  enabled  me,  however,  to  sur- 
mount every  diificuhy,  young  and  inexperienced  as  I  then  was. 
A  few  days  after  m}^  arrival  at  St.  Eustatia  I  was  invited  to  spend 
the  evening  with  one  of  the  most  respectable  families  of  the  place, 
consisting  of  three  gentlemen  and  three  ladies,  two  of  the  latter 
being  single.  Cards  were  introduced,  and  we  plaj^ed  at  whist 
during  the  evening.  No  money  was  introduced,  nor  was  an}^  sum 
mentioned  for  the  game,  which  induced  me  to  believe  that  it  was 
altogether  for  amusement.  But  next  morning  the  head  of  the 
family  called  on  me  with  a  pile  of  dollars,  and  said  it  was  the  re- 
sult of  my  winnings  the  evening  before,  and  offered  to  pay  me, 
which  I  refused  to  accept,  observing  that  I  never  played  for 
money,  at  least  for  not  more  than  a  trifle  to  keep  up  the  attention 
of  the  game.  This  established  my  character  against  gaming,  and 
I  then  resolved  with  myself  that  I  never  would  game  or  play  so 
as  to  lose  or  gain  more  than  ten  dollars  at  any  one  time,  and  this 
resolution  I  have  kept  faithfully  ever  since  ;  and  had  I  not  taken 
and  kept  it,  I  probably  might  have  been  ruined,  as  was  the  case 
of  some  others  of  my  acquaintances  in  the  West  Indies. 

"  1  have  never  sought  for  offices  of  honor  or  profit ;  when  I 
have  in  any  waj^  acted  in  a  public  capacity,  it  was  from  a  sense  of 
duty  which  I  could  not  well  avoid,  for  I  considered  that  every  good 
citizen  should  contribute  more  or  less  for  the  good  of  society  when 
he  can  do  it  without  too  much  loss  or  inconvenience  to  himself.  I 
ftlways  considered  it  a  duty  to  my  family  to  keep  them  as  much  as 

Eossible  under  my  own  eye,  so  that  1  have  seldom  in  my  life  left 
ome  either  on  business  or  pleasure.  Since  1  had  a  family,  my 
great  desire  to  keep  my  sons  in  view  induced  me  to  pass  them  all 
(seven  in  number)  through  my  own  counting-house  :  this  was  a 
kind  of  useful  finish  to  their  education,  as  it  gave  them  a  know- 
ledge of  accounts  and  businens,  and  qualified  them  for  future  life, 
be  their  pursuits  what  it  might.  And  ever  since  I  had  a  house  it 
has  been  an  invariable  rule  with  me  to  be  the  last  up  at  night,  and 
to  see  that  the  fires  and  lights  were  secured  before  I  retired  myself; 
from  which  I  found  two  advantages :  one  was  that  there  was  little 
or  no  risk  from  fire  under  my  own  roof,  and  the  other  that  it  in- 
duced my  family  to  keep  regular  hours.  I  inherited  nothing  of 
any  consequence  of  my  forefathers,  nor  have  I  benefitted  ai)ything 
froni  public  favors  or  appointments.  What  I  possess  is  solely  the 
fruits  of  my  own  industry  and  labor,  and  what  I  shall  leave  my 
descendants  ought  to  satisfy  them  in  a  country  and  under  a  govern- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE  487 

ment  like  ours,  where  industry,  frugality,  and  merit  are  the  only 
sure  and  certain  road  to  respect  and  consequence. 

"I  think  it  was  Doctor  Franklin  who  observed  that  he  would 
have  no  objection  to  live  his  life  over  again,  provided  it  was  so 
ordered.  In  this  I  cannot  altogether  agree  with  the  doctor.  My 
life  has  been  attended  with  too  much  care  and  anxiety,  and  had  I 
the  option,  I  cannot  say  that  I  would  desire  it;  yet  if  I  had  my  life 
to  live  over  again,  I  am  not  conscious  that  I  could  improve  it  in 
any  particular  or  at  any  period." 

He  adds,  he  thought  it  necessary  to  say  this  much  for  the  bene- 
fit of  his  descendants,  and  by  way  of  justification  for  the  contents 
of  his  following  will.  Here  follows  his  will,  which  is  a  very  long 
and  curious  one,  from  which  we  make  the  following  extracts: — In 
addition  to  the  two  squares  of  ground  (Patterson  Park)  lately  con- 
veyed by  him  to  the  Mayor  and  City  Council,  he  devised  to  the 
same  and  their  successors  150  shares  of  U.  S.  Bank  stock  in  trust, 
first,  for  erecting  a  temple  of  liberty  on  the  two  squares  above 
mentioned ;  also  two  monuments,  "  one  to  the  memory  of  Chris- 
topher Columbus,  who  found  the  way  to  this  Western  World,  and 
the  other  to  the  memory  of  the  good  Marquis  (now  General)  La 
Fayette,  who  risked  his  life  and  sacrificed  his  fortune,  and  who 
contributed  so  largely  to  the  independence  of  this  country,  con- 
vinced as  I  am  (having  witnessed  the  progress  of  the  Revolution 
from  beginning  to  end)  that  it  was  through  his  means  and  interest 
that  France  joined  and  continued  with  us  in  the  Revolutionary 
War,  and  without  their  aid  and  assistance  at  the  time  we  could 
not  otherwise  have  obtained  our  independence  when  we  did.  But 
as  the  value  of  those  150  shares  of  U.  S.  Bank  stock  must  fall 
greatly  short  of  the  objects  I  have  in  view  of  erecting  a  temple 
of  liberty  and  the  two  monuments,"  he  earnestly  requests  and 
recommends  of  the  trustees  of  this  fund  for  the  time  being,  that 
the  said  150  shares  of  stock  be  kept  and  continued  at  interest, 
together  with  the  dividends  and  interest  that  may  be  received  from 
time  to  time,  until  the  principal  and  interest  shall  so  accumulate  as 
to  reach  and  produce  the  sum  of  half  a  million  of  dollars,  which  he 
estimated  would  take  place  in  about  sixty  years ;  after  which  the 
interest  only  of  this  sum  shall  be  expended  annually,  first,  in  the 
erection  of  the  temple  of  liberty ;  and  when  completed,  then  in  the 
erection  of  the  two  monuments.  And  after  the  completion  of  these, 
the  annual  interest  of  the  fund  of  $500,000  to  be  employed  in  pre- 
serving the  navigation  of  the  harbor  of  Baltimore  yearlj^,  and  every 
year  w^ithout  breaking  in  or  touching  on  the  principal  so  long  as 
the  fund  shall  exist.  Or  in  case  the  interest  may  not  be  required 
for  the  preservation  of  the  navigation,  then  it  may  be  employed  to 
any  other  useful  purpose  of  public  improvements.  He  also  devised 
that  the  trustees  for  the  said  fund  "  shall  at  the  expiration  of  two 
years  after  his  decease,  and  every  five  years  thereafter,  cause  a  gold 
medal  of  the  value  of  one  hundred  dollars  to  be  provided  and  given 


488  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

to  the  author  of  the  best  piece,  essay  or  production  on  Liberty,  not 
exceeding  one  hundred  lines  in  either  prose  or  verse,  by  a  native 
American." 

Speaking  of  his  daughter,  Miss  Elizabeth  Patterson,  who  mar- 
ried Jerome  Bonaparte,  the  brother  of  Napoleon  Bonaparte,  the 
first  Consul  of  France,  he  says :  "  The  conduct  of  my  daughter 
Betsey  has  through  life  been  so  disobedient,  that  in  no  instance 
has  she  ever  consulted  my  opinion  or  feelings;  indeed,  she  has 
caused  me  more  anxiety  and  trouble  than  all  my  other  children 
put  together,  and  her  folly  and  misconduct  has  occasioned  me  a 
train  of  expense  that  first  and  last  has  cost  me  much  money. 
Under  such  circumstances  it  would  not  be  reasonable,  just  or  proper 
that  she  should  at  my  death  inherit  and  participate  in  an  equal 
proportion  with  my  other  children,  in  an  equal  division  of  my  estate. 
Considering,  however,  the  weakness  of  human  nature,  and  that  she 
is  still  my  daughter,  it  is  my  will  and  pleasure  to  provide  for  her 
as  follows,"  Here  follows  her  division,  which  proved  to  be,  however, 
a  very  large  fortune. 

"A  figure  most  grotesque  and  weird,"  says  Dr.  John  W.  Palmer 
in  Lippincotfs  Magazine^  "  was  that  of  '  Old  Hagar,'  the  colored 
centenarian  of  South  Baltimore  and  Old  Town,  whose  sudden  ap- 
parition, ae  the  careless  passenger  encountered  it,  had  all  the 
startling  impressiveness  of  an  omen  and  memento  mori.  Gowned 
and  capped  in  white  in  and  out  of  season,  hooded  and  veiled  in 
black,  supported  by  a  long  staff  in  one  hand  and  an  umbrella  in 
the  other,  and  bearing  always  a  black  bag  and  a  book,  she  shuffled 
shaking,  her  shoulders  keeping  company  with  her  knees.  As  she 
hobbled,  witchlike,  she  mumbled  formless  ditties,  whereof  the  tunes 
were  of  cradles  and  the  words  of  tombs.  To  the  old  crones  she 
was  as  a  hag  of  evil  eye,  and  to  the  children  a  fairy  godmother; 
while  to  the  dodging  superstition  of  the  negroes  her  staff  became  a 
wizard's  wand,  her  black  bag  a  budget  of  charms  and  spells  and 
incantations,  and  her  book  a  vade-mecum  of  the  black  art,  com- 
piled by  the  fiend  himself.  Yet  'twas  but  a  catechism  of  a  psalter 
of  St.  Paul's  Church,  from  whose  charitable  purse  her  helpless  age 
drew  stated  pittance  of  alms ;  and  that  uncanny  pouch  held  only 
roots  and  herbs,  and  other  trash  of  virtue  for  the  healing  of  her 
untoid  ailments — especially  the  '  misery '  in  her  back  and  the  short- 
ness of  her  wind.  'But  she  slept  in  her  coffin.'  True!  That  was 
a  way  she  had,  and  it  prejudiced  her  repute  among  the  orthodox, 
who  all  said  '  I  told  you  so,'  when  on  Saturday  night,  March  14th, 
she  was  burned  to  death  in  her  fantastical  bunk,  at  the  age  of  one 
hundred  and  four."  She  lived  in  a  frame  house  in  Apple  alley, 
near  Fleet  street. 

The  National  Democratic  Convention  met  in  this  city  on  the 
20th  of  May,  and  nominated  as  their  candidate  for  President 
Martin  Van  Buren,  and  Col.  Richard  M.  Johnson  for  Yice-President. 

1836.  On  the  6th  of  August,  Richard  Lemmon,  Robert  Barry, 


CHBONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  489 

and  James  Cheston,  appointed  by  the  Governor  of  Maryland  com- 
missioners under  the  Act  passed  by  both  branches  of  the  Legislature 
of  Maryland  at  the  December  Session,  1835,  entitled  "  An  Act  to 
provide  indemnity  to  the  sufferers  by  certain  riots  in  the  city  of 
Baltimore,"  returned  the  awards  of  the  damages  made  by  them,  and 
specifying  the  names  of  the  parties  injured,  and  the  amount  of  loss 
or  injury  sustained  by  them  respectively, — viz. : 

Reverdy  Johnson $40,632  50 

John  B.  Morris  and  Lydla  Hollingsworth 16,825  92 

Evan  T.  Ellicott 4,747  55 

Eleanor  Bond 1,643  44 

John  Glenn   ...  37,270  65 

Elizabeth  Patterson 400  00 

J.J.Audubon 120  00 

Ebenezer  L.  Finley 912  76 

$102,552  82 

James  H.  McCulloch,  the  venerable  collector  of  the  port  of 
Baltimore,  died  at  his  residence  near  this  city  on  the  10th  of 
November.  In  the  Eevolutionary  War  he  was  a  brave  and  active 
partisan,  and  in  the  late  war  with  Great  Britain,  though  his  locks 
were  hoary  with  age,  he  shouldered  his  musket,  and  at  the  battle 
of  North  Point  fought  with  an  invincible  spirit. 

A  bill  was  passed  this  session  of  the  Legislature  to  increase 
the  delegation  from  Baltimore  from  two  to  four  members. 

On  Monday,  March  28th,  Elias  Glenn,  United  States  district 
judge  for  the  State  of  Maryland,  administered,  in  the  presence  of 
many  members  of  the  bar  and  a  number  of  citizens,  to  Mr.  Eoger 
B.  Taney  his  oath  of  office  as  chief  justice  of  the  United  States 
court  and  presiding  judge  of  this  circuit.  Mr.  Taney  was  nomi- 
nated on  the  28th  of  December,  1835,  and  confirmed  by  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States  on  the  15th  of  March,  1836.  Yeas  29 
— Nays  15. 

The  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  City  and 
County  Eecord  Office,  on  the  Court  House  lot  at  the  S.  E.  corner 
of  Lexington  and  St.  Paul  streets,  was  performed  on  Wednesday 
morning,  June  28th,  by  Solomon  Etting,  president  of  the  board  of 
commissioners  for  repairing  the  Court  House,  &c.,  assisted  by 
General  Samuel  Smith,  the  venerable  Mayor,  in  presence  of  Chief 
Justice  Taney,  the  judges  of  the  different  courts  and  other  city  and 
county  officers,  and  a  numerous  assemblage  of  citizens  and  strangers. 

Thursday,  the  26th  of  August,  being  the  day  designated  for  the 
performance  of  funeral  obsequies  in  honor  of  the  memory  of  James 
Madison,  the  streets  were  filled  at  an  early  hour  with  crowds  of 
citizens  repairing  to  their  several  places  of  meeting,  and  by  persons 
attracted  %  a  desire  of  beholding  the  anticipated  spectacle.  At 
the  head  of  the  column  of  march  there  came  a  detachment  of  mili- 
tary, whose  appearance  was  soldier-like  and  imposing.    Next  came 


490  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  arranged  in  lodges,  and 
bearing  the  numerous  insignia  of  the  Order  shrouded  in  crape, 
which  served  to  add  to  the  solemn  effect  of  the  scene.  Then  fol- 
lowed an  appropriate  funeral  car  of  Egyptian  design,  covered  with 
a  black  pall  and  drawn  by  six  white  horses  dressed  in  black  hous- 
ings and  led  by  grooms  in  white.  On  each  side  of  the  car  rode  the 
encampment  of  patriarchs,  and  in  its  rear  a  military  escort.  After 
these  succeeded  a  barouche  and  four  black  horses,  in  which  sat  his 
Honor  the  Mayor  (Gren.  Samuel  Smith),  the  orator  of  the  day  (Jo- 
seph Willey,  Esq.),  and  the  attendant  clergy.  After  these  equipages 
came  in  succession  the  various  associations  of  the  Trades'  Union, 
each  preceded  by  its  distinguished  banner  dressed  in  mourning. 
The  rear  of  the  procession  was  brought  up  by  the  order  of  Eed 
Men.  During  the  march,  bands  of  music  judiciously  disposed 
along  the  line  played  appropriate  airs.  The  procession  reached 
its  destination  in  Howard's  Park,  where  appropriate  ceremonies 
were  held.  During  the  day  the  stores  along  the  line  of  procession 
were  generally  closed. 

In  this  3'ear,  Mr.  Horace  Abbott,  who  was  born  in  Worcester 
county,  Massachusetts,  in  July,  1806,  ,removed  to  Baltimore  and 
secured  the  "  Canton  Iron  Works,"  then  owned  by  Peter  Cooper, 
Esq.,  of  New  York.  At  these  works  Mr.  Abbott  forged  the  first 
large  steamship  shaft  wrought  in  this  country.  This  shaft  was 
for  the  Eussian  frigate  Kamtschatka,  built  in  New  York  for  the 
Emperor  Nicholas  I.,  and  such  was  the  interest  manifested  in  this 
huge  production  of  wrought  iron,  as  it  was  then  considered,  that 
it  was  exhibited  at  the  Exchange  in  New  York,  and  was  doubtless 
the  means  of  stimulating  others  to  feats  of  enterprise  and  skill. 
In  1850  Mr.  Abbott  built  a  rolling-mill  capable  of  turning  out  the 
largest  rolled  plate  then  made  in  the  United  States.  On  one  occa- 
sion, in  1863,  he  completed  an  order  for  250,000  pounds  of  rolled 
iron  in  forty-eight  hours,  and  received  from  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy  a  letter  in  commendation  of  his  fidelity  and  energy.  When 
Captain  Ericsson  designed  the  first  Monitor  he  was  apprehensive 
that  this  country  contained  no  mills  of  sufficient  capacity  to  furnish 
armor  plate  of  the  requisite  thickness  and  dimensions  for  this  form 
of  iron-clad,  and  was  under  the  impression  that  he  would  be  com- 
pelled to  order  them  from  England.  Before  doing  so,  however,-  he 
applied  to  Mr.  Abbott,  who,  realizing  the  emergency,  but  feeling 
equal  to  the  task,  promptly  undertook  to  furnish  whatever  was 
needed.  The  plates  were  manufactured  and  delivered  in  a  shorter 
time  than  had  been  anticipated.  The  Monitor  was  completed  and 
ready  for  sea  in  time  to  engage  the  hostile  ram  Merrimac  in 
Hampton  Eoads,  and  prevent  her  from  accomplishing  her  mission 
of  destruction  among  the  wooden  craft  of  the  navy,  then  lying  in 
the  roads.  In  her  encounter  with  her  formidable  adversary,  the 
Monitor  was  so  effectually  protected  by  her  armor  that  not  a  plate 
was  pierced  or  injured,  and  a  new  era  was  inaugurated  in  the 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  491 

history  of  naval  architecture  and  warfare.  Subsequently  Mr. 
Abbott  furnished  the  armor-plates  for  nearly  all  of  the  vessels  of 
the  monitor  class  built  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  and  also  for  the 
Roanoke^  Agamenticus^  Monadnock,  and  other  large  iron-clads. 

Gen.  Harrison  reached  this  city  on  Thursday  afternoon,  Sep- 
tember 22d,  from  Washington,  accompanied  by  a  committee  of 
citizens  of  Baltimore  and  Washington.  He  was  met  at  Carroll's 
bridge  by  a  large  concourse  of  citizens  on  horseback,  who  formed 
themselves  into  an  escort,  and  in  Pratt  street  the  line  of  proces- 
sion was  greatly  augmented  by  the  body  of  citizens  on  foot  assem- 
bled there  to  receive  him.  After  proceeding  through  Pratt,  Bond, 
and  Baltimore  streets,  the  General  alighted  at  the  Eutaw  House, 
where  the  address  of  welcome  was  delivered  by  Judge  Hanson,  to 
which  he  made  an  eloquent  reply. 

On  Tuesday,  March  15th,  it  was  resolved  by  the  Mayor  and 
City  Council  of  Baltimore  to  subscribe  to  the  capital  stock  of  the 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad  Company  the  sum  of  three  millions 
of  dollars,  in  the  name  of  the  Mayor  and  City  Council  of  Balti- 
more. 

On  the  7th  of  May,  a  number  of  gentlemen  of  Baltimore  gave 
a  public  dinner  at  Mr.  Page's  hotel,  to  Mr.  Henry  S.  Fox,  his  Brit- 
annic Majesty's  minister  in  this  city,  in  celebration  of  the  media- 
tion of  Great  Britain  between  the  United  States  and  France.  Mr. 
Eobert  Gilmor  presided,  assisted  by  J.  Meredith,  J.  P.  Kennedy, 
Dr.  Macauley,  and  J.  S.  Nicholas  as  vice  presidents. 

5C1837.  On  the  12th  of  May^he  banks  of  this  city,  following 
tnose  of  Philadelphia  and  New  York,  suspended  specie  payments. V 
The  interruption  of  specie  payments  during  these  disastrous  years, 
gave  opportunities  for  all  sorts  of  speculations  and  inventions  for 
the  supply  of  what  could  or  would  pass  among  the  people  for 
money.  This  was  the  reign  of  foul  rags,  coarsely  called  "shin- 
plasters,"  which  were  as  plentiful  and  as  troublesome  as  the  frogs 
in  Egypt.  The  speculative  inventors  palmed  them  on  the  credu- 
lous public,  and,  of  course,  failing,  inflicted  serious  losses  on  the 
communit}'.  ''Orders"  for  money  were  issued  also  by  the  corpo- 
ration of  Baltimore  and  by  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad  Com- 
pany, and  for  a  long  time  furnished  the  only  reliable  fractional 
currency  during  the  specie  suspension.  But  through  all  these 
perilous  times,  Baltimore  sustained  hei*self  bravel}'  and  success- 
fully, improving  the  city,  and  doing  a  fair  share  of  general  busi- 
ness, and,  while  other  cities  reeled  before  the  storm,  passed  through 
it  without  serious  calamity. 

George  Peabody,  of  Baltimore,  was  appointed  by  the  Governor 
and  Legislature  of  Maryland  a  commissioner  to  negociate  the  eight 
million  loan,  in  the  place  of  Samuel  Jones,  Jr.,  who  declined  to 
accept. 

By  far  the  most  extensive  and  destructive  calamity  with  which 
the  city  of  Baltimore  has  ever  been  visited  up  to  this  time,  was  ex- 


492  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

perienced  on  "Wednesday  night,  July  14th.  The  heavy  showers  of 
rain  which  descended  on  that  night  caused  a  sudden  rise  of  the 
waters  of  Jones  Falls,  tearing  up  the  mill-dams  and  wooden  bridges 
which  cross  the  upper  part  of  that  stream,  and  bringing  them 
down  against  the  stone  bridges  within  the  city  limits.  That  at 
Gay  street  had  a  single  arch,  that  at  Baltimore  street  had  two 
arches,  and  that  at  Pratt  street  three  arches.  The  last  named  was 
the  first  to  become  obstructed  by  the  descending  timbers,  and  that 
at  Baltimore  street  was  soon  after  in  the  same  condition.  The 
bridge  at  Gay  street  apparently  passed  all  the  smaller  fragments, 
until  the  new  wooden  bridge  at  Centre  street  was  swept  bodily 
from  its  abutments  and  lodged  against  it.  These  obstructions 
forced  the  waters  into  new  channels,  and  consequently  rendered 
the  destruction  of  property  greater  in  the  vicinity  of  the  bridges. 
The  first  bridge  of  any  consequence  over  the  Falls  was  about  two 
miles  from  the  city,  where  the  road  crosses  that  stream,  at  the  first 
turnpike  gate.  The  gate-keeper,  roused  by  the  noise  of  the  waters, 
left  his  house  with  his  family,  and  immediately  awakened  the  occu- 
pants of  three  frame-dwellings  adjoining  his  own.  He  had  scarcely 
succeeded  in  getting  all  the  families  out  before  the  bridge  was  swept 
off,  carrying  with  it  the  four  dwellings.  At  the  Lanvill  cotton 
factory  much  damage  was  done  by  the  rise  of  the  water,  and  the 
mill-dam  swept  away.  The  dam  at  Belvedere  bridge,  which  sup- 
plied the  reservoirs  of  the  Water  Company,  was  carried  away,  but 
the  bridge  remained  uninjured.  The  small  mill  at  Madison  street 
and  several  small  tenements  adjoining  were  immersed,  but  little 
•  damage  was  sustained.  Adjoining  them  was  the  extensive  mail 
coach  factory  of  Messrs.  Stockton  and  Stokes ;  the  extensive  tan- 
nery of  Mr.  George  Appold  was  inundated,  but  sustained  little  in- 
jury. The  abutments  on  each  side  of  the  Madison  Street  bridge 
were  so  much  damaged  that  it  was  not  considered  safe  to  cross  it. 
More  or  less  damage  was  done  to  all  the  property  binding  on  the 
Falls,  by  having  the  fences  and  out-houses  carried  away.  At 
Centre  street  the  large  wooden  bridge  recently  erected  was  swept 
off  entire.  The  torrent  here  left  its  ac/customed  bed,  and  coming 
down  in  a  direct  line  over  the  wall  which  ordinarily  confined  it, 
forced  its  way  through  some  small  tenements  on  the  north  side  of 
Centre  street,  and  thence  directly  across  the  street  into  the  extensive 
distillery  premises  of  Messrs.  J.  C.  White  and  Sons.  Considerable 
damage  was  done  to  the  works,  and  some  of  the  numerous  build- 
ings were  prostrated ;  but  the  greatest  loss  was  in  the  live-stock — 
no  less  than  thirty  to  forty  valuable  horses  and  fifty  to  sixty  cows 
having  been  drowned.  The  waters  rose  to  the  floors  of  the  second 
stories,  and  in  the  Falls  the  flood  was  here  about  twenty  feet  above 
its  bed.  At  the  intersection  of  Centre  and  North  streets,  a  small 
wooden  house  standing  by  itself  was  swept  away.  The  inmates, 
an  elderly  Irishman  and  his  wife,  were  both  drowned. 

The  water  from  Centre  street  spread  over  the  low  grounds  as 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOKE.  493 

far  west  as  Calvert  street,  inundating  all  that  part  of  the  city 
formerly  known  as  the  Meadow,  and  doing  an  immense  deal 
of  damage.  The  new  Universalist  Church  at  the  corner  of  Calvert 
and  Pleasant  streets  had  a  foot  or  two  of  water  in  its  basement 
story.  The  City  Spring  was  inundated  about  a  foot  above  the 
paved  footways  within  the  enclosure ;  as  were  also  the  dwellings, 
&c.,  in  the  neighborhood.  In  the  gas-house  the  water  was  about 
six  feet.  The  African  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  at  the  corner 
of  North  and  Saratoga  streets  had  about  five  feet  of  water  above 
the  floor.  The  City  Hall  was  visited  with  water  in  the  offices  on 
the  first  floor.  The  Presbyterian  Church  at  the  corner  of  HoUiday 
and  Saratoga  streets  was  materially  damaged  in  the  interior.  The 
water  rose  to  the  cushion  on  the  pulpit  desk,  and  a  part  of  the 
pews  were  removed  from  their  places.  The  sexton  of  the  church, 
a  German  named  John  Wiest,  lived  in  a  small  house  adjoining  it. 
The  whole  family,  consisting  of  Wiest,  his  wife  and  three  children, 
were  asleep  ^n  a  lower  back  apartment,  and,  sad  to  relate,  were  all 
drowned.  The  water  rose  to  the  ceiling  of  the  room.  The  exten- 
sive soap  and  candle  factories  in  this  quarter,  conducted  respectively 
by  Messrs.  Francis  Hyde  &  Son,  Samuel  G.  Hyde,  and  T.  N.  Smith 
&  Co.,  suffered  extensive  damage,  as  well  from  the  derangement  of 
their  works  as  by  the  loss  in  raw  material  and  finished  stock.  The 
Falls  in  the  rear  of  the  factory  of  the  latter  was  about  sixteen  feet 
above  the  ordinary  level.  Bath  street  was  under  water  from  Cal- 
vert street  to  the  Falls.  The  bridge  at  this  point  was  carried  away, 
and  the  banks  on  both  sides  swept.  In  Bath  street  near  Holliday, 
a  large  mass  of  lumber,  &c.,  collected,  which  caused  the  water  to 
sweep  away  the  fronts  of  the  houses  adjacent.  At  the  corner  of 
Bath  and  North  streets  the  water  was  six  or  seven  feet  high. 
The  bridge  at  Pleasant  street  was  carried  away. 

Along  Saratoga  street,  east  of  Holliday,  the  premises  on  the 
north  side  running  back  to  the  Falls  were  greatly  damaged  by 
the  flood.  The  waters  here  were  about  ten  feet  high,  and  sought  a 
channel  towards  Gay  street,  running  with  great  velocity  into  Har- 
rison and  Frederick  streets,  and  tearing  the  pavements  into  deep 
gullies.  The  occupants  of  houses  in  the  vicinity  of  Gay  street 
bridge  were  severe  sufferers.  Many  of  them  had  the  -goods  in 
their  stores  totally  ruined.  The  house  of  Mr.  Eoche,  adjoining 
the  bridge,  was  nearly  demolished  by  the  flood  and  floating  timber. 
The  water  swept  over  the  bridge.  In  Harrison  street  the  water 
was  about  eight  feet  deep,  and  swept  along  with  resistless  fury. 
In  Baltimore  street  the  water  extended  nearly  to  the  bridge  on 
the  east,  and  above  Frederick  street  on  the  west,  filling  the  cellars 
and  inundating  the  stores.  An  immense  quantity  of  timber  and 
fragments  of  bridges  which  came  down  the  stream  collected  at 
Baltimore  street  bridge,  and  so  choked  up  the  arches  that  the 
water  rose  to  within  a  few  feet  of  the  pavement.  About  four 
o'clock  the   accumulation  became  so  great  that  the  structure  was 


494  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

unable  to  resist  the  tremendous  pressure  against  it,  and  a  portion 
of  the  upper  side  of  the  centre  pier  gave  way  and  fell  in  to  the 
distance  of  six  or  eight  feet  from  the  edge,  carrying  away  the 
whole  of  the  stone  parapet  and  iron  railing.  The  foot-bridge  lead- 
ing from  the  Bazaar  in  Harrison  street  across  the  Falls  to  Front 
street  was  swept  away  in  the  early  part  of  the  freshet. 
The  timber,  planks,  &c.,  which  were  carried  down  the  current  of 
Harrison  street  made  a  lodgment  in  large  quantities  against  the 
railing  of  the  Centre  Fountain,  and  finally  tore  a  portion  of  the 
railing  and  overturned  the  marble  fountain  from  which  the  spring- 
water  flowed.  On  both  sides  of  Market  Space  all  the  stores  were 
filled  with  water,  and  large  quantities  of  merchandise  injured.  In 
many  of  the  stores  the  water  reached  the  ceilings,  destroying  com- 
pletely every  article  in  them.  The  foot-bridge  leading  across  the 
Falls  from  the  fish  market  was  carried  away.  In  Concord  street  the 
water  was  eight  feet  deep.  On  the  Falls  avenue  the  water  stood 
about  four  feet  deep.  Between  Water  and  Pratt  streefts  a  number 
of  carts  and  drays  and  some  lumber  were  swept  away.  The  stone 
bridge  at  Pratt  street  being  below  all  the  wooden  structures  which 
were  carried  away,  and  being  composed  of  three  arches,  inter- 
cepted everything  brought  down  by  the  current,  until  an  immense 
mass,  consisting  of  fragments  of  mill-dams,  bridges,  fences,  sheds, 
&c.,  was  piled  up  against  it.  Like  the  stone  bridge  above,  it 
could  not  resist  the  immense  pressure,  and  nearly  one-half  of 
the  structure  gave  way  and  fell. 

On  the  eastern  side  of  the  Falls,  directly  on  the  banks,  various 
out-houses.  &c.)  were  carried  away ;  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Gay 
street  bridge,  the  tannery  of  Wm.  Miller  was  swept  clean.  A  num- 
ber of  instances  of  providential  escapes  are  related,  which  we  have  not 
space  to  insert.  One  of  them,  however,  was  the  case  of  a  boy  five 
years  of  age  who  was  discovered  floating  on  a  bed,  and  was  rescued 
from  the  flood  in  North  street ;  he  was  supposed  to  be  the  only  sur- 
vivor of  a  family  who  occupied  a  house  that  was  entirely  carried 
away.  Another  instance  was  that  of  a  young  man  who  was  sleeping 
soundly  in  the  basement  under  Washington  Hall.  He  was  awak- 
ened by  the  friendly  paw  of  a  faithful  dOg,  when  his  bed  was  nearly 
afloat,  the  sudden  rising  of  the  flood  leaving  scarcely  a  minute  of 
time  for  his  escape  from  a  watery  grave.  About  two  miles  up  the 
Falls,  a  family  who  "had  just  finished  a  shanty  for  their  residence 
were  warned  of  their  danger  by  kind  neighbors,  but  they  told  their 
advisers  to  "  mind  their  own  business,  that  they  would  look  out  for 
themselves,"  and  in  a  few  moments  afterwards  the  shanty  with  its 
inmates  were  carried  off  by  the  current,  and  it  is  supposed  they 
were  all  drowned.  A  boy  of  twelve  or  fourteen  years  of  age  had 
fallen  from  the  drift  which  clogged  Baltimore  street  bridge,  into 
the  swollen  and  whirling  current  of  the  river,  and  being  unable  to 
swim  was  passing  rapidly  and  helpless  down  the  stream,  only  the 
top  of  his  head  above  water,  and  had  once  entirely  disaj^peared, 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  495 

when  two  young  men  bravely  dashed  into  the  stream,  and  just  as 
the  drowning  youth  was  about  to  be  drawn  under  the  drift  or  lum- 
ber, &c.,  which  clogged  in  like  manner  the  bridge  below  on  Pratt 
street,  he  was  snatched,  exhausted  and  almost  lifeless,  from  death 
and  restored  to  his  family.  The  following  persons  lost  their  lives 
by  the  freshet  as  well  as  we  can  ascertain,  viz :  Christopher  Wiest, 

wife  and  three  children,  Saratoga  street ;  Dougherty,  corner 

Concord  and  Water  streets ;  Catharine  Donnelly,  Pratt  street ; 
James  Doyle,  Long  Wharf;  Jacob  Ockley,  Falls  road ;  a  woman 
and  daughter,  names  unknown  ;  James  Kelly,  Henry  Linehan,  Mr. 
Donnelly  and  five  persons  on  the  Falls  road,  names  unknown. 

On  the  29th  of  June,  the  City  Council  of  Baltimore  passed  an 
ordinance  authorizing  the  issue  of  certificates  for  small  sums  to  the 
amount  of  $350,000.  This  in  addition  to  the  amount  of  $100,000, 
heretofore  put  in  circulation.  The  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal 
Company  also  commenced  the  issue  of  change  notes  on  the  20th 
of  June. 

John  McDonogh,  of  New  Orleans,  by  letter  under  date  of  Juno 
22d,  sends  his  check  for  $500  to  the  relief  of  the  sufferers  by  the 
late  flood. 

On  the  1st  of  August,  1818,  and  the  29th  of  August,  1837,  the 
city  jjurchased  the  ground  now  known  as  the  "  Eastern  Spring," 
for  the  sum  of  $15,000;  the  improvements  cost  $11,651.29. 
)\  1838.  On  the  5th  of  February,  articles  of  union  were  agreed 
upon  and  executed  between  the  Wilmington  and  Susquehanna 
Eailroad  Company,  the  Baltimore  and  Port  Deposit  Eailroad 
Company,  and  the  Philadelphia,  Wilmington  and  Baltimore  Rail- 
road Company —  the  three  roads  extending  from  Philadelphia  to 
Baltimore — by  which  they  became  one  corporation,  under  the 
name  of  the  Philadelphia,  Wilmington  and  Baltimore  Railroad 
CompanyV 

The  British  steam  packet  City  of  Kingston  left  this  port  at  noon 
on  Sunday,  May  20th,  for  London  direct  under  the  command  of 
Captain  Crane.  The  City  of  Kingston  was  sent  out  originally  to 
the  West  Indies,  and  plied  some  time  as  a  mail  and  passenger 
packet  between  Jamaica  and  Barbadoes,  but  the  business  having 
proved  unprofitable  to  the  owners  in  London,  she  was  ordered  back 
to  that  port.  The  City  of  Kingston  was  brig-rigged,  and  carried 
three  hundred  tons  of  coal,  and  was  the  first  steam  vessel  from 
Baltimore  to  Europe  direct. 

On  Tuesday  evening,  May  23d,  a  dark  cloud  passed  over  the 
city  from  the  west,  attended  by  a  copious  shower  of  rain  and  a 
gust  of  wind.  The  latter  was  so  violent  as  to  prostrate  chimneys 
and  unroof  houses  in  various  portions  of  the  city.  Nearly  the 
whole  roof  of  Christ  Church,  corner  of  Fayette  and  Gay  streets, 
was  blown  off  and  torn  to  pieces,  as  were  also  the  roofs  of  the 
warehouses  of  Messrs.  Joseph  Robinson,  Thomas  Palmer  &  Co., 
C.  W".  Spilcker,  Walter  Crook,  Jr.,  E.  Jenkins  &  Sons,  Jos.  Taylor 


496  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

&  Son,  Isaac  Eeynolds,  and  the  roofs  of  four  warehouses  in  Eutaw 
street,  belonging  to  Jacob  Albert  &  Co.,  and  the  roof  of  the  upper 
reservoir  of  the  gas  company  on  Liberty  street.  The  Hollins 
Btreet  market  house  was  blown  down.  Part  of  the  roofs  of  the 
Baltimore  Museum  and  the  Eutaw  House  were  blown  off,  and  a 
portion  of  the  wall  of  the  Front  Street  Theatre,  and  many  houses 
were  blown  down. 

Died  on  the  9th  of  June,  in  the  72d  year  of  his  age,  Thomas 
"W.  Griffith,  Esq.  Mr.  Griffith  had  for  many  years  been  a  highly 
respectable  magistrate,  first  for  the  county  and  afterwards  for  the 
city  of  Baltimore.  In  discharging  his  duty  as  such,  it  is  saying  no 
more  than  truth  to  award  him  the  praise  of  having  uniformly  fol- 
lowed, and  that  too  with  a  zeal  as  intelligent  as  it  was  commend- 
able, the  path  of  rectitude.  Upon  his  fellow-citizens,  both  at  home 
and  abroad,  he  has  other  claims,  having  dedicated  the  leisure  that 
was  left  him  from  the  distracting  calls  of  his  public  office,  to  the 
production  of  two  books,  by  both  of  which  the  present  generation 
is  benefitted,  and  the  future  historian  or  annalist  will  find  himself 
assisted.  His  "History  of  Maryland,"  and  his  ''Annals  of  Balti- 
more "  are  meant.  These  productions  were  the  fruit  of  an  active 
mind  abhorring  indolence.  Mr.  G.  was  early  in  life  appointed 
Consul  to  Havre  by  General  Washington. 

Between  four  and  five  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  3d  of 
February,  the  whole  of  the  extensive  building  in  Front  street, 
known  as  the  Baltimore  Theatre  and  Circus,  was  entirely  enveloped 
in  flames,  which  burst  in  great  fury  from  every  window  and  door 
of  the  vast  edifice.  Before  the  fire  was  discovered  it  appeared  to 
have  reached  every  part  of  the  building,  and  prevented  the  possi- 
bility of  saving  a  single  article.  The  building  was  occupied  by  the 
well-known  company  of  Mr.  Cooke,  whose  whole  stock,  fixtures, 
machinery,  wardrobe,  decorations  and  property  of  his  extensive 
company  were  entirely  consumed,  including  his  stud  of  nearly  fifty 
magnificent  horses.  The  fire  was  supposed  to  have  been  the  result 
of  accident.  On  the  south  side,  separated  by  an  alley,  stood  an 
antiquated  two-story  brick  house,  known  as  "Gough's  Mansion 
House,"  which  was  owned  and  occupied  by  Mr.  Patrick  Murphy 
as  a  tavern.  This  house  caught  fire  and  was  entirely  burnt,  to- 
gether with  several  old  back  buildings. 

Mr.  Isaac  McKim,  a  member  of  the  House  of  Eepresentatives, 
died  in  this  city  on  Sunday  morning,  April  1st.  His  commercial 
enterprises  were  eminently  successful,  and  he  dispensed  his  great 
wealth  with  the  most  enlightened  liberality ;  and  especially  in  the 
erection  and  endowment  of  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  perma- 
nent free  schools  in  this  or  any  other  country.  The  public  authori- 
ties of  Baltimore,  with  a  large  number  of  senators  and  represen- 
tatives and  the  citizens  generally,  paid  every  respect  to  his  memory, 
and  all  seemed  impressed  with  the  great  loss  that  the  community 
sustained  by  his  death. 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  497 

The  Convent  of  the  Visitation,  with  the  academy  under  its 
direction,  was  founded  in  November,  1838.  Eleven  sisters  were 
transferred  from  the  convent  of  Georgetown  for  the  purpose  of  com- 
mencing the  new  establishment,  and  took  possession  of  a  house  on 
the  corner  of  Green  and  Mulberry  streets.  An  extensive  lot  was 
shortly  after  procured  on  the  corner  of  Park  and  Centre  streets. 

1839.  On  the  16th  of  December,  a  meeting  of  gentlemen  desirous 
to  establish,  if  possible,  a  manual  labor  school  in  the  vicinity  of 
Baltimore,  was  held  in  the  First  Baptist  Church,  at  the  corner  of 
Sharp  and  Lombard  streets.  On  motion  of  Mr.  George  W.  Norris, 
Br.  Dunbar  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  John  L.  Carey  appointed 
secretary.  Mr.  Winston,  Superintendent  of  the  Boston  Farm 
School,  was  present,  and  made  a  full  and  very  interesting  state- 
ment in  regard  to  the  establishment,  history  and  results  of  the  in- 
stitution under  his  charge.  The  meeting  was  also  addressed  by  C. 
Gilman. 

The  Mercantile  Library  Association  was  established  on  the 
14th  of  November,  with  the  following  officers :  J.  Morrison  Harris, 
President;  George  L.  Wight,  Vice-President ;  Geo.  K.  W.  Allnutt, 
Secretary ;  F.  Dunnington,  Treasurer.  Directors — Wm.  M.  Lati- 
mer, John  S.  Sumner,  Josiah  N.  Jones,  Henry  J.  Eogers,  Laurence 
Thomsen,  Wm.  A.  Dunnington,  George  Cliffe,  O.  B.  Wight,  John 
E.  Davis,  Librarian. 

Gen.  Samuel  Smith,  one  of  the  most  distinguished  soldiers  of 
the  Eevolution,  died  in  this  city  on  Monday  afternoon,  the  22d  of 
April,  1839,  in  the  87th  year  of  his  age.  He  had  been  riding  in 
his  carriage,  and  on  his  return  to  his  dwelling,  lay  upon  the  sofa 
with  the  view  of  resting  himself,  and  when  the  servant  who  had 
been  attending  him  entered  the  apartment  a  short  time  afterwards 
he  was  found  dead.  His  career  was  glorious  and  useful,  and  he 
died  full  of  years  and  honors.  General  Smith  was  born  in  Carlisle, 
on  the  27th  of  July,  1752.  His  father  being  a  merchant,  he  was 
destined  for  the  same  profession,  and  in  early  life  (about  19)  w^as 
sent  to  England  to  be  educated  in  a  counting-house ;  but  not  sat- 
isfied with  the  restraint  imposed  upon  the  clerks  in  the  house  in 
which  he  lived,  he  freighted  the  vessel  in  which  he  went  out  and 
sailed  for  a  port  in  Italy.  The  vessel  being  cast  away  on  that 
coast,  he  travelled  over  most  of  the  Continent,  and  returned  to  the 
United  States  in  the  same  vessel  with  the  accomplished  but  unfor- 
tunate Andr^.  Gen.  Smith,  then  a  very  young  man,  was  solicited 
by  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Baltimore  to  command  a  company 
sent  by  water  to  Annapolis  to  arrest  or  capture  the  Provincial 
Governor  Eden.  The  Governor  made  his  escape.  Smith  engaged 
in  the  Eevolutionary  struggle,  and  at  its  commencement  entered 
the  service  as  a  captain  in  Colonel  Smallwood's  regiment.  He  was 
in  the  battles  of  Brandywine,  Monmouth,  White  Plains,  and  Long 
Island,  and  his  company  covered  the  retreat  of  the  army  through 
the  Jerseys.  He  commanded  at  Mud  Fort,  or  Fort  Mifflin,  at  the 
32 


498  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOKE. 

raoiith  of  the  Schuylkill,  where  such  a  gallant  and  desperate  defence 
was  made  against  the  British  fleet,  resulting  in  the  blowing  up  of 
two  frigates.  In  this  engagement  he  was  disabled  by  a  spent  ball, 
which  gave  a  shock  to  his  frame  from  which  he  did  not  soon  re- 
cover. After  the  close  of  the  Eevolutionary  struggle  he  entered 
actively  into  commercial  pursuits,  and  may  be  said  to  have  been 
the  founder  of  the  commerce  of  the  city,  and  was  the  mainstay  of 
the  commercial  interests  of  the  whole  country  in  Congress  for 
forty  years. 

When  Mr.  Jefferson  came  into  the  Presidency  he  pressed  Gen. 
Smith  to  accept  the  office  of  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  which  he  de- 
clined, consenting,  however,  to  act  in  that  capacity  until  some 
suitable  person  could  be  selected  to  fill  it  permanently.  He  served 
as  Secretary  for  six  months  or  more,  but  would  not  receive  any 
compensation  for  his  services.  He  generally  while  in  Congress 
filled  some  high  station,  being  chairman*  of  the  Committee  of 
Ways  and  Means  in  the  House,  and  of  that  of  Finance  in  the  Senate. 
When  Baltimore  was  threatened  with  foreign  invasion  he  accepted 
the  command  of  the  defending  army,  and  pledged  his  own  private 
fortune  and  that  of  a  friend  who  went  before  him  to  his  great  ac- 
count. During  the  whole  term  of  his  command  here  neither  he 
nor  his  staff  received  any  pay.  His  first  term  of  service  in  Con- 
gress commenced  in  1793,  and  he  continued  in  the  House  or  Senate 
till  the  4th  of  March,  1833.  Congress  voted  and  presented  him  a 
sword  for  his  gallant  defence  of  the  Mud  Fort.  His  last  public 
service  was  in  the  capacity  of  Mayor  of  this  city. 

On  the  25th  the  funeral  obsequies  took  place.  The  procession 
left  the  dwelling  of  the  deceased  in  Exchange  Place  at  the  appointed 
hour  (half-past  four),  and  moved  up  Gay  to  Baltimore  street,  the 
cavalry  in  front,  followed  by  the  infantry  regiments  and  com- 
panies of  artillery.  In  compliance  with  the  invitations  which  had 
been  sent  to  them  by  the  municipal  authorities,  the  President  of 
the  United  States  and  heads  of  departments  at  Washington,  his 
Excellency  the  Governor  of  Maryland,  and  other  distinguished 
personages  were  in  attendance,  the  President  riding  in  an  open 
barouche,  accompanied  by  his  Excellency  Governor  Grason,  the 
Mayor  of  the  city,  and  the  Hon.  Mr.  Forsyth,  Secretary  of  State 
of  the  United  States.  A  second  barouche  followed,  in  which  were 
seated  the  Hon.  Levi  Woodbury,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  of  the 
United  States,  the  Hon.  J.  E.  Poinsett,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
and  the  Hon.  Felix  Grundy,  Attorney-General  of  the  United 
States.  The  hearse  containing  the  body  was  drawn  by  four  white 
horses,  and  flanked  on  either  side  by  mounted  dragoons.  It  was 
Ibllowed  by  a  long  train  of  carriages  containing  the  pall-bearers, 
the  committee  of  arrangements  of  the  City  Council,  the  Cincin- 
nati Society,  and  others.  Following  them  were  the  City  Guard  of 
Baltimore  without  arms,  after  whom  came  members  of  the  City 
Council,  the  officers  of  the  corporation,  the  judges  of  the  courts  and 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  499 

members  of  the  bar,  the  professors  of  the  University  of  Maryhin(\ 
officers  of  the  army  and  navy,  officers  of  the  customs,  members  of 
Congress,  and  members  of  the  State  Legishiture,  consuls  and 
others.  On  entering  Baltimore  street  that  portion  of  the  proces- 
sion which  had  started  from  the  late  residence  of  the  deceased  was 
joined  by  the  fire  department,  dressed  in  the  uniform  of  their  re- 
spec^^ive  companies,  the  line  being  swelled  as  it  proceeded  west- 
ward by  the  addition  of  crowds  of  private  citizens.  During  the 
ceremonies  the  bells  of  the  churches  were  tolled,  minute-guns  were 
fired,  and  the  flags  of  the  shipping  in  the  harbor  and  on  the  public 
edifices  were  displayed  at  half-mast  throughout  the  day,  as  they 
had  been  the  day  preceding. 

On  Saturday,  July  13th,  Greenmount  Cemetery  was  dedicated 
in  the  presence  of  the  Mayor,  the  members  of  the  City  Council  and 
a  vast  concourse  of  persons.  At  the  appointed  hour  the  ceremo- 
nies commenced  with  the  performance  of  a  beautiful  and  appro- 
priate chorale,  from  the  oratorio  of  St.  Paul,  beginning  "  Sleepers 
awake  !  a  voice  is  calling,"  by  the  musical  association,  accompanied 
by  a  full  orchestra.  So  soon  as  the  sound  of  the  music  had  died 
away,  the  Eev.  Dr.  Wyatt,  rector  of  St.  Paul's,  arose,  and  whilst  the 
attendant  multitude  stood  uncovered,  offered  up  to  the  throne  of  the 
Most  High  a  prayer.  The  prayer  was  succeeded  by  a  very  beauti- 
ful hymn  composed  for  the  occasion  by  J.  H.  B.  Latrobe,  Esq.  At, 
the  termination  of  the  hymn,  Mr.  J.  P.  Kennedy  made  an  address,, 
in  commemoration  of  which  it  would  be  difficult  to  say  too  much.. 
Mr.  Kennedy  having  resumed  his  seat,  a  hymn  was  sung,  composed 
for  the  occasion  by  F.  H.  Davidge,  Esq.  A  benediction,  pronounced 
by  the  Eev.  Mr.  Hammond,  closed  the  impressive  ceremonies  of  the 
occasion. 

Great  excitement  was  occasioned  in  Baltimore  on  Sunday  the 
18th  day  of  August,  in  consequence  of  the  escape  of  a  nun  from 
the  Carmelite  nunnery  in  Aisquith  street,  who  took  refuge  in  a 
neighboring  house,  and  was  from  thence  conveyed  to  the  hospital 
department  of  the  Washington  Medical  College,  by  the  Maj'or  of 
the  city,  who  had  been  called  upon  during  the  excitement  occa- 
sioned by  the  event.  In  consequence  of  the  exaggerated  rumors 
which  had  arisen,  it  was  feared  by  some  that  an  attempt  would  be 
made  during  the  night  to  destroy  the  nunnery,  for  a  large  crowd 
had  collected  in  the  afternoon,  and  there  were  some  indications  of 
a  riotous  spirit.  But  the  Mayor  with  that  promptitude  and  energy 
for  which  he  was  so  justly  distinguished,  called  upon  the  regiment 
of  city  guards,  which  promptly  repaired  to  the  vicinity  of  the  spot, 
and  held  themselves  in  readiness  to  act  on  the  first  emergency. 
Their  presence,  and  a  proper  disposition  of  the  police,  completely 
overawed  all  who  were  disposed  for  mischief,  and  the  night  passed 
away  quietly.  The  following  physicians  afterwards  signed  a  cer- 
tificate establishing  the  insanity  of  the  nun  (Miss  Isabella  Neale), 
whose  escape  occasioned  the  excitement:  J.  H.  Miller,  M.  D.,  pres- 


500  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTTMOEE. 

ident  of  the  faculty  of  Washington  University  of  Baltimore,  P. 
Chatard,  M.  D.,  John  C.  S.  Monkiir,  M.  D.,  Samuel  K.  Jennings, 
M.  J).,  Edward  Foreman,  M.  D.,  and  John  E.  W.  Dunbar,  M.  D. 

It  having  been  determined  by  the  military  and  citizens  of  Bal- 
timore to  erect  a  monument,  of  appropriate  size  and  material,  upon 
the  ground  on  which  the  battle  was  fought,  in  defence  of  the  city 
on  the  12th  of  September,  1814,  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of 
the  engagement  was  fixed  upon  as  a  suitable  period  for  laying  the 
corner-stone  of  the  structure.  About  9  o'clock  the  military  moved 
upon  Baltimore  street,  with  their  right  resting  on  Calvert  street, 
where  the  line  of  procession  was  formed,  under  the  orders  of  Maj.- 
Gen.  George  H.  Steuart,  chief  marshal,  the  commanding  and 
other  officers  of  the  third  division,  Maryland  militia,  on  the  right 
of  whom  were  placed  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Eevolution ; 
officers  and  soldiers  wounded  at  North  Point  and  Fort  McHenry ; 
officers  and  soldiers  who  served  in  defence  of  Baltimore  ;  officers  of 
the  militia  of  Maryland,  in  uniform  ;  the  Mayor  of  the  city,  orator, 
and  officiating  clergyman ;  the  reverend  clergy ;  the  Governor  of 
Maryland;  heads  of  departments  of  State  government;  Judges  of 
the  United  States;  Judges  of  Maryland  ;  Senators  and  members  of 
Congress;  Senators  and  delegates  of  Maryland ;  members  of  City 
Council  and  officers  of  corporation  ;  strangers  of  distinction  ;  offi- 
cers of  the  army  and  navy ;  the  various  military  corps  comprising 
the  first  light  division  with  other  corps  present,  and  citizens.  Thus 
formed  and  constituted,  the  procession  was  put  in  motion  about  ten 
o'clock  and  marched  to  Fell's  Point,  and  embarked  on  board  the 
steamers  Carroll,  the  Rappahannock,  the  Alabama,  the  .Belief,  the 
Virginia,  the  Fredericksburg  and  the  Georgia.  As  the  boats  passed 
Fort  McHenry,  over  whose  walls  the  stars  and  stripes  floated,  the 
bands  struck  up  the  Star-Spangled  Banner,  and  the  welkin  rang 
with  cheers.  The  steamers  soon  entered  Bear  Creek  and  reached 
the  landing,  and  then  commenced  the  debarkation  of  the  troops 
and  citizens;  this  was  soon  accomplished  and  all  repaired  to  the 
battle  ground.  The  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone  was 
finished  by  some  appropriate  remarks  made  by  Gen.  William  Mc- 
Donald, then  the  oration  by  Gen.  B.  C.  Howard,  and  a  neat  and 
devout  prayer  to  the  throne  of  grace  by  Eev.  Dr.  Johns. 

\0n  the  reception  of  the  news  of  the  suspension  of  specie  pay- 
ments by  the  Philadelphia  banks,  the  officers  of  the  Baltimore 
\<\Qf\  banks  met  on  the  10th  of  October  and  resolved  to  adopt  the  same 
plan  to  ward  off  the  danger  that  threatened  them  by  heavy  drafts 
from  other  cities. X 
WjV  1840.  On  the  4th  of  May,  the  hotels,  boarding   houses,  and 

many  private  houses  of  Baltimore  were  crammed  from  cellar  to 
roof  to  accommodate  the  influx  of  strangers  attending  the  Whig 
convention.  At  an  early  hour  the  people  began  to  gather  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Baltimore  street,  and  a  moving  mass  might  be 
Been  from  the  G  -^iieral  Wayne  Inn  down  to  the  bridge  over  Jones 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  501 

Falls.  At  a  few  minutes  after  ten  o'clock  the  procession  com- 
menced moving  from  the  upper  part  of  Baltimore  street,  led  by 
several  barouches,  each  drawn  by  four  white  horses,  the  foremost 
containing  Gen.  S.  C.  Leakin,  Mayor  of  the  city,  Hon.  Daniel 
Webster,  and  other  distinguished  personages.  Then  followed  the 
delegations  from  the  different  States,  commencing  with  the 
Northern  States,  each  having  their  appropriate  banners,  trophies, 
&c.  There  were  several  log-cabins,  decorated  with  all  the  fixtures 
belonging  to  the  mansions  of  the  pioneers  of  the  West  —  such  as 
stags'  antlers,  beaver  traps,  &c.  Hard  cider  flowed  freely,  and 
hunting-shirts  were  everywhere  visible.  In  a  short  time  they  all 
arrived  at  Canton,  the  place  of  destination.  The  first  order  of 
meeting,  after  being  full}^  assembled  upon  the  ground,  was  the 
formal  introduction  of  distinguished  men  from  the  different  States. 
After  this,  it  was  regularly  opened  by  a  most  eloquent  praj'er  from 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Bascomb.  The  assembly  was  then  addressed  by  the 
Hon.  Daniel  Webster,  Henry  Clay,  John  Sargeant,  William  C. 
Preston,  Henry  A.  Wise,  and  other  distinguished  gentlemen.  The 
assembly  was  one  of  much  show,  flying  banners,  clashing  cymbals, 
restive  horses,  prett^;jm-ls,  whole-souled  politicians,  log-cabins,  and 
hard  cider.  Judging  froTlFthe  general  appearance  the  number  of 
persons  assembled  were  twenty  thousand. 

On  Monday  night,  February  10th,  the  Cathedral  was  robbed  of 
one  pair  of  silver  candlesticks,  two  silver  crucifixes,  two  gold 
chalices,  and  a  ''  monstrance,"  or  glory  of  gold  and  silver. 

In  May,  the  -'Fourth  Provincial  Council"  of  the  Catholic 
Church  was  held  in  this  city. 

The  steamboat  Paul  Jones,  Capt.  McNally,  arrived  at  her  wharf 
on  Tuesday  evening,  June  2d,  from  Havre  de  Grace,  having  in  tow 
the  canal  boats  Judge  Porter,  Capt.  Glass,  of  Louisburg ;  Judge 
Burnsides,  Capt.  Kellot,  of  Howard ;  and  Baltimore,  Capt.  Norton, 
of  Columbia,  all  of  which  were  fully  laden  with  wheat,  flour,  bacon, 
&c.  These  were  the  first  boats  which  arrived  here  by  the  com- 
pletion of  the  Tide- Water  Canal. 

The  National  Democratic  Convention  met  in  this  city  on  the 
5th  of  May  at  the  Assembly  Rooms,  and  nominated  as  their  can- 
didate for  President  Martin  Yan  Buren;  the  Vice-President  was 
left  to  the  States. 

The  ceremony  of  placing  the  corner-stone  of  the  "Church  of 
the  Ascension  "  devoted  to  the  Protestant  Episcopal  service,  was 
performed  on  the  evening  of  Monda}'',  June  15th.  This  church  is 
situated  in  Lexington  near  Pine  street.  The  ceremony  of  laying 
the  stone  was  opened  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kepler,  followed  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Peck,  and  he  by  Rev.  Dr.  Henshaw,  who  performed  the  ceremony 
of  placing  the  stone.  The  ceremonies  were  concluded  by  a  hymn, 
and  fervent  prayer  by  Rev.  Dr.  Johns,  the  devout  and  eloquent 
pastor  of  Christ  Church. 

On  Thursday  morning,  July  9th,  eleven  of  the  prisoners  con- 


/ 


502  CHKONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

fined  in  the  jail  attempted  to  make  their  escape,  by  removing  a 
portion  of  the  brick  chimney  or  lire-places  from  rooms  1,  2,  3. 

In  July  Miss  Fanny  Ellsler  appeared  at  the  Holliday  Street 
Theatre  and  created  great  excitement ;  some  of  the  single  seats 
brought  as  high  as  $3.50  each,  being  a  premium  of  $2.50.  On  one 
occasion  the  horses  were  taken  from  her  carriage,  and  she  was 
drawn  to  her  lodgings  by  enthusiastic  young  men. 

Durino"  the  year  the  following  banking  institutions  suspended 
operations:  Keal  Estate  Savings  Institution,  Foreign  Domestic 
Exchange  Institution,  Patapsco,  Savings,  Mechanics,  Baltimore 
Savings'"Institution,  Central  Savings  and  City  Trust. 

The  corner-stone  of  St.  Yincent  de  Paul's  Church  was  laid  with 
much  ceremony  by  Archbishop  Eccleston,  assisted  by  other  bishops 
and  priests,  on  the  21st  of  May,  and  was  dedicated  to  service 
Sunday,  November  7th,  1841. 

Since  the  days  of  Jefferson  and  the  elder  Adams,  there  had  not 
been,  in  all  probability,  an  election  so  warmly  and  stubbornly  con- 
tested as  that  between  Harrison  and  Yan  Buren.  From  the  con- 
fines of  the  Union  to  its  very  centre,  the  note  of  preparation  was 
heard ;  the  parties  arraying  themselves  with  unusual  system  and 
precision,  and  a  maddening  excitement  appeared  to  have  existed 
which  has  never  yet  met  with  a  parallel  in  the  history  of  our 
countrj^.  Business  appeared  to  be  paralyzed  ;  the  most  important 
commercial  transactions  were  suspended  until  after  the  contest ; 
the  public  institutions,  lyceums,  places  of  amusement  and  recrea- 
tion were  neglected,  and  even  the  sanctity  of  the  domestic  hearth 
was  invaded  by  the  monster,  party  rancor !  On  Monday,  the  2d 
of  November,  the  great  political  question  which  so  long  had  agitated 
the  country  was  brought  to  a  close ;  never,  since  the  establishment 
of  our  constitution,  had  this  mighty  land  experienced  so  much  com- 
motion and  excitement.  Yan  Buren's  majority  in  this  city  was  31, 
but  Harrison  carried  the  State  and  was  elected  President.  On  the 
evening  of  the  3d  of  November  a  serious  riot  took  place  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  Patriot  office  by  which  a  number  of  re- 
spectable citizens  were  severely  injured.  The  Whigs,  as  usual, 
collected  in  front  of  the  Patriot  office,  when  the  alarm  of  fire  was 
given.  This  was  the  signal ;  the  engines  rattled  down  Baltimore 
street  towards  Old  Town,  and  on  their  return  they  attempted  to 
force  their  way  through  the  crowd,  which  attempt  was  resisted, 
and  a  regular  brick-batting  then  commenced,  and  a  number  of  fire- 
arms were  discharged.  After  the  riot  had  partially  subsided,  Mr. 
Brady,  the  Mayor,  appeared  and  publicly  addressed  the  people, 
advising,  them  to  return  to  their  homes  and  observe  the  peace  of 
the  city.  His  advice  was  promptly  obeyed.  Gen.  S.  C.  Leakin,  Dr. 
Deloughery,  and  several  other  gentlemen  were  severely  hurt. 

At  about  half-past  3  o'clock  on  Monday  morning,  March  30th, 
the  inhabitants  in  the  neighborhood  of  Gay  street  were  alarmed  by 
the  cry  of  fire.      The  flames  at  the  time  of  the  alarm  were  break- 


CHKONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  508 

ing  through  the  roof  and  windows  of  the  workshop  in  the  rear  of 
Edwin  S.  Tarr's  cabinet  warerooms,  in  North  Gay  street,  next  to 
the  German  Lutheran  Church.  In  a  short  time  the  roof*^t)f  the 
church  caught  fire  from  the  intense  heat,  and  the  venerable  edifice 
soon  became  a  heap  of  ruins.  Owing  to  a  heavy  fall  of  rain  which 
prevailed  during  the  whole  time  the  fire  was  raging,  the  fire  did 
not  extend.  The  church  was  built  in  1808,  and  cost  $40,000.  An 
organ  valued  at  $1400  was  destroyed. 

During  the  year  "  Old  Christ  Church,"  situated  on  the  north- 
west corner  of  Front  and  Baltimore  streets,  was  torn  down  and 
the  old  materials  sold  at  auction  to  the  highest  bidder. 

'  On  AYednesday,  May  13th,  the  President  and  Directors  of  the 
Susquehanna  railroad,  besides  a  large  number  of  citizens,  celebrated 
the  completion  of  said  railroad  to  Wrightsville,  Pa. 

1841.  In  consequence  of  difficulties  with  the  Mechanics'  Bank, 
the  Franklin  Bank,  on  the  2d  of  January,  1841,  suspended  business; 
but  resumed  some  time  after  with  great  loss  to  the  stockholders. 

A  town  meeting  was  held  on  the  12th  of  April  in  the  rotunda 
of  the  Exchange,  to  aaopt  measures  to  testify  respect  for  the  char- 
acter of  the  late  President,  Wm.  Henry  Harrison.  Columbus 
O'Donnell  called  the  meeting  to  order,  and  nominated  Col.  Samuel 
Moore  as  president,  who  was  unanimously  chosen.  Eobert  Gilmor 
and  Col.  Solomon  Ilillen,  Jr.,  were  appointed  vice-presidents,  and 
Samuel  T.  Thompson  and  William  H.  Cole,  Jr.,  secretaries.  It 
was  resolved  that  a  committee,  consisting  of  one  from  each  ward, 
be  appointed  to  retire  and  draft  resolutions.  The  committee  was 
appointed  and  retired,  and  on  its  return,  read  a  number  of  resolu- 
tions expressive  of  the  feelings  of  the  citizens  of  Baltimore  for  the 
melancholy  bereavement  sustained  in  the  death  of  the  illustrious 
President.  It  was  also  resolved  that  a  committee  be  appointed  by 
the  chair  consisting  of  two  from  each  ward,  to  compose  the  com- 
mittee of  arrangements  for  a  public,  civic,  and  military  procession, 
bearing  all  the  insignia  of  mourning  and  commemorative  of  his 
death,  &c. ;  and  that  the  procession  and  funeral  ceremonies  take 
place  on  Monday,  the  26th  of  April.  The  procession  far  exceeded 
general  expectation,  surpassing  any  procession  heretofore  witnessed 
in  this  city.  The  feeling  which  impelled  this  honorable  manifes- 
tation was  universal.  The  people  of  Baltimore  appeared  as  but  one 
family,  testifying  their  sorrow  for  a  recent  bereavement.  Not  only 
were  the  individuals  decorated  with  appropriate  badges  of  mourn- 
ing, but  nearly  the  whole  city  was  clothed  in  black.  Most  of  the 
public  edifices,  the  engine  houses,  and  the  stores  and  dwellings 
throughout  the  whole  extent  of  Baltimore  and  other  streets 
through  which  the  procession  passed,  had  their  fronts  shrouded 
in  mourning.  The  colors  of  the  shipping  and  various  public  edi- 
fices were  hoisted  at  half-mast,  and  the  bells  tolled  throughout  the 
ceremonies,  whilst  minute-guns  were  fired  from  detachments  of 
artillery.     The  stores  throughout  the  city  were  closed,  and  there 


504  CHRONICLES  OF   BALTIMORE. 

was  an  entire  cessation  of  business  of  every  kind.  The  procession 
w-as  foimed  on  Baltimore  street,  the  right  resting  on  Charles  street. 
TheTtumber  of  persons  in  line  has  been  variously  estimated  at  from 
ten  to  fifteen  thousand.  After  passing  through  the  several  streets 
designated,  it  arrived  at  Mount  Yernon  place.  Within  the  railing  of 
the  Washington  Monument  a  stand  had  been  erected  for  the  officiat- 
ing clergymen  and  the  orator.  The  ceremonies  were  opened  by  a 
fervent  prayer  by  the  Eev.Mr.  Johns,  who  was  succeeded  by  Jonathan 
Meredith,  who  delivered  an  appropriate  and  eloqaeni  funeral  oration; 
then  followed  the  requiem,  and  the  closing  prayer  by  the  Eev.  Mr. 
Sargent.  The  concourse  of  strangers  was  great,  and  the  assemb- 
lage at  Mount  Yernon  Place  was  immense. 

On  Monday  evening,  January  25th,  twenty-two  of  the  crimi- 
nal prisoners  confined  in  the  jail  attempted  to  make  their  escape. 

On  Monday,  February  1st,  the  banks  resumed  specie  payments ; 
and  after  a  resumption  of  six  days,  again  suspended  on  Monday, 
February  7th. 

Another  attempt  to  escape  was  made  oi?  the  afternoon  of  Sat- 
urday, March  6th,  by  fifteen  persons  confined  in  one  of  the  wards 
of  the  jail.  The  sewer  extendipg  under  ground  to  the  Falls  was 
the  means  of  egress  that  they  first  selected  —  this  sewer  being 
necessarily  accessible  to  the  occupants  of  the  prison  apartments  — 
but  the  attempt  to  escape  through  that  outlet  was  detected  by  the 
warden,  Mr.  l)isnoy,  before  they  could  effect  an  entrance  into  its 
interior.  Being  foiled  in  this  attempt,  they  retreated  to  their 
ward,  the  inner  door  of  which  they  strongly  barricaded  b}^  means 
of  a  bench  and  spikes,  and  bade  defiance  to  the  officers,  threaten- 
ing death  to  any  who  might  enter,  and  fiercely  declaring  their  de- 
termination to  persist  in  their  efforts  to  escape  until  they  should 
succeed.  Boiling  water  and  missiles,  thrown  through  the  gratings, 
were  also  employed  by  them  to  prevent  an  entrance  of  the  officers. 
The  warden  dispatched  a  messenger  for  a  portion  of  the  city 
police,  whose  arrival  had  no  effect  in  calming  the  tumult  and  ex- 
citement of  the  prisoners,  which  had  now  extended  to  the  inmates 
of  the  adjacent  wards,  and,  as  the  only  means  of  quelling  the  re- 
volt, it  became  necessary  to  fire  upon  the  chief  insurgents,  and  one 
of  the  number  was  killed.  The  others  then  yielded,  and  were 
securely  ironed. 

One  of  the  most  ancient  houses,  perhaps,  in  the  city  was  that 
known  as  the  "  mud  house,"  which  was  situated  on  East  Lombard 
street,  near  Albemarle.  "  The  date  of  its  erection  cannot  probably 
be  ascertained,  but  some  idea  may  be  formed  of  its  antiquity  from 
the  circumstance  of  its  being  tenanted  more  than  sixty  years  ago, 
by  an  old  ferryman,  who  lived  by  carrying  passengers  from  that 
vicinity  across  the  river,  which,  in  those  days,  reached  as  high  up 
as  Baltimore  street.  It  was  subsequently  inhabited  for  a  long 
time  by  an  aged  man,  known  by  the  sobriquet  of  *Mud  Jim,' 
which  was  given  him  in  respect  to  the  character  of  the  material 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  505 

of  which  his  dwelling  was  constructed."  After  breasting  the 
storms  of  more  than  threescore  winters,  this  rudely  constructed 
mansion  at  last  was  compelled  to  yield  to  the  "  spirit  of  improve- 
ment," and  was,  on  Wednesday,  March  31st,  removed  to  make  way 
for  another  more  in  accordance  with  the  genius  and  luxurious 
habits  of  the  present  day. 

On  Sunday  morning,  April  11th,  three  prisoners  confined  in 
the  jail  effected  their  escape  by  breaking  through  the  wall  and 
getting  into  the  sewer,  as  on  former  occasions,  thereby  passing  to- 
wards the  Falls,  where  their  final  release  was  obtained  by  making  a 
hole  through  the  wall  and  passing  out. 

The  Baltimore  City  Fire  Department  had  a  grand  parade  on 
Thursday,  November  18th,  in  which  the  following  companies  par- 
ticipated :  Mechanical,  instituted  1763,  incorporated  1828 ;  Union, 
Friendship,  Deptford,  Liberty,  Independent,  Vigilant,  New  Market, 
Columbian,  First  Baltimore,  United,  Franklin,  Washington,  Pa- 
tapsco,  Howard,  and  Watchman. 

1842.  The  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone  of  St.  Alphonsus' 
Church  was  performed  on  May  1st,  by  Archbishop  Ecoleston,  as- 
sisted by  Rev.  Messrs.  Coskery,  White,  and  others.  It  was  dedica- 
ted on  the  14th  of  March,  1845.  0*n  Sunday,  August  Ist,  1869,  the 
church  being  out  of  debt,  it  was  consecrated. 

The  Baltimore  Steam  Packet  Company,  on  Thursday  the  15th 
of  April,  had  just  finished  a  beautiful  steamboat  called  the  Medora, 
and  her  engine  having  been  completed,  she  was  to  have  started  on 
a  trial  excursion  down  the  bay.  The  boat  was  a  model  of  work- 
manship, and  her  engine  of  great  power.  She  was  intended  to  run 
in  the  line  of  boats  between  Baltimore  and  Norfolk.  The  boat  was 
lying  at  the  wharf  on  the  south  side  of  the  basin,  attached  to  the 
establishment  of  Mr.  John  Watchman,  and  at  3  o'clock,  the  hour 
for  starting  on  the  excursion,  a  number  of  citizens,  including  the 
officers  of  the  boat,  had  assembled  on  board.  With  a  view  to  pre- 
vent too  great  a  crowd  on  board,  the  boat  had  been  hauled  out 
about  thirty  feet  from  the  wharf,  and  those  who  were  invited  to 
the  excursion  were  conveyed  to  her  in  small  boats.  About  half- 
past  three  o'clock  the  bell  rung  and  the  engine  was  started.  At 
this  moment,  and  when  the  wheels  had  only  made  two  revolutions, 
the  boiler  exploded,  throwing  the  smoke-pipes,  the  forepart  of  the 
upper  deck  and  the  persons  who  stood  on  it,  some  forty  or  fifty 
feet  in  the  air,  tearing  open  the  sides  of  the  vessel  round  the  boiler, 
and  scattering  fragments  of  the  wood  and  iron  all  around,  and  rais- 
ing the  immense  iron  boiler  up  and  throwing  it  crosswise  on  the 
deck.  The  scene  presented  by  the  boat  aff'orded  at  once  a  mourn- 
ful evidence  of  the  immense  power  of  steam,  and  of  the  ruin  of 
which  it  can  be  the  instrument.  Large  oak  beams  were  splintered 
to  pieces;  iron  bars  that  would  have  withstood  the  strength  of  a 
hundred  men,  w^ere  broken  and  wrenched  into  many  shapes;  the 
lighter  wood-work  of  the  deck  was  blown  almost  to  atoms.     As 


506  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

soon  as  the  explosion  took  place,  the  boat  was  enveloped  in  a  cloud 
of  scalding  steam,  and  it  was  from  inhaling  this  that  many  were 
killed,  and  to  this  danger  those  in  the  forward  part  of  the  vessel 
were  all  exposed.  Others  were  killed  by  the  flying  timbers,  and 
many  seriously  hurt  by  being  externally  scalded  by  the  steam. 
Those  who  were  on  the  upper  deck,  aft  of  the  engine,  escaped  en- 
tirely from  the  effects  of  the  explosion ;  but  in  the  consternation 
which  the  explosion  caused,  several  of  those,  thus  safe  from  the 
flteam,  jumped  overboard.  Another  great  cause  of  the  loss  of  life 
was  the  sudden  sinking  of  the  boat.  The  sides  of  the  boat  around 
the  boilers  having  been  blown  away,  the  water  rushed  in,  and  she 
sunk  about  sixty  feet  from  the  wharf,  the  water  reaching  to  near 
the  upper  deck.  With  commendable  speed  the  physicians  and 
surgeons  of  the  city  hastened  to  the  place  as  soon  as  they  heard 
of  the  disaster,  and  among  those  who  were  present  there  were  ob- 
served Drs,  Collins,  Smith,  Whitridge,  Baxley,  Dunbar,  Theobold, 
Roberts,  Riche,  Miller,  Hintze,  Buckler,  Bryerly,  Monkur,  McGuire, 
Riley,  Kinneman,  Albers,  Baker,  Cohen,  Chew,  and  there  were 
doubtless  many  others.  Col.  S.  Hillen,  the  Mayor  of  the  city,  was 
among  the  first  to  reach  the  scene,  and  with  the  high  constable 
and  other  city  officers,  rendered  most  efficient  aid  in  rescuing  the 
survivors  and  in  getting  the  killed  from  the  wreck  and  water.  The 
following  list  comprises  the  names  of  the  dead  as  far  as  we  can 
learn  :  John  C.  Moale,  general  agent  of  the  company,  William 
Moale  his  son,  Joseph  Lecompte,  Capt.  John  Tickers,  John  Young. 
Benjamin  French,  John  Boon,  John  Burns,  Andrew  F.  Henderson, 
Richard  Linthicum,  Robert  Boyle,  John  Speddy,  George  End  ley, 
Thomas  Eldridge,  John  Harper,  John  Haley,  John  Boston,  William 
Lewis,  George  Geddes,  S.  W.  Hackney,  M.  D.,  James  W.  Lavers, 
James  Mitchell,  John  Kemp,  John  Yeager,  Jackson  Reeder  and 
Duncan  Ferguson.  The  following  are  the  names  of  those  who 
were  more  or  less  injured,  many  of  whom  were  in  a  very  danger- 
ous state :  Captain  Sutton,  Francis  Bezyt, Stripple,  Joseph 

Craig,  John  Mitchell,  James  Crawford,  R.  H.  Middleton,  George 
Reynolds,  John  Henderson,  Levin  Boston,  Albert  Ramsay,  George 
Hoofnagle,  Zachariah  Nichols,  Thomas  Smith,  Alexander  Spavin, 
George  Hyde,  Samuel  Glenn,  Henry  Snyder,  Wesley  Culley,  George 

Glarey,  John  Kaylor,  William  Binion, Brenan,  James  Wilson, 

William  Roberts,  William  Tumbleson,  James  Ridgely,  Lawrenson 
Reigan,  James  Clark,  George  Hyam,  Thomas  Eldridge,  Daniel 
Stevens,  Isaiah  Wagner,  Louis  Wagner,  brothers,  David  Frazier, 
Martin  Hickle^^,  Patrick  Collins,  James  Montgomery,  William 
Allen,  and  two  sons.  Captain  Coffee,  steamboat  Georgia.  Sum- 
inar}'  account  of  those  on  board :  Dead,  27 ;  wounded,  40  ;  unin- 
jured, 15  ;  making  in  all  on  board  82. 

Oui-  city  was  visited  by  a  severe  easterly  storm  of  wind  and 
rain  on  Wednesday,  August  24th,  which  commenced  in  the  morning 
and  continued  with  but  little  intermission  throughout  the  day  and 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  507 

night.  Towards  night  the  violence  of  the  storm  increased,  accom- 
panied by  a  good  deal  of  lightning  and  thunder.  About  the  middle 
of  the  night  it  cleared  off,  but  the  change  was  of  short  duration. 
Towards  the  morning  of  Thursday,  the  sky  was  again  veiled  by 
heavy  clouds  which  soon  discharged  their  waters  in  torrents.  The 
wind,  which  had  by  this  time  shifted  to  the  southeast,  and  the 
tide,  which  was  on  the  rise,  came  in  with  such  rapidit}^,  that  in  a 
short  time  it  began  to  overflow  the  wharves  in  the  vicinity  of  Pratt 
street.  It  covered  all  the  wharves  bordering  on  Pratt  street,  from 
Light  street  down  to  Marsh  Market  Space,  from  the  lower  end 
nearly  up  to  Pratt  street,  and  on  each  side  to  a  level  with  the  sills 
of  the  store  doors.  Jones  Falls  overflowed  in  several  places.  At 
one  time  the  water  in  Pratt  street*  near  the  head  of  the  basin 
where  the  Philadelphia  cars  passed,  was  nearly  level  with  the 
floors. 

On  the  4th  of  July  the  Baltimore  Committee,  numbering  about 
forty  gentlemen,  bearing  the  flag  to  be  presented  to  the  "  Fencibles," 
escorted  by  two  companies  from  Baltimore,  the  Independent  Greys 
and  the  National  Guards,  arrived  in  Lancaster,  Pa.,  and  were 
handsomely  received  bj^  the  military  of  that  city. 

On  Thursday,  the  10th  of  November,  a  train  of  cars  containing 
the  president  and  directors  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  K.  E.,  and  a 
few  gentlemen  invited  to  accompany  them,  left  the  depot  in  Pratt 
street  at  7  o'clock  A.  M.,  to  traverse  the  entire  length  of  the  road 
from  Baltimore  to  Cumberland,  the  road  being  completed  to  that 
point.  The  day  was  pleasant,  and  the  expedition  throughout  proved 
to  be  very  agreeable. 

On  Sunday,  October  23d,  in  accordance  with  an  invitation  given 
by  Messrs.  G.  W.  Webb,  Wm.  J.  Heuisler  and  others,  the  following 
gentlemen  assembled  at  St.  Peter's  Schoolhouse  on  Poppleton 
street  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  Young  Catholic  Friend's 
Society: — Rev.  E.  McColgan,  Owen  O'Brien,  George  N.  Eosen- 
steel,  Michael  J.  Kelly,  Wm.  J.  Heuisler,  John  A.  McGreevy, 
George  W.  Webb,  C.  H.  Eaborg,  M.  D.,  L.  A.  Puzenent,  Joseph  A. 
Sawyer,  C.  E.  J.  Gebhard,  Daniel  Saxton,  Joseph  Victory,  Joseph 
Cappeau,  Jr.  Mr.  Heuisler  having  explained  the  object  contem- 
plated, on  motion  of  Mr.  Kelly  the  Eev.  Mr.  McColgan  was  called 
to  the  chair,  and  Mr.  Cappeau  appointed  secretary.  The  following 
gentlemen  were  then  appointed  a  committee  to  draft  a  constitution 
and  by-laws: — Messrs.  M.  J.  Kelly,  Owen  O'Brien,  George  W. 
Webb,  William  J.  Heuisler,  and  J.  A.  Sawyer.  The  meeting  then 
adjourned,  subject  to  the  call  of  the  above  committee.  In  Nov- 
ember the  society  was  organized  with  the  following  officers: — 
President,  John  A.  McGreevy;  Vice-President,  Owen  O'Brien; 
Eecording  Secretary,  John  E.  Toole ;  Corresponding  Secretary, 
Joseph  Victory ;  Treasurer,  Edward  F.  Brady ;  Bookkeeper, 
Joseph  Cappeau,  Jr. ;  Steward,  Francis  X.  Lipp  ;  Trustees,  William 
J.  Heuisler,  Lawrence  A.  Puzenent,  Dr.  Christopher  H.  Eaborg, 
John  Fox,  and  James  F.  Neale. 


608  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

^  Robert  Smith  was  educated  as  a  lawyer,  and  filled  many  im- 
portant offices,  and  in  1788  was  chosen  one  of  the  electors  of  the 
first  President  and  Yice-President  of  the  United  States,  and  was 
the  last  survivor  of  that  electoral  college.  In  1793  he  was  elected 
to  the  Senate  of  Maryland,  and  in  1796  to  the  House  of  Delegates. 
In  1801  he  was  appointed  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and  during  part 
of  the  year  1805  he  held  the  office  of  Attorney-General  of  the  United 
States,  but  he  returned  to  the  Navy  Department.  In  1806  he  was 
appointed  Chancellor  of  the  State  of  Marjdand,  and  Chief  Judge  of 
the  District  of  Baltimore,  but  declined.  In  1809  he  was  made 
Secretary  of  Stat6.  He  resigned  on  the  1st  of  April,  1811,  and  was 
then  ofi'ered  the  embassy  to  Eussia,  which  he  declined.  In  1813 
he  was  elected  Provost  of  the  University  of  Maryland,  but  re- 
signed the  office  not  long  afterward.  He  was  chosen  President  of 
the  American  Bible  Society  in  1813.  In  1818  the  first  agricultural 
society  formed  in  Baltimore  was  established,  with  Mr.  Smith  as 
president.  This  was  the  last  public  function  which  he  exercised. 
He  died  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  well-earned  honors  and  ample  for- 
tune in  December,  1842,  aged  84  years. 

1843.  Agreeably  to  announcement,  a  splendid  dinner  was  given 
to  the  Hon.  Daniel  Webster  on  the  18th  of  May  by  the  merchants 
of  the  city.  It  was  prepared  by  Mr.  Coleman  of  the  Exchange 
Hotel,  in  the  very  best  manner.  Mr.  Webster  being  toasted,  he 
rose  and  spoke  about  an  hour  in  vindication  of  agriculture,  com- 
merce, and  the  protection  of  home  industry,  and  concluded  by  de- 
claring that  in  the  great  matter  of  commerce  with  the  world  we 
might  have  rivals,  but  certainly  no  superior,  and  that  this  could  only 
be  made  more  prosperous,  successful  and  perpetual  by  protecting 
home  industry  and  commerce. 

On  the  23d  of  May,  Rev.  Bishop  Hughes  of  New  York,  assisted 
by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Kendrick  of  Philadelphia,  laid  the 
corner-stone  of  St.  Peter's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  situated  on 
the  corner  of  HoUins  and  Poppleton  streets.  This  church  was 
dedicated  Sunday,  September  22d,  1844.  Most  Rev.  Archbishop 
Eccleston,  and  Bishops  J.  J.  Chance,  John  Hughes,  and  other 
reverend  gentlemen,  participated  in  the  ceremonies. 

In  conformity  with  arrangements  previously  announced,  the 
dedication  of  the  new  Odd- Fellows'  Hall  took  place  on  the  18th  of 
September,  and  was  a  most  imposing  and  brilliant  ceremony 
throughout.  The  States  of  Delaware,  of  Pennsylvania,  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  of  Connecticut,  of  New  Jersey,  and  of  New  York,  with 
lodges  from  the  District  of  Columbia  and  various  towns  in  our 
own  State,  were  present  with  their  rich  regalia,  splendid  ban- 
ners, elegant  trappings,  symbols,  devices,  &c.,  all  dancing  in  the 
bright  rays  of  the  sun,  presenting  a  magnificent  array. 

A  most  bold  and  daring  attempt  was  made  on  Thursday,  August 
Ist,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  number  of  passengers,  to  assassinate 
the  Hon.  Charles  A.  Wickliffe,  Postmaster-General,  who  was  on  his 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  509 

return  from  Old  Point  to  this  city  on  board  the  steamboat  Georgia^ 
Capt.  Coffee.  It  seems  that  Mr.  Wickliffe,  his  two  daughters,  and 
a  niece,  and  a  young  man  named  J.  Clayton  Gardner,  a  son  of  Col. 
Gardner,  of  Washington,  came  on  board  at  Old  Point  on  their  way 
to  Washington,  via  this  city.  During  the  passage  between  that 
place  and  the  mouth  of  the  Potomac  river,  Mr.  Wickliffe  and 
Gardner  (who  was  represented  as  a  disappointed  office-seeker)  were 
seen  in  casual  conversation,  which  soon  terminated  without  at- 
tracting any  attention  from  the  passengers.  When  the  boat  waa 
off  the  mouth  of  the  Potomac,  dinner  was  announced.  Mr.  W. 
then  took  his  niece  by  the  arm  to  go  to  dinner,  his  two  daughters 
walking  immediately  in  front;  and  just  as  he  was  about  passing 
Gardner,  who  was  lying  down  asleep,  he  touched  Gardner  with  his 
hand,  and  said  "  Dinner,"  for  the  purpose  of  waking  him,  when 
that  individual  sprang  to  his  feet,  drew  a  large  dirk  knife,  and 
plunged  it  into  the  right  breast  of  Mr.  W.,  the  blade  striking  against 
the  bone,  and  turning  downwards  about  an  inch,  but  most  for- 
tunately not  striking  deep  enough  to  prove  dangerous.  Immedi- 
ately on  the  wound  being  inflicted,  A.  K.  Wooley,  of  Kentucky, 
seized  Gardner  and  prevented  his 'doing  further  injury,  and  with 
the  aid  of  other  passengers  had  him  immediately  confined.  Upon 
the  arrival  of  the  boat  he  was  arrested  for  examination. 

A  dreadful  accident  occurred  on  the  Susquehanna  railroad  on 
Tuesday,  September  12th,  as  the  cars  were  proceeding  to  York,  Pa., 
containing  the  Old  Defenders  and  their  escort.  The  axle  of  tho 
second  car  broke,  causing  the  others  to  lap  over  and  throwing  two 
from  the  track.  Seven  persons  were  severely  wounded,  and  others 
slightly.  Mr.  McCabe,  one  of  the  wounded,  died  a  few  days  after- 
wards. 

Commodore  Alexander  Claxton,  who  died  on  the  7th  of  March, 
1841,  at  Talcahuana,  on  board  of  the  United  States  ship  Constitu- 
tion, while  in  command  of  the  U.  S.  squadron  in  the  Pacific  ocean, 
and  whose  remains  were  brought  home  in  the  ship-of-war  Dale^ 
was  buried  in  Greenmount  Cemetery,  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  on 
Monday  morning,  October  29th,  with  every  mark  of  respect  due  to 
a  sincere  and  devoted  friend  of  his  country,  an  honor  to  her  navy, 
a  chivalrous  soldier,  and  a  high-minded  and  generous  citizen. 

The  ceremonies  on  November  6th,  attending  the  embarkation 
of  about  eighty  colored  emigrants,  male  and  female,  sent  out  by 
the  Maryland  Colonization  Society,  to  the  Colony  of  Cape  Palmas, 
in  the  new  and  beautiful  barque  1/atrobe,  Capt.  John  E.  Allen,  were 
of  a  most  impressive  and  solemn  character. 

On  Tuesday,  November  21st,  the  court-house  was  densely 
crowded  to  witness  the  prosecution  of  the  case  of  the  State  vs. 
Adam  Horn,  alias  Andrew  Hellman,  indicted  for  the  murder  of  his 
wife  Malinda  Horn,  in  Baltimore  county,  on  or  about  the  23d  of 
March,  1843;  Mr.  I.  Nevitt  Steele  prosecuting  attorney  for  the 
State,  with  Messrs.  J.  M.  Buchanan,  C.  F.  Mayer,  C.  Z.  Lucas,  and 


510  CHRONICLKS  OF  BALTIMORE. 

John  Snyder  for  the  defence.  This  important  trial  ended  on 
Monday  evening,  November  27th.  The  jury,  after  an  absence  of 
only  twenty  minutes,  rendered  a  verdict  of  guilty  of  murder  in  the 
first  degree.  The  scene  in  the  court-room  at  the  time  of  its  rendi- 
tion was  exciting  in  the  highest  degree;  the  immense  throng,  in 
their  eager  desire  to  give  vent  to  their  feelings  of  joy  at  the  result, 
evinced  their  approbation  in  loud  tokens  of  applause.  Sentence  of 
death  was  pronounced  by  Judge  Magruder  on  Monday,  December 
4th,  1843.     He  was  hung  Friday,  January  12th,  1844. 

t  In  November,  Mr.  Samuel  M.  Shoemaker,  of  Baltimore,  entered 
into  partnership  with  Mr.  Alvin  Adams,  of  Boston,  Mr.  W.  B.  Dins- 
more,  of  New  York,  and  Edward  S.  Sanford,  of  Philadelphia,  to 
organize  an  express  line  between  the  above-named  cities  and  Bal- 
timore. This  they  succeeded  in  doing,  and  opened  their  office  on 
Light,  near  Baltimore  street,  and  conducted  the  business  under  the 
name  of  Adams  &  Go's  Express,  though  Messrs.  Sanford  and  Shoe- 
maker were  the  real  proprietors.  In  a  few  months  after  they  had 
started  their  line  between  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore,  Mr.  Shoe- 
maker and  his  associates  extended  their  arrangements  so  as  to 
include  Eichmond,  Virginia,  and  Charleston,  South  Carolina. 
Shortly  after,  in  conjunction  with  Messrs.  Green  &  Co.,  who  owned 
an  express  line  between  Baltimore  and  Wheeling,  they  organized 
the  great  Western  Express  between  Baltimore  and  St.  Louis,  Mis- 
souri. In  1854  they  entered  into  arrangements  with  the  proprie- 
tors of  other  express  lines  between  Boston  and  Philadelphia,  which 
6nally  resulted  ifi  the  formation  of  one  great  company,  organized 
under  the  laws  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  which  has  since 
borne  the  familiar  name  of  "  The  Adams  Express  Company."  The 
extent  of  the  business  which  this  company  transacts,  North,  South, 
East,  and  West,  needs  no  explanation.  » 

William  Jenkins  was  born  at  "Long  Green,"  Harford  county, 
in  1767,  and  died  in  Baltimore  on  the  21st  of  February,  1843,  from 
the  results  of  a  paralytic  attack.  For  over  a  half  century  he  car- 
ried on  in  Baltimore  the  tanning  business  with  great  success,  and 
he  is  justly  spoken  of  as  "the  father  of  the  leather  trade  of  this 
city." 

1844.  A  meeting  took  place  on  the  27th  of  January,  in  the 
Colonization  Society  rooms,  in  what  was  known  at  that  day  as  the 
"  Post  Office  Building,"  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Fayette  and 
North  streets,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  Historical  Society, 
John  J.  Donaldson  in  the  chair,  and  F.  W.  Brune,  Jr.,  secretary. 
A  committee  consisting  of  Messrs.  Brantz  Mayer,  Fielding  Lucas, 
Jr.,  Eobert  Leslie,  Sebastian  F.  Streeter,  and  Dr.  S.  Collins  was 
appointed,  who  reported  a  constitution  and  by-laws  for  the  So- 
ciety, which  were  adopted.  Messrs.  J.  H.  B.  Latrobe,  Geo.  W. 
Brown,  and  Eobert  Leslie  were  appointed  a  committee  to  nomi- 
nate officers  to  be  chosen  at  a  subsequent  meeting. 

At  the  first  regular  meeting  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Mary- 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  511 

land,  held  on  Thursday,  February  1st,  the  following  gentlemen  were 
elected  to  serve  as  officers  during  the  ensuing  year : — Gen.  J.  Spear 
Smith,  President;  J.  Y.  L.  McMahon,  Esq.,  Vice-President;  Brantz 
Mayer,  Esq.,  Corresponding  Secretary  ;  Sebastian  F.  Streeter,  Esq., 
Eecording  Secretary;  J.J.Donaldson,  Esq.,  Treasurer;  Dr.  Ste- 
phen Collins,  Librarian. 

Agreeably  to  the  announcement  previously  given,  the  dedica- 
tion of  the  Methodist  church,  corner  of  Charles  and  Fayette 
streets,  took  place  on  the  25th  of  March.  The  services  were  com- 
menced by  the  singing  of  a  hymn,  given  out  by  Bishop  Waugh. 
Bishop  Soule  then  addressed  the  congregation,  taking  for  his  text 
the  first  four  verses  of  the  first  ch  pter  of  the  Second  Epistle  of 
Peter.  Bishop  Waugh  closed  the  ceremonies  by  a  most  fervent 
prayer. 

The  Whig  National  Nominating  Convention  assembled  on  May 
Ist  in  the  IJniversalist  Church,  Calvert  street.     Henrj"  Clay  of 
Kentucky  was  nominated  by  acclamation  the  Whi^  candidate  for 
the  Presidency,  and  Theodore  Frelinghuysen  of  New  Jersey  as 
candidate  for  the  Yice-Presidency.     May  2d  was  a  gala  day  in  the 
Monumental  City — a  great  Whig  nationaljubilee.     The  grand  civic 
procession  of  the  Whig  Young  Men's  National  Convention  of  Eatifi- 
cation  was  truly  a  magnificent  and  highly  imposing  affair,  far  sur- 
passing  any   similar  popular   demonstration   ever   made   in    our 
country.     The  great  and  mighty  throng  which  had  for  more  than 
a  week  previous  been  pouring  into  our  city  like  an  irresistible  ava- 
lanche, from  the  sunny  fields  of  the  South,  the  far  distant  prairies 
of  the  West,  the  green  mountains  and  rural  towns,  hamlets  and 
villages  of  the  North  and  East,  the  industrious  farmer  from  his 
plough,  the  worthy  and  ingenious  mechanic  and  artizan  from  his 
workshop  and  bench,  the  generous  merchant  and  shopkeeper  from 
his  counting  room  and   store,  the  hardy  and  brave  sons  of  the 
ocean — in  a  word,  all  classes  and  conditions  of  society  Avhich  go  to 
constitute  this  republic   one  of  the  noblest   and  greatest  in  the 
world,  were  on  the  move  at  an  early  hour,  making  preparations 
for  the  ceremonies  of  the  day,  and  wending  their  way  to  Balti- 
more street,  the  great  point  of  attraction,  in  order  to  obtain  a  view 
of  the  procession,  if  not  to  join  it.     The  multitude,  like  a  swelling 
tide,  was  so  great  that  every  window,  balcony,  porch,  and  every 
accessible  eminence  were  literally  crammed  and  jammed.     Still 
the  mighty  mass  continued  to  increase  ;  male  and  female,  the  ven- 
erable patriarch  bending  beneath  the  snows  of  threescore  and  ten 
years,  with  the  light-hearted  and   lisping  child  by  his  side,  the 
blooming  maid  and  the  staid  mother,  all  continued  to  pour  forth 
in  one  universal  stream,  and  to  swell  into  an  innumerable  throng 
the  great  and  mighty  multitude.     The  decorations  on  Baltimore 
street  were  on  a  grand  scale ;    a  most    beautiful  arch   had  been 
erected   at   the   intersection   of  Calvert  street,   and   also   one  at 
Hanover  street.     We  cannot  describe  the  grandeur  and  the  mag- 


512 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 


nificence  of  the  scene  as  the  procession  passed  down  Baltimore 
street  amidst  the  enthusiastic  and  prolonged  shouts  of  acclamation 
from  the  assembled  multitude.  The  beautiful  ship  "  Tariif,"  full- 
rigged  and  manned,  with  her  colors  flying  at  her  masthead,  the 
implements  of  husbandry,  and  the  machinery  of  the  manufacturing 
and  other  industrial  interests,  busily  occupied  in  their  respective 
vocations,  all  combined  to  add  to  the  magnificence  of  the  scene. 
Upon  arriving  at  Canton  the  vast  concourse  ratified  the  nomina- 
tions made  the  day  before,  and  were  then  addressed  by  the  Hon. 
Daniel  Webster,  Thomas  Ewing,  Messrs.  Crittenden,  Metcalf,  Ecy- 
nolds,  Eeverdy  Johnson,  T.  Yates  Walsh,  Clayton  Botts,  and  others. 

On  the  29th  of  May  the  Democratic  National  Convention,  then 
in  session  in  this  city  at  the  Odd-Fellows'  Hall,  Gay  street, 
nominated  James  K.  Polk  as  their  candidate  for  President,  and  the 
next  day  nominated  George  M.  Dallas  for  Yice-President,  in  the 
place  of  Mr.  Silas  Wright,  who  was  nominated,  but  refused  to  accept. 

The  Tyler  National  Convention  assembled  on  the  27th  of  May 
at  Calvert  Hall,  which  had  been  fitted  up  for  the  occasion,  and 
nominated  John  Tyler  as  their  candidate  for  President. 

On  the  10th  of  September  Messrs.  Coates  &  Glenn's  lumber- 
yard and  several  stores  and  dwellings  were  destroyed  by  fire. 

Hon.  Eichard  B.  Magruder,  one  of  the  associate  judges  of  the 
Sixth  Judicial  District  of  Baltimore  County  Court,  died  suddenly 
Monday  morning,  February  12th. 

The  interesting  ceremonies  of  laying  the  corner-stone  of  the 
Third  German  Keformed  Church,  situated  on  the  corner  of  Paca 
and  Saratoga  streets,  was  celebrated  on  Tuesday  afternoon,  April 
9th,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  concourse  of  people,  by  the  Rev.  S. 
Gutelius,  assisted  by  the  Eev.  Mr.  Heiner.  Addresses  were  de- 
livered by  the  Eev.  Dr.  Berg  of  Philadelphia,  and  Eev.  Mr.  Heiner 
of  this  city. 

The  aged  and  highly  esteemed  citizen  David  Barnum,  pro- 
prietor of  the  City  Hotel,  died  on  Friday  morning.  May  10th. 

The  convenient,  comfortable,  and  cheap  vehicles,  "Omnibuses," 
commenced  running  in  May  from  one  extremity  of  the  city  to  the 
other. 

The  magnetic  telegraph  running  from  Washington  city  to  the 
railroad  depot  in  Pratt  street,  was  completed  on  or  about  the  20th 
of  May.  The  wire  was  secured  against  the  weather  by  a  covering 
of  rope-yarn  and  tar.  The  nominations  made.  May  29th,  in  the 
Democratic  National  Convention,  were  forwarded  to  Washington 
by  means  of  this  telegraph.     The  following  alphabet  was  used : 


A) 
B) 

D) 

S) 
F) 


(GJ) 

(H)     .  .   . 
(lY)  .  . 

K)    -.. 

L)    

(M) 


(N)  . 

HI 

SZ) 


(T) 

(U) 

(V) 

(W) 

(X) 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  513 

The  first  exhibition  of  Laughing  Gas  took  place  at  the  Assem- 
bly Booms  on  Wednesday  evening,  May  29th,  under  the  charge  of 
Dr.  Colton,  as  applied  in  dentistry  in  extracting  teeth  without 
pain. 

The  corner-stone  of  Mount  Calvary  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  was  laid  on  Tuesday,  September  10th,  on  the  north- 
west corner  of  Eutaw  and  Madison  streets.  The  ceremonies  were 
conducted  by  the  Eight  Eeverend  Bishop  Whittingham,  assisted 
by  other  clergymen. 

On  the  3d  of  December  "  Jackson  Square  "  was  donated  to  the 
city. 

1845.  Tuesday  the  1st  of  July  was  the  day  especially  set  apart 
by  the  people  of  Baltimore  for  the  observance  of  the  funeral  obse- 
quies of  the  departed  ex-President  Andrew  Jackson.  The  occasion 
was  one  of  deep  solemnity,  and  it  was  marked  throughout  with  all 
those  evidences  of  appropriate  proceeding  which  imparted  to  it  a 
character  imposing  and  solemn  in  the  highest  degree.  Everywhere 
along  the  route  designated  by  the  chief  marshal,  the  houses  were 
in  mourning.  All  party  distinctions  seemed  to  be  forgotten  in  the 
common  desire  to  honor  the  memory  and  services  of  the  distin- 
guished deceased,  and  the  request  that  a  general  suspension  of 
business  should  take  place,  was  universally  regarded.  The  proces- 
sion moved  to  Mount  Vernon  Place,  where  an  immense  stand  was 
erected,  and  after  an  eloquent  prayer  by  the  Kev.  Dr,  Wyatt,  the 
orator  of  the  day,  the  Hon.  Benjamin  Chew  Howard,  delivered  an 
eloquent  and  powerful  address.  When  Gen.  Howard  resumed  his 
seat,  one  of  the  bands  played  an  appropriate  solemn  air.  Then 
followed  a  dirge  composed  for  the  occasion  by  the  Rev.  J.  N. 
McJilton,  which  w^as  sung  by  the  Baltimore  Musical  Association. 
A  benediction  pronounced  by  the  Rev.  G.  D.  Purviance,  and  vol- 
leys of  musketry,  closed  the  ceremonies  of  the  day. 

Died,  on  the  18th  of  August,  General  William  McDonald,  in  the 
87th  year  of  his  age.  General  McDonald  commanded  the  sixth 
regiment  at  the  battle  of  Baltimore  in  1814,  and  received  the  warm 
commendations  of  the  commanding  General  for  his  intrepid  and 
soldier-like  conduct  on  that  occasion.  He  was  also  a  soldier  of  the 
Revolution,  and  distinguished  himself  in  several  engagements  with 
the  enemy. 

Mr.  Benjamin  I.  Cohen,  well  known  throughout  the  country  as 
c^e  of  the  firm  of  J.  I.  Cohen,  Jr.,  &  Brothers,  bankers  and  stock 
brokers,  died  in  September  after  a  long  illness. 

The  splendid  and  commodious  hotel,  the  "  Eutaw  House,"  was 
sold  at  auction  on  Thursday,  October  16th,  at  the  Exchange,  for 
$58,500,  exclusive  of  the  furniture.  Purchasers,  Messrs.  Robert 
Garrett  &  Sons. 

The  Savings  Bank  of  Baltimore  purchased  the  residence  of  the 
late  Colonel  Thomas  Tenant,  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Gay  and 
Second  streets,  in  October,  for  $10,000. 
33 


514  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMOBE, 

The  Baltimore  Shot  Tower  in  North  Gay  street,  above  Fayette, 
was  taken  down  in  January. 

The  following  message  was  transmitted  through  the  telegraph 
on  Friday,  February  14th,  from  Washington  by  Prof.  Morse,  to  his 
agent,  Mr.  Rogers,  in  this  city  :  "  Please  express  my  regrets  to  the 
editors  of  the  papers  for  whom  the  telegraph  has  reported,  that 
the  apj)ropriation  being  expended,  I  am  compelled  to  stop  opera- 
tion.    We  shall  all  be  without  pay  after  the  15th  inst." 

St.  Alphonsus  Church  was  dedicated  on  Friday  morning,  March 
14th,  with  imposing  ceremonies,  by  the  Most  Rev.  Archbishop  Ec- 
cleston,  assisted  by  several  of  the  clergy,  in  the  presence  of  a  large- 
and  crowded  auditory. 

Richard  Caton,  Esq.,  who  married  the  eldest  daughter  of  Chas. 
Carroll,  of  Carrollton,  departed  this  life  Monday,  May  19th,  in  the 
83d  year  of  his  age. 

The  steamboat  Paul  Jones,  Capt.  Moffitt,  from  Havre-de-Grace, 
bound  for  this  port,  and  having  in  tow  eight  canal  boats,  exploded 
her  boiler  Tuesday  morning,  Juno  3d,  between  North  Point  and 
Bear  Creek,  and  four  persons  were  killed. 

Judge  Brice,  in  the  Baltimore  City  Court  on  Tuesday,  March 
18th,  pronounced  sentence  of  death  upon  Henry  McCurry,  recently 
convicted  of  the  murder  of  Mr.  Paul  Roux,  while  temporarily 
stopping  in  this  city,  and  on  Friday,  June  27th,  he  was  hung  in  the 
jail  3^ard. 

On  the  5th  of  March,  "  Franklin  Square  "  was  purchased  by  the 
Mayor  and  City  Council  from  Mr.  Canby  for  $10,000. 

1846.  Judge  Elias  Glenn,  one  of  our  oldest  and  most  respected 
citizens,  died  on  Tuesday,  January  6th,  in  the  77th  year  of  his 
age.  He  was  long  and  favorably  known  as  one  of  the  brightest 
ornaments  of  the  Baltimore  bar. 

The  Roman  Amphitheatre,  in  North  Calvert  street,  was  opened 
for  the  first  time  on  Monday,  October  26th,  by  the  eque«trian 
troop  of  Messrs.  Sands,  Lent  &  Co.  The  house  was  full  from  pit 
to  dome,  many  having  to  go  away  unable  to  obtain  an  entrance. 
The  building  was  erected  for  Messrs.  Sands,  Lent  &  Co.  by  R.  C. 
Long,  architect,  H.  &  J.  Reynolds,  builders,  E.  Dryer  &  Lewis, 
decorators  and  painters.  It  was  capable  of  holding  5000  persons 
comfortably. 

Ellen  Webb,  familiarly  known  to  all  who  visited  the  court-house 
in  her  day,  as  "Aunt  Nelly,"  died  on  Sunday  afternoon,  Novemb^ 
22d.  "Nelly  Webb  "  came  to  the  United  States  during  the  Revo- 
lutionary war,  the  wife  of  a  sergeant  in  the  British  army  under 
Lord  Cornwallis.  She  was  at  that  time  but  seventeen  years  of 
age,  and  was  present  at  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens,  January  16th, 
1781,  Guilford  Court-house,  N.  C,  March  15th,  1781,  and  at  York- 
town,  Va.,  October  19th,  1781,  at  the  latter  battle  of  which  she, 
with  the  rest  of  the  British  army,  were  made  prisoners  of  war. 
At  what  time  she  came  to  Baltimore  it  is  not  possible  to  learn, 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  515 

but  for  over  half  a  century  she  had  been  known  as  the  "Aunt 
Nelly  "  of  the  court-house.  She  was  a  most  eminent  and  eccentric 
vender  of  pies,  apples,  cakes,  and  nuts. 

Mount  Calvary  Church.  This  beautiful  edifice,  situated  at  the 
corner  of  Madison  and  Eutaw  streets,  was  consecrated  Thursday 
morning,  February  19th,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Whittinghara 
offi»;iating  on  the  occasion.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Atkinson.  The  music  was  by  the  choir  of  St.  Paul's  Church. 
The  installation  of  the  pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Miller,  took  place  the 
day  following,  with  the  usual  impressive  services  of  the  Episcopal 
Church.  The  lot  on  which  the  church  is  built  was  given  for  the 
purpose  by  John  B.  Morris,  Esq. 

On  Wednesday  evening.  May  13th,  18-16,  in  pursuance  of  a  call 
in  the. public  prints  for  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Baltimore, 
favorable  to  the  raising  of  volunteers  to  reinforce  Gen.  Taylor, 
&c.,  an  immense  concourse  of  persons  assembled  at  "  Union  Hall," 
corner  of  Baltimore  street  and  Tripolett's  alley,  (now  Post-Office 
avenue),  the  place  designated  for  the  meeting.  On  motion  of  Capt. 
James  Stewart,  the  meeting  was  organized  by  calling  Capt.  B.  F. 
Mauldin  to  the  chair,  and  appointing  Capt.  B.  F.  Owen  secretary. 
A  series  of  resolutions  were  offered  and  adopted  ;  at  this  point,  the 
meeting  having  become  so  immense,  the  whole  street  being  blocked 
up,  a  motion  was  made  and  carried  to  adjourn  to  Monument  Square. 
As  soon  as  they  arrived  in  the  Square,  they  were  addressed  by 
Coleman  Yellott,  Francis  Gallagher,  and  William  P.  Preston,  Esqs., 
in  eloquent  and  soul-stirring  speeches. 

The  distinguished  gentleman  and  ripe  scholar,  Mr.  William 
George  Read,  was  the  youngest  son  of  Jacob  Read,  of  Charleston, 
South  Carolina.  He  was  born  September  11th,  1800,  and  in  1820, 
in  a  class  of  fifty-seven,  graduated  at  the  Harvard  University  with 
the  first  honors.  In  1822  he  removed  to  Baltimore  and  studied  law 
in  the  office  of  Robert  Goodloe  Harper.  He  married  on  the  7th  of 
Ma}^  1825,  Miss  Sophia  Catherine  Howard,  second  daughter  of 
Colonel  John  E.  Howard.  From  1827  Mr.  Read  became  a  perma- 
nent resident  of  Baltimore,  devoting  himself  to  his  professional 
and  literary  pursuits.  He  also  took  an  ardent  interest  in  politics, 
and  for  fifteen  years  his  interest  in  political  questions  never  flagged, 
and  it  was  his  voice  that  was  ever  the  first  to  proclaim  from 
the  windows  of  the  office  of  the  old  Republican  and  Argus  paper 
the  news  of  some  great  victory,  to  the  assembled  crowds  of  cheer- 
ing and  enthusiastic  Democrats ;  yet  he  never  consented  to  accept 
office  from  the  people,  asking  only  to  be  permitted  to  serve  and  adr 
vise  them,  thus  presenting  the  rare  spectacle  of  a  disinterested 
politician.  Mr.  Read's  personal  courage  was  unquestioned.  Dur- 
ing the  dangerous  riots  of  1835  he  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  a 
few  brave  spirits  who  volunteered  to  defend  the  Convent  of  the 
Carmelite  Nuns,  in  Aisquith  street,  which  was  threatened  with  an 
attack  by  a  fanatical  mob.     Summoned  as  a  witness  in  the  matter 


516  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

before  the  House  of  Delegates,  he  was  questioned:  "What  did  you 
intend  doing  if  the  mob  had  broken  into  the  Convent  ?  "  and  the 
late  Judge  Glenn  described  the  eifect  as  "  electric,"  produced  by  his 
firm  reply — "  to  have  died  on  the  threshold  !  "  He  was  a  devoted 
Eoman  Catholic,  a  brilliant  lawyer  and  an  accomplished  scholar, 
a  warm  friend  and  a  humble  Christian.  He  died  on  the  7th  of 
April,  1846.  ^     .^ 

The  Baltimore  shipmasters  and  builders,  mates  and  pilots,  send 
an  address  to  President  James  K.  Polk, 'asking  that  Baltimore  be 
selected  as  the  location  for  building  ships  of  war.  The  address 
was  borne  to  Washington  on  the  18th  of  May,  by  Captains  Wm, 
Mason,  Matthew  Kelly,  Philip  M.  Hale,  Michael  McDonald  and 
Geo.  Baker,  the  committee  appointed  for  the  purpose. 

On  Saturday  afternoon.  May  23d,  an  immense  "  war  meeting  " 
was  held  in  Monument  Square.  The  meeting  was  called  to  order 
by  Jacob  I.  Cohen,  Jr.,  Esq.,  who  nominated  his  Honor  Mayor 
Davies  as  chairman,  and  T.  Parkin  Scott  and  Thomas  Yates 
Walsh,  Esqs.,  as  secretaries.  The  following  named  gentlemen  were 
appointed  vice-presidents :  1st  Ward,  Capt.  James  Frazier ;  2d, 
Col.  John  E.  Stansbury ;  3d,  Capt.  Eobert  Hutson ;  4th,  Joshua 
Vansant;  5th,  Col.  Sol.Hillen  ;  6th,  Henry  McElderry ;  7th,  Henry 
F.  Turner;  8th,  Marcus  Wolf;  9th,  Gen.  John  Spear  Smith  ;  10th, 
Nathaniel  Williams;  11th,  Hon.  John  P.  Kennedy;  12th,  Chas  M. 
Keyser;  13th,  Hugh  Birkhead;  14th,  John  King;  15th,  William 
J.  Wight;  16th,  Geo.  W.  Krebs ;  17th,  Charles  Eeeder,  Jr. ;  18th, 
Gen.  Geo.  H.  Steuart ;  19th,  David  Stewart ;  20th,  Geo.  K.  Dodge ; 
from  the  county  Samuel  Brady,  William  Tagert,  William  P.  Pres- 
ton and  William  G.  Howard,  Esqs.  Col.  Davies,  in  a  short  and  ap- 
propriate address,  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting ;  after  which 
bobert  M.  McLane,  Esq.,  offered  a  preamble  and  resolutions,  which 
he  prefaced  by  a  patriotic  speech.  The 'resolutions  were  unani- 
mously adopted.  After  the  adoption  of  the  resolutions  the  Hon. 
Reverdy  Johnson  took  the  stand,  and  delivered  one  of  the  most 
eloquent  and  patriotic  addresses  that  was  ever  listened  to.  At  the 
conclusion  of  Mr.  Johnson's  address,  his  Honor  the  Mayor  intro- 
duced to  the  meeting  Gen.  Samuel  Houston,  United  States  Senator 
from  the  State  of  Texas.  The  announcement  of  the  name  of  the 
hero  of  "  San  Jacinto  "  was  received  by  the  meeting  with  prolonged 
cheers.  Hon.  Wm.  L.  Yancey,  member  of  Congress  from  Alabama, 
closed  the  meeting  by  an  eloquent  address.  During  the  delivery 
of  the  address  of  Gen.  Houston,  news  from  Mexico  was  received 
and  read  to  the  meeting  by  Col.  Davies.  At  the  mention  of  the 
death  of  the  gallant  Kinggold,  every  head  was  uncovered,  and 
many  a  manly  cheek  was  suffused  with  tears. 

On  Thursday  morning,  June  4th,  the  company  called  "  Balti- 
more's Own  "  left  this  city  in  the  9  o'clock  train  of  cars  for  Wash- 
ington, where  they  were  mustered  in  the  District  battalion.  Col. 
W,  H.  Watson.     They  elected  the  following  officers:     Captain, 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  517 

John  R.  Kenly ;  F.  B.  Schaeffer,  Ist  Lieutenant ;  Oden  Bowie,  2d 
Lieutenant;  Sergeants,  E.  W.  Aisquith,  Wra.  H.  Hickman,  G. 
Oliver  Lansdale,  and  Thomas  Tyson.  They  were  escorted  to  the 
cars  by  the  Eagle  Artillery,  Capt.  Kane,  accompanied  by  the  band 
of  the  **  Greys,"  and  moved  oif  from  the  depot  amid  the  deafening 
cheers  of  the  crowd  congregated  to  see  them  depart.  Previous  to 
their  departure,  Capt.  Kenly  was  presented  with  a  beautiful  pair 
of  epaulettes  byG.  D.  Spurrier,  in  behalf  of  the  officers  of  the  third 
division  of  Maryland  militia.  He  was  also  subsequently  presented 
with  a  handsome  sword  by  Capt.  Geo.  P.  Kane,  on  the  part  of  the 
Eagle  Artillery,  as  a  testimonial  of  their  respect  and  esteem. 

The  news  from  Mexico  was  received  in  this  city  on  the  11th  of 
October,  that  Monterey,  after  three  days'  hard  fighting,  had  capit- 
ulated. The  rejoicing  for  this  great  victory  was  alloj'ed  by  the 
mournful  intelligence  of  the  death  of  so  many  brave  officers  and 
men,  among  the  former  the  gallant  Col.  Watson  of  the  Baltimore 
battalion.  He  fell  fighting  bravely  at  the  head  of  his  men,  in  at- 
tempting to  storm  a  battery  of  artillery  and  musketry,  which  was 
pouring  a  deluge  of  grape  and  cannister  shot  at  the  distance  of 
sixty  yards.  The  announcement  of  the  death  of  Col.  Watson  cast 
a  gloom  over  the  entire  city.  In  the  gallant  Watson  our  State 
Buffered  the  loss  of  as  brave  a  heart  as  ever  beat,  and  the  Balti- 
more bar,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  brightest  ornaments,  a  valu- 
able member. 

The  mortal  remains  of  Maj.  Samuel  Einggold  were  brought  to 
this  city  on  the  17th  of  December  and  placed  on  a  catafalque  at 
the  Exchange,  under  military  escort;  and  on  the  22d  he  was  buried 
with  grand  and  imposing  military  honors.  He  died  on  the  field 
of  Palo  Alto,  at  the  moment  of  a  victory  which  his  skill  and 
courage  contributed  to  achieve.  Almost  his  last  words  were 
uttered  to  exhort  others  to  perform  their  duty.  In  the  death  of 
Maj.  Einggold,  Maryland  lost  one  of  her  brightest  and  most 
chivalric  sons,  and  his  country  the  services  of  as  brave  a  heart  as 
ever  palpitated,  and  as  true  a  patriot.  The  annunciation  of  his 
death  cast  a  gloom  over  our  city  and  State,  and,  with  praiseworthy 
unanimity,  it  was  resolved  to  pay  to  his  remains  the  highest  mark 
of  respect.  For  the  few  days  which  his  body  remained  in  the 
rotunda  of  the  Exchange  it  was  visited  by  thousands  of  both 
sexes,  who  pressed  eagerly  to  drop  the  sympathizing  tear  over  the 
bier  of  one  who,  whilst  living,  was  all  that  was  manly,  brave,  gen- 
erous, and  patriotic.  Citizens  from  a  distance  vied  with  those  of 
Baltimore  in  testifying  their  respect  to  the  deceased;  and  the 
streets,  during  the  procession  on  the  22d,  presented  a  throng  of 
spectators  and  a  parade  of  military  seldom  before  witnessed.  It 
was  a  grand  and  imposing  spectacle,  worthy  of  the  heroic  spirit 
to  whom  it  was  offered,  as  the  tribute  of  grateful  hearts. 

Official  report  of  Captain  James  E.  Stewart,  commanding  officer 
of  the  battalion  of  Baltimore  and  Washington  volunteers : 


518  CHBONICLES   OF   BALTIMOKE. 

"  Camp  near  Monterey,  Mexico,  September  26^A,  1846. 

"Tho  battalion  of  Maryland  and  1).  C.  volunteers,  under  the 
command  of  Lieut.-Colonel  Watson,  connected  with  tho  first  regi- 
ment of  infantry,  the  whole  under  the  command  of  Lieut.-Colonel 
Watson,  were  ordered  to  march  at  about  8  o'clock  on  the  morning 
of  the  2 let,  for  the  attack  on  Monterey.  The  battalion  were  out 
in  their  full  strength,  save  Company  C,  Captain  Bronaugh,  which 
was  ordered  to  remain  on  guard-duty  at  camp,  and  Lieut.  Owen,  of 
Company  A,  with  a  detachment  of  twelve  men,  w^ere  ordered  on 
picket-guard  by  General  Twiggs.  The  battalion  marched  towards 
the  city,  and  charged  in  the  most  gallant  manner  on  a  battery 
under  a  galling  fire,  in  which  it  sustained  some  loss.  The  point  of 
attack  was  then  changed  by  order  of  Colonel  Garland,  and  we  en- 
tered the  city  exposed  to  a  destructive  fire  from  several  batteries, 
supported  by  a  large  number  of  infantry,  which  raked  the  streets. 
We  remained  in  the  city  for  nearly  half  an  hour,  when  we  were 
ordered  to  retire.  In  doing  so,  the  battalion  became  separated. 
Colonel  Watson  fell  by  a  musket-shot  whilst  gallantly  leading  on 
to  a  second  assault  on  the  city.  A  portion  of  the  battalion  was 
then  formed  under  Captain  Kenly,  and  remained  on  the  field  of 
battle  until  it  was  ordered  back  to  camp  b}^  General  Twiggs,  having 
been  under  a  heavy  fire  nearly  nine  hours,  losing  in  action,  killed 
six,  wounded  eighteen.  I  take  pleasure  in  noticing  the  gallant 
conduct  of  the  battalion  throughout. 

"  James  E.  Stewart,  Captain  Commanding." 

We  will  here  add  that  Captain  Kenly,  after  the  battalion  came 
out  of  the  town,  finding  himself  the  senior  ofiicer  present,  as- 
sumed command,  and  kept  it  in  action  and  fought  with  it  until 
ordered  at  nightfall  to  return  to  camp.  The  battalion  lost  nine 
killed.  General  Taylor  speaking  of  this  battle  in  his  congratu- 
latory order,  says:  "The  General  begs  to  return  his  thanks  to  his 
commanders,  and  to  all  his  officers  and  men,  both  of  the  regular 
and  volunteer  forces,  for  the  skill,  the  courage,  and  the  persever- 
ance with  which  they  have  overcome  manifold  difficulties,  and 
finally  achieved  a  victory  shedding  lustre  upon  the  American  arms. 
A  great  result  hatf  been  obtained,  but  not  without  the  loss  of  many 
gallant  and  accomplished  officers  and  brave  men.  The  army  and 
country  will  deeply  sympathize  with  the  families  and  friends  of 
those  who  have  thus  sealed  their  devotion  with  their  lives." 

On  the  24th  of  November,  Brevet-Major  Eobert  C.  Buchanan, 
of  the  Fourth  Infantry  U.  S.  A.,  a  native  of  Baltimore  and  a  citi- 
zen of  Washington,  was  assigned  by  order  of  General  Twiggs  to 
the  command  of  the  battalion  of  Baltimore  and  Washington  volun- 
teers. The  battalion  having  distinguished  itself  in  many  hard- 
fought  battles,  and  gained  a  name  worthy  of  the  State  from  which 
it  came,  and  the  term  of  enlistment  having  expired,  was  honorably 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  519 

discharged  at  Tampico  on  the  30th  of  May,  1847.  The  following 
letter  was  written  at  the  time  to  the  Mayor  of  Baltimore  by  Major 
Buchanan : 

"  Tampico,  May  31sf,  1847. 
"  Bear  Sir  : — The  term  of  service  of  the  Baltimore  Battalion 
having  expired,  it  becomes  necessary  to  make  a  suitable  disposition 
of  the  flag  under  whose  folds  it  so  gallantly  fought  and  so  faith- 
fully sustained  the  toils  and  privations  incident  to  the  last  twelve 
months'  campaign.  Tfee  officers  of  the  battalion  desire  that  it 
should  be  presented  to  the  corporation  of  the  city,  to  be  kept  in 
the  City  Hall  as  a  memorial  of  their  regard  for  Baltimore.  In  this 
arrangement  I  most  heartily  concur.  It  therefore  becomes  my 
agreeable  duty  to  forward  the  flag  to  you,  the  chief  magistrate  of 
the  city,  with  the  request  that  it  may  be  disposed  of  in  accordance 
to  the  wishes  of  the  donors.  By  our  fellow-citizens  it  may  well  be 
regarded  with  feelings  of  pride,  as  having  been  the  standard  of  a 
body  of  their  friends  which,  for  good  discipline,  soldierly  deport- 
ment, and  efficiency  for  hard  service,  stood  in  a  most  enviable 
position.  The  Eio  Grande,  Monterey,  Victoria,  and  Tampico  will 
all  bear  witness  to  the  services  of  the  battalion.  Sorgeant-Major 
William  T.  Lennox,  who  carried  the  flag  in  the  battle  of  Monterey, 
after  Hart  was  wounded,  and  who  has  been  the  color  bearer 
since  that  time,  will  be  intrusted  with  the  duty  of  delivering 
it  to  you.     I  am,  Sir,  with  much  respect, 

"  Robert  C.  Buchanan, 
"  Brevet-Major  Fourth  Infantry,  commanding  Battalion. 
"  To  Hon.  Jacob  Gr.  Davies,  Mayor  of  Baltimore,  Maryland." 

In  Brevet  Major-General -John  E.  Kenly's  "Memoirs  of  a 
Maryland  Volunteer  in  the  \yar  with  Mexico,"  we  find  the  follow- 
ing letter  from  Major-General  William  H.  Emory,  United  States 
Army : 

"  Headquarters  Department  op  the  Gulp, 
"  New  Orleans,  September  30,  1872. 

"Jfy  Dear  General  Kenly : — Your  letter  of  the  16th  September, 
and  that  preceding,  followed  me  as  far  as  Syracuse,  New  York,  and 
back  to  this  place,  where  they  only  reached  me  to-day.  I 
hasten  to  reply,  and  take  great  pleasure  in  stating  that  the  Mary- 
land regiment  for  the  time  it  was  under  my  command,  during  and 
toward  the  close  of  the  war  with  Mexico,  acted  uniformly  with 
great  gallantry,  steadiness,  and  good  conduct.  When  I  took  com- 
mand of  the  re^ment  as  Lieutenant-Colonel  I  had  just  returned 
from  the  expedition  engaged  in  the  conquest  of  New  Mexico  and 
California,  under  the  lamented  General  James  W.  Kearney.  There 
I  served  with  what  was  then  considered  one  of  the  crack  regiments 
of  the  army,  the  old  First  Dragoons,  and  of  course  my  ideas  of 
discipline  and  efficiency  were  pitched  pretty  high ;  yet  I  was  not 


520  CHBONICLES  OF  BALTIMOKB. 

disappointed  in  either  the  discipline  or  the  efficiency  of  the  gallant 
Maryland  regiment,  with  which  your  name  is  so  honorably  identi- 
fied. Excuse  the  shortness  of  this  note.  Believe  me,  very  faith- 
fullyyours,  W.  H.  Emory, 

^^ Brevet  Major-General  U.  S.  A. 
**  General  John  E.  Kenly,  Baltimore,  Md." 

On  the  12th  of  January,  1847,  the  Legislature  adopted  resolu- 
tions expressive  of  the  loss  sustained  by  Maryland  of  Col.  True- 
man  Cross,  of  Major  Samuel  Einggold,  of  Colonel  William  H. 
Watson,  of  Major  William  Lear,  of  Captain  Eandolph  Eidgely, 
of  Passed  Midshipman  John  Einggold  Hynson,  and  her  other 
brave  sons  who  fell  in  conflict  with  Mexico.  These  mighty  suns 
have  run  their  course — have  sunk  to  rise  no  more  forever ;  but  the 
brilliancy  of  their  parting  rays  shall  fade  away  only  when  Mary- 
land's proud  escutcheon  shall  become  too  tarnished  to  reflect  them. 
Deeply  do  we  mourn  their  loss,  and  yet  such  is  our  selfishness, 
such  our  pride,  that  if  to  us  were  given  by  a  breath  the  honor 
won  to  our  name  must  needs  be  blotted  out,  who  is  there  nmong 
us  but  would  pause  ;  and  if  in  such  a  moment  it  were  possible  their 
own  proud  spirits  might  decide,  would  they  not  with  one  voice 
and  one  breath  exclaim,  Touch  not  the  honor  now  sacred  to  old 
Maryland,  we  rest  in  peace !  Amid  the  din  of  battle  and  the 
clash  of  arms  death  came  without  a  sting,  the  grave  without  a 
victory.  Of  the  living  we  speak  not  —  their  names  are  stamped 
on  Mexico  and  Monterey.  Their  own  brave  deeds  will  ever  tell 
their  proudest  eulogy,  and  all  the  efforts  of  fancy  would  but  cast  a 
veil  over  their  brilliancy. 

In  this  year  the  grounds  of  the  "  Marine  Hospital "  were  pur- 
chased for  $2500. 

1847.  On  Sunday,  the  Slst  of  January,  the  brig  G.  H.  Rogers, 
Capt.  Wilson,  arrived  with  the  remains  of  Col.  William  H.  Watson, 
Capt.  Eandolph  Eidgely,  Lieut.  Eugene  Boyle,  Lieut.  Graham,  and 
Messrs.  George  W.  Pearson  and  Herman  S.  Thomas,  under  the 
charge  of  Lieut.  Samuel  S.  Mills.  The  intelligence  soon  spread 
throughout  the  city,  and  hundreds  were  seen  hastening  down  to 
the  wharves,  while  several  of  the  bells  in  the  city  commenced 
tolling.  A  salute  was  fired  by  the  Junior  Artillerists,  Capt.  Mc- 
Dowell, and  various  other  demonstrations  of  respect,  especially  on 
the  part  of  the  military,  who  immediately  assembled  at  their  re- 
spective armories  to  make  arrangements  for  escorting  the  remains 
of  the  gallant  dead  from  the  boat.  The  funeral  obsequies  on  the 
8th  of  February,  in  honor  of  the  lamented  Watson  and  the  gallant 
Eidgely,  were  a  magnificent  but  melancholy  pageant.  The  national 
flag,  shrouded  in  mourning,  was  hoisted  at  half  mast  at  sunrise, 
from  all  the  public  buildings  in  the  city,  the  principal  shipping  in 
port,  the  observatory  on  Federal  Hill,  the  several  armories  of  the 
military,  the  engine-houses  of  the  fire  companies,  and  from  various 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  521 

other  places,  while  in  numerous  instances  appropriate  inscriptions 
in  honor  of  the  gallant  dead  were  to  be  seen  suspended  from  the 
windows  of  the  houses  on  the  line  of  procession ;  in  addition  to  which 
the  booming  cannon  of  the  Eagle  Artillerists,  fired  at  intervals  by  a 
detachment  of  that  corps  detailed  for  the  purpose,  added  no  little 
to  the  sublimity  of  the  mournful  occasion. 

Joseph  Alexander  (colored)  was  executed  on  the  26th  of  Feb- 
ruary, in  the  jail-yard,  for  the  murder  of  the  colored  boy  Wash- 
ington Sheppard. 

The  illumination  on  the  evening  of  the  21st  of  April  in  honor 
of  the  victories  achieved  by  our  gallant  army  and  navy  in  every 
quarter  of  the  Eepublic  of  Mexico,  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant 
and  beautiful  scenes  which  had  been  witnessed  in  Baltimore  since 
the  memorable  reception  of  General  La  Fayette  when  he  visited 
this  country  in  1824.  The  streets  were  thronged  with  an  almost 
uninterrupted  mass  of  human  beings,  especially  Baltimore  street, 
which  was  the  great  centre  of  attraction.  From  the  windows 
streamed  forth  thousands  of  lights ;  public  buildings  and  private 
houses  were  resplendent  with  beautiful  and  showy  transparencies 
and  appropriate  mottoes ;  from  every  flag-staif  and  from  the  ship- 
ping in  the  port  floated  the  "Star-Spangled  Banner,"  the  vic- 
torious flag  of  a  free  people ;  from  the  top  of  Washington  Monu- 
ment and  Washington  College  shot  forth  the  glittering,  daz- 
zling, and  brilliant  Drummond  light,  lighting  up  all  parts  of  the 
city  within  the  focus  of  its  rays. 

On  the  29th  of  April  a  meeting  of  merchants  and  business  men 
favorable  to  the  formation  of  a  company  to  construct  two  steam 
tow-boats  for  the  use  of  the  trade  between  this  city  and  the  Tide- 
Water  Canal  at  Havre-de-Grace,  was  held  at  Franklin  Hall.  Mr 
Eichard  Lemmon,  on  motion  of  William  Bose,  was  called  to  the 
chair,  and  Mr.  William  Peterkin  appointed  secretary.  After  the 
object  of  the  meeting  was  stated,  Mr.  Thomas  Wilson  presented  a 
preamble  and  resolutions,  providing  for  the  immediate  formation 
of  a  company,  which  were  unanimously  adopted. 

On  the  1st  of  June  the  Metamora  Tribe  No.  1,  of  the  improved 
order  of  Eed  Men,  laid  the  corner-stone  of  their  new  hall  on  Lom- 
bard near  Hanover  street.  The  ceremonies  were  quite  interesting, 
and  attracted  a  large  number  of  persons.  This  hall  was  dedicated 
on  Thursday,  September  30. 

The  venerable  old  colored  man,  known  to  every  man,  woman, 
and  child  in  the  city  at  this  time  as  "Old  Moses,"  died  on  Wednes- 
day morning,  June  16th,  at  his  residence  in  Front  street,  very  sud- 
denly. He  was  quite  aged,  and  was  much  respected  by  every 
person  who  knew  him. 

Dr.  Palmer,  in  an  article  published  \n  Lippincotf  s  Magazine^  says  : 
"  Moses"  was  a  negro  of  unmixed  African  blood,  and  with  a  com- 
plexion dear  to  the  pride  of  Dahomey;  burly  too  and  of  imposing 
stature,  swathed  in  a  vast  white  apron,  Old  Moses  was  a  conspic- 


522  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

uous  presence,  not  to  be  overlooked  by  housekeeper  or  cook  with 
hospitable  thoughts  intent  on  oysters  or  ice-cream.  In  his  declin- 
ing years  he  affected  a  red  wig,  very  ropy  as  to  its  texture  and 
streaky  as  to  its  hue,  which,  by  an  effect  to  be  felt  rather  than  de- 
fined, imparted  to  his  general  make-up  a  spurious  Choctaw  aspect, 
thus  convejnng  to  many  of  his  friends  the  erroneous  impression 
that  some  Juan  of  the  noble  line  of  "  Lo  "  had  been  surreptitiously 
concerned  in  his  parentage.  He  had  a  great  gift  of  whistle, 
whereat  we  boys  did  whistle  and  admire,  for  he  whistled  with  his 
tongue  out,  and  the  tongue  was  half  folded  like  a  leaf.  I  have 
studied  it  patiently  by  the  hour,  and  practised  it  passionately  by 
the  day ;  and  he,  gravely  complaisant,  gratified  by  the  apprecia- 
tion my  fine  ambition  evinced,  condescended  again  and  again  to 
explain  to  me  his  method,  and  demonstrate  the  acoustic  advantage 
of  what  I  may  term  the  lingual  attachment.  But  in  vain — I  could 
never  get  the  hang  of  it;  and  to-day,  contemplating  ray  honorable 
defeat,  my  consolation  is  that  in  all  these  post-Moses  years  I  have 
found  but  one  individual  who  could  whistle  with  the  lingual  at- 
tachment, and  he  was  a  red-headed  negro,  also  named  Moses,  Who 
doubtless  came  by  the  gift  in  the  natural  way.  His  music  was 
commonly  of  the  sacred  order,  derived  from  the  familiar  and  rous- 
ing psalmody  of  the  Methodist  practice  ;  but  he  occasionally  diver- 
sified this  with  robust  performances  in  the  patriotic  or  sentimental- 
domestic  line,  and  his  rendition  of  a  medley  (dreadfully  popular  at 
that  time)  from  such  purely  national  works  as  "Hail  Columbia," 
"The  Star-Spangled  Banner,"  "  Yankee  Doodle,"  "Home,  Sweet 
Home,"  "Old  Grimes,"  "Days  of  Absence,"  and  "Away  with 
Melancholy  !  "  was  effective  and  inspiring.  His  cry  was  a  rapture 
of  advertisement  at  once  original  and  irresistible,  and  at  the 
sound  of  it  from  porches  and  garden-gates  and  alleys  out  came  the 
children  as  to  the  fatal  piping  of  the  pied  wizard  of  Hamelin : 

"  Out  came  the  children  running ; 

All  the  little  boys  and  girls, 

With  rosy  cheeks  and  flaxen  curls, 

And  Fparkling  eyes  and  teeth  like  pearls, 
Tripping  and  skipping,  ran  merrily  after 
The  wonderful  music  with  shouting  and  laughter." 

"  La,  lilla,  lilla,  lilla,  lilla,  lilla,  lilla,  1 —  a,  lemon  ice-cream  !  lemon 
i— ce  curreem  I  "  (Here  a  few  bars  of  "  Old  Hundred,"  vocal,  piano.) 
"Lemon  ice-cream!  curreem,  curreem  I  La,  lilla,  lilla,  lilla,  lilla, 
lilla,  lilla,  1-a-a-a-a! ''  (shake.)  "  Lemon  ice-cream  !  "  ("  Blow  ye 
the  Trumpet,  Blow!  "  sijffiement  with  attachment,  forte,  followed  by 
a  fantastic  melange  of  "  Hail  Columbia,"  "  Old  Oaken  Bucket,"  and 
"  Polly,  put  de  Kittle  On,"  vocal  and  instrumental,  a<i  lib.)  "  Poor 
old  Moses !  poor  old  fellah  !  Jist  a-comin'  roun'  onct  moah  to  e — 
commerdate  de  ladies  and  gentium  wid  de  elegint  nice  oysters! 
Oysh,  oysh,  shock  oy — sh  I  Oh,  my  charmin'  oysters  !  my  'light- 
ful  Iresb  oysters  I 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  523 

"  My  oysters  are  fresh, 
An'  jis'  from  de  shell ; 
I  can't  tell  de  reason 
My  oysters  won't  sell." 

"  Sho — hock  oysters  !  My  cbarmiii',  nice  oysters !  "  But  alack  ! 
poor  human  nature !  Alas !  that  a  life  so  useful,  so  cheerful,  so 
melodious,  a  spirit  wherein  all  the  graces  of  piety,  patriotism  and 
domestic  peace  were  sweetly  blended  should  have  licked  his  wife ! 
"  Every  morning,  whether  she  had  offended  or  not,"  that  was  the 
shocking  scandal.  Every  morning  ere  he  took  up  literally  the 
yoke  and  burden  of  the  day,  and  with  the  professional  freezers  or 
cans,  and  dippers  and  pint-pots,  went  forth  on  the  professional  cir- 
cuit, he  conscientiously  strapped  the  tough  partner  of  his  joys. 
He  did  it  "on  principle,"  he  explained,  as  a  preventive  measure. 
"  It  warn't  as  ef  he  had  anything  agin  her,  not  to  say  wishus ;  but 
him  a-shufflin'  roun'  all  day,  and  she  a  lone  'ooman,  onpertected, 
and  a  lot  o'  ornery  niggahs  from  de  alley  triflin'  roun'  de  back 
doah,  dere  warn't  no  knowin'  what  kind  of  deblish  spells  dey 
might  put  on  to  de  feeble-minded  critter  to  make  her  disgrace  de 
fam'ly,  and  she  wid  quality  washin'  took  in,  ef  he  didn't  adwise 
her." 

On  the  10th  of  July  the  flag  of  the  Baltimore  battalion  —  the 
flag  that  was  first  planted  on  the  walls  of  Monterey — was  formally 
presented  to  the  corporation  by  Captain  James  E.  Stewart.  The 
ceremony  took  place  in  front  of  the  City  Hall,  and  was  witnessed 
by  a  large  number  of  citizens  and  strangers.  The  Mayor,  Jacob 
G.  Davies,  received  the  flag  in  a  very  appropriate  address,  and  at 
its  conclusion,  loud  calls  were  made  for  Capt.  Kenly,  who  addressed 
the  crowd  in  a  soul-stirring  speech  of  some  twenty  minutes. 

We  will  here  remark  that  never  before  were  there  so  many  actsvy"'^^ 
of  incendiarism  and  firemen's  riots  as  at  this  time.  Scarcely  a  ^ 
paper  is  issued  in  which  is  not  contained  an  account  of  one  or  more 
fires,  evidently  the  act  of  some  vile  incendiary.  There  were  no 
less  than  five  on  November  28th,  all  in  the  same  hour  and  at  dif- 
ferent points  of  the  city.  These  fires  were  evidently  designed  for 
the  purpose  of  causing  disgraceful  riots  between  rival  fire  com-  1 
panics.  On  Saturday  night,  the  25th  of  September,  the  apparatus 
of  the  New  Market  and  United  fire  companies  proceeded  towards 
Federal  Hill  at  an  alarm  of  fire;  when  at  the  corner  of  Light  and 
York  streets  a  collision  took  place  between  parties  running  with 
the  New  Market  and  United  combined,  on  one  side,  and  the 
Watchman  fire  company  on  the  other  side.  The  fight  was  con- 
tinued from  10 J  to  12  o'clock  —  along  Light  street,  from  York  to 
Camden,  and  along  Barre  street,  from  Light  to  Sharp  streets, 
during  which  bricks  were  torn  up  from  the  side-walks  and  show- 
ered like  hail,  pistols  were  fired  in  every  direction.  The  New 
Market  reel  and  suction  were  captured,  and  the  former  thrown 
into  the  dock  from  the  east  end  of  York  street ;  the  suction  was 


524  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

rescued  from  those  who  had  it  in  possession,  who  were  about 
tumbling  it  into  the  dock  also.  The  officers  of  the  Baltimore 
United  Fire  Department,  with  Joshua  Vansant,  Esq.,  at  their  head, 
assisted  the  city  police  and  night-watch  in  suppressing  the  riot. 

On  the  evening  of  the  1st  of  December,  a  meeting  was  held  at 
Washington  Hall  for  the  purpose  of  forming  an  association  for  the 
promotion  of  the  "  Mechanic  Arts."  It  was  organized  by  the  ap- 
pointment of  Mr.  Jesse  Hunt  chairman,  and  Mr.  Jno.  B.  Easton 
secretary.  John  H.  B.  Latrobe,  Esq.,  then  addressed  the  meeting 
in  an  eloquent  manner,  in  which  he  alluded  to  the  history  of  the 
former  associations  for  the  promotion  of  the  mechanic  arts  which 
existed  in  our  city  from  1826  to  1834,  and  brought  forward  many 
excellent  reasons  why  a  similar  institution  should  be  formed  now. 
Mr.  James  Milholland  offered  resolutions,  which  were  unanimously 
adopted. 

The  Presbyterian  church  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Franklin 
and  Cathedral  streets  was  dedicated  on  Sunday,  February  21st. 
The  dedication  sermon  was  preached  by  Dr.  Backus,  and  by  the 
pastor  elect,  Eev.  Dr.  Plummer,  in  the  evening. 

A  gloom  was  thrown  over  the  city  of  Baltimore  on  Sunday, 
June  6th,  on  the  announcement  that  the  esteemed  citizen.  Major 
James  O.  Law,  was  dead.  The  deceased,  aside  from  his  great  per- 
sonal popularity  among  all  classes  of  society,  had  filled  with  be- 
coming dignity  the  office  of  Mayor  of  this  city,  was  formerly  a 
prominent  merchant,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  flour  inspector 
genei'al.  He  was  born  in  this  city  on  the  14th  day  of  March, 
A.  D.  1809. 

The  Seventh  Baptist  church  was  dedicated  Sunday,  August  2d, 
Eev.  Dr.  Fuller,  the  pastor,  preaching  on  the  occasion. 

The  Belair  market-house  was  commenced  in  June. 

On  the  5th  of  July  an  alarming  riot  took  place  between  the 
citizens  of  Annapolis  and  a  portion  of  the  passengers  of  the 
steamer  Jewess.  The  steamer  left  Baltimore  on  an  excursion  to 
St.  Michael's ;  when  about  twenty  miles  down  the  river  it  was 
found  that  in  consequence  of  the  crowded  state  of  the  boat,  it 
would  be  dangerous  to  cross  the  bay  to  the  Eastern  Shore,  and  ac- 
cordingly, after  consultation,  it  was  determined  to  run  into  An- 
napolis. After  a  short  time  a  fight  was  started  on  the  wharf  be- 
tween some  citizens  of  the  town  and  some  of  .the  young  men  who 
were  on  the  boat.  In  a  few  minutes  the  fight  became  general,  and 
for  the  time  assumed  a  fearful  character.  Stones,  bricks,  and  mis^ 
siles  in  abundance  were  thrown  indiscriminately  upon  the  boat, 
striking  ladies  and  children  as  well  as  others.  This  so  incensed 
the  male  portion  of  the  passengers  that  they  broke  into  the  room 
in  which  the  rifles  of  Capt.  McAllister's  company  were  placed,  and 
loading  them  with  ball  cartridges,  fired  among  the  crowd  upon  the 
wharf,  wounding  five  persons.  The  citizens  of  Annapolis,  seeing 
their  friends  thus  shot  down,  procured  two  small  cannon,  one  a 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  525 

six  and  the  other  a  four-pounder,  and,  after  placing  them  on  the 
common  near  the  wharf,  were  about  to  discharge  them  at  the  boat, 
jwhen  Col.  Kane,  with  General  Watkins  and  Judge  Brewer,  suc- 
j  ceeded  in  preventing  it  by  placing  themselves  before  them.  This 
proved  a  fortunate  circumstance,  as  the  boat  immediately  started 
for  Baltimore. 

Mr.  Solomon  Etting  died  on  the  6th  of  August,  in  the  83d  year 
•  of  his  age.  He  was  a  native  of  York,  Pa.,  but  had  been  a  resident 
!  of  Baltimore  for  sixty  years. 

On  the  4th  of  February,  1847,  an  Act  of  Incorporation  was 
passed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  Maryland,  "  That  Samuel  F.  B. 
;  Morse,  B.  B.  French,  George  C.  Penniman,  Henry  J.  Rogers,  John 
S.  McKim,  J.  R.  Trimble,  William  M.  Swain,  John  O.  Sterns,  A. 
Sidney  Doane,  and  their  associates,  who  have  acquired  from  said 
Morse  the  right  to  contract  and  carry  on  the  Electro  Magnetic 
Telegraph,  by  him  invented  and  patented,  through  this  State  on 
the  route  leading  from  the  city  of  Washington  to  the  city  of  New 
York,  are  hereby  created  a  body  politic  for  the  purpose  of  erecting 
and  maintaining  a  line  of  said  telegraph  on  the  route  aforesaid, 
and  transmitting  intelligence  by  means  thereof,  under  the  name 
and  style  of  the  Magnetic  Telegraph  Company." 

On  the  10th  of  May,  "  Union  Square  "  was  donated  to  the  city 
of  Baltimore  by  the  Messrs.  Donnells  ;  a  short  time  after,  the  waste 
water  from  the  spring  was  sold  to  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad 
company,  for  $4,000. 

1848.  Agreeably  to  previous  announcement,  the  first  Fair  ever 
held  in  this  city  for  the  exhibition  and  encouragement  of  the 
mechanic  arts  generally,  was  commenced  on  Thursday  morning, 
May  18th,  in  the  saloon  of  Washington  Hall,  adjoining  Baltimore 
Street  bridge. 

On  Thursday  morning.  May  25,  the  new  massive  cast-iron 
bridge  which  crossed  Jones  Falls  at  Fayette  street,  broke  in 
the  centre  and  fell  with  a  tremendous  crash  into  the  water 
beneath. 

A  number  of  the  Baltimore  troops,  under  the  command  of  Major 
Kenly,  arrived  in  Baltimore  on  Thursday  afternoon,  July  20th,  from 
the  battle-fields  of  Mexico. 

The  melancholy  duty  of  committing  to  their  mother  earth  the 
mortal  remains  of  the  late  Capt.  Boyd  and  Lieut.  Taneyhill,  both  of 
whom  fell  whilst  nobly  and  bravely  defending  their  country's  flag 
in  an  engagement  near  Haujutta,  Mexico,  on  the  12th  of  July, 
1847,  was  performed  on  Monday,  September  27th,  by  an  immense 
concourse  of  their  fellow-citizens,  friends,  acquaintances,  and  be- 
reaved relatives. 

The  Baltimore  Athenseum  was  opened,  and  the  edifice  inaugur- 
ated by  the  address  of  Mr.  Brantz  Mayer,  on  Monday  evening, 
October  23d,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  and  brilliant  audience  of 
ladies  and  gentlemen.     The  address,  which  was  listened  to  with 


526  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  ' 

profound  attention,  was  an  able  and  eloquent  production  worthy 
the  high  attainments  of  its  talented  author.  The  Athenaeum  is  the 
free  gift  of  the  citizens  of  Baltimore  to  the  Maryland  Historical 
Society,  and  is  occupied  by  the  Maryland  Historical  Society,  Old 
Baltimore  Library  Company,  now  merged  in  the  former  society, 
and  the  Mercantile  Library  Association.  Forty  thousand  dollars 
were  contributed  to  build  the  Athenaeum  by  citizens  of  Balti- 
more, and  of  the  sura  by  far  the  largest  portion  was  solicited 
and  obtained  by  the  late  Osmond  C.  Tiffany,  an  eminent  mer- 
chant, originally  from  New  England,  but  who  settled  in  Balti- 
more in  1816,  and  died  in  1851.  Mr.  Charles  M.  Eaton  also  ren- 
dered good  service  in  this  matter,  very  frequently  accompanying 
Mr.  Tiffany  in  his  visits  of  solicitation. 

On  the  9th  of  April,  Mr.  Joseph  K.  Bandall  leased  the  upper 
floors  of  the  large  building  at  the  N.  E.  corner  of  Baltimore  and 
Charles  street,  belonging  to  Mr.  Wm.  W.  McClellan,  and  altered 
the  premises  into  a  theatre,  which  he  called  the  "Howard  Athe- 
naeum and  Gallery  of  Arts,"  which  was  opened  on  Monday  even- 
ing, June  12th,  under  the  proprietorship  of  Mrs.  Charles  Howard, 
and  direct  management  of  Messrs.  Howard  &  Hewitt.  The  or- 
chestra was  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Sandy  Jamison.  The  per- 
formance commenced  with  an  opening  address  delivered  by  Mrs. 
Howard,  followed  by  a  play  called  the  "  Kivals ; "  then  followed  a 
dance  by  Miss  Albertine,  after  which  the  performances  were  con- 
cluded by  a  farce  called  the  "  Two  Queens."  In  1853  Mr.  John  E. 
Owens  assumed  charge  of  the  theatre,  opening  on  the  25th  of 
April  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barney  Williams.  On  the  5th  of  May, 
the  property  was  leased  to  George  Joseph  Arnold,  who  enlarged 
the  theatre,  and  called  it  "  Arnold's  Olympic."  Arnold,  in  turn, 
transferred  his  leasehold  interest  to  "  The  Kemble  Company  of 
Baltimore,"  (composed  of  Wm.  Key  Howard,  Wm.  E.  Travers, 
Geo.  P.  Kane,  Wm.  Sperry  and  others),  who  had  originally  fur- 
nished the  means  for  Arnold  to  enlarge  it.  On  Christmas  eve  the 
theatre  was  re-opened  by  Laura  Keene,  with  the  finest  company 
which  had  ever  appeared  in  Baltimore.  They  held  the  boards 
until  the  close  of  the  season,  drawing  most  fashionable  audiences. 
Early  in  the  winter  of  1854,  Mr.  John  E.  Owens  became  manager, 
so  continuing  until  June  10th,  1855.  On  the  1st  of  July,  1855, 
Mr.  Joseph  Jefferson  and  John  Sleeper  Clarke  rented  the  theatre. 
In  October,  1856,  Mr.  McClellan  altered  the  property  into  offices 
and  warerooms  as  at  present.  Mr.  Edwin  Adams  made  his  first 
great  hit  at  this  theatre.  The  following  actors  made  their  first  ap- 
pearance at  this  theatre :  John  Wilkes  Booth,  who  assassinated 
President  Abraham  Lincoln,  made  his  debut  as  Eichmond  in  "  Eich- 
ard  the  Third."  Ho  and  his  brother  Edwin  F.  Booth  were  born 
near  Belair,  in  Harford  County,  the  first  in  1838,  and  the  latter  in 
November,  1833.  Mr.  John  S.  Clarke  was  born  in  Baltimore  in 
1833.     He  made  his  first  public  appearance  on  any  stage  at  the 


CHKONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  527 

Howard  AlhenaBum,  Boston,  but  his  first  appearance  was  as  a 
member   of  the   Thespian   Association   in   this   city,    Mr.  Edwin  ' 

Booth  being  the  leading  man.  "While  connected  with  this  associ- 
ation, Mr.  Clarke  acted  all  the  tragic  parts,  believing  that  his  forte 
was  tragedy,  Mr.  Booth  playing  comedy.  Mr.  Eichard  P.  Jones 
made  his  first  appearance  on  the  stage  as  an  actor  at  this  theatre, 
February  10th,  1855.  Among  those  who  made  their  first  appear- 
ance in  Baltimore  upon  the  theatrical  stage,  we  find  Thomas  Ap- 
thorpe  Cooper  in  1796  ;  John  Claude  ;  Mrs.  John  Johnson,  Novem- 
ber 5th,  1795,  as  Lady  Teazle  ;  Mr.  John  Mills  in  America,  Octo- 
ber 4th,  1806  ;  Mr.  Warren  1776,  and  Frederick  Wheatley. 

An  immense  town  meeting  was  held  in  Monument  Square  on 
Wednesday  evening.  May  3d,  by  the  citizens  of  Baltimore,  for  the 
purpose  of  giving  expression  to  the  feelings  of  pride  and  exultation 
at  the  intelligence  of  the  recent  revolution  in  France.  Addresses 
were  delivered  by  Eeverdy  Johnson. \Chas.  F.  Mayer jCbarles  B. 
Leloup,  George  Fein,  Wm.  P.  Preston,  and  Thomas  Svvann. 

The  Democratic  National  Convention,  to  nominate  candidates 
for  President  and  Vice-President  of  the  United  States,  met  in  this 
city  on  the  22d  of  May,  in  the  basement  of  the  Universalist  Church, 
Calvert  street.  On  the  24th,  during  the  proceedings,  a  crashing  ^ 
sound  was  heard  in  the  gallery,  that  was  crowded  most  densely 
with  spectators,  which  was  followed  by  a  most  alarming  scene  for 
a  moment;  under  the  impression  on  the  part  of  all  in  the  house 
that  the  whole  gallery  was  coming  down.  A  rush  was  made  in 
every  direction  for  an  opening  to  escape  from  the  catastrophe, 
which  it  was  supposed  was  about  to  happen.  So  great  was  the 
fright  that  many  jumped  out  of  the  windows,  others  tumbled  over 
each  other  in  their  effort  to  reach  the  door,  while  several  jumped 
from  the  upper  end  of  the  gallery  down  upon  the  platform  erected 
for  the  ofiicers.  Others  thought  the  church  was  on  fire,  and  cries 
of  fire  in  some  parts  of  the  house  rendered  the  panic  still  greater. 
After  much  exertion  upon  the  part  of  the  president  and  the  com- 
mittee of  arrangements,  order  was  partially  restored.  It  was  then 
stated  by  some  that  only  a  pew  had  broken  ;  by  others,  that  the 
gallery  had  settled  somewhat  in  one  corner  ;  the  convention  finally 
took  a  recess,  and  examined  the  gallery.  The  convention  on  the 
25th  nominated  Gen.  Lewis  Cass,  United  States  Senator  from 
Michigan,  as  their  candidate  for  the  Presidency,  and  Gen.  IVilliam 
O.  Butler,  of  Kentucky,  as  their  candidate  for  the  Vice-Presidency.        ^ 

One  of  the  most  destructive  fires  with  which  our  city  has  been  \r 
visited,  occurred  on  the  afternoon  of  the  28lh  of  May.  It  broke 
out  about  three  o'clock,  in  the  extensive  cotton  factory  of  Mr. 
Knox,  situated  in  Lexington  street,  above  Fremont.  There  were 
at. least  sixty  dwellings  consumed.  The  origin  of  this  dreadful 
calamity  was  the  work  of  an  incendiary. 

About  half-past  five  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  the  30th  of  May, 
the  whole  city  was  startled  by  a  violent  shock,  as  if  by  an  earth- 


528  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

quake,  which  immediately  gave  rise  to  the  most  painful  and  ex- 
aggerated statements.  But  on  the  arrival  of  the  York  train  of 
cars,  intelligence  was  received  that  the  shock  was  caused  by  the 
explosion  of  the  powder  mill  of  Mr.  Beatty,  some  six  miles  from 
the  city  on  the  Susquehanna  railroad,  by  which  two  lives  were  lost, 
and  much  damage  done  to  the  property  in  the  surrounding  neigh- 
borhood.    This  same  mill  exploded  in  November,  1846. 

On  the  25th  of  May,  the  Western  telegraph  line  to  Cumberland 
was  opened  for  business. 

On  the  4th  of  October,  after  the  result  of  the  election  for  sheriff 
had  been  ascertained,  a  party  of  rowdies,  bearing  with  them  a 
transparency  purporting  to  belong  to  the  7th  ward  Cass  and  Butler 
club,  created  a  wanton  and  unprovoked  riot  in  Baltimore  street, 
and  immediately  made  a  violent  attack  on  the  Baltimore  Clipper 
office,  smashing  in  windows,  breaking  the  doors,  endangering  the 
lives  of  the  hands  while  at  work,  and  doing  much  other  damage. 
The  mob,  before  the  attack  on  the  Clipper  office,  showered  upon 
the  Patriot  office  a  volley  of  brick-bats  and  other  missiles  which 
broke  more  or  less  all  the  windows  in  the  building,  and  also  the 
windows  of  Mr.  G.  S.  Griffith,  Messrs  Ades  &  Albert,  Mr.  W. 
Moulton,  and  Mr.  Taylor's  periodical  depot. 

On  the  10th  of  October  our  city  was  again  disgraced  by  another 
shameful  riot,  which  occurred  in  the  eastern  section  of  the  city. 
About  8  o'clock  a  large  number  of  persons,  having  with  them  a 
portion  of  the  apparatus  of  the  Watchman  Fire  Company,  pro- 
ceeded to  Caroline  street  above  Baltimore,  and  for  reasons 
best  known  to  themselves,  commenced  a  violent  attack  upon  the 
tavern  of  Mr.  John  Appleby,  at  the  corner  of  Caroline  and  Hamp- 
Btead  streets,  demolishing  nearly  every  window  in  his  house,  one 
of  the  bricks  striking  Mr.  A.  a  severe  blow  on  the  forehead. 
Pistols  were  freely  used.  Finding  his  house  surrounded  by  a  host 
of  wretches  who  seemed  bent  on  its  destruction,  Mr.  Appleby 
thought  proper  to  defend  himself  as  he  best  could,  and  accordingly 
fired  several  shots  at  them  from  his  windows,  some  of  which  took 
effect  on  his  assailants  and  caused  them  to  retreat.  During  the 
progress  of  the  row  the  pavements  in  the  neighborhood  were  torn 
up  with  axes  to  supply  ammunition.  We  regret  to  say  seven  men 
were  shot. 

Mr.  Kobert  Gilmore,  one  of  the  oldest  merchants  in  this  city, 
died  on  the  morning  of  the  30th  of  November  after  a  protracted 
illness.  Mr.  G.  was  extensively  connected  with  mercantile  atfairs, 
and  died  regretted  and  esteemed  by  a  large  number  of  friends. 

1849.  February  7th  was  a  day  of  intense  excitement  in  this 
city,  it  being  the  day  set  apart  for  the  great  prize-fight  between 
Hyer  and  Yankee  Sullivan,  in  which,  contrary  to  general  expecta- 
tion, Sullivan  was  dreadfully  whipped  by  Hyer,  who  sustained  but 
comparative  little  injury,  winning  the  stakes  ($10,000)  in  sixteen 
minutes.     The  police  force,  under  High  Constable  Giffbrd,  started 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  529 

in  hacks  for  Carroll's  Island  to  operate  by  land  in  that  direction. 
The  Independent  Greys,  Capt.  Hall,  and  the  Independent  Blues, 
Capt.  Shutt,  were  on  brief  notice  ordered  out,  "  armed  and 
equipped  as  the  law  directs,"  all  under  the  command  of  Major 
Watkins.  The  steamer  Boston  having  been  chartered  by  Attorney- 
General  Kichardson  to  carry  the  military  to  the  "  seat  of  war," 
started  off  about  12  o'clock  on  the  night  of  the  6th,  and  reached 
the  field  of  battle  about  daylight.  The  police  and  military  arrived 
on  Poole's  Island  about  3  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  fight,  but 
both  of  the  principals  escaped.  The  fight  took  place  notwith- 
standing all  the  efforts  to  prevent  it,  on  Rock  Point,  in  Kent 
County,  Maryland.  As  it  was,  none  of  those  who  were  on  board 
the  boat,  and  those  of  the  police  who  so  nobly  endured  the  most 
laborious  and  painful  hardships  to  prevent  the  fight,  will  ever 
forget  this  memorable  "  expedition  to  Poole's  Island." 

The  National  Council  of  the  Bishops  of  the  Koman  Catholic 
Church  commenced  its  session  at  the  Cathedral  on  the  6th  of  May. 
The  Most  Rev.  Archbishop  Eccleston  of  Baltimore  presided. 

On  the  20th  of  July  Conrad  Vintner,  the  murderer  of  Mrs, 
Elizabeth  Cooper,  near  Parkton,  Baltimore  County,  was  executed 
in  the  jail-yard. 

During  the  summer  of  1849  the  cholera  prevailed  to  an  alarm- 
ing extent  at  the  almshouse.  The  first  death  from  the  epidemic 
occurred  on  the  11th  of  July,  and  the  last  one  on  the  4th  of 
August.  The  total  number  of  cases  during  its  existence  was  158, 
and  the  total  number  of  deaths  94. 

The  funeral  ceremonies  which  took  place  in  this  city  on  the 
evening  of  the  25th  of  July  in  honor  of  the  late  ex-President  Polk, 
drew  together  in  Monument  Square  one  of  the  largest  assemblages 
ever  before  convened  in  Baltimore.  It  was  a  spontaneous  out- 
pouring apparently  of  our  whole  population,  Whigs  and  Demo- 
crats, male  and  female,  of  all  classes  and  conditions  of  societv. 
The  orator  of  the  day  was  Hon.  John  C.  Legrand ;  the  officiating 
clergymen  Rev.  Dr.  Johns  and  Rev.  T.  B.  Sergeant. 

On  the  17th  of  September,  about  four  o'clock,  a  large  number 
of  persons  assembled  on  W.  Lexington  street  near  Franklin  square, 
to  witness  the  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone  for  the  "  Indi- 
gent Widows'  Asylum,"  about  being  erected  under  the  auspices  of 
the  Female  Humane  Impartial  Society  of  Baltimore.  The  ceremo- 
nies were  opened  by  an  impressive  prayer  by  the  Rev.  S.  P.  Hill. 
The  Rev.  Joseph  P.  Smith,  pastor  of  Second  Presbyterian  Church, 
then  delivered  an  eloquent  and  appropriate  address.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Trapnall,  of  St.  Andrew's  (Episcopalian)  Church,  followed  in 
another  address.  The  corner-stone  was  then  laid  by  Mr.  Dixon, 
the  architect,  after  which  a  liberal  collection  was  raised.  The 
ceremonies  concluded  by  a  prayer  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Nadali,  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  This  institution  was  dedicated  with 
religious  services  on  Tuesday,  October  28th,  1851.  Doctor  Fuller 
34  . 


530  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

commenced  the  exercises  with  prayer,  followed  by  Eev.  Dr.  Eoberts. 
Eev.  John  C.  Backus  delivered  the  address,  followed  with  prayer 
by  Eev.  Messrs.  Bolton  and  Heiner. 

Edgar  Allan  Poe,  although  not  actually  born  in  Baltimore,  was 
the  descendant  of  a  family  long  settled  in  this  city,  and  is  there- 
fore universally  looked  upon  as  a  Baltimorean.  His  mother  was 
temporarily  absent  from  her  home  at  the  time  of  his  birth.  It  is 
not  positively  certain  whether  he  actually  saw  the  light  first  in 
Boston  or  Eichmond.  It  is,  however,  certain  that  there  is  an  error 
of  two  years  in  all  his  biographies  as  to  the  day  of  his  nativity. 
He  was  born  on  the  20th  of  January,  1809.  His  father  was  David 
Poe,  Jr.,  son  of  that  David  Poe  of  whose  services  to  the  country 
during  the  Eevolutionary  War,  as  deputy  Commissary  General  of 
Supplies,  we  have  heretofore  spoken  in  this  work.  His  mother 
was  Mrs.  Hopkins,  an  actress,  an  Englishwoman  by  birth,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Elizabeth  Arnold.  His  father  and  mother  dying 
when  he  was  an  infant,  he  was  adopted  by  Mr.  John  Allan,  a  rich 
and  childless  Scotchman,  of  Eichmond,  whose  wife  became  passion- 
ately attached  to  him.  He  had  every  possible  opportunity  for  educa- 
tion— having  been  placed  at  school  in  England  under  the  charge  of  the 
Eev.  Dr.  Buzby.  Afterwards  he  was  sent  to  the  University  of  Vir- 
ginia, where  his  classmates,  amongst  others,  were  St.  Geo.  W, 
Teackle,  the  late  Judge  Collins  Lee,  and  the  Hon.  E.  M.  T.  Hunter, 
of  Virginia.  In  consequence  of  some  irregularities  he  left  the 
University  before  graduating.  His  foster-father  obtained  for  him 
an  appointment  of  cadet  at  West  Point,  but  he  was  unfitted  for  the 
discipline  of  a  military  school  and  did  not  remain  long  there.  Mrs. 
Allan  having  died  and  Mr.  Allan  having  married  a  young  lady  who 
soon  brought  him  children  of  his  own,  the  adopted  son  disagreed 
with  his  early  patron  and  friend  and  was  left  to  his  own  resources. 
The  story  of  his  visit  to  Greece  and  St.  Petersburg  which  is  found 
ii^all  his  biographies,  is  a  pure  invention,  as  he  never  was  in  Europe, 
except  whilbt  he  was  at  Dr.  Buzby's  academy. 

From  the  time  of  his  estrangement  from  Mr.  Allan  he  was 
obliged  to  rely  for  support  upon  his  exertions  as  a  writer.  In  1829 
he  published  Tamerlane  and  Al  Aaraf,  which,  whilst  they  exhibit 
many  marks  of  his  peculiar  genius,  did  not  attract  general  atten- 
tion. In  1838,  a  committee  consisting  of  John  P.  Kennedy,  John 
H.  B.  Latrobe,  and  another  gentleman,  were  requested  by  the  pub- 
lishers of  the  Baltimore  Saturday  Visitor  to  award  prizes  of  one 
hundred  dollars  each,  which  they  had  offered  for  the  best  poem  and 
prose  story.  The  names  of  the  competitors  were  not  known  until 
the  prizes  had  been  awarded  to  the  respective  pieces,  when  it  was 
found  that  Poe  was  the  successful  competitor  for  both.  It  is  not 
within  the  scope  of  this  work  to  trace  him  through  his  literary 
labors.  He  was  successively  editor  of  the  Southern  Literary  Mes- 
senger at  Eichmond,  of  Burton's  Gentleman's  Magazine  in  Phila- 
delphia,  and  an  afc?sistant  of  Morris   and  Willis  upon  the  Home 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  531 

Journal.  He  also  established,  in  conjunction  with  Charles  F. 
Briggs,  a  short-lived  weekly  paper,  called  the  Broadway  Journal. 
He  was  equally  distinguished  as  a  writer  of  prose  and  poetry. 
Some  of  his  tales  display,  in  a  high  degree,  invention  and  imagina- 
tion, but  the  impression  they  have  upon  the  mind  is  often  gloomy 
and  unsatisfactory.  "  The  Eaven  "  is  universally  regarded  as  a 
worK  which  could  only  have  been  produced  by  a  genius  at  once 
original  and  sublime.  It  has  been  translated  into  many  languages, 
and  is  spoken  of  by  the  most  discriminating  critics  as  entirely  sui 
generis. 

His  death  was  as  melancholy  as  his  life.  In  September,  1819, 
he  went  to  Richmond,  Va.,  where  he  delivered  a  lecture  on  tem- 
perance. He  there  met  a  lady  to  whom  he  had  been  attached  in 
early  life.  He  had  become  a  widower  —  his  amiable  and  beautiful 
wife,  Virginia  Ciemin,  having  died  some  years  before;  and  the  lady 
had  lost  her  husband.  Their  old  partiality''  was  revived,  and  it 
was  arranged  that  they  should  be  married.  He  set  out  early  in 
October,  1849,  for  New  York  to  make  arrangements  for  his  mar- 
riage. Arriving  in  Baltimore,  he  was  induced  by  the  solicitation 
of  a  friend  to  take  a  glass  of  wine.  His  temperament  was  such 
that  one  or  two  glasses  produced  upon  him  all  the  consequences 
usually  following  excessive  indulgence.  For  one  or  two  days  his 
whereabouts  cannot  be  traced,  but  on  the  fourth  of  October  he 
was  carried,  in  a  condition  of  unconsciousness,  to  the  Washington 
University  Hospital.  On  the  seventh  of  that  month  he  regained, 
for  a  few  moments,  the  possession  of  his  faculties,  looked  round 
and  inquired  where  he  was.  The  answer  brought  to  his  mind,  no 
doubt,  the  terrible  consciousness  of  what  he  had  probably  forfeited 
by  yielding  to  temptation,  and  he  died  in  a  few  moments  —  there 
is  every  reason  to  believe,  from  the  overwhelming  conflict  of  his 
emotions.  He  lies  buried  amongst  his  kindred,  near  the  western 
wall  of  Westminster  graveyard,  corner  of  Greene  and  Fayette 
streets,  and  no  stone  or  monument  yet  marks  his  resting-place. 

Gen.  Tobias  E.  Stansbury  died  at  his  residence  in  Baltimore 
county,  on  Thursday,  October  25ih,  in  the  93d  y^ar  of  his  age. 

On  the  11th  of  December  the  Eev.  Theobold  Matthew,  so  exr 
tensively  known  as  the  advocate  and  propagator  of  Temperance, 
arrived  in  this  city  in  the  morning  train  from  Philadelphia.  He 
was  received  at  the  outer  depot  with  every  demonstration  of  re- 
spect by  a  large  number  of  persons  who  had  assembled  there,  and 
was  from  thence  conveyed  in  a  carriage  to  the  residence  of  the  Eev. 
Mr.  Dolan,  adjoining  St.  Patrick's  Church,  Broadway,  where  he  so- 
journed during  his  stay  in  this  city.  Among  the  many  who  visited 
him  was  his  Honor  Mayor  Stansbury,  who  welcomed  him  to  the 
city,  and  who  expressed  the  hope  that  his  sojourn  here  would  be 
rendered  pleasant  and  agreeable.  Mr.  A.  Hyam  took  the  tempe- 
rance pledge  from  Father  Matthew,  and  his  certificate  was  num- 
bered 5,774,059,  being  the  whole  number  of  persons  who  had.  re- 


532  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

ceived  the  pledge  from  the  reverend  father  from  the  beginning 
of  his  labors  up  to  this  time.  Mr.  Hyam  was  chief  officer  of 
the  Sons  of  Temperance  in  this  city,  and  administered  the  pledg:e 
of  his  order  to  Father  Matthew,  who  expressed  himself  highly 
honored. 

Proverbial  as  our  country  is  for  impulse  and  enterprise,  these 
feelings  have  never  been  so  fully  illustrated  as  since  the  discovery 
of  gold  in  the  recently  acquired  territory  of  California.     "  The 
fever  is  up,"  and  thousands  went  on  their  way  to  "the  modern  El 
Dorado."     The  adventurers  were  not  confined  to  the  reckless  and 
the   improvident — to   individuals   bankrupt   in    character  and   in 
fortune ;  but  among  them  were  choice  spirits — active,  earnest,  in- 
dustrious and  high-minded  young  men,  who  saw  in  this  discovery 
"  a  golden  opportunity,"  and  who  were  determined  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  a  tide  that  appeared  so  especially  calculated  to  lead  on 
to  fortune.     Many,  no  doubt,  departed  with  delusive  hopes  and  ex- 
travagant expectations.     Others,  excited  and  bewildered,  dashed 
into  the  enterprise  without  an  adequate  calculation  as  to  all  the 
risks  and  trials,  the  perils  by  sea  and  land,  the  dangers  to  health, 
the  difficulties  of  the  way,  and  the  fearful  sickness  which  is  apt  to 
Bteal  upon  the  heart  when  friends,  home,  and  beings  loved  dearer 
than  life,  are  far,  far  away.      There  were  others  again  who  calcu- 
lated the  chances,  who  embarked  in  a  cool,  calm  and  somewhat  re- 
luctant spirit,  but  still  with  a  determination  to  tax  every  energy  to 
realise  something  in  the  way  of  pecuniary  independence.     Several 
vessels  departed  from  the  port  of  Baltimore  during   this  year. 
Crowds  on  these  occasions  thronged  the  wharves,  the  light  laugh 
and  the  merry  jest  were  heard  from  the  lookers-on,  and  among  tbe 
adventurers  were  not  a  few  who  smiled  a  last  farewell,  and  joined 
in  the  hearty  shout  that  thrilled  like  the  peal  of  a  trumpet  as  the 
vessels  were  parted  from  their  fastenings.     But  there  were  other 
and  sadder  scenes.     Gentleness  and  love  had  their  homes  in  some 
of  those  daring  hearts,  and  the  voice  trembled  with  emotion  and 
the  Gjo  filled  with  tears  as  a  fair  white  hand  was  clasped  for  the 
last  time,  or  a  sacked  kiss  was  impressed  upon  cheeks  that  paled  at 
the  thoughts  and  associations  of  that  tender,  passionate,  and  yet 
sorrow-fraught  moment.     The  mother  parted  from  her  son,  the 
husband  from  his  wife,  the  lover  from  his  betrothed  ;  and  the  very 
eff'ort  to  subdue  and  suppress  emotion,  to  check  and  restrain  the 
overflowings  of  the  heart,  only  rendered  the  agony  deeper.     The 
first  ship  off  was  the  Greyhound,  on  the    10th  of  January,  com- 
manded by  Capt.  Claypoole,  and  owned  by  William  Chesnut.     She 
carried  out  thirty-nine  passengers.     The  Greyhound  was  followed 
by  the  following  vessels,  all  destined  for  the  same  country,  Cali- 
fornia :  Schooner   Sovereign,  Capt.    Peterson ;    ship   JCylon,    Capt. 
Millington  ;   barque  John  Potter,  Capt.  Watts ;  ship  Jane  Parker, 
barque    Kirkland,    barque    Tarquin,   ship  Juniata,   Capt.   Smith  ; 
barque  Hebe,  Capt.  Stetson  j  barque  Jo/iw  Mayo,  Capt.  Par  ring  ton  ; 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  533 

brig  Richard  W.  Brown,  Capt.  Speed  ;  brig  Bathurst,  Capt.  Hooper ; 
schooners  Ferdinand,  Capt.  Parker;  Wdmington,  Capt.  Gosnell; 
brig  St.  Andrew,  Capt.  Paul ;  brig  Arabian,  Capt.  Slemmer;  ship 
Andalusia,  schooner  Creole,  Capt.  Allen  ;  brig  Ospray,  Capt.  Orem ; 
barque  Martin  W.  Brett,  ship  Aquetnet,  Capt.  Mosher ;  ship  Henry 
Pratt,  Capt.  Muling.  A  number  of  persons  went  from  this  city  on 
their  way  to  California  by  the  overland  route,  through  Indepen- 
dence, Missouri. 

The  new  Jewish  temple  of  the  Har  Sinai  Yerein,  situated  on 
north  High,  near  Fayette  street,  was  dedicated  on  Friday,  Septem- . 
ber  7th.  The  ceremonies  were  conducted  under  the  direction  of 
Messrs.  L.  Lowman,  Samuel  Dellvie,  and  William  Mosher,  the  com- 
mittee of  arrangements.  The  introductory  prayer  was  read  by 
Mr.  William  S.  Raynor,  in  German.  The  consecration  sermon  was 
preached  by  liev.  Mr.  Braun ;  and  Mr.  Joachimsen,  Esq.,  of  New 
York,  delivered  an  oration  in  English. 

1850.  Mr.  Henry  Mankin  established  a  regular  line  of  packets  be- 
tween Baltimore  and  Liverpool  in  January.  The  Mayor  of  Baltimore 
called  on  the  citizens  to  assemble  in  town  meeting  at  Monument 
Square,  on  Monday  evening,  March  4th,  to  give  *'  expression  of  Bal- 
timore city  for  the  Union !  "  The  whole  number  of  persons  assembled 
was  estimated  at  5000,  which  considering  the  severity  of  the 
weather  was  an  immense  meeting.  Joshua  Yansant  called  the 
meeting  to  order,  and  nominated  a  large  number  of  officers. 
Speeches  were  made  by  Col.  Stansbury,  Hon.  Wm.  Fell  Giles,  and 
Wm.  H.  Collins,  Esq. 

On  Tuesday,  April  2d,  Messrs.  Gibson  &  Co.,  auctioneers,  sold 
at  the  Exchange  the  property  known  as  the  "  Wheatfield  Inn," 
situated  on  the  west  side  of  Howard  street,  north  of  Baltimore, 
now  known  as  the  Howard  House,  fronting  51J  feet,  with  a  depth 
of  140  feet.     Purchased  by  Eobert  Garrett  and  Sons  for  $25,000. 

The  scene  throughout  the  city  of  Baltimore  on  Saturday,  July 
13th,  the  day  set  for  the  commencement  of  the  funeral  obsequies 
at  Washington  to  the  memory  of  President  Zachary  Taylor,  who 
died  in  Washington,  July  the  9th,  was  of  the  most  impressive  and 
solemn  character.  The  deep  and  mournful  tolling  of  the  church 
and  fire  bells — the  constant  booming  of  distant  minute-guns — the 
waving  of  craped  flags  from  every  prominent  point  in  the  city  and 
harbor — the  insignia  of  mourning  displayed  in  front  of  public 
houses  and  stores,  all  told  that  our  citizens  were  deeply  impressed 
with  the  great  loss  which  the  nation  had  sustained  in  the  death  of 
that  brave  and  good  old  man.  Gen.  Zachary  Taj'lor,  and  that  they 
were  resolved  to  sanctify  his  memory  in  their  hearts'  warmest  af- 
fections. The  day  will  long  be  remembered  as  one  of  unusual 
solemnity  in  Baltimore. 

On  Saturday,  July  13th,  about  half-past  eleven  o'clock  at  night, 
a  fire  broke  out  in  the  extensive  lumber-yard  of  Mr.  John  J.  Grif- 
fith, East  Falls  avenue,  which,  owing  to  the  dry  and  combustible 


634  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

nature  of  the  material,  spread  with  great  rapidity,  resulting  in  one 
of  the  most  destructive  fires  that  had  been  witnessed  in  this  city. 
The  wind  at  the  time  was  blowing  quite  fresh  from  the  west ;  and 
by  the  time  any  of  the  apparatus  could  get  to  work,  the  whole 
line  of  the  lumber-yard  of  Mr.  Griffith  along  the  Falls,  from  Fawn 
street  up,  was  in  one  sheet  of  flame.  Soon  after  the  fire  spread  to 
the  adjoining  lumber-yard  of  Mr.  James  Harker,  working  up  north- 
wardly toward  the  steam  saw  and  planing  mill  of  Mr.  H.  Herring. 
Despite  the  exertions  of  the  firemen,  the  fire  gradually  gained  upon 
them,  until  the  entire  block  from  the  Falls  to  President  street  and 
from  a  short  distance  below  Fawn  street,  including  a  portion  of 
Messrs.  King  and  Sutton's  lumber-yard,  and  two  dw^elling  houses 
belonging  to  Mr.  Richard  Cross,  up  to  Stiles  street,  were  in  flames. 
Mr.  Herring's  saw-mill,  through  the  incessant  labors  of  the  firemen, 
withstood  the  flames,  only  a  small  portion  of  the  building  being 
burnt.  As  usual  at  this  period,  the  lumber-yard  was  set  on  fire  by 
an  incendiaiy. 

On  the  20th  of  July  the  corner-stone  of  Grace  Church  (Protes- 
tant Episcopal)  was  laid  with  the  usual  ceremonies  by  the  Eev. 
Dr.  Atkinson,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Killen,  Leakin,  Pig- 
gott,  Moore,  Berger,  Stewart  and  Hall. 

On  the  21st  ot  October  the  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone 
of  a  monument  to  com'memorate  the  virtues  and  the  noble  deeds  of 
the  two  brave  youths,  Wells  and  McComas,  who  lost  their  lives  in 
the  memorable  battle  of  J^Jorth  Point,  was  performed  under  the 
most  favorable  auspices.  Governor  Thomas  laid  the  stone,  being 
escorted  to  the  ground  by  the  militia  and  various  civic  societies  of 
the  city.  Rev.  Henry  Slicer  followed  with  an  eloquent  prayer, 
after  which  Col.B.  U.  Campbell  was  introduced  to  the  assemblage, 
and  proceeded  to  deliver  an  oration  full  of  eloquence  and  replete 
with  interest. 

After  long  expectation,  the  great  songstress  Jenny  Lind  arrived 
in  this  city  on  theSlh  of  December.  In  anticipation  of  her  arrival, 
several  thousand  persons  had  assembled  at  the  depot  and  Barnum's 
to  get  a  sight  of  her.  During  the  afternoon  and  evening  she  was 
waited  upon  by  a  number  of  ladies,  receiving  all  in  a  graceful 
manner.  At  night  she  was  serenaded  by  the  "  Independent  Greys 
Band."  The  announcement  that  the  tickets,  or  rather  seats,  for 
the  first  concert  would  be  disposed  of  at  auction,  drew  an  immense 
crowd  at  the  Front  Street  Theatre,  the  place  of  sale.  About  ten 
o'clock  Mr.  Gibson,  of  the  firm  of  Gibson  and  Co.,  auctioneers, 
mounted  a  stand  in  the  centre  of  the  stage  and  announced  that 
the  sale  would  now  commence,  and  proceeded  to  state  the  terms. 
The  price  of  tickets  of  admission  to  all  parts  of  the  house  had  been 
fixed  at  ^3.  The  first  choice  was  now  put  up :  "What's  bid  for 
the  first  choice?"  A  breathless  silence  prevailed  for  a  moment, 
and  then  was  heard  a  first  voice  say  "ten  dollars;"  820,  $30,  and 
^40  followed  in  quick  succession.    650  was  then  bid ;  and  after 


CHBO^ICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  535 

being  dwelt  upon  for  several  minutes,  was  raised  to  seventy-five. 
One  hundred  followed  quickl}^,  and  at  this  price  the  seat  was 
knocked  down  to  the  bidder,  Mr.  J.  H.  Whitehurst,  the  well-known 
"  daguerreotypist."  The  announcement  brought  from  the  house 
"  three  cheers  for  Whitehurst !  "  and  cries  of  "  show  him  up !  "  But 
Mr.  W.  was  not  present,  having  been  represented  by  an  agent. 
The  aggregate  amount  of  the  sales,  including  price  of  tickets  and 
premiums,  reached  $12,000;  average  price  of  the  tickets  was  about 
$7.  On  the  night  of  the  concert,  the  scene  within  the  theatre  was 
one  beyond  the  power  of  description.  Every  nook  and  corner 
where  a  man  could  stand  was  filled,  just  room  enough  being  left 
on  the  stage  for  the  orchestra  and  the  fair  Nightingale.  A  more 
brilliant  audience — -more  beauty  and  fashion — never  assembled 
within  the  walls  of  any  building  in  this  city.  The  doors  were 
opened  at  six  o'clock,  and  the  crowd  commenced  pouring  in  in  a 
continuous  stream  till  8,  the  time  for  the  commencement  of  the 
concert.  Front  street  was  blocked  up  with  carriages,  omnibuses, 
and  a  dense  mass  of  spectators,  so  that  it  was  extremely  difficult 
to  get  near  the  door.  For  her  fourth  and  last  concert  a  charge  of 
twelve  and  a  half  cents  was  made  at  the  door  for  all  persons  who 
went  into  the  auction  at  the  theatre  to  purchase  tickets.  The  re- 
ceipts of  the  four  concerts  were  about  $60,000,  a  very  snug  sum 
for  the  singing  of  some  two  dozen  songs.  How  much  the  specu- 
lators made  on  them  is  hard  to  tell,  but  it  could  not  be  less  than  one 
fourth  more. 

1851.  Archbishop  Eccleston,  of  Baltimore,  died  at  Georgetown 
on  the  22d  of  April,  1851.  Bishop  Eccleston  was  held  in  the 
highest  esteem,  not  only  by  the  particular  branch  of  the  religious 
denomination  of  which  he  was  the  honored  head,  but  by  the  citi- 
zens generally.  He  was  a  prelate  of  distinguished  talents,  eminent 
piety,  and  great  influence.  He  was  born  in  Kent  county  iu  June, 
1801,  and  was  therefore  nearly  fifty  years  of  age. 

On  the  15th  of  September,  a  meeting  of  some  five  or  six  thous- 
and persons  was  held  in  Monument  square  to  give  an  expression 
of  the  sentiments  and  feelings  of  Baltimoreans  relative  to  the 
recent  outrage  and  murder  at  Christiana,  Pennsylvania.  The  meet- 
ing was  organized  b}'  Hon.  John  H.  T.  Jerome,  president,  with  a 
large  number  of  vice-presidents  and  secretaries.  Messrs.  Z.  Col- 
lins Lee,  Coleman  Yellott,  Francis  Gallagher,  Samuel  H.  Tagart, 
and  Col.  George  W.  Hughes  eloquently  addressed  the  meeting. 
The  accounts  of  the  terrible  aff'air  having  reached  the  city  on  the 
12th  of  September,  were  briefly  this:  Mr.  Edward  Gorsuch,  a 
wealthy,  well-known  and  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  the  upper  part 
of  Baltimore  county,  residing  at  Coal  Bottom,  about  22  miles  from 
the  city,  on  the  York  road,  missed  two  valuable  slaves,  and  ascer- 
taining that  they  had  taken  refuge  at  a  small  town  in  Lancaster 
Co.,  Pa.,  named  Christiana,  some  20  miles  from  Lancaster,  deter- 
mined to  proceed  thither  and  repossess  himself  of  them.     In  com- 


636  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

pany  with  his  son  Mr.  Dickinson  Gorsueh,  and  several  of  his 
neighbors,  Dr.  Pearce,  Mr.  Nathan  [Nelson,  Mr.  Nicholas  Hutch  ins, 
and  his  nephew,  Mr.  Joshua  Gorsuch,  he  proceeded  to  Philadelphia, 
and  there  obtaining  the  services  of  a  deputy  United  States  Marshal, 
started  for  the  village  above-named.  They  arrived  there  the  next 
day  about  daylight,  and  proceeded  to  the  house  of  Levi  Pownell, 
where  Mr.  Gorsuch  expected  to  find  his  slaves.  The  house  seemed 
occupied  by  negroes.  Mr.  Gorsuch  immediately  requested  his 
slaves,  who  looked  from  the  windows,  to  come  down,  but  they 
refused,  and  threw  an  axe  at  him.  About  the  same  time  two 
white  men  appeared  on  horseback,  and  simultaneously  gangs  of 
negroes  surrounded  the  Deputy  Marshal  and  his  companions.  The 
blacks  then  fired  and  killed  Mr.  Edward  Gorsuch,  and  desperately 
wounded  his  son  Dickinson,  and  slightly  wounding  Dr.  Pearce. 
Throughout  the  whole  county  of  Baltimore,  as  also  in  this  and 
other  parts  of  the  State,  the  murder  created  an  intense  feeling  of 
revenge. 

According  to  previous  announcement,  the  interesting  ceremony 
of  laying  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  hall  about  being  erected  by 
the  "Maryland  Institute  for  the  Promotion  of  the  Mechanic  Arts," 
on  the  site  heretofore  occupied  by  the  first  of  the  Centre  market- 
houses,  took  place  on  the  13th  of  March,  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
concourse  of  citizens.  The  exercises  were  commenced  by  a  fervent 
prayer  to  the  Throne  of  Grace  by  the  Eev.  Dr.  Fuller,  at  the  con- 
clusion of  which  the  building  committee,  headed  by  its  chairman,  ^ 
Wm.  Bailey,  Esq.,  proceeded  to  lay  the  corner-stone,  the  formula 
used  being  similar  to  that  used  by  the  Masonic  order.  Upon  the 
conclusion  of  this  part  of  the  ceremony  the  band  performed  the 
national  anthem  of  Hail  Columbia,  and  Joshua  Yansant,  Esq., 
president  of  the  institute,  introduced  to  the  audience  S.  Teackle 
Wallis,  Esq.,  the  orator  of  the  occasion,  who  proceeded  to  deliver 
the  address.  At  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Wallis's  address,  the  pro- 
ceedings were  closed  by  a  prayer  and  benediction  by  the  Eev.  Dr. 
J.  G.  Burnap,  followed  by  music  from  the  band.  On  the  20lh  of 
October  the  building  was  opened  with  a  great  exhibition,  and  on 
the  21st  the  Hon.  Jno.  P.  Kennedy  delivered  the  annual  address 
to  the  vast  assemblage  that  thronged  the  hall  in  every  part.  The 
first  pile  for  this  building  was  driven  on  Monday,  January  13th, 
and  the  first  stone  laid  Friday,  January  24th,  1851. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  House  of  Eefuge,  located  at  the  inter- 
section of  the  Frederick  Eoad  and  Gwynn's  Falls,  was  laid  with 
appropriate  ceremonies  on  the  27th  of  October.  A  staging  was 
erected  near  the  southwestern  corner  of  the  building,  which  was 
occupied  by  Gov.  Lowe,  Chief  Justice  Taney  of  the  United  States 
Supreme  Court,  the  Mayor,  members  of  the  Council,  the  choir,  and 
a  number  of  other  invited  guests.  The  ceremony  was  commenced 
b}^  the  choir  singing  "  Before  Jehovah's  Awful  Throne,"  accom- 
panied by  instrumental  music  from  the  Quartezians,  consisting  of 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  537 

Messrs.  J.  F.  Dix,  Andrew  Eeese,  Jacob  Deems,  Jr.,  and  H.  S. 
Spillman.  The  choir  was  principally  from  the  ilev.  Dr.  Fuller's 
church,  led  by  Mr.  John  Mason.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Johns  then  offered 
up  an  eloquent  and  appropriate  praj^er.  Gov.  Lowe,  Mayor 
Jerome,  and  Geo.  Brown,  Esq.,  president  of  the  House  of  Refuge, 
then  proceeded  to  lay  the  stone.  Having  returned  to  the  stand, 
after  singing  by  the  choir,  Mr.  Charles  F.  Mayer  was  introduced, 
and  delivered  an  address  which  was  most  eloquent  and  appro- 
priate, and  was  listened  to  with  great  interest  and  satisfaction  by 
the  attentive  auditory.  Rev.  J.  G.  Hamner  closed  the  ceremonies 
of  the  afternoon  by  prayer  and  benediction.  This  institution  was 
incorporated  February  8th,  1831,  and  the  charter  amended  March 
27th,  1850. 

On  the  l&t  of  November  the  interesting  ceremony  of  laying 
the  corner-stone  of  St.  Luke's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  on 
the  east  side  of  Care}^  street,  between  Saratoga  and  Lexington 
streets,  took  place  in  the  presence  of  about  five  hundred  persons. 
The  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Whittingham  officiated  in  person,  assisted  by 
twelve  of  the  reverend  clergy  of  this  diocese.  Rector,  Rev. 
Francis  Asbury  Baker.  The  lot  on  which  the  church  is 
erected  was  presented  to  the  congregation  by  John  Glenn,  Esq. 

Died,  on  the  10th  of  February,  Attorney-General  George  R. 
Richardson  ;  and  also  James  Wilson,  Esq.,  of  the  well-known  firm 
of  William  Wilson  &  Sons. 

The  New  Assembly  Rooms,  at  the  corner  of  Hanover  and  Lom- 
'bard  streets,  were  finished  in  February  for  Col.  John  Eager 
Howard,  and  were  opened  on  the  5th  of  March  by  Madame  Annja 
Bishop  with  her  concert  troupe.  The  shot-tower  on  South  Eutaw 
street  was  torn  down  in  March,  and  the  bricks  used  in  the 
building  of  five  warehouses  on  the  south  side  of  Baltimore  street, 
between  Eutaw  and  Paca  streets. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  situated 
on  the  corner  of  Franklin  and  Poppleton  streets,  was  laid  on  Mon- 
day afternoon,  March  24th,  with  the  usual  ceremonies.  The  exer- 
cises were  opened  by  Rev.  A.  A.  Reese,  and  concluded  by  the  Rev. 
I.  P.  Cook.  St.  Mark's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  was  conse- 
crated on  Thursday  morning,  July  17th.  The  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Whit- 
tingham officiated,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  McFarland,  the  pastor 
of  the  church. 

In  June  the  Post-Office  Department  at  Washington  rented  the 
Exchange  building  for  a  post-office,  and  after  expending  consider- 
able means  in  fitting  it  up,  removed  there  on  Thursday,  August 
2l8t,  from  the  corner  of  North  and  Fayette  streets. 

A  crowd  of  several  hundred  persons  from  Federal  Hill  paraded 
through  the  principal  streets  of  the  city  on  Friday  evening, 
August  29th,  with  a  band  of  music,  accompanied  by  an  old  worn- 
out  horse,  bearing  on  his  back  an  efRgj  intended  to  represent  the 
Hon.  A.  F.  Owen,  the  American  consul  at  Havana.     The  "  pa- 


538  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

geant "  attracted  no  little  curiosity,  and  was  followed  by  an  im- 
mense crowd,  who  finally  wended  their  way  back  to  the  Hill, 
where  the  effigy  was  committed  to  the  flames  amidst  the  greatest 
apparent  enthusiasm.  These  proceedings  were  caused  by  the  exe- 
cution of  fifty  American  citizens  in  Havana  for  participation  in  the 
revolution  in  Cuba. 

The  first  annual  exhibition  of  the  Maryland  Horticultural 
Society  was  held  in  the  saloon  of  Carroll  Hall  in  September. 

The  first  of  the  contemplated  course  of  lectures  was  delivered 
on  Tuesday  evening,  December  16th,  at  the  hall  of  the  Maryland 
Institute,  by  the  Hon.  Joseph  R.  Chandler,  of  Philadelphia. 

During  the  past  five  years  the  number  of  houses  annually 
erected  in  the  city  has  been  as  follows:  1847,  2006 ;  1848,  1920; 
1849,  1894;  1850,  1827;  1851,  1815.       . 

The  distinguished  Hungarian  patriot  and  exile,  Louis  Kossuth, 
arrived  in  this  city  on  Saturday  afternoon,  December  27th,  and  re- 
ceived one  of  the  most  enthusiastic  receptions  that  has  ever  been 
extended  by  the  people  of  Baltimore  to  any  individual  since  the 
memorable  visit  of  the  great  "  Friend  of  America,"  La  Fayette. 
Notwithstanding  the  extreme  cold,  the  shocking  condition  of  the 
streets  from  ice  and  snow,  and  the  shortness  of  the  time  given  for 
the  making  of  preparations,  the  great  Magyar  was  greeted  by  a 
numerous  procession  of  military  and  civic  associations,  constituting 
a  most  imposing  demonstration  of  welcome.  As  soon  as  the  cars 
arrived  bearing  Kossuth,  he  stepped  into  a  barouche  by  the  side  of 
Mayor  Jerome  and  bowed  to  the  people.  The  carriages  were  then  . 
put  in  motion,  and  bore  him  to  the  right  of  the  military.  Here 
the  barouche,  with  the  carriages  following,  halted,  whilst  the  mili- 
tary escort  filed  past  him  in  review ;  after  which  the  procession 
moved  forward.  Kossuth  was  dressed  in  a  black  velvet  sack  cloak, 
with  full  sleeves,  and  wore  a  Hungarian  hat  with  black  plumes. 
He  stood  erect  in  the  carriage  by  the  side  of  Mayor  Jerome,  and 
bowed  repeatedly  in  answer  to  the  cheers  that  greeted  him  in  his 
progress  at  every  point.  Following  Kossuth  came  a  long  line  of 
carriages,  containing  Madame  Kossuth,  Madame  Pulusky  and  the 
members  of  his  suite ;  the  members  of  the  City  Council  of  Balti- 
more, committee  of  reception  on  the  part  of  the  citizens,  and  a 
delegation  from  the  City  Council  of  Philadelphia,  who,  together 
with  the  sub-committees  of  reception  on  the  part  of  the  City  Coun- 
cil and  of  the  citizens  of  Baltimore,  accompanied  the  distinguished 
guest  to  this  city.  On  reaching  the  Eutaw  House,  Kossuth  was 
escorted  to  his  apartments  by  Mayor  Jerome,  and  shortly  afterwards, 
in  answer  to  the  vociferous  calls  of  the  people  without,  appeared 
on  the  portico,  and  delivered  a  few  remarks.  In  the  evening  the 
Mayor  delivered  his  welcome  address  to  Kossuth  in  the  Maryland 
Institute ;  upon  the  conclusion  of  which  Kossuth  delivered  a  long 
and  eloquent  reply.  Adddesses  were  also  delivered  by  Judge 
Legrand,  Wm.  P.  Preston,  and  R.  T.  Merrick. 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE.  539 

The  General  Assembly  of  Maryland,  on  the  6th  of  May,  incor- 
porated the  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Railroad  Company. 

1852.  The  Roman  Catholic  national  council  met  in  this  city  on 
the  9th  of  May,  consisting  of  six  archbishops,  twenty-seven 
bishops,  and  a  large  number  of  provincials,  superiors,  clergymen 
and  seminarians.  The  Most  Rev.  Archbishop  Hughes  preached  the 
opening  sermon  of  the  council. 

The  Democratic  National  Convention  convened  at  the  hall  of 
the  Maryland  Institute  on  the  Ist  of  June,  pursuant  to  appoint- 
ment, and  on  the  5th  nominated  General  Franklin  Pierce,  of  New 
Hampshire,  as  the  Democratic  candidate  for  President,  and  Wm. 
R.  King,  of  Alabama,  candidate  for  Vice-President. 

The  Whig  National  Convention  assembled  in  this  city  on  the 
16th  of  June,  at  the  hall  of  the  Maryland  Institute,  and  on  the  2l8t 
of  June  nominated  Gen.  Winfield  Scott,  of  New  Jersey,  on  the 
fifty-third  ballot  as  the  Whig  candidate  for  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  subsequently  Wm.  A.  Graham,  of  North  Carolina,  was 
nominated  for  Vice-President.  On  the  evening  of  the  21st,  one  of 
the  largest  and  most  enthusiastic  meetings  that  ever  collected  in 
Monument  Square  was  assembled  there,  to  ratify  the  Whig  nomi- 
nations made  that  day.  It  was  estimated  that  there  were  20,000 
people  present.  Hon.  John  H.  T.  Jerome  was  chairman.  The 
meeting  was  addressed  by  Messrs.  Gardner  of  Alabama,  Preston  of 
Virginia,  Williams  of  Kentucky,  Yerger  of  Mississippi,  and  Gov. 
Jones  of  Tennessee. 

On  the  29th  of  June,  a  telegraphic  despatch  was  received  in 
this  city  at  a  quarter  before  twelve  o'clock,  announcing  the  death 
of  the  great  statesman,  orator  and  patriot,  the  Hon.  Henry  Clay, 
at  the  National  Hotel,  Washington  city,  D.  C.  Immediately  on 
receipt  of  this  melancholy  information  the  bells  commenced  tolling, 
and  a  gloomy  feeling  pervaded  the  community.  Flags,  draped  in 
mourning,  were  flung  out,  and  the  business  men  generally  promptly 
resolved  to  suspend  all  transactions,  and  close  their  respective  stores 
and  counting-rooms  for  the  rest  of  the  day.  The  1st  of  Juh^  was 
indeed  a  gloomy  day  in  the  city ;  business  was  paralyzed,  and  the 
.people's  whole  mind  and  conversation  were  turned  upon  the  solemn 
ceremonies  about  to  take  place  ;  in  connection  with  which,  the  life 
and  services  of  the  distinguished  subject  of  these  solemnities  were 
the  engrossing  topics  of  conversation ;  men  of  all  parties  com- 
mingled in  crowds,  and  freely  joined  in  expressions  of  sorrow 
and  deep-felt  grief.  About  six  o'clock,  the  car  containing  the  re- 
mains of  the  illustrious  statesman  reached  the  outer  depot  at  the 
corner  of  Poppleton  and  Pratt  streets,  and  the  coffin  containing 
the  remains  was  removed  from  the  car  and  placed  in  a  richly- 
trimmed  hearse,  and  escorted  by  a  large  procession  of  military,  &c., 
to  the  rotunda  of  the  Exchange,  where  it  was  placed  upon  a  beauti- 
ful catafalque  richly  dressed  with  drapery.  The  lid  of  the  coffin 
was  thrown  open,  admitting  to  view,  through  a  glass  plate,  the  face 


540  CHKONIOLES   OF   BA.LTIMORE. 

of  the  deceased,  and  thousands  of  the  citizens  availed  themselves 
of  the  opportunity  to  get  a  last  look  at  the  features  of  one  of  the 
greatest  patriots  and  statesmen  that  ever  lived.  On  the  morning 
of  the  2d  the  coffin  was  conveyed  out  of  the  Exchange  to  the 
hearse,  and  driven  with  the  escort  to  the  Philadelphia  depot. 
After  a  short  detention  the  cars  moved  off,  and  all  that  was  mortal 
of  Henry  Clay  had  left  Baltimore  forever. 

On  the  morning  of  the  13th  of  July  it  began  to  rain  very  hard 
about  half-past  nine  o'clock,  and  continued  to  pour  down  in  torrents 
for  the  space  of  an  hour  and  a  half.  Harford  Eun,  in  the  north- 
eastern section  of  the  city,  however,  seems  to  have  been  the  only 
stream  the  rapid  rising  of  which  caused  any  considerable  destruc- 
tion of  property.  The  bridge  across  the  run  at  Broadway,  near 
Gay  street,  was  swept  away,  and  came  thundering  down  the  stream, 
and  striking  against  the  bridge  which  crosses  at  Bond  street,  tore 
it  from  its  fastenings.  The  current  then  kept  upon  its  onward 
course,  bearing  the  bridges  upon  its  bosom,  until  it  got  into  the 
midst  of  a  cluster  of  about  a  hundred  new  houses,  erected  along 
the  line  and  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  Dallas  and  Gay 
streets.  The  two  floating  bridges,  together  with  a  vast  amount  of 
drift-wood,  fences,  <&c.,  came  in  violent  contact  with  the  Dallas 
street  bridge,  and  with  a  tremendous  crash  it  gave  way.  Two  of 
the  bridges  kept  on  in  the  current  of  the  stream,  and  were  stranded 
after  floating  a  short  distance ;  the  other  bridge  turned  oft'  from 
the  main  channel,  and  brought  up  in  the  midst  of  the  houses  above 
mentioned,  and  after  knocking  the  sides  and  corners  of  two  or 
three  of  them  away,  was  stayed  in  its  course  by  actually  piercing 
into  one  of  the  houses.  The  bridges  crossing  Caroline  and  Spring 
streets  shared  the  same  fate  as  those  mentioned.  Six  new  houses 
on  Spring  street,  near  Madison,  were  undermined  by  the  water, 
gave  way,  and  fell  to  the  ground.  A  man  named  Phillips  was 
driving  two  cows  in  from  the  pasture,  when  the  banks  of  the  run 
overflowed  above  Broadway.  The  water  swept  towards  the 
animals  at  a  rapid  rate,  and  after  vainly  endeavoring  to  urge  them 
on,  the  driver  was  compelled  to  abandon  them  to  their  fate,  and 
betake  himself  to  flight  for  his  own  safety.  The  cows  were  over- 
taken by  water  and  swept  off  and  drowned.  At  a  house  in  the 
vicinity  of  Dallas  street,  a  cradle  with  a  small  child  in  it  floated  out 
of  the  window  of  the  first  floor,  and  was  caught  as  it  went  surging 
along  by  a  neighbor,  and  the  child  rescued  and  restored  to  its 
parents  uninjured. 

The  "  Loyola  College,"  situated  on  Calvert,  near  Madison  street, 
was  opened  on  the  15th  of  September,  and  in  April,  1853,  was 
raised  by  the  Legislature  of  Maryland  to  the  rank  of  a  university. 
The  course  of  studies  is  that  pursued  in  other  colleges  of  the 
country,  and  more  particularly  of  the  Society  of  Jesus.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  fifteen  hundred  volumes  in  the  students'  libraries,  the 
institution  possesses  a  library  of  twenty  thousand  volumes,  in- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE,  541 

eluding  a  valuable  collection  of  rare  and  interesting  works,  a  gift 
of  the  late  Eev.  James  Dolan. 

On  the  18th  of  November,  a  number  of  gentlemen  connected 
with  the  various  Evangelical  Associations  of  this  city,  met  in  the 
lecture-room  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  corner  of  North 
and  Fayette  streets.  The  object  of  the  meeting  was  to  take 
measures  for  the  formation  of  a  Baltimore  City.  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association.  Mr.  M.  M.  Yeakle  was  called  to  the  chair, 
and  John  W.  Ball  appointed  secretary.  After  a  couple  of  hours 
spent  in  a  very  entertaining  discussion,  in  which  a  number  of  rev- 
erend gentlemen  and  others  participated,  a  committee  of  five  was 
appointed,  consisting  of  the  Eev.  Franklin  Wilson,  the  Eev.  Mr. 
Balton,  and  Messrs.  E.  M.  Lockwood,  Wm.  B.  Canfield  and  John 
C.  Bridges,  with  instructions  to  take  the  necessary  steps  to  aid  in 
carrying  out  the  objects  of  the  contemplated  association. 

St.  Michael's  E.  C.  Church,  situated  at  the  corner  of  Pratt  and 
Eegister  streets,  was  dedicated  on  Sunday  morning,  January  11th. 
The  Eight  Eev!  Archbishop  Kenrick  officiated. 

The  Hon.  Judge  Upton  S.  Heath  died  on  Saturday  morning,  Feb- 
ruary 21st,  in  the  67th  year  of  his  age.  He  had  been  for  sixteen 
years  Judge  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the 
district  of  Maryland, 

The  corner-stone  of  the  Baltimore  Orphan  Asylum,  on  Strieker 
street,  near  Saratoga,  was  laid  on  Thursday,  June  10th,  with  appro- 
priate ceremonies,  by  Eev.  Drs.  Fuller,  Poisal,  and  Killen.  It  was 
formally  opened  Thursday,  November  10th,  1853. 

A  special  train  containing  John  Smith  Hollins,  Mayor-elect, 
a  large  number  of  the  members  of  the  City  Council,  and  other  in- 
vited guests,  left  this  city  on  Friday  morning,  October  22d,  in  a 
special  car  from  Calvert  Station,  to  witness  the  opening  of  the 
Hanover  Branch  Eailroad. 

The  earthly  remains  of  the  great  tragedian,  Junius  Brutus 
Booth,  arrived  in  Baltimore  Thursday  evening,  December  9th, 
from  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  he  died  on  the  2d,  whilst  on  his  way 
to  this  city  on  a  visit  to  his  family.  For  more  than  thirty  years 
he  was  the  most  popular  representative  of  Shakspeare's  characters 
in  this  country.  Ho  was  born  in  London,  May  1st,  1796,  and  made 
his  first  apj^earance  upon  the  American  stage  as  a  "  star  "  at  Peters- 
burg, Ya.,  under  the  management  of  James  H.  Caldwell,  in  1821, 
as  "Eichard  the  Third."     He  resided  in  this  city  on  Exeter  street. 

On  Saturday,  December  11th,  seven  prisoners  confined  in  the 
jail  effected  their  escape. 

1853.  In  the  month  of  April  the  Eev.  Francis  A.  Baker  resigned 
the  rectorship  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  chapel,  known  as  St. 
Luke's,  to  connect  himself  with  the  Eoman  Catholic  church.  This 
event  created  the  greatest  excitement  amongst  the  congregation 
over  whom  Mr.  Baker  was  pastor,  they  having  looked  upon  him 
with  peculiar  feelings  of  veneration  and  love  from  his  spotless 


'•r;5^ 


542  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Christian  character.  On  the  fact  being  made  known  to  the  con- 
gregation, men  and  women  wept  like  children.  By  his  change  of 
laith,  which  came  upon  him  after  long  deliberation,  he  certainly 
had  nothing  to  gain  in  a  worldly  point  of  view.  No  clergyman  in 
this  city  enjoyed  more  thoroughly  the  love  and  aifection  of  his 
flock  than  Mr.  Baker,  and  the  desertion  of  the  doctrines  of  the 
church  he  had. for  a  number  of  years  so  successfully  been  teaching, 
created  as  great  a  sensation  in  the  religious  community  as  had 
occurred  in  this  city  for  many  years. 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th  of  August,  Thomas  Connor,  con- 
victed of  the  murder  of  Capt.  Wm.  Hutchinson,  of  Accomac  county, 
Va.,  in  the  early  part  of  October,  1852,  paid  the  penalty  of  his 
crime  by  death  on  the  gallows.  The  ceremony  on  the  gallows  was 
short,  consisting  of  reading  a  few  praj'ers,  on  the  conclusion  of 
which  the  sheriff  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Foley  and  Eev.  Mr.  Hickey 
bade  him  farewell,  and  descended ;  a  few  moments  after  the  drop 
fell.  To  the  horror  of  all,  the  rope,  which  was  insufficient  to  bear 
the  weight  of  his  body,  broke,  and  the  miserable  man  was  precipi- 
tated with  considerable  force  to  the  ground.  He  struck  the  ground 
on  his  feet,  and  fell  over  on  his  right  side,  sustaining,  however, 
very  little  injury  beyond  being  slightly  stunned.  The  officers 
gathered  around  the  fallen  man  and  raised  him  to  a  sitting  posture, 
when  he  exclaimed  in  a  full  clear  tone,  "  Gentlemen,  I  am  innocent 
of  murder  in  the  first  degree."  He  wept  bitterly,  saying  that  he 
did  not  wish  to  live.  He  begged  over  and  over  again  to  take  him 
"up  there"  where  he  just  came  from.  Another  rope  was  pro-' 
cured,  and  when  all  wks  fixed  the  trap  fell,  and  Connor  swung  in 
the  air,  having  fallen  about  three  feet.  The  awful  sight  was  wit- 
nessed by  an  immense  concourse  of  men,  women  and  children.  It 
was  estimated  there  were  20,000  persons  collected  on  the  vacant 
lots  and  the  roofs  of  the  surrounding  houses,  one-third  at  least  of 
whom  were  females.  On  the  breaking  of  the  rope  a  feeling  of 
deep  regret  pervaded  the  immense  crowd;  large  numbers,  whose 
curiosity  had  been  fully  satisfied  by  witnessing  this  awful  catas- 
trophe, returned  to  their  homes  without  waiting  to  witness  the 
further  execution  of  the  law,  whilst  some  few  unfeeling  and  igno- 
rant persons  commenced  shouting  and  clapping  their  hands. 

On  Thursday,  May  5th,  the  corner-stone  of  St.  Matthew's 
Lutheran  church  of  this  city,  on  Central  avenue,  north  of  Balti- 
more street,  was  laid  with  the  usual  solemnities  and  in  the  presence 
of  a  large  audience.  The  ceremonies  were  conducted  by  Eev.  Mr. 
Neuhaus,  Eev.  Mr.  Schwartz,  Eev.  Dr.  Benj.  Kurtz,  Eev.  Mr.  Siess, 
Eev.  Chas.  Weyl,  and  Eev.  Mr.  Branden. 

The  Hon.  John  Glenn,  Judge  of  the  United  States  District 
Court  of  Maryland,  died  on  Friday,  July  8th,  at  his  country  seat, 
near  Catonsville.  During  his  short  career  upon  the  bench,  hia 
decisions  were  marked  with  an  ability  and  impartiality  that  gave 
universal  satisfaction.  The  Hon.  Wm.  Fell  Giles  was  appointed 
to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  death  of  Judge  Glenn. 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  543 

Loudon  Park  Cemetery  was  dedicated  Thursday,  July  14th. 
Charles  F.  Mayer,  Esq.,  delivered  the  opening  address. 

Considerable  excitement  was  raised  in  this  city  in  July,  occa- 
sioned by  Mayor  HoUins  prohibiting  "  Blind  Johnny  "  to  preach 
in  the  market  houses.  A  mass-meeting  was  held  in  Monument 
square,  and  addresses  were  delivered  by  a  large  number  of  citizens. 
A  committee  was  appointed  requesting  the  Mayor  to  resign,  who 
declined. 

The  first  "Know-Nothing"  mass  meeting  was  held  in  Monu-   ,,      . 
ment  square  on  Thursday  evening,  August  18th,  and  was  attended   Lr 
by  nearly  5000  persons. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  Union  Square  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  was  laid  on  Tuesday,  September  20th,  with  appropriate 
ceremonies,  in  which  the  llevs.  T.  B.  Sergeant,  A.  A.  Reed,  John 
Bear,  and  Isaac  P.  Cook  were  engaged. 

The  corner-stone  of  St.  Ignatius  Koman  Catholic  church  was 
laid  on  Sunday,  September  25th,  before  a  large  assemblage  of 
persons.     The  ceremonies  were  conducted  by  Archbishop  Kenrick. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  Second  Baptist  church  was  laid  on 
Monday,  October  3d,  the  ceremonies  being  conducted  by  the  Eevs. 
Geo.  F.  Adams,  Williams,  Simpson,  and  Fuller. 

1854.  Nathan  Towson  was  born  in  Baltimore  County  in  1784, 
and  was  appointed  Captain  in  the  second  regiment  of  artillery  in 
March,  1812.  In  a  few  days  after  his  appointment  he  gathered 
around  him  in  Towsontown,  a  brave  band  of  his  fellow  country- 
men, whose  hearts  beat  in  sympathy  with  his  own,  and  then  and 
there  was  organized  that  company  which  soon  afterwards  carried 
terror  into  the  enemy's  ranks,  all  along  the  Canada  frontier.  He 
aided  Lieutenant  Elliott,  of  the  navy,  in  capturing  the  Caledonian 
and  Detroit,  two  British  vessels,  from  under  the  very  guns  of  Fort 
Erie  in  October,  1812,  and  for  his  gallant  conduct  upon  this  occa- 
sion he  was  breveted  a  Major.  We  must  pass  over  the  other  con- 
tests in  which  he  was  honorably  engaged ;  his  services  at  Queens- 
town,  his  brave  defence  of  Black  Eock,  his  gallantry  displayed 
at  the  capture  of  Fort  George,  at  the  defence  of  Fort  Erie  and  at 
Stony  Creek.  In  Fort  Erie  a  bastion  was  named  in  his  honor,  after 
the  Americans  took  possession  of  it  early  in  July,  1814.  But  there 
were  two  engagements  during  that  war  which  the  pen  of  Ameri- 
can history  should  ever  delight  to  record — for  they  covered  the 
American  name  with  glory,  and  first  taught  our  vaunting  enemy 
that  there  still  existed  among  our  countrymen  the  same  undaunted 
bravery  which  they  had  displayed  forty  years  before,  at  Saratoga, 
Eutaw,  and  Yorktown.  It  was  on  the  afternoon  of  a  hot  summer 
day,  the  5th  of  July,  1814,  upon  an  open  plain  on  the  Canada 
shore,  that  the  glorious  battle  of  Chippewa  was  fought.  There 
nineteen  hundred  Americans,  under  the  heroic  Scott,  met  in  close 
encounter,  and  vanquished  tw^enty-one  hundred  of  the  best  regu- 
lars of  the  British  army.     The  only  artillery  under  Scott's  com- 


544  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

mand  was  the  company  of  Towson ;  and  throughout  that  fierce 
engagement  its  guns  poured  upon  the  enemy's  ranks  a  constant 
Btorm  of  canister,  which  mowed  them  down  like  grass,  and  mate- 
rially contributed  to  their  final  defeat.  Gen.  Wilkinson,  writing 
an  account  of  this  battle,  says:  "A  warm,  close,  and  bloody  conflict 
of  small  arms  and  field  artillery  ensued,  in  which  it  was  the  good 
fortune  of  the  gallant  Towson  to  silence  the  enemy's  chief  battery. 
The  oblique  attack  of  the  artilh^ry  and  the  perpendicular  fire  of 
the  American  line  were  insupportable,  and  valorous  troops  yielded 
the  palm  and  retreated  precipitately,  leaving  their  killed  and 
wounded  on  the  field.  Here,  as  at  Minden,  the  fate  of  the  day  was 
settled  by  the  artillery  ;  and  the  American  Towson  may  deservedly 
be  ranked  with  the  British  Phillips,  Drummond,  and  Foy."  For 
his  conduct  upon  this  occasion  he  was  breveted  Lieutenant-Colonel. 
Three  weeks  afterwards,  amid  the  roar  and  almost  within  the  spray 
of  the  mighty  cataract  of  Niagara,  was  fought  the  memorable  battle 
of  Lundy's  Lane — except  Buena  Yista,  the  bloodiest  and  most  des- 
perate ever  iought  by  an  American  army  against  a  foreign  enemy. 
From  sunset  until  alter  midnight  the  hostile  ranks  were  closely 
mingled  together  in  the  murderous  struggle,  which  left  upon  the 
field,  killed  or  wounded,  nearly  one-fourth  of  their  whole  numbers. 
Among  the  American  forces  were  found  Brown  and  Scott  and 
Bipley,  and  Jessup,  Miller,  and  Worth  ;  and  there,  too,  in  the  very 
thickest  of  the  fight,  was  the  brave  Towson,  pouring  leaden  death 
upon  the  foe.  A  continued  sheet  of  flame  marked  the  presence  of 
his  artillery,  known  then  and  ever  after  as  "Towson's  Light- 
House."  The  oflScial  dispatch  of  the  commanding  ofiicer  says  : 
"  Towson's  company  was  the  first  and  last  engaged,  and  during 
the  whole  conflict  maintained  that  high  character  which  they  had  " 
previously  won  by  their  skill  and  valor."  Both  of  his  Lieutenants 
and  twentj^-seven  of  his  thirty-six  men  were  either  killed  or 
wounded  upon  the  spot.  Speaking  of  his  conduct  upon  another 
occasion,  General  Eipley  said :  "  I  cannot  refrain  from  adverting 
to  the  manner  in  which  Captain  Towson's  artillery  was  served ;  I 
have  never  seen  it  equalled.  This  officer  has  so  distinguished  him- 
self, that  to  say  simply  that  he  is  in  action  is  a  volume  of  eulogium; 
the  army  only  to  be  informed  he  is  there,  by  a  spontaneous  assent 
are  at  once  satisfied  that  he  has  performed  well  his  part.  I  have 
no  idea  that  there  is  an  artillery  officer  in  any  service  superior  to 
him  in  the  knowledge  and  performance  of  his  duty."  He  was  re- 
tained in  the  service  at  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  made  Pay- 
master-General in  1819.  In  1834  he  was  breveted  Brigadier-Gen- 
eral ;  and  for  his  distinguished  services  in  the  Mexican  war  he  was 
breveted  Major-General  in  March,  1849.  He  died  in  Washington 
city  on  the  20th  of  July,  1854,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  His 
remains  lie  interred  on  a  pleasant  slope  in  Oak  Hill  Cemetery, 
Georgetown,  District  of  Columbia,  by  the  side  of  those  of  his  wife. 
General  Nathan  Towson  is  now  no  more,  but  his  gallant  achieve- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  545 

ments  will  not  be  forgotten.  His  native  State  and  county  will 
never  cease  to  remember  with  pride  that  his  is  one  of  the  most 
glorious  names  which  ever  adorned  the  rolls  of  the  American 
army. 

In  May  Mayor  HoUins  gave  his  approval  to  the  ordinance 
authorising  the  purchase  or  lease  of  the  square  of  ground  bounded 
by  Fayette,  Lexington,  Holliday,  and  North  streets,  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  new  City  Hall.  The  terms  of  the  lease  were  that  the  city 
was  to  issue  stock  to  Messrs.  Brown  and  White,  the  owners,  to  the 
amount  of  $104,000,  bearing  six  per  cent,  interest,  redeemable  at 
the  pleasure  of  the  Mayor  and  City  Council.  There  was  also  a 
further  ground  rent  upon  the  lot  of  $180  per  annum,  making  the 
total  cost  in  fee  $107,000.  The  city  was  not  to  take  possession  until 
the  year  1858. 

5^  One  of  the  most  terrible  railroad  accidents  that  ever  transpired 
in  our  country  took  place  on  Tuesday  afternoon,  July  4th,  1854,  on 
the  Baltimove  and  Susquehanna  Eailroad,  by  which  over  thirty 
persons  were  killed  and  nearly  one  hundred  wounded,  some  of 
them  slightly.  The  scene  of  the  accident  was  a  curve  of  the  road 
about  midway  between  the  Eelay  House  and  Eider's  Grove,  at 
which  latter  spot  the  "  Grand  American  Celebration  "  took  place. 
It  was  doubtless  the  largest  4th  of  July  celebration  ever  held  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Baltimore,  the  assemblage  amounting,  it  was 
estimated,  to  about  ten  thousand  persons.  The  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence was  read  by  Wm.  P.  Preston,  and  addresses  were  de- 
livered by  a  number  of  other  gentlemen.  Three  trains  full  of 
ladies  and  gentlemen  with  children  left  our  city  during  the  day  to 
participate  in  the  celebration.  Eeturning,  one  of  the  trains  left  for 
Baltimore  at  two  o'clock,  another  started  at  five,  and  the  third,  to 
which  the  accident  occurred,  at  about  fifteen  minutes  later.  It 
seems  that  the  accommodation  train  for  York  with  four  passenger 
cars  attached,  under  the  direction  of  Wm.  Scott,  conductor,  started 
on  its  way  up  shortly  before  5  o'clock,  instructed  to  lay  off  at 
Green  Spring  Switch  until  one  of  the  excursion  trains  should  pass. 
This  he  did,  and  the  second  return  train  passed  as  directed.  The 
accommodation  train  then  started,  and,  dreadful  to  relate,  an  ex- 
cursion train  from  the  Grove  had  also  started.  They  met  about 
three-quarters  of  a  mile  above  the  Eelay  House,  at  the  turn  of  an 
abrupt  switch,  and  came  together  with  a  fearful  crash.  About  half 
a  dozen  cars  were  crushed  and  shivered  to  atoms,  and  a  large 
number  of  their  unhappy  inmates  either  killed  upon  the  spot  or 
dreadfully  injured.'  The  scene  was  described  as  harrowing  to  the 
last  degree.  Several  of  those  killed  and  wounded  were  so  caught 
in  the  wreck  of  the  broken  cars  that  they  could  not  be  released 
for  a  considerable  time.  Axes  and  crow-bars  were  brought  into 
requisition,  and  those  alive  and  unhurt  made  superhuman  efforts 
for  their  relief.  An  eye-witness  says :  "  The  scene,  as  first  pre- 
sented, was  altogether  the  most  horrible  we  ever  witnessed,  and 
^   35 


546  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

we  hope  never  to  see  again.  On  both  sides  of  the  wreck,  turn 
which  way  you  would,  there  lay  the  inanimate  and  stiffening 
forms  of  those  who  were  so  lately  breathing  as  freely  as  ourselves. 
Some  had  their  arms  crossed  upon  their  breasts  by  friendly  hands, 
and  most  had  their  straw-hats  placed  over  their  ghastly  faces.  The 
wounded  cried  continually  for  water — 'Water!'  The  physicians 
on  the  ground  labored  indefatigably  for  the  relief  of  the  suiferers ; 
and,  for  lack  of  materials,  used  slats  from  the  car-windows  for 
splints,  and  for  bandages  shreds  of  shirts,  drawers,  their  own  hand- 
kerchiefs, and  in  several  cases  extra  skirts  handed  over  by  the 
ladies."  Immediately  upon  the  authorities  at  Calvert  Station 
being  informed  of  the  disaster,  they  despatched  assistance  to  the 
spot.  The  train  with  the  survivors  and  the  killed  and  wounded 
came  in  at  half-past  twelve  o'clock.  The  scene  at  the  depot  was 
harrowing  in  the  extreme.  An  immense  crowd  of  those  who  had 
friends  and  relatives  at  the  Grove  was  assembled,  and  the  state  of 
terrible  suspense  was  painful  to  behold.  Wives  and  mothers, 
brothers  and  sisters,  ran  up  and  down  the  platform,  eagerly  ques- 
tioning as  to  the  killed  and  wounded;  anxious,  yet  dreading  the  reply 
which  might  inform  them  of  the  melancholy  fate  of  some  one  near 
or  dear.  The  bodies  were  taken  out  of  the  car  where  they  had 
been  placed  piled  one  upon  another,  presenting  a  ghastly  spectacle, 
and  laid  upon  the  platform,  where  inquests  were  held  over  them  by 
Coroners  Stevens  and  Goldsmith.  Most  of  them  had  been  instantly 
killed  by  the  crash,  some  of  them  being  horribly  crushed  and  muti- 
lated in  a  manner  to  sicken  the  beholder  of  the  spectacle.  The 
wounded  were  made  as  easy  as  possible ;  and,  in  most  of  the  cases, 
their  friends  were  at  the  depot,  and  had  them  immediately 
removed. 

One  of  the  most  destructive  fires  with  which  our  city  has  been 
visited  broke  out  shortly  before  12  o'clock  on  Thursday  night, 
October  19th.  It  is  supposed  that  the  fire  originated  in  the 
engine-room  of  Crook  &  Duffs  sash  factory,  on  East  Falls  avenue, 
near  Stiles  street.  Owing  to  the  inflammable  nature  of  the  con- 
tents of  the  establishment,  the  flames  spread  with  a  fierceness  and 
rapidity  that  defied  all  eff'orts  made  for  their  suppression,  and  the 
factory  was  soon  reduced  to  a  heap  of  smouldering  ruins,  together 
with  a  large  amount  of  ready-made  work.  The  extensive  steam 
works  and  sash  factory  of  Messrs.  Lapourelle  &  Maughlin,  nearly 
adjoining,  on  the  corner  of  Stiles  street  and  East  Falls  avenue  was, 
next  reduced  to  ruins,  together  with  all  the  machinery,  ready-made 
work,  &c.  The  lumber-yard  of  Griffith  &  Cate,  with  the  extensive 
stock  on  hand,  was  also  completely  destroyed.  Five  dwelling 
houses,  extending  from  President  street  to  a  court  in  the  rear,  were 
also  burnt  out.  The  fire  also  communicated  to  the  rear  of  James 
Bates'  establishment,  also  a  vessel-load  of  coal  belonging  to  him 
was  consumed,  with  fixtures,  hoisting-wheels,  &c.  The  spice-mill 
of  Crawford  &  Berry,  the  coal  office  of  Mr.  Cliff,  cooper-shop  of 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  547 

Mr.  John  Causin,  and  several  tenement  houses  occupied  by  colored 
people,  were  burnt  out,  as  also  were  several  sheds,  &c.  The  fire 
department  was  promptly  on  the  spot  and  did  all  that  could  be 
done  to  quench  the  flames,  but  owini;  to  the  large  piles  of  lumber 
on  the  wharf  of  the  Falls,  great  difficulty  was  experienced  in  ob- 
taining water.  At  one  time  it  was  feared  that  the  conflagration 
would  sweep  the  whole  of  that  section  of  the  city,  the  flames  being 
dashed  about  in  huge  masses,  and  the  roofs  of  many  of  the  houses 
that  actually  escaped  material  damage  showing  symptoms  of  soon 
being  given  up  to  the  devouring  element  from  flakes  of  fire  that 
had  fallen  upon  them,  or  from  the  intense  heat  of  the  burning 
buildings,  lumber,  coal,  &c. 

On  the  afternoon  of  Saturday,  December  9th,  another  destruc- 
tive fire  broke  out  in  the  warehouse  of  J.  McGowan  &  Sons  on 
Baltimore  street,  one  door  east  of  Paca,  and  before  the  flames 
could  be  arrested  seven  large  warehouses  were  destroyed,  besides 
which  three  others  were  injured  to  a  very  great  extent,  inflicting 
a  loss  estimated  at  $200,000.  The  stores  were  occupied  by  Messrs. 
J.  McGowan  &  Sons,  wholesale  grocery  and  liquors,  Messrs.  Knabe 
&  Grahle,  piano  manufacturers,  Messrs.  Mills  &  Bro.,  stoves  and 
tinware,  Messrs.  Newsham  &  Co.,  iron-railing  manufacturers, 
Messrs.  Mills  &  Murray,  feed  store,  Messrs.  Rothrock  and  Peacock, 
tinners  and  roofers,  Mr.  Caspear,  cedar-cooper,  Mr.  E.  P.  Osier, 
cedar-cooper.  On  Paca  street  the  stores  of  Messrs.  Kahler  and 
Smith  were  also  on  fire.  At  one  time  it  was  feared  that  the 
Eutaw  House  would  be  destroyed,  but  the  employees  well  saturated 
the  roof  with  water,  and  thus  prevented  the  disaster  that  might 
otherwise  have  ensued. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  First  Constitutional  Presbyterian 
church,  situated  on  the  corner  of  Greene  and  German  streets,  was 
laid  on  the  afternoon  of  Tuesday,  May  2d,  Rev.  John  C.  Smith 
officiating.  Addresses  were  delivered  by  Rev.  A.  H.  Boyd,  Rev. 
Thomas  A.  Brainard,  and  Rev.  B.  Sunderland ;  Rev.  Mr.  McCain 
offering  the  benediction.  This  church  was  dedicated  Sunday,  July 
8th,  1855.  The  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone  of  the  Ger- 
man Methodist  Episcopal  church  on  Broadway,  took  place  on 
Monday,  June  5th.  The  corner-stone  of  the  Franklin  Square 
Baptist  church  was  laid  on  Tuesday,  September  12th,  with  appro- 
priate religious  ceremonies.  Addresses  were  delivered  by  Rev.  J. 
W.  M.  Williamson  and  Rev.  Dr.  Fuller. 

Judge  John  Purviance,  the  contemporary  of  Harper,  Pinkney, 
Wirt,  and  Taney,  and  frequently  their  colleague  in  the  important 
cases  of  the  day,  died  in  September,  in  his  8l8t  year. 

1855.  On  Saturday,  May  26th,  a  very  destructive  fire  broke 
out  between  seven  and  eight  o'clock,  at  which  time  the  bells 
sounded  an  alarm,  and  the  firemen  promptly  repaired  to  the  scene 
^  disaster,  but  were  unable,  in  consequence  of  the  great  headwaj^ 
the  fire  had  gained,  to  subdue  it  until  four  large  warehouses,  to- 


s/ 


548  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

gether  with  their  contents,  had  fallen  a  prey,  and  several  others, 
with  the  stock  in  then),  considerably  damaged.  The  fire  originated 
in  the  cellar  of  the  wholesale  clothing  warehouse  of  Messrs. 
Duiley,  Massey  &  Maupin,  Baltimore  street,  one  door  east  of 
Howard.  The  flames  next  communicated  to  the  houses  occupied 
by  Messrs.  Devries,  Stephens  &  Thomas,  wholesale  dry  goods 
merchants,  on  the  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Howard  streets,  then 
to  Norris,  Caldwell  &  Co.,  grocers,  and  Messrs.  Fisher,  Boyd  &  Co. 
On  Howard  street  the  stores  of  Messrs.  Mayer  &  Brother,  John 
Gushing,  and  Mr.  Enoch  Bennett  were  greatly  damaged,  if  not 
completely  ruined. 

The  Union  Protestant  Infirmary  was  opened  on  Mondaj^, 
January  8th,  for  the  first  time,  with  religious  ceremonies,  the  Eevs. 
Franklin  Wilson,  Mr.  Hoge,  Dr.  Fuller,  Williams,  and  Edwards 
officiating. 

The  trial  of,  the  steam  fire-engine  "  Miles  Greenwood,"  built  in 
Cincinnati  for  the  corporation  of  Boston,  came  off  on  Thursday, 
February  2d.     This  was  the  first  steam  fire-engine  in  this  city. 

The  "Emanuel  Church"  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  March 
8th.  The  dedicatory  sermon  was  preached  by  Eev.  John  Johns, 
Bishop  of  Virginia.  The  following  reverend  gentlemen  partici- 
pated:  Rev.  Dr.  H.  Y.  D.  Johns,  Eev.  Dr.  Cox,  Eev.  Mr.  Swope, 
and  the  Eight  Eev.  W.  E.  Whittingham.  Col.  Bernard  U.  Camp- 
bell, of  the  Baltimore  branch  of  Brown,  Brothers  &  Co.,  of  London, 
died  in  'this  city  on  Friday,  April  27th. 

The  most  disgraceful  riot  on  the  part  of  firemen  that  had  oc- 
curred within  the  city  since  the  riots  of  1838,  transpired  on  Satur- 
day night,  August  18th,  1855.  It  appears  that  the  New  Market 
fire  company,  in  colleague  with  the  United,  had  formed  a  plot 
whereby  they  designed  giving  the  Mount  Vernon  Hook  and  Ladder 
company  a  severe  thrashing,  and  accordingly  the  bell  of  the  New 
Market  sounded  an  alarm  of  fire  at  ten  o'clock  on  that  night,  and 
the  members  ran  with  the  apparatus  in  a  northerly  direction. 
Upon  returning,  the  New  Market  fell  in  behind  the  Hook  and 
Ladder  at  the  corner  of  Franklin  and  Park  streets,  when  bricks 
were  thrown  at  them.  This  continued  until  the  companies  reached 
Lerew's  alley,  where  pistols  were  fired  and  a  skirmish  of  short 
duration  ensued  ;  after  which  they  proceeded  along  Franklin  street, 
until  about  midway  between  Howard  and  Eutaw  streets,  the  Hook 
and  Ladder  ahead  and  New  Market  following.  At  this  juncture 
the  United  turned  out  of  Eutaw  street  into  Franklin,  immediately 
in  front  of  the  Hook  and  Ladder  company,  and  the  onslaught 
commenced  upon  them  from  the  front  and  rear.  Pistols  were  fired, 
bricks  thrown,  and  axes,  picks  and  hooks  used  in  the  most  des- 
perate manner.  Life  seemed  to  have  little  valuation  to  those  con- 
cerned. The  Hook  and  Ladder  company,  however,  thus  hemmed 
in,  with  the  aid  of  the  police  fought  until  their  assailants  were  glad 
to  scamper  off.  Daring  the  melee  two  men  were  mortally  wounded, 
and  a  greater  number  severely. 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  549 

Hon.  William  Frick,  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  died  at  the  , 
Warm  Sulphur  Springs,  Ya.,  on  Sunday,  July  29th,  aged  65  years.  /"^ 
The  deceased  spent  a  large  portion  of  his  life  in  prominent  public 
positions,  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  which  had  been  dis- 
charged in  a  manner  highly  acceptable  to  those  by  whom  they  had 
been  delegated.  His  first  public  position,  after  several  years'  suc- 
cessful practice  in  the  courts  of  this  State,  was  as  State  Senator 
from  this  city,  that  being  succeeded  by  the  office  of  collector  of 
this  port,  under  the  administration  of  Martin  Van  Buren.  He  was 
subsequently  appointed  Judge  of  the  Baltimore  county  courts  by 
the  late  Ex-Governor  P.  F.  Thomas,  which  place  he  held  until  the 
adoption  of  the  new  constitution,  when  he  was  chosen  by  his  fellow- 
citizens  as  the  first  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  of  this  city,  which 
post  he  honorably  filled  to  the  date  Of  his  death. 

1856,  This  city  was  visited  by  a  violent  storm  of  wind  and  [  y  : 
rain  on  the  night  of  Wednesday,  August  13th.  It  was  a  veritable 
tornado,  leaving  very  visible  traces  of  its  passage  by  the  destruc- 
tion it  occasioned,  which  was  not  less  than  $100,000.  At  the 
corner  of  Madison  a»d  Calvert  street  a  row  of  four-story  brick 
houses  in  course  of  erection  by  Mr.  Michael  Roach  were  struck  by 
lightning,  and  four  of  them  almost  totally  ruined.  The  roofs  of 
warehouses  of  the  following  gentlemen  were  blown  off:  Mr.  Solo- 
mon King,  Mr.  Larrabee,  Mr.  George,  Kensett  <fe  AVheeler,  Middle- 
ton  k  Dorsey,  David  T.  Bayly,  Love,  Martin  &  Co.,  Montel  &  Bro., 
William  Crane  &  Sons,  and  J.  Lyie  Clark  &  Co.  There  were  nu- 
merous instances  of  minor  damages  throughout  the  city :  signs 
were  blown  down,  awnings  torn  to  atoms,  telegraph-poles  pros- 
trated, window-glass  broken,  tre^  torn  up,  all  attesting  the  mighty 
force  exerted  by  the  wind. 

On  the  12th  of  September  a  bloody  and  disgraceful  riot  took  \  a 
place  at  the  Seventeenth  Ward  House,  kept  by  James  Clark,  on  \ 
Light  street,  nearly  opposite  Warren.  The  house  was  attacked 
by  the  "Eip-Rap"  and  "  Wampanoag "  Clubs,  and  then  com- 
menced a  bloody  and  desperate  affray,  which  will  long  be  re- 
membered as  one  of  the  most  bloodthirsty  ruffianisms  of  the  times. 
The  streets  where  the  contest  took  place  presented  the  appearance 
as  if  cart-loads  of  bricks  had  been  strewn  about.  Women  were 
running  about  looking  for  their  husbands  and  brothers,  and  the 
curiosity  which  attracted  many  to  the  scene  was  the  occasion 
of  many  being  wounded.  During  the  melee  one  man  was  killed 
and  some  twenty  badly  wounded,  some  of  them  fatally.  This  reck- 
less and  sanguinary  fusilade  continued  for  nearly  half  an  hour,  when 
the  police  gradually  dispersed  the  crowd  and  the  firing  ceased. 

Baltimore  was  again  disgraced  by  another  such   scene  of  vio- 
lence and  blood,  which  occurred  on  Wednesday,  the  8th  of  October, 
being  the  election  for  Maj^or  and  City  Council,  when  Mr^JOhomas 
Swann  was  elected  Mayor  by  1575  majority  over  Mr.  Robert  C.   ly 
Wright.     About  12  o'clock  a  desperate  struggle  took  place  between  r 


550  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

the  "  Rip-Rap  "  Club  and  the  Kew  Market  Fire  Company  in  the 
Lexington  Market,  which  was  a  bloody  and  protracted  battle.  The 
firing  was  as  regular  as  if  it  were  by  platoons.  A  great  many 
persons  were  wounded  and  carried  from  the  ground,  and  the  drug 
Bhops  near  the  scene  of  action  were  filled  with  the  wounded  and 
dying.  The  New  Market  Company  were  driven  from  the  market- 
house  and  dispersed.  Their  engine-house  was  entered  by  the 
>/  "  Rip-Eaps  "  and  found  deserted,  which  they  sacked.  Disturbances 
broke  out  in  various  parts  of  the  city,  but  none  equalled  that 
which  we  have  mentioned. 

The  "  Exchange  Buildings "  were  sold  to  the  United  States 
Government  in  February  for  $267,000,  and  the  old  "  First  Presby- 
terian Church,"  situated  at  the  northwest  corner  of  North  and 
Fayette  streets,  for  $50,000.  ' 

The  dedication  of  the  Red  Men's  Hall  on  Paca  street  took 
place  on  Wednesday,  September  lOtb.  The  ceremonies  were  con- 
ducted by  William  G.  Gorsuch,  Louis  Bonsai,  Isaac  Petit,  E.  H. 
Reip,  George  W.  Lindsay,  William  H.  Hayward,  Samuel  Meeking, 
and  Howard  Meixsell.  R.  Stockett  Matthews,  the  orator  of  the 
day,  delivered  an  exceedingly  appropriate  and  beautifully  couched 
oration. 

The  "  Old  Line  Whigs"  National  Convention  met  at  the  Mary- 
land Institute  on  AVednesday.  September  17th,  and  endorsed  Mil- 
lard Fillmore  and  Andrew  Jackson  Donelson  as  their  candidates 
for  the  Presidency  and  Vice-Presidency  of  the  United  States. 
/       Our  city,  on  the  4th  of  November,  was  again  made  the  theatre 
/  of  the  most  prolonged  and  desperate  rioting.     Armed  and  organ- 
ized associations,  belonging  to  both  political  parties,  resorted  to 
firearms,  with  which  they  were  liberally  provided,  and  fought  with 
ferocious  and  daring  recklessness.     Individual  combats  and  minor 
affrays  occurred  at  a  number  of  polls,  but  the  most  serious  took 
place  in  the  vicinity  of  the  second  and  eighth  ward  polls.     In  both 
of  these   riots   eight   persons  were    killed   and   about   150   were 
wounded.     During  the  morning  there  was  considerable  ill-feeling 
displayed  at  the  second  ward  polls,  but  up  to  three  o'clock  no  seri- 
ous disturbance  occurred.     At  that  hour  a  furious  fight  broke  out, 
said  to  have  originated  from  a  stone  being  thrown  into  the  crowd 
surrounding  the  window.     Pistols  were  immediately  drawn  and 
fired  by  both  parties.     The  Democrats  drove  the  Know-Nothings 
from  the  polls  and  up  High  street.     The  alarm  was  carried  to  the 
fourth  ward  polls,  and  a  strong  body  of  Know-Nothings  started 
from  there.     In  the  vicinity  of  the   second  ward  polls  they  were 
met  and  driven  back.     Further  reinforcements  were  then  received 
and  the  battle  renewed.     A  good  proportion  of  both  parties  by  this 
time  were  provided  with  muskets,  whilst  others  used  pistols,  and 
others  skirmished  with  knives  and  clubs.     Both  parties  fought  with 
determination,  and  in  many  instances  exposed  themselves  with  the 
most  reckless  disregard  of  danger.     The  battle-ground  was  spread 


CHKONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  551 

over  portions  of  Fawn,  Stiles,  Exeter  and  High  streets,  and  Eastern 
Avenue,  and  the  spectacle  presented  was  a  terrible  and  revolting 
one.  As  either  party  gained  a  temporary  advantage,  men  would 
be  seen  running,  with  others  shooting  at  them;  the  wounded  were 
limping  off  and  being  carried  away  by  their  companions,  whilst 
others  begrimed  with  smoke  and  powder,  and  in  some  cases 
covered  with  blood,  still  kept  up  the  fight,  now  firing  singly  and 
then  again  in  volleys.  In  the  surrounding  neighborhood  the  ut- 
most degree  of  excitement  and  consternation  prevailed.  Children 
were  hastily  gathered,  the  houses  closed,  and  the  occupants  in 
many  instances  sought  their  garrets  and  cellars  to  be  out  of  harm's 
way.  The  Democrats  were  finally  overpowered,  driven  away  from 
the  polls,  and  retreated,  still  fighting,  down  Eastern  Avenue.  In 
the  neighborhood  of  the  Causeway  they  again  made  a  stand,  and 
there  a  guerilla  warfare,  carried  on  from  the  alleys  and  street 
corners,  continue4  for  more  than  an  hour.  About  3  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  a  report  was  brought  to  the  police  stationed  at  the 
eighth  ward,  that  there  was  fighting  at  the  sixth  ward,  and 
assistance  was  asked  to  quell  it.  The  police  started,  and  with 
them  several  hundred  of  the  crowd  assembled  around  the  polls, 
who  in  a  few  moments  were  armed  with  muskets,  and  ac- 
companied by  two  gangs  of  boys,  each  dragging  small  brass 
cannon  on  wheels.  They  passed  along  the  side  of  the  Belair 
market,  and  towards  Orleans  street,  when  they  were  met  by  a  con- 
course of  equally  as  wild  infuriated  men  and  youths,  armed  with 
muskets  and  pistols.  A  fight  then  commenced,  the  eighth  ward 
Democrats  taking  shelter  in  the  market-house,  and  the  sixth  and 
seventh  ward  Know-Nothings  firing  from  the  fish-market  and  the 
corner  of  Orleans  street.  They  finally  rallied  on  the  eighth  ward 
party  and  drove  them  up  through  the  market,  accompanied  by 
perfect  volleys  of  musketry  and  the  occasional  discharge  of  a  swivel. 
The  fighting  through  the  market  was  continued  with  but  little  in- 
termission up  to  dark,  when  both  parties  retired.  The  scene  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  Belair  market  was  of  the  most  sanguinary  char- 
acter throughout  the  afternoon.  At  times  one  party  would  appa- 
rently obtain  the  better  of  the  other,  and  they  continued  to  drive 
each  other  back  and  forward  through  the  market-house.  The 
sixth  ward  party  were  reinforced  shortly  after  the  battle  com- 
menced by  a  detachment  of  the  seventh  ward  and  other  Know- 
Nothing  clubs,  who  brought  with  them  a  small  cannon  on  wheels. 
The  Democrats  got  possession  of  this  cannon  at  one  time,  and  were 
about  carrying  it  oif,  when  it  upset  and  the  cannon  fell  off  the 
wheels.  Whilst  the  fight  was  going  on  in  the  Belair  market,  word 
was  sent  to  the  central  station  for  aid.  High  constable  Herring, 
deputy  Brashears,  and  Sergeant  Tayman,  with  a  squad  of  twenty 
men,  repaired  to  the  scene.  On  arriving  at  the  market  they  found 
the  eighth  warders  with  a  cannon  in  position  preparing  to  fire.  They 
attempted  to  take  possession  of  the  piece,  but  were  immediately 


552  CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

surrounded  by  an  infuriated  crowd  armed  with  muskets.  They  at- 
tempted to  make  arrests,  but  were  foiled  by  the  number  and  fierce- 
ness of  the  assailants,  but  succeeded,  however,  in  carrying  off  the 
cannon. 

1857.  On  Friday  evening,  January  30th,  George  Peabody,  Esq., 
was  received  at  the  rooms  of  the  Maryland  Historical  Society, 
where  he  met  with  much  of  the  cultivation  and  refinement  of  the 
city,  and  was  entertained  by  a  sumptuous  banquet  provided  with 
the  most  lavish  hand.  On  Monday  evening  he  met  another  wel- 
come at  the  Maryland  Institute — embracing  all  classes  and  all 
phases  of  our  business  and  social  life,  with  its  large  and  expanding 
popular  usefulness.  The  Mayor  and  members  of  the  City  Council, 
and  other  city  officers,  and  a  large  number  of  distinguished  citizens, 
were  present. 

Mr.  Robert  Garrett,  the  aged  and  highly  esteemed  citizen,  of 
the  mercantile  house  of  Robert  Garrett  and  Sons,  died  suddenly 
with  apoplexy  at  the  Eutaw  House  on  Tuesday  morning,  Febru- 
ary 3d,  in  the  74th  year  of  his  age.  In  all  relations  of  his  life  he 
was  regarded  as  an  exemplary  Christian,  kind-hearted,  and  liberal 
in  cases  of  distress  amongst  the  poor,  and  ever  willing  to  extend  a 
helping  hand  to  those  of  his  fellow-merchants  requiring  it  from  the 
vicissitudes  frequently  accompanying  a  mercantile  life. 

In  a  letter  from  Mr.  Geo.  Peabody  to  the  trustees  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  an  institute  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  dated  February 
12th,  1857,  he  donates  $300,000  for  the  purpose.  The  gentlemen 
named  by  Mr.  George  Peabody  as  the  trustees  of  the  institute  he 
has  so  munificently  endowed,  met  together  on  Thursday,  the  19th 
of  February,  and  twenty -four  out  of  the  twenty -five  signified  their 
acceptance  of  the  trust,  as  will*  be  seen  by  the  following  letter : 

"  Baltimore,  February  19^A,  1857. 
^'  To  George  Peabody,  Esq. 

"  Sir : — The  undersigned  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter 
addressed  to  us  on  the  twelfth  of  this  month,  and  with  a  grateful 
sense  of  this  evidence  of  your  confidence  and  regard,  accept  the 
office  of  receivers  and  dispensers  of  the  munificent  fund  which  you 
therein  dedicate  to  the  erection  and  endowment  of  an  institute  in 
the  city  of  Baltimore.  On  behalf  of  those  for  whom  this  great 
benefaction  is  designed,  we  offer  you  most  cordial  thanks,  with 
our  admiration  of  the  noble  and  generous  heart  which  could  con- 
ceive and  execute  so  comprehensive  a  scheme  for  the  improvement 
and  gratification  of  thousands  unknown  and  unborn.  We  will  en- 
deavor to  manifest  a  just  appreciation  of  our  obligations  to  you,  by 
prompt  and  unremitted  efforts  to  carry  out  the  views  and  sugges- 
tions contained  in  your  letter.  And  we  earnestly  hope  you  may  be 
permitted  for  many  coming  years  to  have  the  satisfaction  of  wit- 
nessing the  accomplishment  of  all  you  propose  and  desire  in  found- 
i:)g  so  splendid  a  monument  of  enlightened  philanthropy  and 
patriotism. 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  553 

"John  M.  Gordon,  Samuel  "W.  Smith,  Chauncey  Brooks,  Wm. 
F.  Murdoch,  Enoch  Pratt,  J.  Mason  Campbell,  Geo.  W.  Brown, 
Galloway  Cheston,  Geo.  P.  Tiffany,  Charles  Bradenbaugh,  Edward 
M.  Greenway,  Jr.,  Wm.  C.  Shaw,  Wm.  E.  Mayhew,  John  P.  Ken- 
nedy, Chas.  J.  M.  Eaton,  Thomas  S_wann,^eorge  Brown,  John  B. 
Morris,  S.  Owings  Hoffman,  G.  W.  Burnap,  Wm.  D.:  HU  C.  Wright, 
Josiah  Pennington,  Wm.  McKim,  David  S.  Wilson." 

Mr.  Peabody  also  named  Mr.  Wm.  Prescott  Smith,  but  he  de- 
clined. 

Mr.  Moses  Sheppard  died  in  the  city  of  Baltimore  on  the  1st  of 
February,  aged  84  years.  He  has  transmitted  his  name  to  posterity, 
and  enshrined  his  memory  in  the  hearts  of  all  who  cherish  a  regard 
for  afflicted  humanity,  by  his  munificent  gift  that  founded"  the 
asylnm  for  indigent  insane  which  bears  his  name.  This  institution 
is  located  about  one  mile  from  Towsontown,  between  the  York  and 
Charles  street  roads.  There  are  three  hundred  and  seventy  acres 
of  ground  attached  to  it.  The  building  is  375  feet  front,  built  of 
stone  and  brick,  and  will  amply  accommodate  one  hundred  and 
fifty  patients.  The  far-seeing  mind  of  its  founder  directed  that 
nothing  of  its  endowment  should  be  used  in  its  construction  or 
management  except  the  interest.  This  amount  is  about  thirty- 
five  thousand  dollars  per  annum,  the  appraised  value  of  the 
estate  being  about  $560,000.  The  grounds  cost  $65,000.  The 
board  of  trustees,  to  whom  the  management  of  this  fund  and  the 
erection  of  the  institution  are  committed,  consists  of  J.  Saurin 
Norris,  president ;  D.  M.  Perine,  E.  H.  Townsend,  Dr.  Wm.  Riley, 
Gerard  T.  Hopkins,  Wm.  H.  Graham,  and  Gerard  H.  Reese. 

In  accordance  with  previous  notice,  the  remains  of  the  late  Dr. 
Elisha  Kent  Kane,  the  universally  lamented  explorer  of  the  Arctic 
regions,  and  intrepid  soldier  in  the  war  with  Mexico,  arrived  in  our 
city  on  the  morning  of  the  10th  of  March  from  Wheeling,  in  charge 
of  the  committee  of  reception  on  the  part  of  the  membership  of 
the  Maryland  Institute.  At  half-past  three  o'clock  the  body  was 
removed  from  the  hall  at  Camden  Station,  and  placed  upon  a  caisson 
belonging  to  the  artillery  of  Fort  McHenry,  and  the  line  of  pro- 
cession taken  up  along  Eiitaw  street  to  Baltimore,  and  thence  to 
the  Maryland  Institute.  The  streets  began  to  fill  at  an  early  hour, 
along  the  line  which  the  procession  was  to  take,  and  before  two 
o'clock  Baltimore  street,  from  the  Institute  to  Eutaw  street,  and 
from  Eutaw  street  to  the  Camden  depot,  was  crowded  with  a  dense 
mass  of  human  beings,  filling  the  sidewalks  and  the  doors  and 
windows,  and  even  the  roofs  of  the  houses.  It  seemed  as  if  the 
whole  population  had  been  poured  forth  to  testify  by  their  presence 
their  homage  to  departed  worth.  There  was  a  general  suspension 
of  business  and  closing  of  the  stores  on  the  streets  through  which 
the  procession  was  to  pass,  and  many  of  the  houses  and  stores  were 
draped  in  mourning,  and  flags  displaj'ed  at  half-mast  throughout 
the  city.     The  solemn  tolling  of  the  bells,  and  the  booming  of 


554  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

cannon  at  intervals,  added  to  the  impressiveness  of  the  occasion. 
On  arriving  at  the  Institute,  the  sarcophagus  was  conveyed  to  the 
large  hall,  and  placed  upon  a  suitable  platform  erected  in  the  centre 
of  the  apartment,  appropriately  draped  in  black,  with  a  United 
States  flag  at  each  corner  dressed  in  mourning.  After  the  pro- 
cession was  dismissed,  the  Independent  Greys  mounted  guard  over 
the  bier,  and  the  hall  remained  open  until  a  late  hour;  and  during 
that  time  was  visited  by  a  great  number  of  persons.  The  body 
was  taken  to  Philadelphia  the  next  day  in  charge  of  a  Baltimore 
committee,  accompanied  by  the  Philadelphia  and  other  committees. 
A  few  minutes  after  eight  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  14th  of 
April,  the  bell  of  the  Mechanical  company  sounded  an  alarm  of 
fire'due  west,  and  upon  repairing  of  the  companies  in  the  direc- 
tion pointed,  it  was  found  that  the  large  and  handsome  five-story 
warehouses  Nos.  37,  39,  and  41  South  Charles,  a  few  doors  north 
of  Lombard  street,  had  been  set  on  fire,  and  were  burning  briskly. 
Flames  were  first  seen  illumining  the  windows  near  the  stairway 
which  runs  sideway  of  the  buildings,  and  owing  to  the  large 
quantity  of  inflammable  material,  the  three  houses  soon  became 
enveloped  in  flames.  The  fire  communicated  from  the  rear  of  the 
stores  on  Charles  street  to  the  large  four-story  iron  store  of  E.  L. 
Parker  &  Co.,  on  Lombard  street,  which,  with  its  contents,  was 
entirely  destroyed.  The  fire  then  spread  to  the  three-story  stores 
east  of  Parker's  building.  The  first  store  was  occupied  by  Hodges 
&  Emack,  hardware  merchants,  the  next  by  Hanly  &  Bansemer, 
as  a  wholesale  grocery,  and  the  third  by  Gilpin,  Bailey  &  Canby, 
as  a  wholesale  drug  store.  They  were  entirely  consumed,  with 
their  contents.  A  small  two-story  building,  between  Parker's  and 
Hodges  &  Emack's  stores,  was  also  consumed.  The  upper  house 
of  the  three  on  Charles  street  was  occupied  by  J.  S.  Kobinson, 
paper  dealer,  and  L.  Harrison  &  Co.,  cap  manufacturers.  The 
middle  building  was  occupied  by  Messrs.  E.  Edwards  &  Co.,  the 
lower  portion  was  used  by  Messrs.  B.  S.  &  W.  A.  Loney.  The 
lower  house  was  occupied  by  Messrs.  Norris  &  Bro.  About  half- 
past  ten  o'clock,  while  a  number  of  persons  were  on  the  first  floor  of 
the  grocery  store  of  Handy  &  Bansemer,  the  upper  part  of  the 
building,  as  well  as  those  on  both  sides,  being  in  flames,  the  floor 
above  fell,  enveloping  them  in  flames  and  covering  them  in  the 
ruins.  A  number  were  gotten  out  shortly  after,  seriously  burned 
and  injured.  A  search  for  dead  bodies  was  made,  and  during  two 
days  fourteen  were  recovered  from  the  ruins.  The  calls  for  aid 
by  those  who  were  thus  caught  by  the  falling  wall  were  said  to 
have  been  appalling,  while  the  view  of  others  with  their  hair  and 
clothes  on  fire  struggling  to  escape  presented  a  heart-rending 
sight.  All  the  next  day  the  streets  surrounding  the  ruins  were 
full  of  spectators  who  came  to  gaze  upon  the  scene  of  the  most 
severe  catastrophe  of  the  kind  which  has  ever  occurred  in  Balti- 
more.   The  dead  recognized  were  Joseph  R.  Bruce,  Joseph  Ward, 


CHKONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE,  555 

George  Boyle,  Jacob  Marshek,  James  Hasson,  Wm.  E.  Abell,  James 
Payne,  Herman  BoUman,  Theodore  Bran,  James  Hupsy,  Thomas 
Buckley,  and  Jos.  Litzinger.  Out  of  the  thirteen  bodies  taken  to 
the  station-house  there  was  but  one  that  had  the  head  attached 
to  it. 

The  conductors  and  others  having  charge  of  the  burthen  trains  ^- 
over  the  first  and  second  divisions  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Rail-  \/^ 
road  stopped  work  on  the  29th  of  April,  and  refused  to  do  duty. 
The  men  allowed  themselves  to  become  the  slaves  of  such  ex- 
treme passion  and  hardihood  as  to  attempt  by  force  to  secure 
their  ends.  During  the  week  the  woods  from  Baltimore  to 
the  Relay  House  were  interspersed  with  bonfires,  around  which 
they  sat  in  anticipation  of  the  approach  of  the  freight  trains  ;  but 
none  were  sent  out  without  the  same  was  accompanied  by  an 
armed  body  of  men  determined  to  fight  their  way  against  the  des- 
perate opposition  presented.  The  crisis  took  place  about  four 
o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  the  1st  of  May.  At  that  hour  Sheriff 
Pole,  of  Baltimore  County,  with  a  posse  of  officers,  appeared  at 
the  Camden  Station,  and  were  placed  in  an  old  passenger-car,  which 
being  attached  to  one  of  the  tonnage  trains,  was  started  for  the 
main  stem  near  Gwynn's  Falls.  Here  several  trains  from  Mount 
Clare  depot  were  drawn  up,  and  proceeded  along  immediately 
after  the  pioneer  train.  They  encountered  no  resistance  until 
nearing  the  deep  cut  at  Jackson's  bridge.  Here  a  man  was  seen 
ahead  of  the  engine  waving  his  hat  for  the  engineer  to  stop ;  but 
no  heed  was  paid  him,  the  train  continued  on,  and  the  man,  who 
endeavored  to  stop  it,  jumped  from  the  track  barely  in  time  to  save 
himself  from  being  caught  and  crushed  beneath  the  "  cow-catcher." 
This  ineffectual  effort  to  check  the  train  was  a  signal  for  the  dis- 
graceful onslaught  which  followed.  Pistols,  short  rifles  and 
missiles  of  different  kinds  were  discharged  and  hurled  at  the  engi- 
neer and  sheriff's  posse,  whilst  they  in  return  fired  some  thirty  ^  ' 
muskets  heavily  loaded  amongst  the  rioters,  several  of  whom  were 
severely  wounded.  The  car  was  pretty  well  peppered  with  balls, 
and  several  of  the  inmates  narrowly  escaped  death.  Upon  passing 
under  the  bridge  rocks  were  hurled  down  upon  the  cars,  crushing 
them  in  several  places.  This  train  passed  on,  but  the  three  that 
followed  were  not  so  successful.  They  were  surrounded  by  the 
rioters  at  the  bridge,  who  jumped  upon  them,  put  down  the  brakes, 
uncoupled  the  cars,  and  threw  the  coupling-pins  awaj'^.  They 
were  not  further  interfered  with,  and  the  train  returned  to  Mount 
Clare.  The  disgraceful  proceedings  of  Friday,  May  1st,  were  con- 
tinued on  Saturday,  and  to  some  extent  during  Sunday,  along  the  line 
of  the  road  from  the  city  limits  to  EUicott's  Mills.  Governor  Ligon 
having  arrived  in  town,  he  was  waited  upon  at  Barnum's  Hotel  on 
Saturday  morning  by  the  officers  of  the  road,  and  after  consulta- 
tion with  them,  issued  a  proclamation  "  warning  all  persons  to 
keep  away  from  the  neighborhood  of  these  disturbances."    At  four 


556  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

o'clock  Saturday  afternoon,  in  pursuance  of  power  invested  in  the 
officers  of  the  road  by  the  Governor,  the  Baltimore  City  Guards, 
under  the  command  of  Capt.  Warner,  and  the  Independent  Greys, 
commanded  by  Captain  Brush,  made  their  appearance  at  the  Cam- 
den Station,  where  they  were  placed,  together  with  a  number  of 
the  Sheriffs  posse,  in  passenger  cars,  in  advance  of  three  very 
lengthy  burthen  trains.  To  the  extreme  end  of  the  burthen  trains 
were  attached  the  paymaster's  car  and  a  small  "  bunk  car,"  denomi- 
nated "Sebastopol"  by  the  county  sheriff's  posse  and  others  occu- 
pying it.  Thus  prepared,  the  entire  trains,  locked  together, 
moved  off,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Shutt  and  Capt.  Eawlings, 
conductors.  In  addition  to  the  companies  of  military  the  following 
staff  officers  of  the  Fifth  Eegiment  were  present :  Col.  J.  Alden 
Weston,  Adjutant  Johannes,  Paymaster  Tyson,  Quartermaster 
McKim,  and  Surgeon  Stewart.  Gen.  Egerton  and  Major  Mont- 
gomery were  also  in  attendance  as  volunteers.  There  were  vast 
crowds  of  spectators  along  the  road  as  far  as,  and  for  some  dis- 
tance beyond,  the  city  limits ;  but  no  difficulty  was  met  with  until 
reaching  the  deep  cut  at  Jackson's  bridge.  Here,  as  on  the  pre- 
vious day,  a  volley  of  rocks  was  hurled  at  the  cars,  whilst  the 
sharp  reports  of  revolvers  indicated  that  more  deadly  weapons 
were  being  used  against  the  inmates  of  the  train.  Upon  nearing 
the  bridge  over  the  road  the  rioters  threw  rocks  from  the  bridge, 
but  they  were  too  small  to  crush  the  cars,  and  consequently  no 
injury  followed.  In  passing  this  bridge  shots  were  fired  by  the 
military  stationed  upon  the  engines  and  by  the  Sheriff's  officers, 
but  none  of  the  rioters  were  injured.  After  proceeding  about  a 
mile  further,  the  train,  in  passing  through  another  deep  cut,  was 
again  the  recipient  of  a  sharp  fire,  and  several  on  board  narrowly 
escaped.  The  rioters  in  this  instance  fared  worse  than  those  pre- 
viously encountered.  Several  were  seen  limping  from  the  scene, 
whilst  one  mauj  named  Henrj^  Howser,  was  killed  instantly.  One 
ball  entered  his  forehead  just  above  the  left  eye,  and  penetrated 
through  the  brain  towards  the  back  part  of  the  scalp,  whilst 
another  ball  barely  escaped  his  windpipe  and  entered  his  neck. 
He  fell  and  expired  in  a  few  minutes.  He  was  formerly  engaged 
as  fireman  on  the  road,  and  lived  in  the  vicinity  of  Mount  Clare. 
From  this  point  no  further  obstacles  of  a  similar  nature  were  met 
with  ;  but  on  reaching  Lee's  water-station  the  train  was  brought 
to  a  standstill,  from  the  fact  of  the  engine  and  tender  of  an  east 
bound  burthen  and  stock  train  having  been  thrown  from  the  track 
by  a  heavy  stone  placed  thereon.  The  fragments  of  the  engine 
after  some  time  were  removed  from  the  track,  and  it  proceeded  on 
to  EUicott's  Mills.  It  left  the  Mills  at  ten  o'clock,  with  the  run-off 
stock  train  in  advance,  and  returned  as  far  as  the  country-seat 
formerly  occupied  by  Carroll  Spence,  Esq.,  about  two  miles  from 
the  city,  without  any  injury  whatever.  At  this  point  some  of  the 
;s  bad  spiked  the  track,  which  was  done  by  fastening  a  rail 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  557 

inside  of  and  parallel  with  those  forming  the  regular  track. 
Upon  striking  the  rail  the  engine  ran  off,  and  four  or  five  bur- 
then cars  were  thrown  from  the  track,  wounding  several  of  the 
military  who  were  on  the  engine.  No  engine  being  ready  at  hand 
to  bring  them  to  town,  they  concluded  to  walk,  and  reached  Mount 
Clare  depot  as  the  clock  struck  two  Sunday  morning.  No  dispo- 
sition was  manifested  to  interfere  with  any  of  the  trains  after- 
wards, as  the  difficulty  was  amicably  settled. 

In  April  La  Fayette  Square  was  purchased  from  Messrs.  Knell, 
Eice,  Hoff,  and  others,  by  the  Mayor  and  City  Council  for  the  sum 
of  fifteen  thousand  dollars. 

The  banks  of  Baltimore  suspended  specie  payments  on  Monday, 
September  28. 

Hon.  Louis  McLane  died  on  Wednesday,  October  7th,  at  his  re- 
sidence in  Baltimore,  in  the  seventy-fourth  year  of  his  age.  He 
was  the  son  of  Allan  McLane,  a  distinguished  officer  in  the  Eevo- 
lutionary  War ;  and  was  born  in  the  village  of  Smyrna,  Kent  county, 
Delaware,  on  the  28th  of  May,  1784.  In  the  year  1798,  being  then 
only  fourteen  years  of  age,  he  served  with  great  credit  as  a  mid- 
shipman on  board  the  frigate  Philadelphia^  then  on  her  first  cruise, 
and  under  the  command  of  Stephen  Decatur,  the  father  of  Commo- 
dore Decatur.  In  1801,  yielding  to  the  desire  of  his  family,  he  left 
the  navy;  and  having  completed  his  education  at  Newark  College, 
is  his  native  State,  he  began  the  study  of  the  law  in  180-1  under 
the  instruction  of  James  A.  Bayard,  of  Delaware.  He  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  1807,  and  rapidly  attained  a  high  place  in  his 
profession.  In  the  war  of  1812  he  was  a  volunteer  in  a  company 
commanded  by  Caesar  A.  Eodney,  who  had  been  the  Attorney-Gen. 
of  the  United  States  under  Mr.  Jefferson,  and  marched  with  that 
company  to  the  relief  of  Baltimore  when  it  was  threatened  by  the 
British.  *  The  great  capacities  of  Mr.  McLane  now  began  to  attract 
public  attention  in  another  direction,  and  in  1816  he  was  elected 
to  the  House  of  Kepresentatives  from  Delaware ;  and  so  largely 
had  he  won  the  confidence  of  his  constituents  that  he  remained  a 
member  of  that  body  until  1827,  when  he  was  chosen  by  the  Legis- 
lature a  Senator  of  the  United  States.  In  May,  1820,  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  President  Jackson  to  be  the  minister  of  the  United 
States  to  Great  Britain,  where  he  remained  two  years,  and  on  his 
return  he  was  called  by  the  same  President  to  take  a  place  in  the 
cabinet  as  Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  He  served  in  this  place  until 
1833,  when  he  became  Secretary  of  State;  and  in  June,  1834,  he 
retired  from  political  life.  In  1837,  when  the  financial  condition  of  the 
country  was  such  as  to  require  his  services  among  ourselves,  Mr. 
McLane  was  prevailed  upon  to  accept  the  presidency  of  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  Railroad  Company,  and  removing  to  this  State,  he  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  this  laborious  office  until  1847.  In  this  time  he 
was  requested  by  President  Polk  to  occupy,  during  the  pendency  of 
the  Oregon  negotiations,  the  mission  to  England,  and  this  duty  being 


558  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

accomplished,  he  again  returned  to  Maryland.  In  1850  he  was 
solicited  and  prevailed  upon  by  his  fellow-citizens  in  Cecil  county, 
in  this  State,  where  he  resided,  to  serve  as  their  representative  in 
the  convention  called  to  reform  the  constitution  of  Maryland. 
After  performing  this  service  he  finally  retired  from  public  life. 
Mr.  McLane  was  a  chief  actor  in  all  the  great  political  events  which 
marked  the  first  half  of  this  century.  He  was  the  companion,  fel- 
low-laborer, and  friend  of  those  who  have  with  him  won  the  re- 
membrance of  our  countrymen  as  the  statesmen  of  America. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  Union  Protestant  Infirmary,  situated 
on  the  corner  of  Mosher  and  Division  streets,  was  laid  on  Tuesday, 
October  13th,  with  appropriate  ceremonies.  The  following  gen- 
tlemen participated :  Kev.  William  Hamilton,  Eev.  Kobert  L. 
Dashiells,  Eev.  Mr.  Cabe,  Eev.  Dr.  J.  C.  Backus,  and  Eev.  Gr.  Owen. 

Died  on  Monday,  December  28th,  Col.  Jacob  G.  Davies,  late 
Mayor  of  the  city. 

On  Saturday,  July  18th,  a  large  number  of  the  corporate  author- 
ities of  our  sister  cities  of  St.  Louis,  Cincinnati,  and  Chillicothe,  to- 
gether with  a  large  number  of  prominent  and  distinguished  citizens 
of  the  West,  arrived  here  as  the  guests  of  the  city. 

The  election  for  members  of  the  City  Council  was  not  allowed 
kJ  to  pass  off  quietly  on  the  14th  of  October,  and  scenes  of  riot  and 
'^  bloodshed  occurred  in  several  sections  of  the  city.  In  the  eighth 
ward  Sergeant  William  Jordon  of  the  police  force  was  killed.  The 
election  was  a  mere  mockery  of  the  elective  franchise,  accompanied 
throughout  the  city  by  riot  and  bloodshed.  In  some  of  the  wards 
naturalized  citizens  were  not  allowed  to  vote.  Owing  to  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  election  was  conducted  by  the  party  in  power, 
during  the  day  a  number  of  the  Democratic  candidates  withdrew 
from  the  contest,  and  quite  a  number  of  the  judges  of  election  re- 
signed. To  give  an  idea  of  the  manner  in  which  the  election  was 
carried  on,  we  have  the  following  result :  The  Know-Nothing  ticket 
polled  11,898  votes;  the  Democratic  ticket  polled  2792  votes; 
majority  for  the  Know-Nothings  9106  votes.  The  Democratic 
y  ticket  polled  in  the  20th  ward  one  vote,  in  the  11th  ward  two,  in 
//  the  14th  eight,  in  the  17th  ten,  and  in  the  8th  1013  votes.  Gov. 
V  Ligon  in  his  message  to  the  Legislature  gives  a  narrative  of  the 
political  events  which  transjMred  in  the  city  of  Baltimore  at  this 
time,  from  which  we  extract  the  following :  "At  the  municipal  elec- 
tion in  Baltimore,  held  in  October,  1856,  an  organized  force  was 
made  apparent  at  the  polls,  which  in  its  direct  influence  was  im- 
mediately felt  by  naturalized  citizens.  This  class  of  voters  was  to 
a  considerable  extent  excluded  from  the  exercise  of  suffrage ;  many 
of  them  beaten,  and  others  overaw'ed  and  deterred  by  violence 
from  visiting  the  polls.  Such  were  the  representations  made  to 
me,  asserted  by  a  portion  of  the  press  of  the  city,  and  measurably 
conceded  by  all.  In  the  course  of  the  day,  bloody  and  destructive 
riots  took  place,  and  the  subsequent  record  comprehended  a  list  of 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  559 

killed  and  wounded  truly  appalling.  The  city  was  temporarily 
outlawed  by  its  fury,  and  it  is  beyond  all  question  with  me,  that 
could  the  executive  authority  have  commanded  military  power  at 
the  moment  of  the  emergency,  it  would  have  been  my  duty  then  to 
have  interposed,  and  overwhelmed  a  lawless  demonstration  clearly 
defiant  of  the  municipal  police.  As  the  time  approached  for  ttie 
Presidential  election  in  November,  1856,  apprehension  generally 
prevailed  that  a  recurrence  of  similar  scenes  was  inevitable.  Po- 
litical sentiment  and  party  animosity  were  alike  demonstrative  and 
violent,  and  peaceable  and  orderly  citizens,  and  especially  natural- 
ized citizens,  were  utterly  hopeless  of  those  decencies  and  proprie- 
ties essential  to  the  freedom  of  suffrage.  In  short,  the  large  body 
of  citizens  composing  the  Democratic  party  within  the  city  of 
Baltimore  saw  the  day  of  election  approach,  under  the  assurance 
that  they  would  not  be  suffered  to  record  their  votes,  and  on  the 
other  hand  would  be  exposed  to  the  consequences  of  the  most 
reckless  frauds.         **         ***         **** 

"  On  the  eve  of  the  Presidential  election  I  proceeded  to  Balti- 
more and  sought  an  interview  with  the  Mayor  of  the  city  (Thos. 
Swann),  in  the  vain  hope  of  such  a  co-operation  of  influences,  and 
moral  and  material  power,  as  would  ensure  the  peace  of  the  city, 
prevent  bloodshed,  and  secure  to  every  citizen,  without  respect  to 
party,  the  exercise  of  his  political  rights.  My  overtures  were 
repulsed  with  cold  civility.  I  was  thrown  upon  my  personal  and 
official  responsibility,  before  an  important  and  respectable  com- 
munity, for  the  initiative  in  a  measure  which  the  exigency  of  the 
time  demanded,  and  the  Executive  of  the  city  was  indisposed  to 
adopt.  The  day  of  election  was  then  too  near  at  hand  for  me  to 
mature,  under  my  official  authority  and  by  my  independent  act,  a 
force  adequate  to  the  probable  necessity  which  menaced  the  occa- 
sion. I  •  accordingly  left  the  full  measure  of  accountability  with 
the  Mayor  and  his  subordinates.  How  fearful  that  accountability 
was,  the  sanguinary  deeds  of  that  election  day  have  sufficiently 
proved.  Again  party  animosity  ran  riot  throughout  the  city ;  the 
most  desperate  encounters  took  place,  in  which  hundreds  of  in- 
furiated partizans  were  engaged  ;  arms  of  all  kinds  were  employed, 
and  bloodshed,  wounds  and  death,  stained  the  record  of  the  day, 
and  added  another  page  of  dishonor  to  the  annals  of  the  distracted 
city.  I  retired  from  the  scene  convinced  that  all  this  might  have 
been  prevented,  and  not  without  a  painful  sense  of  duty  unful- 
filled. 

"A  year  glided  away,  and  with  the  fall  of  1857  the  political 
elements  were  again  stirred  for  the  election  contests  of  the  season. 
In  the  meantime  the  civil  condition  of  the  city  had  become  more 
sensibly  demoralized.  The  press,  without  distinction  of  party, 
was  teeming  with  every  day's  report  of  wrong,  outrage,  violent 
encounters  of  partizans,  desperate  assaults  and  homicides.  These 
things  thus  grouped  are  but  the  catalogue  of  deeds  transpiring  in 


560  CHBONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

rapid  succession,  and  culminating  in  frequency  and  ferocity  as  the 
day  of  municipal  election  drew  near.  The  day  of  election  came  and 
passed,  and  although  the  bloody  scenes  of  the  preceding  year  were 
not  re-enacted,  violence  was  everywhere  in  the  ascendant;  out- 
rages were  perpetrated  with  entire  impunity,  and  many  thousands 
cf  the  citizens  were,  by  causes  beyond  their  individual  control, 
deprived  of  the  exercise  of  suffrage.  In  a  word,  the  Democrats  of 
the  city,  both  native  born  and  naturalized,  were,  to  an  extent  that 
a  few  years  since  would  have  been  absolutely  incredible,  virtually 
disfranchised.  The  experience  of  that  day  was  presented  to  me 
by  several  eminent  citizens  of  Baltimore  as  suflScient  proof  that 
the  municipal  authorities  were  wholly  inadequate,  from  some  cause, 
to  cope  with  a  fierce  organization  which  held  absolute  control  of 
the  polls.  I  was  assured  and  convinced  the  people  of  Baltimore 
were  inextricably  involved  within  the  grip  of  a  dilemma.  On  one 
side  was  a  party  disfranchised  by  lawless  violence,  with  which  it 
was  unable  to  cope ;  on  the  other,  a  party  sustained  by  violence 
which  even  the  most  honest  and  ujDright  of  its  members  were  un- 
able to  repress  and  restrain ;  while  the  city  authorities  themselves 
were  either  unable  to  grapple  effectually  with  the  diabolism  broken 
loose  in  the  community,  or  unwilling  to  provoke  the  retaliatory 
spirit  of  a  desirable  but  furious  ally. 

"  Such  was  the  condition  of  affairs  in  Baltimore  when  the  most 
urgent  appeals  were  made  to  me  to  exert  the  authority  vested  in 
the  Executive  of  the  State  for  the  protection  of  her  citizens  against 
intestine  disorder,  and  to  see  that  the  laws  were  executed.  1  did 
not  feel  at  liberty  to  hesitate  longer  in  the  performance  of  a  duty 
evidently  incumbent  upon  me.  It  was  not  for  me  to  consider  the 
contingencies  of  political  antagonism  or  a  perverted  public  senti- 
ment. My  duty  was  plain,  and  I  had  no  alternative  but  to  perform 
it,  and  to  leave  the  sequel  to  the  people  themselves.  I  realized  no 
accountability  in  an  utter  failure  to  rally  a  single  man  to  the 
service  to  which  he  might  be  called.  It  was  my  duty  to  present 
such  a  statement  of  facts  as  had  been  laid  before  me,  to  exhibit  the 
remedy,  and  to  use  the  proper  means  for  the  application  of  it.  To 
this  end,  responding  to  the  entreaties  of  gentlemen  earnest  in  their 
avowals  of  co-operation  to  any  necessary  extremity,  and  in  full 
compliance  with  my  own  sense  of  duty,  I  visited  Baltimore.  Im- 
mediately upon  my  arrival  1  addressed  the  Mayor  of  the  city,  and 
invited  his  counsel  and  co-operation  in  devising  and  putting  into 
practical  effect  means  adequate  to  the  impending  emergency. 
Again  were  my  overtures  repulsed,  and  this  time  the  executive 
authority  of  the  State  coolly  and  gratuitously  disputed.  The 
object  which  I  had  in  view  requiring  in  my  judgment  the  most 
prompt  ai'd  rigorous  measures,  would  not  admit  of  the  delay  inci- 
dent to  an  empty  controversy  about  well  established  authority. 
Accordingly,  in  the  execution  of  my  purpose,  i  at  once  initiated 
preliminary  measures  towards  the  summary  and  effective  organiza- 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  561 

tion  of  the  militia,  and  on  Thursday  morning,  October  29th,  issued 
a  proclamation  informing  the  people  of  Baltimore  what  I  had  done, 
and  further  contemplated  for  the  preservation  of  the  peace,  and  to 
secure  to  the  legal  voters  of  the  city  their  rights  against  violence 
and  intimidation.  Orders  were  issued  to  Major-Greneral  Greorge 
H.  Steuart  to  hold  his  command,  the  1st  Light  Division,  M.  V., 
ready  for  service  at  a  time  specified,  and  to  Major-General  John 
Spear  Smith  to  enrol  and  embody  without  delay  six  regiments  of 
not  less  than  six  hundred  men  each,  to  be  ready  for  service  at  the. 
same  time.  These  orders  were  responded  to  by  the  general  officers 
with  immediate  measures  in  pursuance  of  the  purpose  in  view. 
Having  thus  initiated  proceedings,  I  took  occasion  to  reply  at  some 
length  to  the  very  remarkable  propositions  advanced  by  the  Mayor 
of  Baltimore  in  his  letter  to  me,  and  renewed  my  solicitation  that 
he  would  co-operate  with  me  in  a  harmonious  effort  to  assert  the 
supremacy  of  the  laws.  The  Mayor  rejoined  briefly,  declining  to 
discuss  any  point  at  issue,  remarking  that  the  responsibility  ^vas 
with  me — a  fact  which  I  had  well  considered  from  the  first,  and 
had  resolved  to  bear  with  me  to  the  end. 

'*  The  measures  which  had  been  set  on  foot  progressed  during 
Friday  and  Saturday,  the  30th  and  31st  of  October,  and  reports 
were  made  to  me  from  time  to  time.  From  these  1  had  no  diffi- 
culty in  gathering  the  conviction  that,  whatever  effort  might  bo 
made  by  the  military  officers  to  embody  the  proposed  force,  the 
result  would  be  unsatisfactory  and  in&dequate.  This  was  of  course 
a  sufficient  cause  of  official  embarrassment,  and  a  result  entirely  at 
variance  with  what  I  had  been  led  to  expect.  Misrepresentation 
and  voluble  abuse  from  the  press,  together  with  the  assiduous 
diffusion  of  the  most  erroneous  sentiments  respecting  the  executive 
authority  and  the  proceedings  I  had  taken,  no  doubt  had  their 
effect  upon  the  public  mind.  There  was,  moreover,  and  had  been 
for  so  long  a  time,  a  peculiar  tolerance  of  the  lawless  element  to 
be  subdued,  and  a  species  of  infatuation  pervading  a  large  portion 
of  the  community  which  effected  or  amounted  to  a  morbid  igno- 
rance of  its  true  character,  in  consequence  of  which  the  class  of 
citizens  from  whom  military  service  was  mainly  to  be  expected 
exhibited  first  indecision  and  at  last  unwillingness  to  respond  to 
the  call  which  had  been  made  upon  the  community  I  need  hardly 
say,  that  however  a  portion  of  the  people  or  of  the  press  found 
cause  to  rejoice  in  this  state  of  things,  and  its  obvious  consequences, 
I  was  made  painfully  sensible  of  a  total  perversion  of  political 
sentiment,  and  an  indifference  to  the  security  of  equal  rights  wholly 
inconsistent  with  the  spirit  of  our  institutions.  I  had  been  invited  > 
to  exert  the  extreme  executive  authority  in  a  community  notoriously  t<^ 
without  sufficient  or  effective  municipal  power,  for  the  protection 
of  its  citizens  against  outrage  and  violence,  and  for  the  execution 
of  its  own  laws;  and  when  in  obedience  to  my  own  sense  of  duty 
I  assumed  the  unwelcome  task,  I  found  a  complaining  people  more 
36 


562  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

willing  to  submit  to  the  grievances  which  oppressed  them,  to  the 
lawlessness  which  disfranchised  them,  to  the  terrors  which  over- 
awed them,  than  to  rally  in  their  strength  and  vindicate  their  out- 
raged rights  and  insulted  honor.  Justly  and  truly  indignant  at 
such  a  result,  I  resolved  to  maintain  my  own,  and  pursue  the  pur- 
pose I  had  undertaken.  In  this  resolve  I  was  sustained  by  a  few 
gallant,  earnest  and  faithful  men,  and  by  the  spirit  with  which  one, 
at  least,  of  the  military  officers  was  responded  to  in  the  district  as- 
signed to  him.  In  this  case  there  was  an  enrolment  of  volunteers, 
prompt,  earnest  and  effective.  And  so  long  as  there  was  but  a 
maniple  of  true  men,  willing  to  stand  for  their  rights  and  honor, 
I  determined  that  they  should,  at  least,  have  the  full  sanction  of 
what  I  had  done,  and  my  personal  interest  in  the  matter  until  the 
emergency  was  past. 

"  On  Sunday,  the  1st  of  ISTovember,  for  the  first  time,  a  detailed 
exhibit  was  made  to  me  of  the  special  and  extraordinary  arrange- 
ments matured  by  the  Mayor  for  the  maintenance  of  the  peace  and 
the  protection  of  the  citizens  in  the  exercise  of  their  rights  at  the 
approaching  election.  The  submission  of  these  arrangements  toy 
my  consideration  then,  which  were  withheld  from  me  on  my  first 
arrival  in  the  city,  was  the  result  of  some  consultations  brought 
about  through  the  intervention  of  several  gentlemen  representing 
the  respective  views  of  the  Mayor  and  myself.  This  plan  was  in 
terms  plausible  j  it  had  the  appearance  of  sincerity  of  purpose,  and 
I  doubt  not  was  offered  in  good  faith.  I  must  confess,  however, 
that  had  the  proceedings  I  had  commenced  been  sustained  with  all 
the  vigor  the  occasion  required,  I  could  not  have  withheld  the  con- 
ciliatory step  I  deemed  it  proper  to  take  in  view  of  the  arrange- 
ments submitted  for  my  consideration  by  the  Mayor,  and  especially 
as  each  of  the  gentlemen  with  whom  I  was  in  consultation  seemed 
to  be  entirely  confident  of  the  sufficiency  of  the  arrangements 
which  had  been  now  adopted.  Under  this  impression  I  was  urged 
to  withdraw  my  proclamation  and  to  rescind  all  military  orders.  I 
positively  refused  under  any  circumstances  to  comply  with  any  pro- 
position which  included  such  a  stipulation.  First,  because  it  had  the 
appearance,  at  least,  of  a  surrender  of  my  constitutional  authority 
at  a  time  when  violent  opposition  to  the  laws  was  openly  threat- 
ened ;  and  secondly,  because  I  knew  not  what  exigency  might 
arise  on  the  day  of  election.  But  in  deference  to  the  opinions  ot 
gentlemen  in  whom  I  then  had  and  still  have  great  confidence,  who 
were  citizens  of  Baltimore,  and  who  knew  more  of  the  local  con- 
dition of  affairs  than  myself,  I  consented  to  an  announcement,  that 
in  view  of  the  sufficiency  of  the  arrangements  just  made,  '  I  did 
not  contemplate  the  use  of  the  military  force  which  I  had  ordered 
to  be  enrolled  and  organized,'  on  the  day  of  election. 

"  In  this  state  of  public  affairs  the  day  of  election  approached. 
A  form  of  suffrage  was  observed  under  circumstances  defiant  of  the 
execution  of  the  laws.     Eiot,  in  its  vociferous  and  most  formidable 


CHKONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  563 

aspect,  did  not  occur,  but  I  was  made  the  recipient  of  almost  cease- 
less complaints  of  outrage,  violence,  and  organized  ruffianism  at 
the  polls,  whereby  multitudes  of  citizens,  native  and  naturalized, 
were  deterred  from  voting.  I  was  powerless  for  their  protection. 
The  opportunity  was  past  in  which,  as  a  lawful  and  enrolled  force, 
they  could  have  exhibited  a  moral  as  well  as  material  power 
against  their  assailants.  They  were  at  the  mercy  of  a  mob,  and 
without  protection  from  the  civil  power.  Abundant  evidence  from 
respectable  citizens  in  all  parts  of  the  city  could  be  obtained. to  j 
prove  a  state  of  society  verging  upon  the  fiercest  anarchy,  out-  / 
rages  almost  incredible  in  a  civilized  community,  and  the  ubiquity 
of  an  organization  which  prevailed  by  violence  to  the  exclusion  of 
voters  at  will,  and  controlled  means  and  resources  for  the  most 
pernicious  and  daring  frauds.  It  is  beyond  all  question  that  such 
wrongs  were  perpetrated  on  that  election  day  as  have  no  parallel 
in  the  election  annals  of  our  country,  but  in  Baltimore  itself  j  and 
this,  too,  under  the  official  assurance  of  municipal  authority,  and 
of  a  police  organization  and  a  plan  of  operations  adequate  to  the 
emergency."  .  ^<;-'<?' 

1858.  The  steam  fire-engine  built  for  the  first  Baltimore  com-  /  ^    ^  ° 
pany,  and  afterwards  called  the  "Alpha,"  arrived  in  this  city  on 
the  morning  of  the  18th  of  May,  by  one  of  the  Ericsson  line  of 
steamers,  from  Philadelphia.     This  was  the  first  steam  fire-engine 
owned  in  this  city  by  the  Baltimore  fire  department. 

In  June  the  Mayor  and  City  Council  adopted  the  use  of  the 
police  and  fire  alarm  telegraph. 

Our  city  was  visited  on  Saturday  afternoon,  June  12th,  with  a 
flood  almost  equal  to  that  of  the  year  1837.  The  amount  of  prop- 
erty destroyed  could  not  be  estimated.  The  rain  commenced  on 
Friday  afternoon,  and  continued  without  intermission  until  four 
o'clock  on  Saturday  afternoon.  The  principal  sufferers  in  the  city 
were,  as  usual,  those  persons  who  resided  and  did  business  on  Har- 
rison and  Saratoga  streets  and  the  ea&t  side  of  Centre  Market 
Space.  All  the  houses  on  the  line  near  the  bridge  were  inundated, 
some  to  such  an  extent  that  the  inmates  removed  their  furniture 
into  the  second  stories.  Several  of  the  police  officers  procured  a 
small  boat  and  rendered  great  assistance  to  persons  unable  to  get 
out  of  their  houses.  Charles  street  bridge  was  washed  down  the 
stream,  being  the  only  one  in  the  city  that  was  carried  away. 

In  January  Mrs.  Thomas  Winans  established  a  soup-house  near 
her  mansion,  on  West  Baltimore  street,  from  which  the  poor  were  i^ 
furnished  daily  with  soup,  bread,  and  in  some  instances  fuel.  This 
noble  work  of  charity  was  under  her  own  supervision,  and  very 
often  as  many  as  six  hundred  daily  received  the  renovating  bever- 
age from  her  hands. 

September  2d  will  long  be  remembered  by  our  citizens,  espe- 
cially by  those  of  German  origin,  as  in  point  of  interest  the  grandest 
gala-day  which  we  have  had  in  our  city  for  a  long  time.     It  was 


564  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

to  them  indeed  a  social  reunion  of  no  common  interest,  being  not 
merely  a  festival  of  i^leasure,  but  a  fitting  tribute  to  the  memory 
of  one  of  the  brave  sons  of  their  own  fatherland,  "Baron  Steuben,'' 
who  nobly  shared  with  our  great  Washington  and  other  patriots 
of  the  Eevolution  in  the  struggle  for  American  liberty.  Although 
the  majority  of  the  immense  concourse  present  were  Germans, 
there  were  in  attendance  large*  numbers  of  native-born  citizens 
who  mingled  freely  in  the  festivities  of  the  day,  as  members  of 
one  common  brotherhood.  From  7  o'clock  in  the  morning  our 
streets  were  enlivened  with  the  music  of  the  bands  and  the  rapid 
march  of  the  different  societies  as  they  severally  proceeded  to 
Broadway,  the  place  appointed  for  forming  the  procession.  This 
was  accomplished  about  9  o'clock,  when  the  line,  which  was  over 
a  mile  in  length,  moved  up  Baltimore  street,  and  thence  through 
several  streets  out  to  the  festive  grounds  of  "  Kullman's  Gardens," 
on  the  Frederick  road.  The  opening  address  was  delivered  in 
German  by  Kev.  H.  Scheib ;  then  followed  the  orator  of  the  day, 
Hon.  Joshua  Vansant. 

Never  has  the  victory  which  was  achieved  by  our  arms  at  the 
battle  of  North  Point  been  more  generally  or  appropriately  cele- 
brated than  on  Monday,  the  13th  of  September.  The  day  had 
been  properly  selected  by  the  Wells  and  McComas  Monument  As- 
sociation for  the  reinterment  of  the  mortal  remains  of  these  brave 
young  men.  The  ceremonies  pertaining  to  the  funeral  obsequies 
were  of  a  character  reflecting  creditably  upon  those  who  planned 
them,  and  under  whose  supervision  they  were  performed.  The 
several  streets  through  which  the  procession  passed  were  densely 
crowded  with  citizens ;  while  this  was  so  much  the  case  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  Maryland  Institute  that  it  was  with  extreme  diffi- 
culty the  procession  could  form.  The  line  having  at  length  been 
formed  on  Baltimore  street,  the  coffins  were  removed  from  Mary- 
land Institute  hall,  where  they  had  lain  in  state,  and  placed  upon 
the  funeral  car.  The  line  then  moved  up  Baltimore  street,  and 
thence  through  several  streets  to  Ashland  square,  the  place  of  in- 
terment. On  arriving  at  the  square,  the  car  was  placed  in  front 
of  the  stand,  but  the  vast  concourse  of  people  here  assembled  pre- 
cluded the  possibility  of  the  military  forming  around  the  tomb  as 
was  designed,  and  they  were  necessarily  compelled  to  form  on  the 
adjacent  streets.  The  ceremonies  were  then  commenced  by  the 
Eev.  Jno.  McCron,  who  delivered  a  chaste  and  impressive  prayer. 
jlaj^mSwann  was  ne;^t  introduced,  and  delivered  an  address.  At 
its  close,  the  orator  of  the  day,  the  Hon.  Jno.  C  Legrand,  was 
presented  to  the  vast  multitude,  and  his  address  was  listened  to 
with  an  unusual  interest  and  attention,  and  was  received  with 
marked  favor.  Immediately  after  the  close  of  the  oration  of 
Judge  Legrand,  the  stand  went  down  with  a  crash,  which  for  a 
few  moments  caused  great  consternation,  but  fortunately  no  one 
was  seriously  injured  thereby. 


CHROmCLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  565 

Another  foul  and  unprovoked  murder  was  committed  about 
half-past  11  o'clock  on  September  22d,  in  the  western  section  of 
the  city,  which  during  these  times  stained  the  record  of  almost 
every  day  with  blood.  It  appears  that  there  was  a  party  going 
on  in  a  private  house  on  Biddle  street,  between  Pennsylvania 
avenue  and  Marsh  street,  and  at  about  fifteen  minutes  after  11  o'clock 
two  men  named  John  Eisenhart  and  David  Houck  rapped  at  the 
door  and  demanded  admittance,  which  was  refused.  They  then 
insisted  on  coming  in,  upon  which  the  proprietor  called  for  the 
officers ;  and  officers  Benjamin  Benton  and  Eigdon  hearing  the 
noise,  came  up  and  arrested  Eisenhart  and  Houck  on  the  charge 
of  disorderly  conduct  in  the  street.  They  had  proceeded  but  a 
short  distance  with  their  prisoners  when  a  man  named  Henry 
Gambrill  approached  them,  and  demanded  of  the  officers  that  they 
should  release  their  men,  which  they  refused  to  do,  when  Grambrill 
immediately  drew  his  revolver  and  fired,  the  contents  taking  effect 
in  the  head  of  officer  Benton,  killing  him  instantly.  Gambrill  then 
ran  off,  and  went  to  the  public-house  of  James  Morgan,  on  the 
corner  of  Eutaw  and  Eoss  streets,  and  from  thence  to  his  own 
house  near  by,  where  he  changed  his  clothing.  He  was  arrested 
shortly  after. 

In  September  the  ordinance  passed  both  branches  of  the  City 
Council  for  a  Paid  City  Fire  Department. 

On  Monday  night,  September  27th,  a  party  of  rowdies  attacked 
the  German  Correspondent  newspaper  office,  corner  of  Baltimore 
and  Gay  streets,  stoning  the  building  and  breaking  a  number  of 
window  panes.  One  of  the  missiles  passed  close  by  the  head  of 
one  of  the  compositors,  who  made  a  narrow  escape  from  serious 
injury. 

The  13th  of  October  was  the  day  assigned  for  the  mockery  of  our 
municipal  election.  No  serious  results  ensued,  as  but  few  save  the 
dominant  party  ventured  to  visit  the  polls.  The  candidates  were 
Thomas  Swann^who  represented  the  Know-Nothingparty.  and  Col. 
Shutt,  who  was  the  independent  candidate  for  Mayor.^  Mr.  Swann 
received  24,008  votes ;  Col.  Shutt  received  4,858  votes;  Mr.  Swann's 
majority  19,149.  At  an  early  hour  in  the  day  it  became  manifest 
that  no  free  or  fair  expression  of  the  popular  will,  with  respect  to 
the  choice  of  municipal  officers,  would  be  permitted  by  the  bands 
of  armed  and  lawless  ruffians  who  took  and  maintained  possession 
of  the  polls.  The  police  made  no  effort  fb  protect  citizens  in  the 
exercise  of  their  rights  of  suffrage,  but  remained  unconcerned  spec- 
tators of  the  violence  to  which  they  were  subjected.  Under  these 
circumstances,  at  the  hour  of  noon.  Col.  Shutt,  the  independent 
candidate  for  the  Mayoralty,  finding  it  impossible  for  those  favor- 
able to  his  election  to  approach  the  ballot-box  without  the  risk  of 
incurring  great  personal  danger,  issued  the  following  address  : 

"  Fellow-citizens,  it  being  now  clearly  manifest  that  a  deliberate 
purpose  actuates  the  Mayor  of  this  city  to  countenance  the  general 


1/ 


\y 


666  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

combination  which  now  prevails  between  his  police  and  the  armed 
bands  of  lawless  men  who  have  since  the  opening  of  the  ballot- 
boxes  held  possession  of  the  polls,  to  the  exclusion  of  all  voters 
opposed  to  Mayor  Swann,  and  it  being  urged  upon  me  by  many  of 
our  best  citizens  that  any  persistent  attempts  to  vote  upon  the  part 
of  my  friends  can  only  be  attended  with  loss  of  life  and  the  gene- 
ral disorder  of  the  city,  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  yield  to  their  judg- 
ments, and  withdraw  my  name  as  a  candidate  for  Mayor.  A.  P. 
Shutt,  Wednesday,  October  13th,  12  o'clock  M." 

On  Friday  night,  November  5th,  about  8  o'clock,  another  most 
villainous  murder  was  perpetrated  upon  police  officer  Eobert  M. 
Kigdon,  at  his  dwelling,  No.  468  West  Baltimore  street.  Mr.  Eig- 
don  left  the  western  police  station  for  his  home,  having  been  pre- 
viously cautioned  by  Captain  Lineweaver,  who  had  heard  that 
threats  had  been  made  against  his  life,  to  be  on  his  guard,  and  to 
remain  at  home  until  the  excitement  attending  the  rendition  of 
the  verdict  against  Henry  Gambrill  had  subsided;  the  feeling 
against  the  deceased,  and  the  threats  of  vengeance  upon  him  hav- 
ing grown  out  of  his  having  testified  so  positively  in  the  case  to  the 
guilt  of  Gambrill  for  the  murder  of  officer  Benton,  as  heretofore  men- 
tioned. Upon  leaving  the  station-house  he  proceeded  home,  and  had 
been  there  but  a  shorttime  when  the  assassination  took  place  ;  whilst 
he  was  standing  leaning  against  the  mantle  in  the  sitting-room  of  his 
house  in  conversation  with  his  wife,  who  was  sitting  near  by,  while 
a  small  child,  whom  he  had  found  in  the  street  and  .taken  into  his 
family,  was  playing  at  his  feet.  Within  two  feet  of  where  he  was 
standing,  a  small  window  opened  into  the  yard  in  the  rear  of  the 
dwelling,  and  the  assassins  had  gained  access  to  the  yard  by  way 
of  the  alley,  and  fired  through  this  window,  the  weapon  used  be- 
ing an  old  fowling-piece  cut  down  to  a  length  of  about  eighteen 
inches,  and  heavily  loaded  with  slugs.  Simultaneously  with  the 
discharge  of  the  weapon  Eigdon  exclaimed  "  I  am  shot !  "  and  in- 
stantly fell  to  the  floor  ;  the  only  subsequent  signs  of  life  he  gave 
being  the  utterance  of  a  single  groan  of  agony.  At  the  time  of 
the  commission  of  the  murder,  officer  John  Cook  was  opposite  to 
the  dwelling  on  Baltimore  street,  and  hearing  the  report  of  the 
pistol,  ran  across ;  but  before  he  reached  the  premises  a  man  came 
out  of  the  alley,  running  with  a  revolver  in  his  hand,  and  upon 
the  officer  attempting  ta  arrest  him.  he  turned  and  fired  twice  at 
him  without  effect,  when  he  again  started  at  full  speed  up  Balti- 
more street.  Officer  Cook  followed  in  pursuit,  and  after  being  thus 
fired  at,  drew  his  own  revolver  and  also  fired  two  shots  at  the  fug- 
itive. At  the  intersection  of  Baltimore  and  Pine  streets  the  man 
again  turned  and  fired  at  the  officer,  which  shot  the  latter  re- 
turned but  again  without  effect.  This  exciting  chase  was  continued 
until  they  reached  Penn  street,  where  the  officer  came  up  close 
enough  to  knock  the  fellow  down  with  his  pistol.  Officers  Jami- 
son and  Higgins  here  came  up  and  aided  in  conveying  the  prisoner 


CHKONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  567 

to  the  western  station-house,  when  he  was  recognized  to  be  a  man 
named  Peter  Corrie,  a  butcher,  residing  on  the  Hookstown  road. 
Upon  the  prisoner  being  arraigned  at  the  station-house  he  made  a 
full  confession  of  his  participation  in  the  horrible  tragedy,  pro- 
testing that  he  did  not  commit  the  murder,  but  had  gone  to  the 
place  with  Marion  Cropps,  who  fired  the  pistol,  he  having  waited 
at  the  mouth  of  the  alley  whilst  Cropps  had  gone  up  to  the  window 
and  fired  the  fatal  shot.  A  warrant  was  issued  for  the  arrest  of 
Cropps,  and  he  was  found  at  the  tavern  of  Erasmus  Levy,  on  Hol- 
liday  street,  near  Baltimore. 

In  accordance  with  an  invitation  on  the  part  of  the  members 
of  the  City  Council,  Dr.  Thomas  Buckler  on  the  23d  of  November 
addressed  the  First  Branch  chamber  upon  the'  project  of  "  filling 
up  of  the  harbor  or  back  basin  from  Light  street  to  a  line  con- 
tinuous with  the  west  side  of  Jones'  Falls,  at  the  same  time  level- 
ing and  grading  Federal  Hill,  and  then  carrying  Calvert,  South, 
Commerce,  Gay  and  Frederick  streets.  Marsh  Market  Space,  Con- 
cord street,  and  West  Falls  avenue  across  and  over  the  basin  and 
Whetstone  Point  to  the  Patapsco  river,  between  Fort  McHenry 
and  the  Ferry  Bar,  and  to  open  Camden,  Conway,  Barre,  Lee, 
York,  Hill,  Great  Hughes,  and  Montgomery  streets  eastwardly,  to 
intersect  West  Falls  avenue  at  or  near  Fell's  Point."  J)i\  Buckler 
incurred  much  ridicule  from  the  wiseacres  of  the  city  for  his  views, 
which,  however,  in  time  are  sure  to  be  adopted.  The  vile  nuisance 
of  the  stagnant  basin  has  been  growing  worse  and  worse  ever 
since.  Dr.  Buckler  within  the  present  time,  1873,  published  a 
stirring  pamphlet  in  support  of  his  theory. 

A  conviction  that  some  movement  to  secure  the  peace  and 
restore  the  reputation  of  the  city  was  necessary  had  become 
general,  and  several  prominent  citizens,  foremost  among  whom  was  ^ 
Mr.  George  William  Brown,  united  to  form  a  "  Reform  Associa-  U*"^ 
tion,"  the  object  of  which  was  by  regular  meetings  and  appeals 
through  the  press  to  organize  the  friends  of  law  and  order  into  a 
body  sufficiently  influential  and  powerful  to  secure  quiet  and  fair- 
ness at  the  polls,  which  at  this  time  were  the  scenes  of  the  most 
disgraceful  fraud,  violence  and  disorder.  In  addition  to  the  ordi- 
nary acts  of  riot  and  intimidation,  honest  gentlemen  as  well  as  un- 
fortunate wretches  were  frequently  seized  and  "cooped"  in  vile 
dens,  drugged  and  stupefied  with  whiskey,  and  then  carried  round 
in  omnibuses  and  "voted  "  in  ward  after  ward,  the  police  offering 
no  opposition  and  judges  of  election  receiving  the  votes.  Fire- 
arms were  openly  displayed  and  frequently  used,  resulting  in  at 
least  one  murder.  A  singular  but  effective  means  of  annoyance 
and  intimidation  was  brought  into  play  by  the  use  of  small  awls, 
which  ruffians  in  a  dense  crowd  thrust  into  the  persons  of  their 
adversaries  in  a  manner  which  easily  escaped  detection.  Accord- 
ingly a  great  mass  meeting  of  the  people  came  off  in  the  afternoon 
of  the  8th  of  September,  in  Monument  Square.     Not  less  than 


568  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

10,000  people  were  on  the  ground.  At  four  o'clock  the  committee 
arrived  and  took  their  seats  upon  the  platform.  Wm.  Woodward, 
Esq.,  was,  on  motion  of  Chas.  B.  Hinks,  appointed  chairman,  and 
speeches  were  made  hy  Messrs.  Geo.  Wm.  Brown,  James  Hodges, 
and  Geo.  M.  Gill.  This  was  the  first  organization  of  what  was 
formerly  knowm  as  the  "  Eeform  "  party. 

The  cashiers  of  all  the  Baltimore  banks  met  on  Friday  after- 
noon, March  5th,  in  the  cashier's  room  of  the  Union  3ank,  and 
after  due  deliberation,  unanimously  agreed  to  establish  a  "  clearing- 
houKe,"  to  go  into  operation  Monday,  March  8th. 

The  General  Assembly  of  Maryland  incorporated  on  the  24th 
of  February,  "The  Maryland  Club,"  on  the  9th  of  March  ".The 
Peabody  Institute,"  and  on  the  same  day  incorporated  the  "  Tow- 
sontown  Eailroad  Company." 

1859.  Mr.  Thomas  Winans'  "Cigar  Ship"  made  quite  a  suc- 
cessful trial  trip  on  Thursday  afternoon,  January  20th,  going  as  far 
as  North  Point. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  conceive  of  a  popular  excitement  more 
intense  in  feeling,  though  subdued  in  the  manner  of  its  manifes- 
tations, than  that  which  pervaded  the  city  on  the  8th  of  April. 
The  day  will  long  be  rem.embered  in  this  community  as  the  day 
upon  which  the  supremacy  of  the  law  was  vindicated  by  the  exe- 
cution of  four  convicted  murderers,  viz :  Henry  Gambrill,  Marion 
Cropps,  Peter  Corrie,  and  John  Stephens  alias  Cyphus,  for  the  murder 
of  Benjamin  Benton,  Robert  M.Eigdon,  and  William  King  (colored). 
Three  of  the  murderers  were  young  men  of  respectable  parentage, 
but  who  had  been  led  to  commit  the  crimes  for  which  they  had 
been  condemned  to  suffer  an  ignominious  death  by  giving  free  rein 
to  their  unbridled  passions,  and  through  the  baneful  influence  ex- 
erted upon  them  by  evil  associates.  Friends  powerful  and  influ- 
ential in  certain  quarters  had  for  weeks  persistently  yet  vainly 
sought  to  move  the  Governor  of  the  State  to  exercise  a  prerogative 
which,  while  it  might  have  been  an  act  of  mercy  to  the  condemned, 
would  have  inflicted  a  most  serious  injury  upon  society.  An  ex- 
tension of  the  time  originally  fixed  for  the  execution  of  the  law 
was  twice  granted  by  the  Governor,  but  beyond  this  he  finally 
declined  to  interpose.  The  number  of  spectators  assembled  to 
witness  this  tragic  spectacle  has  been  roughly  Estimated  at  thirty 
thousand. 

The  ordinance  granting  permission  to  William  H.  Travers  and 
others  to  construct  a  city  passenger  railway  in  our  city,  was  finally 
passed  the  City  Council  on  Monday,  March  14th. 

On  the  16th  of  April,  the  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone 
of  the  Peabody  Institute  building  was  performed  in  the  presence 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

The  first  operation  of  the  police  and  fire  alarm  telegraph  took 
place  on  Monday  afternoon,  June  27th.  It  was  a  test  of  the  power 
of  the  telegraphic  wires  in  ringing  the  bell  connected  with  the 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  569 

engine  house  of  the  "  Alpha,"  on  Paca  street,  near  Fayette.  The 
entire  line  was  completed  June  30th. 

On  the  12th  of  Jul}^  the  first  car  was  placed  on  the  City  Pas- 
senger Eailway  on  Broadway,  and  a  considerable  number  of  persons 
assembled  to  witness  the  start.  During  the  entire  morning  the 
car  on  every  trip  was  crowded  to  excess  with  men  and  boys,  par- 
ticularly the  latter,  who  were  present  by  hundreds ;  and  those  of 
them  who  could  not  get  a  seat  inside,  clung  to  the  platforms  and 
sides  of  the  car.  On  the  27th  of  October  the  cars  ran  from  one  end 
of  the  line  to  the  other.     . 

At  an  early  hour  on  the  morning  of  the  17th  of  October,  our 
city  ^as  thrown  into  a  state  of  excitement  by  the  publication  of  a 
despatch  from  Frederick,  stating  that  a  negro  insurrection  had 
broken  out  in  the  town  of  Harper's  Ferry,  that  the  insurgents  had 
taken  possession  of  the  place,  seized  upon  the  armory,  and  were 
proceeding  to  imprison  the  citizens  and  liberate  the  slaves  of  the 
adjacent  country.  The  intelligence  at  first  seemed  so  improbable 
that  little  credit  was  given  to  it ;  but  the  reception  of  other  des- 
patches of  the  same  purport,  and  non-arrival  of  the  train  from  the 
West  due  at  5  A.  M.,  gave  color  of  truthfulness  to  the  statement, 
and  the  newspaper  offices  were  besieged  by  an  anxious  and  in- 
creasing crowd.  About  noon  confirmatory  despatches  were  received 
from  the  office  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad.  Shortly  after 
12  M.  the  express  train  arrived,  and  full  particulars  of  the  affair 
were  obtained  from  conductor  Phelps  and  his  officers.  These  state- 
ments, as  may  be  imagined,  excited  the  most  intense  feeling,  and 
the  news  was  speedily  communicated  to  Washington  and  elsewhere. 
The  Frederick  military  telegraphed  to  the  President  proffering 
their  services,  which  were  immediately  accepted.  Major-General 
George  H.  Steuart,  of  this  city,  instantly  tendered  the  services  of 
his  division;  and  five  companies,  under  command  of  Lieut.-Col. 
Egerton,  left  at  5  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  for  the  scene  of  disturb- 
ance, amid  the  cheers  of  the  immense  crowd  who  had  collected  at 
the  depot.  Telegraphic  operators,  with  proper  instruments,  were 
also  sent  out  to  establish  communication  between  the  nearest  ac- 
cessible point  to  Harper's  Ferry  and  the  city.  The  train  consisted 
of  eleven  cars ;  the  first  contained  liquor  and  provisions ;  six  cars 
were  filled  with  the  military,  and  the  remainder  were  occupied  by 
passengers  and  citizens  not  in  uniform,  and  by  the  principal  officers 
of  the  road.  The  companies  which  left  were  the  Independent 
Greys,  Law  Greys,  Baltimore  City  Guard,  and  Wells  and  McComas 
Eiflemen,  numbering  201  muskets.  At  an  early  hour  the  next 
morning  the  Lafayette  Guards,  Capt.  Ferrandini,  the  reserve  guard 
of  the  Law  Greys,  the  Baltimore  and  Turner  Kifles  and  the  artillery 
companies,  presented  themselves  at  the  Camden  Station  ready  to 
proceed  to  the  seat  of  war,  but  it  was  not  deemed  necessary  to  call 
their  services  into  requisition.  In  the  evening  the  volunteer  com- 
panieSj  except  the  Independent  Greys,  which  left  the   city  on 


570  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Monday  to  assist  in  quelling  the  insurrection,  returned.  A  very- 
large  number  of  persons  were  in  attendance  on  the  arrival  of  the 
cars  at  the  Camden  Station  anxious  to  welcome  back  their  friends. 
The  Independent  Greys  remained  to  deposit  the  arms  which  they 
captured. 

If  we  could,  we  would  blot  out  forever  the  record  of  the  2d  of 
\/  November's  shame  from  the  annals  of  Baltimore  ;  but  the  deeds 
that  were  done  can  never  be  forgotten,  and  monuments  of  brass 
will  not  be  so  enduring  as  the  memory  of  that  day.  We  take  the 
following  extracts  from  the  papers  in  the  contested  election  case  of 
the  members,  as  returned  to  the  House  of  Delegates,  on  the  2d  of 
^November,  1859,  which  fully  show  by  sworn  statements  of  re- 
spectable gentlemen  the  melancholy  condition  of  affairs  in  this 
city,  which  the  scenes  and  incidents  of  this  day  so  fully  disclosed. 

Mr.  George  H.  Kyle,  brother  to  Adam  B.  Kyle,  being  requested 
to  state  what  occurred  at  the  15th  ward  poll,  said : 

"  I  went  to  the  polls  at  half-past  eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  was 
within  two  feet  of  the  window  ;  remained  there  about  five  minutes, 
with  my  brother.  I  had  a  bundle  of  tickets  under  my  arm,  and  one 
man  walked  up  to  me  and  asked  me  what  it  was  that  I  had.  I  told 
him  tickets ;  he  made  a  snatch  at  them,  and  I  avoided  him  and 
turned  round.  As  I  turned,  I  heard  my  brother  say,  '  I  am  struck, 
George  I '  At  the  same  time  I  saw  my  brother  raise  his  stick  and 
strike  at  some  one  ;  the  same,  I  suppose,  that  had  struck  him.  At 
'  that  moment  I  was  struck  from  behind  a  severe  blow  on  the  back 
of  the  head,  which  would  have  knocked  me  down,  but  the  crowd 
which  had  gathered  round  us,  some  thirty  or  forty  in  a  cluster, 
was  so  dense  that  I  was,  as  it  were,  kept  up.  After  1  received 
this  blow  I  drew  a  dirk  knife,  which  I  had  in  my  pocket,  with 
which  I  endeavored  to  strike  the  man,  who,  as  I  supposed,  had 
struck  me.  I  then  felt  a  pistol  placed  right  close  to  my  head,  so  that 
I  felt  the  cold  steel  upon  my  forehead.  At  that  moment  1  made  a 
little  motion  of  my  head,  which  caused  the  shot  of  the  pistol  to 
glance  from  my  head ;  my  hat  showed  afterwards  the  mark  of  a 
bullet,  which  I  supposed  to  have  been  from  that  shot.  The  dis- 
charge of  the  pistol,  which  blew  off  a  large  piece  of  the  skin  of  my 
forehead  and  covered  my  face  with  blood,  caused  me  to  fall.  When 
I  arose  I  saw  my  brother  in  the  middle  of  the  street,  about  ten 
feet  from  me,  surrounded  by  a  crowd  who  were  striking  at  him 
and  firing  pistols  all  around  him;  he  was  knocked  down  twice,  and 
at  one  time  while  he  was  down  I  saw  two  men  jump  on  his  body 
and  kick  him  ;  he  had  no  other  weapon  in  his  hand  than  his  stick. 
In  the  meantime  I  drew  my  pistol  and  fired  into  the  crowd,  which 
was  immediately  in  front  of  me,  every  man  of  whom  seemed  to 
have  a  pistol  in  his  hand  and  was  firing  as  rapidly  as  he  could ;  in 
this  crowd  there  were  fully  from  forty  to  fifty  persons.  I  saw  at 
the  second  story  windows  of  the  Watchmen  engine-house  building, 
in  which  the  polls  were  hold,  cut-off  muskets,  or  largo  pistols  pro- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  571 

tniding,  and  observed  smoke  issuing  from  the  muzzles,  as  though 
they  were  being  fired  at  me ;  I  then  turned  towards  my  brother 
and  endeavored  to  get  to  him.  When  within  a  few  feet  of  him  I 
saw  him  fall,  placing  his  hand  on  his  groin  as  if  badly  hurt ;  at  the 
same  moment  a  shot  struck  me  in  the  shoulder,  which  went  through 
my  arm  and  penetrated  into  my  breast ;  from  the  direction  the 
ball  took  I  am  satisfied  that  the  shot  was  fired  from  the  second 
story  of  the  engine-house.  When  1  got  up  my  brother  was  still 
lying  on  the  ground  immediately  opposite  the  door  of  the  house 
into  which  he  afterwards  managed  to  get ;  I  supposed  that  he  was 
dead,  and  transferred  my  pistol  from  my  right  hand,  which  was 
disabled,  to  my  left  hand,  and  holding  it  in  front  of  me,  backed 
down  towards  Lee  street,  the  crowd  following  me.  As  I  backed  in 
that  way,  just  as  I  got  near  Lee  street,  a  fellow  ran  out  a  musket 
from  under  a  shed,  and  I  pointed  my  pistol  at  him,  which  made  him 
change  his  position  a  little.  As  I  continued  to  back  off  a  brick 
struck  me  in  the  breast  and  I  fell;  just  at  that  moment  the  musket 
was  discharged,  and  the  ball  whizzed  over  me  as  I  was  falling. 
While  I  was  so  retreating,  the  crowd  were  firing  at  me  constantly; 
when  I  arose  there  was  no  further  trouble  offered  to  me,  and  in  a 
fervv  moments  some  one  came  up,  with  whom  I  went  off.  There 
were  seven  bullet-holes  in  my  coat,  and  the  coat  was  cut  as  if  by 
knives  in  various  places  ;  the  pantaloons  had  also  the  appearance 
of  having  been  cut  by  bullets.  During  all  this  time  I  saw  no  police 
officers,  and  it  was  only  when  I  was  on  my  way  home  that  an' 
officer  came  up  and  asked  me  my  name.  My  brother  died  that 
evening  from  the  effect  of  injuries  received  there." 

Mr.  S.  Teackle  Wallis  says :  "  About  twenty  minutes  or  a  half 
an  hour  after  the  polls  were  opened  in  the  tenth  ward,  they  were 
taken  forcible  possession  of  by  the  same  party  of  rioters  with  a 
volley  of  bricks  and  a  discharge  of  fire-arms ;  from  that  time  until 
I  left,  no  man  was  permitted  access  to  the  polls  except  at  the 
pleasure  of  the  *  Know  Nothing  party '  who  had  so  taken  possession 
of  them." 

Mr.  Charles  D.  Hinks,  of  the  fourteenth  ward,  says :  "  I  saw 
Gregory  Barrett  draw  his  pistol  and  fire  five  times,  but  being  in- 
tently engaged  watching  him,  I  did  not  see  at  whom  his  pistol  was 
pointed.  After  he  had  discharged  all  the  barrels  of  his  pistol  he 
called  for  rifles ;  he  and  some  of  his  party  raved  like  madmen, 
swearing  that  they  would  kiirthe  Eeformers — and  I  heard  McGon- 
nigan,  one  of  the  Eip  Eaps,  swear  that  no  Reformer  should  vote, 
except  over  his  dead  body." 

Mr.  John  Justus  Ritzus,  says :  "  While  1  was  drinking,  another 
man  present  in  the  room  at  the  corner  of  Wilkes  and  Caroline 
streets,  said  to  me,  '  As  soon  as  the  work  here  is  done  you  can  go 
back  to  the  other  warehouse.'  After  awhile  our  conductor  came 
and  led  us  through  the  back  of  the  house  into  a  court-yard,  and 
then  apparently  through  one  or  two  yards,  until  we  came  in  front 


572  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

gf  a  crowd  of  men,  about  five  or  six,  armed  with  clubs  and  guns 
and  other  weapons,  standing  at  a  sort  of  entrance  through  the 
fence  or  partition  between  two  houses.    Immediately  I  was  pushed 
from  behind,  and  caught  by  the  arm  by  one  of  the  crowd  and 
dragged  through  the  opening ;  at  the  same  time  another  German, 
not  one  who  had  accompanied  us,  was  pushed  through  immediately 
behind  me.    The  conductor  and  the  two  others  I  saw  no  more  after 
we  had  been  got  through  the  opening  into  the  next  house,  as  I 
have  stated.    Another  man  came  and  led  us  into  a   dark   room, 
where  we  were  kept  a  few  minutes.     While  we  were  there  the  man 
with  me  began  to  make  a  noise,  trying  to  break  the  planks  out,  &c.  j 
immediately  thereupon  the  door  opened  and  three  or  four  men 
appeared,  one  of  whom  struck  the  poor  fellow  on  the  head  with  a 
club  which  felled  him  to  the  ground ;  a  second  one  raised  an  axe 
and  struck  at  him  through  the  doorway.     Seeing  the  intention  of 
the  man  I  pushed  the  door  to,  so  as  to  intercept  the  blow,  which 
fell  upon  the  door,  beat  it  back  against  my  mouth,  and  hurt  my 
lips  severely ;  the  party  then  came  in  and  searched  us  thoroughly, 
taking  everything  of  any  value  from  us.    I  had  only  a  small  pocket- 
knife,  which  they  took  ;  my  companion  they  made  strip,  and  as  he 
drew  off  his  shoes  his  money  fell  out,  a  few  quarters  and  some 
small  money.     We  were  left  locked  in  for  awhile,  then  the  captain 
of  the  coop  came,  opened  the  door,  and  led  us  down  stairs  to  a 
small  trap-door  which  led  to  the  cellar.    We  were  put  down  there, 
'and  as  we  were  going  down,  I  in  front,  my  companion  was  pushed 
down  violently,  and,  falling  against  me,  we  both  tumbled  down 
into  the  cellar.    Here  we  found  ourselves  in  a  dark  hole  full  of  all 
sorts  of  men,  with  one  solitary  candle  to  give  us  light.    There  I  was 
kept  until  Tuesday  afternoon,  when  the  captain  came  down  and 
selected  the  oldest  of  us  ;  I  was  called  by  name  and  led  up  stairs 
to  the  second  story,  and  put  into  a  large  room,  which  was  also  full 
of  persons  who  were  similarly  cooped ;  there  I  was  kept  until 
Wednesday  morning,  the  day  of  the  last  election.    On  Wednesday 
morning,  after  nine  o'clock,  we  were  brought  out  by  threes  and 
fours,  and  had  tickets  put  into  our  hands ;  I  examined  the  tickets 
which  were  given  me,  and  know  they  were  '  American '  tickets  ;  I 
recognized  them  by  the  names  of  the  candidates,  the  black  stripe 
down  their  length,  the  head  of  Washington  at  the  top,  and  the 
extreme  narrowness  of  the  ticket.    Three  others  and  myself  were 
brought  out,  and  led  by  the  rowdies;  holding  us  by  the  arm,  up  to 
the  window  of  the  second  ward  polls  and  voted ;  we  four  then  were 
put  into  a  carriage  and  driven  around  through  the  town,  through 
streets  which  I  did  not  know  to  various  polls,  and  we  were  voted 
five  or  six  times;  we  were  then  driven  to  the  Holliday  street  polls, 
voted  there,  and  then  shut  up  in  the  coop  there  next  to  the  pollg, 
in  the  cellar.     We  were  then  brought  up  into  a  room,  and  ordered 
by  the  captain  of  the  coop  to  change  clothes  with  some  seven  or 
eight  other  cooped  individuals,  which  most  of  us  did,  but  I  retained 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMOBE.  573 

my  own  clothes;  the  captain  changed  clothes  with  a  German, 
taking  a  nice  hat  and  black  overcoat  in  exchange  for  his  cap  and 
coat,  which  were  of  little  value.  We  were  then  voted  again  at  these 
polls,  and  then  we  were  led  on  foot  to  Baltimore  street,  where  an 
omnibus  awaited  us,  and  we  were  packed  in  till  it  was  full,  and  driven 
down  to  the  coop  house  at  the  second  ward  again.  Arrived  there,we 
voted  again  at  the  second  ward,  and  then  we  were  driven  around 
in  the  omnibus  to  various  polls  and  voted  some  six  times,  until  we 
came  to  a  poll  the  other  side  of  Ensor  street,  where  there  was  a 
great  crowd  hustling  and  pushing,  screaming,  &c.,  in  spite  of  which 
we  were  led  up  by  the  arm,  by  the  rowdies,  through  the  crowd, 
and  compelled  to  vote.  I  was  let  go  for  a  moment,  while  the 
rowdies  who  had  held  me  joined  in  the  hustling  and  pushing,  and 
seeing  the  chance,  1  dodged  into  the  crowd  and  escaped  to  my 
home.  I  voted  at  least  in  the  various  wards  sixteen  times,  com- 
pelled each  time  to  give  a  different  name ;  none  of  the  judges  said 

anything  to  me,  or  any  of  us The  treatment  of  some  of 

those  in  the  coop  was  disgusting  and  horrible  in  the  extreme ;  men 
were  beaten,  kicked  and  stamped  in  the  face  with  heavy  boots. 
In  the  cellar  of  the  second  ward  there  were  about  seventy  or 
eighty  persons  locked  up,  not  allowed  to  be  about  for  a  moment  to 
satisfy  the  wants  of  nature,  and  in  the  upper  room  of  which  1  have 
spoken  as  many  more.  The  three  men  who  were  with  me,  voted, 
each  of  them,  as  often  as  I  did." 

Mr.  Peter  Fitzpatrick,  of  the  sixth  ward,  who  was  in  "Ea^ 
Levy's  coop,"  in  Holliday  street,  between  Fayette  and  Baltimore, 
says :  "  When  I  got  in  there,  there  were  about  fifteen  in  there 
before  me,  and  from  fifteen,  up  to  Wednesday,  the  number  in- 
creased until,  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge,  they  had  about  eighty 
or  ninety;  and  on  Wednesday  morning  they  took  us  out  six  at  a 
time,  to  vote  the  American  ticket.  I  told  them  I  wasn't  entitled 
to  a  vote,  and  they  said  if  I  wouldn't  vote  I  should  die.  There 
was  a  good  many  others  that  they  served  in  the  same  way. 
Knocked  them  down  with  billies  and  slung  shots,  and  took  their 
money  and  their  watches."  Mr.  Henry  Funk,  of  the  sixth  ward, 
who  was  in  this  same  "  coop,"  says :  "  They  knocked  me  down 
flat  on  my  back,  and  poured  the  whiskey  into  me,  about  half  a 

pint I  saw  one  German,  who  was  very  anxious  to  get 

home,  who  said  he  lived  in  the  country  twenty-two  miles,  and  left 
his  team  at  the  market,  and  he  made  a  noise  to  get  out,  and  they 
handcufted  him  and  kept  him  so  all  night,  and  stripped  him  of  all 
his  clothes  except  his  shirt  and  drawers,  and  they  took  a  comfort 
and  put  it  around  his  neck  and  said  they  would  hang  him,  and  he 
went  down  on  his  knees  and  said  he  would  be  quiet,  and  then  they 
let  him  alone.  I  saw  fellows  come  in  with  revolvers  in  their 
hands,  which  they  pointed  at  the  men  in  the  "  coop,"  and  told 
them  to  lie  down  and  go  to  sleep  or  they  would  be  shot ;  and  they 
had  guns  at  the  door,  and  they  always  came  in  with  large  clubs, 


574  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

like  watchmen's  clubs,  in  their  hands ;  and  I  saw  them  beat  men 
with  them  too.  One  German  was  brought  in  with  a  large  beard 
on,  and  Crab  Ashby  took  a  candle  and  set  fire  to  his  beard  and 
burnt  it  off." 

The  following  notice  is  taken  from  the  Baltimore  Clipper  of 
November  Ist,  1859 :  "  Eattlers  American  Club  No.  1,  Twelfth 
Ward — The  original  members  of  the  American  Rattlers  are  hereby- 
notified  to  meet  on  Tuesday  evening,  November  1st,  at  7  o'clock, 
as  there  are  traitors  in  the  camp.  P.  S. — The  awls  will  be  ready 
for  distribution.     By  order,  Robert  Nelson,  President." 

Mr.  Clifton  W.  Tayleure,  who  was  local  reporter  for  the  Balti- 
more Clipper,  says  of  the  transparencies,  &c.,  carried  in  the  proces- 
sion of  the  Know-Nothing  clubs  at  a  mass-meeting  of  the  party 
presided  over  by  the  Hon.  Anthony  Kennedy,  and  addressed  by 
the  Hon.  H.  Winter  Davis  and  others,  which  was  held  in  Monu- 
ment square,  shortly  before  the  election  of  November  2d,  1859  : 
"  Some  of  them  were  of  the  usual  character  on  election  transpa- 
rencies; some  were  humorous  and  some  were  threatening;  the 
prevailing  figure  was  that  of  an  awl.  One  of  the  transparencies 
was  the  figure  of  a  man  running,  with  another  in  pursuit,  sticljing 
him  with  an  awl.  There  was  another  figure  of  a  bleeding  head, 
with  the  device,  '  The  head  of  a  Reformer.'  There  was  another  of 
an  uplifted  arm,  with  a  clenched  fist,  with  the  device,  '  With  this 
we'll  do  the  work.'  One  of  the  parties  on  horseback,  with  a  ribbon 
around  him,  carried  a  large  awl  strapped  to  his  back.  A  party 
from  the  eighteenth  ward  had  a  forge,  with  fire,  and  persons  ham- 
mering, apparently  making  awls." 

Mr.  George  Brown,  the  second  son  of  Alexander  Brown,  the 
founder  of  the  eminent  banking  firm  of  Brown,  Brothers  &  Co., 
died  at  his  country  residence,  near  this  city,  on  Friday  morning, 
August  26th,  in  the  72d  year  of  his  age.  As  a  business  man  he 
was  distinguished  by  caution,  prudence,  sterling  integrity,  quick- 
ness of  perception,  and  indefatigable  application.  In  1827,  when 
the  Mechanics'  Bank  was  reduced  almost  to  insolvency  by  bad 
management,  he  consented  to  become  its  president,  and  in  a  short 
time  raised  it  to  a  state  of  great  prosperity ;  and  it  is  a  fact  worthy 
of  notice  that  a  long  time  afterwards  his  son  George  S.  success- 
fully presided  over  the  same  institution,  having  been  called  to  the 
management  in  consequence  of  a  serious  disaster  which  it  had  sus- 
tained. Mr.  George  Brown  was  the  principal  founder  of  the  Mer- 
chants' Bank,  of  which  he  was  for  some  time  the  president.  The 
House  of  Refuge  was  a  special  object  of  his  care,  as  was  also  the 
Baltimore  Association  for  the  Improvement  of  the  Condition  of 
the  Poor.  Mr.  Brown  was  one  of  the  principal  founders  of  the 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  and  the  first  treasurer  of  that  com- 
pany. On  his  decease  he  was  possessed  of  the  largest  fortune 
which  had  ever  been  left  by  an  individual  in  Maryland.  The 
beautiful  Presbyterian  church  at  the  corner  of  Park  avenue  and 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  575 

Townsend  street,  known  as  the  Brown  Memorial  Church,  which 
has  recently  been  finished,  attests  not  only  his  widow's  devotion 
to  his  memory,  but  his  fervent  attachment  to  tha  faith  in  which 
he  had  been  educated,  in  which  he  lived,  and  in  humble  reliance 
on  which  he  died. 

The  "  Odd-Fellows  "  of  Baltimore  dedicated  the  south  wing  of 
their  hall  on  Gay  street  with  a  grand  parade  and  other  appropriate 
ceremonies,  on  Monday,  September  26th.  Mr.  William  H.  Young 
was  the  orator  of  the  day. 

Judge  Z.  Collins  Lee  departed  this  life  on  Saturday,  November 
26th. 

1860.  The  new  jail,  which  is  so  creditable  to  the  enterprise  and 
humanity  of  our  city,  was  in  January  formally  delivered  to  the 
municipal  authorities  in  a  complete  condition  by  Messrs.  John 
Maxwell  &  Co.,  the  contractors  and  builders. 

The  Hon.  John  Nelson  died  in  this  city  on  Wednesday  night,  ' 
January  18th,  in  the  70th  year  of  his  age.  Mr.  Nelson  was  recog- 
nized throughout  the  country  as  one  of  the  most  brilliant  orna- 
ments of  the  American  bar,  and  has  forever  associated  his  name 
with  several  of  the  most  famous  successes  which  the  annals  of  the 
law  anywhere  record.  The  deceased  gentleman  has  also  filled  with 
credit  to  his  country  and  his  own  fame  several  positions  of  honor 
and  of  trust,  among  them  that  of  Attorney-General  of  the  United 
States  under  President  Taylor,  and  Minister  to  Naples  during  the 
administration  of  General  Jackson. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  Memorial  Church,  corner  of  Bolton  and 
Townsend  streets,  in  memory  of  the  Eev.  Henry  Y.  D.  Johns,    .^ 
late  Eector  of  Emanuel  Church,  was  laid  on  Tuesday  afternoon, 
July  3d,  with  appropriate  ceremonies.     Appropriate  addresses  were 
delivered  by  Kevs.  Messrs.  Schenck  and  Cummings. 

The  Chicago  Zouaves,  under  the  command  of  Col.  E.  E.  Ells- 
worth, arrived  in  this  city  on  Wednesday,  August  1st,  and  were 
received  by  the  Independent  Greys  and  Maryland  Guards.  The 
Zouaves  gave  an  exhibition  drill  in  the  evening  at  the  Maryland 
Institute,  which  was  largely  attended  by  the  military  and  citizens. 
On  the  2d  they  also  gave  an  exhibition  drill  at  the  terminus  of 
the  Madison  avenue  line  of  city  passenger  cars. 

The  steamer  Great  Eastern  arrived  in  Annapolis  Eoads  on 
Sunday,  August  5th,  and  during  the  week  every  means  of  convey- 
ance to  her  was  crowded  by  persons  anxious  to  get  a  view  of  the 
greatest  of  steamers.  She  left  for  New  York  on  the  10th  of 
August. 

On  the  2d  of  February  the  reform  bills  passed  the  House  of 
Delegates,  and  became  the  law  of  the  State.     Immediately  upon  ^j^ 
receipt  of  the  ncAVS  of  the  passage  of  the  bills,  Majg,or _S wan n ^i s -  ^ 
patched  a  message  to  the  Council,  asking  leave  to^testtneirTegality, 
and  volunteering  his  own  opinion  that  they  were  "  without  the 
authority  of  law,  and  cannot  be  recognized  by  the  courts."     The 


576  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE, 

Commissioners  of  Police,  Charles  Howard,"  Wm.  H.  Gatchell, 
Charles  D.  Hinks,  John  W.  Davis,  designated  in  the  new  bill,  on 
the  6th  of  February,  appeared  in  the  clerk's  office  of  the  Superior 
Court  and  subscribed  to  the  oath  of  office,  and  on  the  9th  made  a 
formal  demand  through  their  counsel,  Messrs.  Rev(3rdy  Johnson, 
S.  Teackle  Wallis,  J.  Mason  Campbell,  and  Wm.  H.  Norris,  Esqs., 
upon  the  Mayor  and  City  Council  for  the  use  of  the  station-houses, 
police  equipments,  &c.  On  the  10th  they  received  from  Mayor 
Swann  notice  of  his  refusal  to  comply.  Application  was  immedi- 
ately made  to  the  Superior  Court,  Judge  Martin,  for  a  mandamus  to 
compel  compliance,  &c.,  &c.  On  the  13th  of  March  Judge  Martin 
delivered  his  opinion  upon  the  constitutionality  of  the  Act  creating 
a  permanent  police  force  for  the  city  of  Baltimore.  The  Mayor 
y/  and  City  Council  took  an  appeal  to  the  Cou^rt  of  Appeals,  and 
their  decision  was  rendered  in  favor  of  the  Board  of  Police  on 
Tuesday,  April  17th.  On  the  12th  of  March  the  Governor,  T.  H. 
Hicks,  signed  the  bill  passed  by  two-thirds  of  the  members  of  each 
House  to  remove  from  the  office  of  Judge  of  the  Criminal  Court 
of  Baltimore  the  Hon.  Henry  Stump,  then  Judge  of  said  court. 

On  the  7th  of  May  the  members  of  the  old  police  force  under 
Marshal  Herring  and  Deputy  Marshal  Manl}-,  were  disbanded  at 
the  Marshal's  office,  old  City  Hall,  Mayor  Swann^nd  the  Marshals 
bidding  them  adieu.  ""  """"^ 

The  Constitutional  Union  Convention,  composed  almost  wholly 
of  the  old  Whig  party  and  the  waning  organization  known  as  the 
''American "  or  "  Know-Nothing "  party,  assembled  in  the  old 
Presbyterian  church  on  the  corner  of  Fayette  and  North  streets, 
which  had  been  specially  fitted  up  for  the  occasion.  John  J.  Crit- 
tenden, of  Kentucky,  called  the  convention  to  order,  and  Washing- 
ton Hunt,  of  New  York,  was  chosen  its  president,  and  after  a  har- 
monious session  of  two  days,  concluded  its  labors  on  the  10th  of 
May,  with  nominating  its  candidates  for  the  Presidency  and  Yice- 
Presidency.  For  the  former  position  it  selected  the  Hon.  John 
Bell  of  Tennessee,  and  the  Hon.  Edward  Everett  of  Massachusetts 
was  named  for  the  latter.  Ten  of  the  States  were  not  represented 
at  all  in  this  body,  viz :  California,  Florida,  Iowa,  Louisiana, 
Michigan,  New  Hampshire,  Rhode  Island,  Oregon,  South  Carolina, 
and  Wisconsin. 

On  Friday  morning,  May  11th,  at  about  half-past  two  o'clock,  it 
commenced  raining  in  torrents,  and  continued  at  intervals  up  to  half- 
past  eleven  o'clock.  The  quantity  of  rain  which  fell  during  that  time 
was  immense,  and  all  the  streams  in  and  around  the  city  were  so 
swollen  that  the  water  rushed  over  the  banks  and  entered  the 
streets.  Jones  Falls  presented  a  grand  appearance;  the  usually 
quiet  stream  became  a  raging  river,  and  the  water  hurried  along 
its  bed  with  the  rapidity  of  a  cataract.  About  half-past  nine  it 
flowed  over  the  wall  at  Fish  Market  Space,  and  about  the  same 
time  it  overflowed  at  difl'erent  points 'between  Fayette  and  Bath 


'  .  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  577 

streets.  It  continued  to  increase  in  volume  until  Harrison  street, 
Centre  Market  Space,  Holliday  street  from  the  old  City  Hall  to 
Bath  street,  and  Saratoga  and  Bath  streets  up  to  Davis  street, 
and  Lombard,  Second  and  Pratt  streets  up  to  Frederick  street, 
and  Gay  street  from  Frederick  street  to  the  bridge,  were  inun- 
dated. Around  the  Centre  and  Fish  markets,  and  in  Holliday  and 
Harrison  streets,  the  depth  of  water  was  from  three  to  six  feet. 
All  the  cellars  and .  first  floors  of  the  houses  along  the  streets 
named  were  flooded.  In  some  cases  along  Harrison  street  the 
water  stood  live  feet  deep  in  the  rooms,  and  the  occupants  were 
compelled  to  seek  safety  by  leaving  the  premises  in  boats. 

Mr.  Frederick  W.  Brune,  of  the  widely-known  firm  of  Yon 
Kapff  &  Brune,  died  in  this  year,  aged  84,  universally  respected. 
Mr.  Von.  Kapff  died  in  1828.  These  gentlemen  were  successful!}^ 
and  most  honorably  engaged  in  a  varied  commerce  with  all  parts 
of  the  world. 

Friday  the  8th  of  June  had  been  looked  for  with  more  than  or- 
dinary interest  by  our  citizens,  as  the  day  upon  which  the  Japanese 
Ambassadors,  the  guests  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States, 
were  to  pay  Baltimore  a  visit,  before  showing  themselves  in  Phila- 
delphia or  New  York.  In  anticipation  of  the  event,  ^reat  prepa- 
rations had  been  made  by  the  City  Council  to  make  their  stay  here, 
although  short,  of  the  most  pleasant  and  interesting  character. 
At  an  earl}'-  hour  the  streets  were  alive  with  people  of  every  class, 
moving  to  and  fro,  some  to  take  part  in  the  pageant  about  to 
follow,  and  others  anxious  to  gain  accessible  points  to  view  a  spec- 
tacle unknown  hitherto  to  the  city  or  the  country.  The  streets 
along  the  route  of  procession  were  gaily  decorated  with  the  Amer- 
ican and  Japanese  flags,  and  other  appropriate  devices.  Along  all 
the  thoroughfares  the  crowd  was  immense,  greater  perhaps  than 
on  any  previous  occasion  in  the  history  of  the  city.  Baltimore 
street  being  most  central,  was  densel}^  packed  on  either  side  with 
people.  The  windows  of  the  store-houses,  dwellings  and  public 
offices  were  crowded  with  ladies,  and  where  the  storekeepers  could 
not  accommodate  them  inside,  platforms  built  of  packing-boxes  and 
counters  were  erected  on  the  sidewalks,  so  as  to  aiford  all  an  op- 
portunity to  gratify  their  curiosity.  About  ten  o'clock  the- 
strangers  arrived  at  Camden  Station,  where  a  scene  of  wild  excite- 
ment ensued  ;  men,  women  and  children,  white  and  black,  sent  up 
loud  huzzas  and  screams,  and  ran  towards  the  train  as  if  they 
might  be  anxious  to  throw  themselves  under  the  wheels  of  the 
cars.  They  were  greeted  in  a  cordial  manner  by  Mayor  Svvann, 
and  with  remarkable  promptitude  the  guests  were  seated  in  the 
conveyances  assigned  them,  and  in  about  twenty  minutes  the  pro- 
cession moved.  The  Paid  Fire  Department  of  the  city  appeared 
in  public  procession  for  the  first  time  since  its  organization,  and 
seemed  to  be  the  most  attractive  feature  in  the  whole  proce^^ion. 
The  procefesion,  which  was  preceded  by  a  large  body  of  polic«^  under 
37 


v 


578  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOKE. 

the  immediate  direction  of  Marshal  Kane  and  Deputy  Marshal 
Gilford,  moved  up  Eutaw  to  Baltimore  street,  and  down  Baltimore 
street  to  the  hall  of  the  Maryland  Institute,  where  a  halt  was 
made  and  the  formal  reception  of  the  strangers  took  place.  After 
speeches  were  made,  the  Embassy  and  their  attaches  and  the 
oflScers  of  the  United  States  army  and  navy  proceeded  out  of  the 
ball  and  resumed  their  seats  in  the  carriages.  When  the  procession 
reached  Monument  Square  the  members  of  the  Embassy  were 
conducted  to  the  Gilmor  House,  where  apartments  were  prepared 
for  them.  In  the  evening  they  were  entertained  with  an  exhi- 
bition of  the  Fire  Department  and  a  brilliant  display  of  fireworks. 
The  visitors  left  next  morning  for  Philadelphia. 

On  the  12th  of  June,  Mnyoy  SwanrL/sfynt  a  communication  to 
the  City  Council  nominating  John  H.  B.  Latrobe,  Eobert  Leslie, 
"Wm.  E.  Hooper  and  Columbus  O'Donnell,  to  act  as  commissioners 
for  the  purchase  of  a  site  for  a  park  or  parks.  In  the  middle  of 
July  they  determined  to  purchase  the  present  Druid  Hill  Park  for 
the  sum  of  $500,000  from  Mr.  Lloyd  N.  Eogers.  The  deeds  were 
signed  on  the  27th  of  September. 

The  National  Democratic  Convention,  in  accordance  with  the 
order  of  adjournment  adopted  at  Charleston,  re-assembled  in  this 
city  on  Monday,  June  18th.  The  Front  street  theatre,  selected  for 
the  holding  of  the  convention,  had  been  arranged  so  as  to  take 
advantage  of  its  fullest  capacity  for  the  accommodation  of  the  del- 
egates and  of  the  public  anxious  to  attend  the  proceedings  of  the 
convention.  The  whole  stage  and  parquette,  the  latter  being 
floored  over,  were  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  members  of  the 
convention,  its  officers,  and  the  representatives  of  the  press.  The 
rostrum  for  the  president  and  officers,  an  elevated  double  semi- 
circular platform,  occupied  the  extreme  rear  of  the  stage,  and 
•aflforded  a  commanding  view  of  the  whole  interior  of  the' house. 
In  front  of  the  platform  were  placed  a  double  row  of  desks  and 
chairs  for  the  reporters  of  the  press,  of  whom  nearly  two  hundred 
were  in  attendance.  The  delegates  occupied  seats  to  the  right  and 
left  of  the  chair,  and  extended  over  both  stage  and  parquette. 

At  ten  o'clock  the  attendance  of  delegates  was  not  full,  a  largo 
numbef  having  supposed  that  the  convention  would  not  be  called 
to  order  until  tw^elve  o'clock.  The  president,  Hon.  Caleb  Cushing, 
appeared  on  the  platform,  but  did  not  take  the  chair.  At  eleven 
o'clock  he  directed  the  secretary  to  call  the  roll  of  States  in  order 
to  ascertain  if  the  delegates  were  present.  On  the  calling  of  the 
roll  the  following  States  were  found  to  be  fully  represented  :  Maine, 
New  Hampshire),  Vermont,  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  New 
York  New  Jersey,  Maryland,  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  Missouri, 
Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  Minnesota,  Cal- 
ifornia, Oreoon.  Subsequently  on  a  call  of  the  States,  Connecticut 
and  Kentucky  were  found  to  be  fully  represented.  Pennsylvania 
was  rejiresentcd  with   but  two  exceptions.     Two  delegates  were 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  579 

present  from  Delaware.  When  the  State  of  South  Carolina  was 
called,  the  chair  directed  that  only  those  States  be  called  which 
were  present  at  the  adjournment  of  the  convention  at  Charleston; 
consequently  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida,  Alabama,  Louisiana, 
Mississippi,  Arkansas  and  Texas,  were  not  called.  After  a  fervent 
prayer  by  Rev.  John  McCron,  the  convention  proceeded  to  busi- 
ness. The  delicate  and  difficult  question  concerning  the  admission 
to  seats  in  the  convention  of  representatives  of  States  whose  del- 
egates had  withdrawn  from  that  body,  was  the  first  to  present  itself, 
and  Mr.  Cushing  in  the  chair  refused  to  make  any  decision,  and 
referred  the  whole  matter  to  the  convention.  It  was  claimed  that 
the  seceding  delegates  had  a  right  to  re-enter  the  convention  if  they 
chose  to  do  so.  This  right  was  denied,  and  the  language  of  the 
resolution  respecting  the  adjournment  at  Charleston,  by  w^hich  the 
States  represented  by  the  seceders  were  called  upon  to  "fill  va-. 
cancies,"  was  referred  to  as  an  expression  of  the  convention,  if 
fairly  interpreted,  against  the  right  of  the  seceders  to  return.  It 
was  proposed,  also,  that  no  delegate  should  be  admitted  to  a  seat 
unless  he  would  pledge  himself  to  abide  by  the  action  of  a  majority 
of  the  convention  and  support  its  nominations.  Debate  speedily 
ensued.  It  was  hot  and  acrimonious  during  at  least  six  hours  on 
the  first  day  of  the  session  ;  and  in  the  evening  there  were  two 
mass  meetings  of  the  Democracy  in  the  streets  of  Baltimore,  at 
which  vehement  speeches  were  heard  for  hours  by  tens  of  thou- 
sands of  people,  citizens  and  strangers. 

On  the  following  morning,  the  subject  of  contesting  delegations 
was  referred  to  the  committee  on  credentials.  They  could  not 
agree  ;  and  on  the  21st  of  June,  the  fourth  day  of  the  session,  two 
reports  were  submitted,  the  majority  report  recommending  the  ad- 
mission of  Douglas  delegates  (in  place  of  seceders)  from  Louisiana 
and  Alabama,  and  parts  of  the  delegations  from  other  States.  The 
minority  report  was  against  the  admission  of  the  new  delegates. 
These  reports  were  discussed  with  great  warmth,  which  sometimes 
reached  the  point  of  fierce  personal  quarrels.  The  pro-slavery  m3n 
gave  free  scope  to  the  expression  of  their  opinions  and  feelings. 
Mr.  Moffatt  of  Virginia,  said:  "I  am  an  out-and-out  pro-slavery 
man.  I  believe  in  the  institution  all  the  time.  I  believe  it  is  right 
morally,  socially  and  politically.  I  have  fought  in  my  State  for 
the  extension  of  pro-slavery  views."  Mr.  Gaulden,  a  mercantile  dealer 
in  slaves  from  Georgia,  said  :  "  I  am  an  advocate  for  maintaining  the 
integrity  of  the  National  Democratic  party.  I  belong  to  the  ex- 
treme South.  I  am  a  pro-slavery  man  in  every  sense  of  the  word, 
ay,  and  an  African  slave-trade  man.  (Applause  and  laughter). 
This  institution  of  slavery,  as  I  have  said  elsewhere,  has  done  more 
to  advance  the  prosperity  and  intelligence  of  the  white  race,  and 
of  the  human  race,  than  all  else  together.  I  believe  it  to  be  founded 
upon  the  law  of  nature  and  upon  the  law  of  God.  I  believe  it  to 
be  a  blessing  to  all  races.    I  glory  in   being  a  slave-breeder,  and 


580  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE, 

though  you  may  say  now  that  I  am  wrong,  yet  I  think  I  shall  live 
to  see  the  day  when  the  doctrines  which  I  advocate  to-night  will 
be  the  doctrines  of  Massachusetts  and  of  the  North.  I  say  I  go 
for  non-intervention  in  the  broadest  sense  of  the  term.  I  say  that 
this  whole  thing  should  be  taken  out  of  the  hands  of  the  General 
Government.  I  say  it  is  all  wrong  to  be  spending  two  or  three 
millions  of  dollars  annually  from  our  pockets,  and  sacrificing  thou- 
sands of  lives  upon  the  coast  of  Africa,  in  that  terrible  clime,  to 
prevent  our  going  there  to  get  a  few  negroes."  Finally,  on  Friday, 
the  22d,  the  majority  report  was  adopted — New  York  throwing 
her  controlling  thirty-five  votes  against  reconsideration ;  and  the 
die  was  cast,  filling  the  places  of  the  seceders  with  Douglas  men. 
The  second  act  of  the  secession  drama  —  or  tragedy — com- 
menced. Virginia,  with  twenty-five  of  her  thirty  delegates,  an- 
nounced that  she  could  no  longer  remain  in  the  convention.  North 
Carolina,  California,  and  Oregon  followed  Virginia;  Kentucky  and 
Tennessee  retired  for  consultation  ;  Georgia  refused  to  re-enter  the 
convention;  Missouri  and  Maryland  were  preparing  to  carry  out 
ft  moiety  of  their  delegations.  The  scene  was  an  impressive  and 
interesting  one.  Mr.  Smith,  of  California,  before  withdrawing 
with  his  delegation,  said  ^id  great  confusion  :  "  This  convention 
has  properly  been  held  in  a  theatre,  and  upon  that  stage  a  play 
has  been  enacted  this  evening  that  will  prove  a  tragedy,  of  which 
the  Democratic  party  will  be  the  victim."  The  night  of  the  22d 
was  a  gloomy  one  for  those  who  earnestly  desired  the  unity  of  the 
Democratic  party.  On  the  following  morning  their  hopes  were 
utterly  blasted,  when  Caleb  Gushing,  the  president  of  the  conven- 
tion, and  a  majority  of  the  Massachusetts  delegation,  also  with- 
drew. "  We  put  our  withdrawal  before  you,"  said  the  Hon. 
Benjamin  F.  Butler,  of  that  delegation,  "  upon  the  simple  ground, 
among  others,  that  there  has  been  a  withdrawal,  in  part,  of  a  ma- 
jority of  the  States;  and  further  (and  that  perhaps  more  personal 
to  myself),  upon  the  ground  that  I  will  not  sit  in  a  convention 
where  the  African  slave-trade — which  is  piracy  by  the  laws  of  my 
country — is  approvingly  advocated."     These  remarks  created  a 

g-eat  sensation.  On  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Gushing,  Governor 
avid  Todd,  of  Ohio,  one  of  the  vice-presidents,  took  the  chair, 
and  the  convention  proceeded  to  ballot  for  a  Presidential  candi- 
date. A  considerable  number  of  Southern  delegates  who  were 
satisfied  with  the  Cincinnati  platform,  remained  in  the  convention, 
and  as  their  respective  States  were  called,  some  of  them  made 
brief  speeches.  One  of  these  was  Mr.  Flournoy,  of  Arkansas,  the 
temporary  chairman  of  the  convention  at  Charleston.  "  I  am  a 
Southern  man,"  he  said,  "  born  and  reared  amid  the  institution  of 
slavery.  I  first  learned  to  whirl  the  top  and  bounce  the  ball  with 
the  young  African.  Everything  I  own  on  earth  is  the  result  of 
slave  labor.  The  bread  that  feeds  my  wife  and  little  ones  is  pro- 
duced by  the  labor  of  slaves.     They  live  on  my  plantation  with 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  581 

every  feeling  of  kindness  as  between  master  and  slave.  Sir,  if  I 
could  see  that  there  is  anything  intended  in  our  platform  un- 
friendly to  the  institution  of  slavery — if  I  could  see  that  we  did 
not  get  every  constitutional  right  we  are  entitled  to  — I  would  be 
the  hist  on  earth  to  submit  in  this  Union ;  I  would  myself  apply 
the  torch  to  the  magazine  and  blow  it  into  atoms  before  I  would 
submit  to  wrong.  But  I  feel  that  in  the  doctrine  of  non-interven- 
tion and  popular  sovereignty  are  enough  to  protect  the  interests 
of  the  South." 

The  original  convention,  when  freed  from  the  withdrawing  dele- 
gates, nominated  Mr.  Stephen  A.  Douglas  for  the  Presidency.  Of 
the  one  hundred  and  ninety-four  and  a  half  votes  cast  on  the  second 
ballot,  he  received  one  hundred  and  eighty-one  and  a  half.  When 
the  vote  was  called  on  the  resolution  of  Mr.Hoge  of  Virginia  to  make 
Mr.  Douglas  unanimously  the  "  regular  nominee  of  the  Democratic 
party  of  the  United  States  for  the  office  of  President  of  the  United 
States,"  an  overwhelming  unanimous  "  ay  "  was  given,  and  the 
whole  convention  rose,  the  members  cheering,  waving  their  hats 
and  yelling  frantically.  The  galleries  responded  with  the  most  en- 
thusiastic acclamations,  in  the  midst  of  which  the  banner  of  the 
"  Keystone  Club  "  of  Philadelphia  was  displayed  from  the  upper 
gallery  and  the  band  struck  up  "  Hail  to  the  Chief."  For  five 
minutes  the  enthusiastic  demonstration  continued.  The  cheering 
would  die  avray  and  be  renewed,  the  convention  and  spectators  all 
being  on  their  feet  and  apparently  wild  with  excitement.  At  the 
evening  session  a  unanimous  nomination  was  made  of  Senator 
Fitzpatrick  of  Alabama  for  the  Vice-Presidency,  which  partook  of 
the  same  characteristics  of  enthusiasm  and  concord.  Two  days 
afterwards  Fitzpatrick  declined  the  nomination,  when  the  National 
Committee  substituted  Herschel  V.  Johnson  of  Georgia.  On  the 
evening  of  Saturday,  the  23d,  the  convention  made  a  final  adjourn- 
ment. 

On  the  21st,  just  at  the  moment  when  the  most  intense  anxiety 
prevailed  in  the  theatre  as  to  the  presentation  of  the  report  of  the 
Committee  on  Credentials,  and  when  Mr.  Krum  of  Missouri  was 
expected  to  rise,  a  loud  crash  proceeded  from  the  centre  of  the 
floor,  and  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  delegates,  including 
the  New  York  delegation,  were  observed,  in  the  true  theatrical 
manner,  to  be  going  down  through  the  stage.  For  a  moment  a  scene 
of  the  wildest  excitement  ensued,  which  was  communicated  to  all 
parts  of  the  house.  The  calmness  of  the  president  and  the  members 
of  the  press  soon  allayed  all  apppehensions  of  danger.  The  floor- 
ing being  cleared  it  was  ascertained  that  the  front  of  the  stage  and 
the  portion  covering  the  orchestra  had  given  way,  and  suddenly 
sunk  about  three  feet  in  the  centre,  throwing  the  settees  and  those 
who  were  on  them,  within  a  circle  of  about  forty  feet,  into  one 
wedged  mass,  from  which  they  extricated  themselves  as  rapidly 
as  possible,  and  fled  in  all  directions  to  distant  parts  of  the  house. 


582  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Fortunately  no  one  was  injured.  The  convention  soon  after  ad- 
journed to  repair  damages. 

The  delegates  who  had  withdrawn  from  the  convention  at  the 
Front  Street  Theatre,  together  with  the  delegations  from  Louis- 
iana and  Alabama  refused  admission,  met  at  the  Maryland  Institute 
at  noon  on  Saturday  the  23d  of  June.  The  following  States  were 
represented  by  partial  or  full  delegations :  New  York,  Vermont, 
Virginia,  North  Carolina,  Maryland,  Georgia,  California,  Oregon, 
Florida,  Alabama,  Louisiana,  Missouri,  Texas,  Mississippi,  Massa- 
chusetts, Tennessee,  Kentucky,  Arkansas,  Delaware,  and  Pennsyl- 
vania. At  5  o'clock  the  convention  was  permanently  organized 
by  the  appointment  of  Hon.  Caleb  Cushing  as  president.  That 
gentleman  was  greeted  when  he  ascended  the  platform  with  the 
most  vociferous  applause,  and  other  demonstrations  of  satisfaction. 
On  taking  the  chair,  he  declared  that  the  body  then  assembled 
formed  the  true  National  Democratic  Convention,  composed  as  it 
was  of  delegates  duly  accredited  thereto  from  more  than  twenty 
States.  The  convention  then  proceeded  to  business  with  the 
greatest  harmony.  They  resolved  that  the  delegates  to  the  Eich- 
mond  Convention  should  be  requested  to  unite  with  their  brethren 
of  the  National  Democratic  Convention,  then  assembled,  on  the  same 
platform  of  principles  with  themselves,  if  they  felt  authorized  to 
do  so.  They  took  seats  accordingly.  Mr.  Avery  of  North  Caro- 
lina offered  the  majority  report,  which  he  had  submitted  in  con- 
vention at  Charleston,  and  it  was  adopted  without  dissent  as  the 
platform  of  principles  of  the  sitting  convention,  and  of  the  party 
it  represented.  After  some  further  business,  the  convention  pro- 
ceeded to  the  nomination  of  candidates  for  the  Presidency  and 
Vice-Presidency,  when  George  B.  Loring  of  Massachusetts  arose 
and  said:  "We  have  seen  the  statesmen  of  Mississippi  coming  into 
our  own  borders  and  fearlessly  defending  their  principles,  ay, 
and  bringing  the  sectionalism  of  the  North  at  their  feet  by  their 
■  gallantry.  We  have  admiration  for  this  courage,  and  I  trust  to 
five  by  it  and  be  governed  by  it.  Among  all  these  men  to  whom 
we  have  been  led  to  listen,  and  whom  we  admire  and  respect,  there 
is  one  standing  pre-eminently  before  this  country — a  young  and 
gallant  son  of  the  South."  He  then  named  John  C.  Breckenridge, 
of  Kentucky,  as  a  nominee  for  the  Presidency.  Vehement  applause 
then  followed.  A  vote  by  States  was  taken,  and  Breckenridge 
received  eighty-one  ballots  against  twenty-four  for  Daniel  S. 
Dickinson,  of  New  York.  The  latter  candidate  was  withdrawn 
and  the  nomination  of  Breckenridge  was  declared  unanimous. 
Joseph  Lane  of  Oregon  was  nominated  for  tbe  Vice-Presidency. 
The  closing  speech  of  the  Breckenridge  Convention  was  made  by 
Hon.. William  L.  Yancey,  of  Alabama,  and  it  was  without  doubt 
the  most  powerful  address  to  the  Democracy  of  the  campaign. 

On  Monday,  December  17th,  the  cars  of  the  City  Passenger 
Eailway  Company  commenced   running  day  and  night  for   the 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  583 

better  accommodation  of  the  public — the  cars  passing  the  corner  of 
Calvert  and  Baltimore  streets  every  half  hour  after  twelve  o'clock, 
the  fare  being  after  that  hour  ten  cents.  The  running  of  all  night 
cars  continued  for  one  week  only,  when  they  ceased. 

On  the  24th  of  February  an  act  was  passed  by  the  General 
Assembly  of  Maryland  incorporating  the  Baltimore,  Catonsville 
and  Ellicott's  Mills  Passenger  Railway  Company. 

On  the  10th  of  October  the  election  to  fill  the  offices  of  Mayor 
and  City  Council  was  held,  and  the  result  was  as  follows :  For 
Mayor  —  Brown,  Reform.  17,625;  Hindes,  Know-Nothinsr,  9,684; 
Brown's  majority,  7,991.  A  reform  Mayor  and  a  City  Council 
wholly  of  Reformers  were  lifted  into  power  by  majorities  so  enor- 
mous, and  amid  the  shouts  of  a  triumph  so  overwhelming  as  to 
beggar  the  most  enthusiastic  expectations.  Every  hope  and  desire 
of  the  great  conservative  movement  with  which  the  good  citizens 
acted  was  realized,  and  the  community  stood  once  more  where  it 
was  before  the  departing  dynasty  dragged  it  down  and  degraded  it 
: — a  self-governing  people,  knowing  its  rights  and  peacefully  main- 
taining them. 

The  formal  ceremony  of  opening  the  magnificent  Druid  Hill 
estate  to  the  uses  of  a  public  park  took*  place  at  noon  on  Friday, 
the  19th  of  October,  in  the  presence  of  an  immense  concourse  of 
men,  women  and  children,  and  with  a  military  display  of  an  unu- 
sually imposing  character.  The  narrow  lane  running  from 
Boundary  avenue  to  the  entrance  of  the  Park  was  literally 
packed  with  people  and  vehicles  —  a  continuous  string  of  car- 
riages, buggies,  hacks,  wagons,  and,  in  fact,  every  class  of 
vehicle.  Between  three  and  four  thousand  children  of  the  public 
schools,  under  the  charge  of  their  respective  teachers,  marched  in 
file  from  the  cars  to  the  Park.  Lieut.-Col.  William  H.  Hayward, 
soon  after  the  Mayor  and  Park  Commissioners  had  taken  position 
on  the  stand  near  the  mansion,  stepped  forward  and  announced 
that  the  ceremonies  would  be  commenced  by  prayer,  which  was 
offered  by  Rev.  Dr.  Cummins  in  the  most  fervent  and  eloquent 
manner.  Yolandt's  band  then  played  a  beautiful  air,  after  which 
Mayor  Swann  was  introduced  and  delivered  the  oration,  at  the 
close  of  which  the  Blues'  band  played  the  "Star  Spangled  Banner," 
which  was  received  with  cheers.  The  school  children  then  sung 
an  ode,  composed  for  the  occasion  by  John  H.  B;  Latrobe,  Esq., 
one  of  the  Board  of  Park  Commissioners.  The  Mayor  and  other 
dignitaries  then  left  the  stand  and  retired  to  their  carriages. 
They  then  by  invitation  proceeded  to  the  residence  of  Mr.  Orem, 
adjoining  the  Park,  where  they  were  handsomely  entertained. 
The  artillery  cadets  from  St.  Timothy's  Hall,  after  the  conclusion 
of  the  address  of  MayorSwanjjuJired  a  gun  for  each  State  and 
Territory  in  the  Union7"anTa^alvo  for  the  Park.  The  immense 
crowd  of  people  and  the  numbei'less  vehicles  all  hurried  homeward, 
and  thus  ended  the  celebration  of  opening  Druid  Hill  Park. 


684  CHEONICLES   OF  BALTIMOKE. 

On  the  morning  of  the  S^lst  of  October  the  old  and  well-known 
banking-house  of  Josiah  Lee  &  Co.  suspended  payment ;  also  on 
the  23d  of  November  the  banking-house  of  Samuel  Harris  &  Son. 

In  JNovember,  just  after  the  Presidential  election,  the  following 
letter  was  Written  by  Governor  Hicks,  and  notwithstanding  its 
treasonable  and  murderous  import,  the  writer  became  conspicu- 
ously loyal  before  spring,  and  lived  to  reap  splendid  rewards  and 
high  honors  under  the  auspices  of  the  Federal  Government,  as  the 
most  patriotic  and  devoted  Union  man  in  Maryland.  The  person 
to  whom  the  letter  was  addressed  was  equally  fortunate,  and  in- 
stead of  drawing  out  his  comrades  in  the  field  to  "  kill  Lincoln  and 
his  men,"  he  was  sent  to  Congress  by  power  exerted  from  Wash- 
ington at  a  time  when  the  administration  selected  the  representa- 
tives of  Maryland,  and  performed  all  his  duties  right  loyally  and 
acceptably. 

"  State  of  Maryland,  Executive  Chamber, 
"  Annapolis,  Nov.  9th,  1860. 
"Hon.  E.H.  Webster: 

"Jtfy  Dear  Sir  : — I  have  pleasure  in  acknowledging  receipt  of 
your  lavor  introducing  a  very  clever  gentleman  to  my  acquaint- 
ance (though  a  Demo.).  I  regret  to  say  that  we  have  at  this  time 
no  arms  on  hand  to  distribute,  but  assure  you  at  the  earliest  pos- 
sible moment  your  company  shall  have  arms ;  they  have  complied 
with  all  required  of  them  on  their  part.  We  have  some  delay  in 
consequence  of  contracts  with  Georgia  and  Alabama,  ahead  of  us, 
and  we  expect  at  an  early  day  an  additional  supply,  and  of  the 
first  received  your  people  shall  be  furnished.  Will  they  be 
good  men  to  send  out  to  kill  Lincoln  and  his  men  ?  If  not,  sup- 
pose the  arms  would  be  better  sent  South.  How  does  late 
election  sit  with  you  ?  *Tis  too  bad.  Hai-ford  nothing  to  reproach 
herself  for.    Your  obedient  servant,  Thomas  H.  Hicks." 

The  first)  evidence  of  the  co-operation  of  any  portion  of  our 
citizens  in  the  secession  movement  was  manifested  November  26th, 
by  unfurling  to  the  breeze  two  Palmetto  or  South  Carolina  flags. 
The  first  was  displayed  at  the  old  Liberty  engine-house,  on  Liberty 
street,  near  Fayette  (since  torn  down),  by  a  number  of  men  be- 
longing to  a  branch  of  an  association  of  Southern  volunteers. 

In  pursuance  of  a  call  published  in  the  daily  papers,  a  meeting 
was  held  on  Saturday  night,  December  22d,  in  the  IJniversalist 
Church  building,  North  Calvert  street,  to  "take  some  action  in  re- 
gard to  the  convening  of  the  Legislature  by  the  Governor."  The 
Hon.  John  C.  Legrand,  Chief  Justice  of  the  Court  of  Appeals, 
was  made  president.  Addresses  were  then  made  by  William  H. 
Ryan,  Coleman  Yellott  and  William  H.  Norris. 

1861.^  In  answer  to  a  call  published  in  the  newspapers  for  some 
days,  the  citizens  of  Baltimore,  favorable  to  the  perpetuation  of  the 
union  of  the   States,  met  in  mass-meeting  at  the  hall  of  the  Mary- 


CHRONICLES  OF   BALTIMORE.  585 

land  Institute  on  the  evening  of  the  10th  of  January.  The  meeting 
was  called  for  seven  o'clock,  but  long  before  that  hour  every  avail- 
able ppot  on  the  lower  floor  and  galleries  was  occupied  by  the 
immense  throng,  who  pressed  and  wedged  themselves  together, 
until  it  was  almost  impossible  for  another  creature  to  gain  access 
to  the  building.  The  stage  was  occupied  by  the  officers  of  the 
meeting,  and  distinguished  invited  guests  from  this  and  other 
States.  The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Wm.  McKim,  Esq., 
who  announced  the  officers  who  had  been  nominated  at  a  previous 
meeting.  President,  Archibald  Stirling,  Sr.,  and  a  number  of  vice- 
presidents  and  secretaries.  The  meeting  adopted  a  set  of  resolu- 
tions, and  were  addressed  by  Wm.  H.  Collins,  Esq.,  Augustus  W. 
Bradford,  Reverdy  Johnson,  B.  Deford,  Wm.  E.  Hooper,  Joseph 
Gushing,  Jr.,  and  Hon.  J.  A.  Pearre. 

In  response  to  a  call,  published  in  the  papers,for  "  the  citizens 
of  Baltimore  who  are  in  favor  of  restoring  the  Constitutional 
Union  of  the  States,  and  who  desire  the  position  of  Maryland  in 
the  existing  crisis  to  be  ascertained  by  a  convention  of  the  people," 
a  number  of  people  assembled  on  the  night  of  the  1st  of  February,  , 
at  the  Maryland  Institute  hall.  The  hall  was  well  filled,  and 
about  half-past  seven  o'clock  Hon.  Joshua  Vans^nt  called  the 
meeting  to  order  by  nominating  Dr.  A.  C.  Robinson  as  president. 
The  meeting  was  addressed  by  Dr.  A.  C.  Robinson,  Wm.  Henry 
Norris,  Hon.  R.  M.  McLane,  S.  Teackle  Wallis,  ex-Governor  Lowe, 
and  Mr.  Kilgour.  After  Mr.  Kilgour's  remarks,  a  set  of  resolutions 
were  unanimously  adopted  with  loud  cheering. 

During  the  night  of  Friday,  Februar}'^  22d,  Mr.  A.  Lincoln, 
President  of  the  United  States,  passed  through  this  city  on  his 
w^ay  to  the  Capital,  from  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  by  a  circuitous  route 
through  Philadelphia. 

Died,  on  the  19th  of  March,  Mrs.  Thomas  Winans,  the  wife  of 
one  of  our  most  enterprising  and  estimable  citizens.  She  was  a 
Russian  by  birth,  and  was  distinguished  for  her  extensive  charities. 

The  Universalist  Church  edifice  erected  on  Baltimore  street, 
near  Aisquith,  was  dedicated  on  Sunday,  March  24th,  the  religious 
ceremonies  being  performed  by  Rev.  B.  M.  Tillotson,  Rev.  J.  R. 
Johnson,  Rev.  Moses  Ballou,  and  Rev.  A.  Bosserman.  The  Home 
of  the  Friendless  was  dedicated  Tuesday,  April  2d.  Messrs.  C. 
Sidney  Norris  and  his  Honor  Mayor  Geo.  W.  Brc^wn  delivered 
appropriate  addresses  on  the  occasion. 

Never  before,  perhaps,  in  the  history  of  the  old  Monumental 
City  did  the  citizens,  one  and  all,  labor  under  such  a  perfect  furore 
of  excitement  as  prevailed  from  Friday,  April  12th,  1861,  tc  the 
end  of  the  month.  At  a  late  hour  on  the  evening  of  the  12th,  a 
dispatch  was  received  from  Charleston,  announcing  the  startling 
intelligence  that  the  war  had  been  inaugurated.  This  dispatch 
was  no  sooner  received  than  it  became  generally  known  through- 
out the  entire  city,  and  the  immediate  result  was  that  a  crowd  of 


586  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

several  hundred  persons  assembled  around  the  bulletin  boards,  and 
the  excitement  became  intense.  "Extras"  were  issued  by  the 
various  newspapers,  and  were  caught  up  with  anxious  hands  by 
the  multitude,  who  hardly  seemed  to  realize  the  alarming  state  of 
affairs  as  stated  in  the  dispatches.  Additional  dispatches,  detail- 
ing briefly  the  particulars  of  the  battle,  were  received  during  the 
night,  and  at  early  morning  the  newspaper  offices  were  besieged 
by  hundreds  of  excited  people.  The  expressions  of  feeling  at  the 
reception  of  the  dispatches  were  varied,  many  expressing  their 
heartfelt  regret  at  the  idea  of  the  sheding  of  fatricidal  blood,  others 
expressing  strong  Union  sentiments,  and  many  giving  expression 
to  their  feelings  in  favor  of  the  South.  As  the  crowd  increased  in 
numbers  the  excitement  became  more  intense,  but,  although  many 
were  violent  in  their  argument  and  gesticulations,  no  difficulty  of 
any  kind  took  place  until  about  eleven  o'clock,  when  a  j^oung  man 
made  his  appearance  in  the  neighborhood  of  South  street  wearing 
upon  his  hat  a  Southern  cockade.  He  was  saluted  with  hisses  and 
groans  by  the  Union  men,  who  raised  a  shout  of  "take  it  off," 
"  hurrah  for  the  Union,"  &c.  Extras  were  again  issued  during 
the  morning,  and  toward  noon  many  of  those  assembled  dispersed, 
and  the  excitement  partially  subsided  until  about  three  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,"  when  it  became  known  that  additional  news  had 
been  received  announcing  that  Fort  Sumter  was  on  fire.  As  this 
report  became  circulated,  the  Union  men  assembled  about  the 
news  offices  in  great  numbers,  and  divers  threats  were  made 
against  any  one  sympathizing  with  the  South.  In  spite  of  these 
threats,  however,  the  Southern  men  gathered  in  their  strength, 
and  for  some  time  serious  difficulties  were  apprehended.  Through 
the  exertions  of  the  efficient  police  department,  however,  quiet 
was  partially  restored.  About  four  o'clock,  however,  the  crowd 
again  became  excited  by  the  appearance  of  another  "  cockade  " 
upon  Baltimore  street.  Many  of  those  assembled  made  a  rush 
toward  the  party  wearing  it,  who  proved  to  be  a  gentleman  from 
North  Carolina  who  was  stopping  at  Barnum's  hotel,  and  cries  of 
"Go  in,  Union  men,"  "  Eally,  minute  men,"  and  other  riotous 
shouts  were  heard.  The  crowd  pressed  rapidly  around  the 
stranger,  and  although  he  was  immediately  surrounded  by  a  num- 
ber of  sympathizing  friends,  he  was  forced  up  Baltimore  street  until 
opposite  the^Iothing  establishment  of  Messrs.  Noah  Walker  &  Co., 
when  a  decided  stand  was  made,  and  with  the  assistance  of  Sergeant 
McComas,  of  the  police  department,  the  gentleman  was  enabled  to 
return  to  the  hotel.  Extras  were  also  issued  on  Sunday,  April  14thj 
containing  further  details  of  the  surrender  of  Major  Anderson. 

Died  on  the  15th  of  April,  "Old  Moses."  Moses  Small,  the 
venerable  old  newspaper  carrier,  died  at  his  residence  in  the  court 
in  the  rear  of  Charles  street  church.  He  was  about  80  years  of 
age,  and  until  about  four  years  before  was  quite  active,  when  he 
was  prostrated  by  sickness.     Perhaps  there  was  no  person  better 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  587 

known  in  Baltimore  than.  Moses  Small ;  he  was  universally  re- 
spected and  esteemed.  From  1813  to  1838  he  carried  the  Federal 
Gazette,  and  when  that  paper  was  merged  into  the  Baltimore 
Patriot,  he  continued  in  the  same  capacity  upon  the  latter  until 
1857  ;  and  in  all  that  long  period  of  nearly  half  a  century  he  never 
missed  a  single  day.  Such  a  long  instance  of  uninterrupted  ser- 
vice is  as  rare  as  it  is  remarkable. 

On  Sunday,  the  14th  of  April,  a  secession  flag  was  displayed 
from  the  mizzen  topmast  of  the  barque  Fanny  Crenshaw,  lying  at 
Chase's  wharf,  at  the  foot  of  Thames  and  Caroline  streets,  which 
was  not  at  first  perceived ;  but  on  being  particularly  noticed  several 
hours  afterward,  the  captains  of  other  vessels  in  the  neighborhood, 
the  Agnes,  the  Mondamin,  the  Washington,  the  Cliase,  and  the 
Seaman,  immediately  ran  up  the  National  flag.  Ere  long  a  crowd 
of  persons,  belonging  mostly  to  East  Baltimore,  assembled  at  tho 
wharf,  expressing  very  emphatic  disapproval  of  the  secession  flag, 
and  then  going  on  board  the  Crenshaw,  ordered  it  to  be  lowered. 
No  one  was  on  the  vessel  at  the  time  excepting  a  boy  left  in  charge  ; 
and  he,  by  the  orders  of  the  visiting  party,  hauled  down  the  fliag. 
In  the  course  of  an  hour  or  two  it  was  run  up  again  and  kept 
flj'ing,  this  time  being  protected  by  a  police  force.  It  was  under- 
stood the  flag  was  displayed  by  the  express  orders  of  the  owners 
of  the  barque,  Messrs.  D.  anti  J.  Crenshaw,  of  Eichmond,  Ya.  The 
18th  of  April  w^as  a  day  of  much  excitement;  strong  parties  of 
Union  men  and  Secessionists  f»ppearing  on  the  streets  and  giving 
vent  to  their  political  sentiments.  Col.  George  P.  Kane,  Marshal 
of  the  police,  actively  exerted  his  authority  in  preserving  order. 
An  attempt  was  made  to  display  a  Secession  flag  on  Federal  Hill, 
and  fire  one  hundred  guns  in  honor  of  South  Carolina,  or  perhaps 
more  immediately  of  the  secession  of  Virginia  the  day  before.  On 
the  third  round,  however,  the  cannon  was  seized,  and  with  the 
powder  thrown  into  the  Basin,  while  the  gun-carriage  was  broken 
up  and  the  flag  torn  into  shreds.  No  other  disturbance  occurred 
there,  although  upwards  of  two  thousand  persons  had  gathered  at 
the  scene.  Another  large  Confederate  flag  was  hoisted  about  4  P.  M. 
at  the  intersection  of  Greenmount  avenue  and  Charles  streets,  and 
saluted  with  one  hundred  guns. 

The  announcement  by  a  special  dispatch  from  Harrisburg,  Pa., 
that  the  Northern  Central  Railroad  had  been  requested  to  furnish 
accommodations  for  the  transportation  of  a  number  of  troops 
through  Baltimore,  caused  on  the  18th  of  April  the  greatest  excite- 
ment which  had  prevailed  in  this  city  since  the  news  of  the  attack 
on  Fort  Sumter.  Large  crowds  assembled,  and  curses  and  impre- 
cations were  freely  uttered.  An  earnest  and  wide-spread  deter- 
mination was  manifested  to  resist  this  threatened  "invasion  of  the 
soil  of  Maryland."  About  9  o'clock  an  impromptu  meeting  of  the 
National  Volunteers  was  held,  and  T.  Parkin  Scott,  Esq.,  was  called 
on  to  preside.     Upon  taking  the  chair  lie  made  a  brief  address, 


588  CHRONICLES  OF   BALTIMORE. 

followed  by  W.  C.  N.  Carr,  William  Byrne  and  others.  Through- 
out their  addresses  these  gentlemen  were  very  earnestly  applauded. 
About  2  o'clock  P.  M.,  two  trains,  containing  twenty-one  cars, 
which  left  Harrisburg  at  ten  minutes  past  eight  o'clock,  arrived 
at  the  Bolton  depot,  Northern  Central  road.  There  were  six 
companies  of  troops :  two  companies  of  United  States  artillery 
from  St.  Paul,  under  command  of  Major  Pemberton,  two  companies 
from  Pottsville,  Pa.,  one  from  Beading,  and  one  from  Lewistown, 
Pa.,  called  the  Logan  Guards,  in  all  numbering  a  fraction  over 
Fix  hundred  men.  Several  hundred  persons  had  congregated  at 
the  depot  to  await  their  arrival,  and  amused  themselves  in  the 
interim  by  singing  "Dixie's  Land,"  and  cheering  for  the  Southern 
Confederacy.  Upon  the  troops  disembarking,  they  were  jostled 
and  pushed  about  considerably  by  the  crowd.  The  line  of  march 
was  finally  taken  up  for  Mount  Clare  Station,  where  fifteen  freight 
cars,  with  seats  placed  in  them,  had  been  prepared  for  their  trans- 
portation. From  the  commencement  of  the  march  to  the  close  of 
it,  they  were  greeted  with  groans,  hisses,  cheers  for  Jeft'erson 
Davis,  South  Carolina,  the  Southern  Confederacy  and  Virginia. 
Opposite  the  Howard  House  the  hissing  was  remarkably  strong. 
Upon  arriving  at  Mount  Clare  the  troops  were  subjected  to  nu- 
merous indignities,  such  as  being  spit  upon,  having  their  coat  tails 
pulled,  and  references  made  to  their  beggarly  appearance,  cries  of  * 
"let  the  police  go  and  we'll  lick  you,"  "wait  till  you  see  Jeff 
Davis,*'  "we'll  see  you  before  long,"  "you'll  never  go  back  to 
Pennsylvania,"  and  many  similar  expressions.  But  for  the  effi- 
cient police  arrangements  there  would  undoubtedly  have  been  a 
collision  between  the  populace  and  the  military.  About  the  time 
of  the  departure  of  the  train  bearing  them,  a  stone  was  thrown 
into  one  of  the  cars.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  afternoon  the  crowd 
assembled  in  front  of  the  headquarters  of  the  Minute  men,  where 
there  was  a  fight.  Several  parties  were  slightly  damaged  about 
the  face.  In  this  row,  although  there  were  perhaps  2000  partici- 
pants, no  weapons  were  drawn.  This  was  likewise  quelled  by  the 
police,  who  rushed  in  and  carried  off  several  parties.  The  excite- 
ment then  subsided  until  about  i o'clock  in  the  evening,  when  an  im- 
mense concourse  of  the.Southern  sympathizers  collected  at  Taylor's 
Building,  on  Fayette  street,  to  attend  the  States  Eights  Convention 
held  there.  Being  excluded,  the  proceedings  of  the  convention 
being  secret,  they  formed  in  a  body,  numbering  about  800  persons, 
and  proceeded  to  parade  the  streets. 

About  the  hour  of  eleven  o'clock  on  Friday,  the  19th  of  April, 
a  train  of  thirty -five  cars  arrived  in  the  city  via  the  Philadelphia,  Wil- 
mington and  Baltimore  Railroad,  containing  about  1200  troops  from 
Lowell,  Boston,  and  Acton,  Massachusetts,  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Jones,  of  that  State,  together  with  about  1000  volunteers  from 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  under  (xeneral  John  Small.  No  sooner  had  the 
announcement  been  made. than  the  entire  community  was  perfectly 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  589 

wild  with  excitement ;  and  in  less  than  fifteen  minutes,  hundreds 
of  people  were  rushing  in  crowds  towards  the  railroad  track  on 
Pratt  street,  leading  from  the  Philadelphia  to  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Railroad,  with  the  intention  of  preventing  the  passage  of  the 
troops.  Having  assembled  on  Pratt  street,  from  Light  street  as 
far  down  as  the  bridge,  some  time  was  spent  in  giving  vent  to 
sheer  indignation  by  groans  for  Hicks,  Lincoln,  and  the  Federal 
Government,  and  cheers  for  Jefferson  Davis  and  the  Southern  Con- 
federacy. About  half-past  eleven  o'clock,  a  car  drawn  by  horses 
was  seen  approaching  from  the  bridge  over  Jones  Falls,  and  a  gen- 
eral shout  was  sent  up  by  the  crowd  in  favor  of  Jefferson  Davis 
and  the  South.  This  car,  together  with  eight  others,  was  allowed 
to  pass  unmolested,  except  that  the  multitude  groaned  and  hissed 
at  them  as  they  passed.  As  the  tenth  car  arrived  opposite  Com- 
merce street,  the  brake  upon  the  car  became  disarranged  by  some 
means,  and  the  car  was  consequently  stopped,  when  a  man  stand- 
ing upon  the  sidewalk  threw  a  stone  into  one  of  the  windows. 
This  was  a  signal  to  all  assembled,  and  in  an  instant  the  stones 
were  flj^ing  thick  and  fast.  The  driver  of  the  car  becoming  fright- 
ened, attached  his  team  to  the  opposite  end  and  drove  rapidl}^  to- 
ward the  Philadelphia  depot,  the  car  being  stoned  until  it  disap- 
peared from  view.  After  the  lapse  of  a  few  moments  spent  in 
cheers  and  groans,  the  crowd,  which  had  by  this  time  increased  to 
the  number  of  about  800,  proceeded  to  tear  up  the  street  for  the 
purpose  of  blockading  the  track,  to  prevent  the  passage  of  any 
more  of  the  cars.  Picks  and  shovels  were  soon  procured,  and  in  a 
short  time  the  entire  street,  for  a  distance  of  about  fifty  yards,  was 
entirely  torn  up,  the  bridges  over  the  gutters  were  taken  up,  and 
the  paving-stones  thrown  in  large  piles  in  the  centre  of  the  track. 
About  this  time  someone  among  the  party  discovered  several  large 
anchors  lying  upon  the  wharf  near  by,  and  a  rush  was  immediately 
made  to  gain  possession  of  them.  A  number  of  negroes  employed 
as  sailors  upon  schooners  hailing  from  the  vSouth  came  ashore  from 
their  vessels  and  rendered  every  assistance  in  their  power,  hauling 
the  immense  anchors  to  the  centre  of  the  railroad  track,  with 
cheers  for  the  "  Souf,"  and  "  Massa  Jeff.  Davis."  By  their  assist- 
ance, some  eight  of  the  anchors  were  piled  upon  the  track.  A  car 
loaded  with  sand  happened  at  the  time  to  be  passing,  and  it  was  also 
seized  upon,  and  being  backed  up,  the  contents  were  spilled  on  the 
centre  of  the  track. 

A  messenger  here  arrived  from  the  Philadelphia  depot,  an- 
nouncing that  the  troops  were  about  to  form  and  march  to  the 
Camden  Station,  being  unable  to  proceed  thither  by  rail.  This 
announcement  led  to  a  yell  of  disappointment  from  those  assembled, 
when  a  cry  of  "to  the  depot"  was  heard,  and  the  greatest  portion 
of  them  moved  off  at  a  rapid  rate  down  President  street.  As  the 
crowd  arrived  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  depot,  hundreds  of  citi- 
zens joined  in  to  discover  the  cause  of  the  excitement,  and  the 


590  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE, 

mass  soon  swelled  to  over  2,000  persons.  Passing  rapidly  down 
President  street,  as  far  as  the  depot,  they  assembled  beside  the 
train  containing  the  remainder  of  the  military,  and. immediately 
sent  up  a  shout  for  the  Southern  Confederacy,  accompanied  by  the 
most  unearthly  groans  for  the  troops  and  the  Federal  Government. 
No  movement  was  made  by  the  troops  for  about  fifteen  minutes  to 
alight  from  the  train.  During  this  delay  among  those  in  command 
the  crowd  became  furious  with  excitement,  a;nd  were  about  to  force 
an  entrance  into  the  cars,  when  a  large  detachment  of  police  under 
charge  of  one  of  the  captains  made  their  appearance,  and  rushing 
forward  at  the  risk  of  their  lives,  succeeded  in  preventing  the 
attack  upon  the  cars.  The  order  being  given  by  the  captains  of 
the  various  companies  of  the  troops,  six  car-loads  of  them  pro- 
ceeded to  alight  from  the  train.  As  they  descended  single  file  into 
the  crowd,  they  were  hustled  quite  violently,  and  were  hooted  at 
and  hissed  by  all  assembled,  but  finally  succeeded  in  pushing  their 
way,  with  the  assistance  of  the  officers,  to  the  footway  alongside 
the  depot,  where  they  formed  in  double  file,  awaiting  further 
orders.  At  this  instant,  a  commotion  was  perceptible  on  President 
street,  and  a  man  appeared,  accompanied  by  about  one  hundred 
friends,  bearing  in  bis  hands  a  pole  having  upon  it  a  flag  of  the 
Southern  Confederacy.  As  it  became  perceptible,  a  loud  shout  of 
enthusiasm  was  sent  up  by  the  multitude,  and  for  several  moments 
the  air  was  rent  with  cheer  upon  cheer  for  the  Southern  flag. 
Some  one  here  stole  silently  into  the  crowd,  and  grasping  at  the 
flag-staff^,  tore  it  partially  in  half,  when  he  was  seized  by  the  throat 
by  the  man  who  bore  the  flag,  and  would  have  been  killed  upon 
the  spot  had  the  police  not  saved  him  from  their  vengeance.  The 
shreds  of  the  flag  were  immediately  caught  up  by  the  crowd,  and 
being  tied  upon  the  staff",  was  again  saluted  with  cheers.  The 
most  bitter  taunts  were  thrown  at  the  troops  by  those  surrounding 
the  flag,  many  of  whom  declared  that  they  should  march  behind 
it,  which  they  were  compelled  to  do,  as  will  be  shown  by  the 
sequel. 

The  arrangement  having  been  perfected  for  a  march,  the  order 
was  given,  and  the  whole  body  made  a  movement^wards  Presi- 
dent street,  when  those  surrounding  the  Secession  flag  made  a  bold 
and  determined  stand,  and  refused  to  give  an  inch  to  allow  them 
to  pass.  Finding  it  impossible  to  proceed,  they  wheeled  around 
and  started  in  an  opposite  direction,  when  cries  of  "  head  them  oif " 
were  re-echoed  through  the  vast  assemblage,  and  a  rush  was  made 
to  the  southern  end  of  the  depot.  At  this  point  they  were  com- 
pletely surrounded,  and  for  several  minutes  it  was  found  to  be  im- 
possible for  them  to  move  in  any  direction.  Finall}^,  however,  the 
body  of  military  were  formed  into  platoons  four  abreast,  when 
three  or  four  of  those  in  the  rear  were  attacked  and  separated  from 
their  comrades.  Here  again  the  police,  who  were  untiring  in  their 
eflfortfl  to  preserve  the  peace,  rushed   in  and  protected  the  men, 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  591 

enabled  Ihem  to  regain  their  places  in  the  ranks,  when  the  body 
again  made  a  move,  and  by  their  broad  front,  aided  by  the  police, 
they  forced  a  passage  through  the  crowd.  As  the  body  moved  off 
the  Confederate  flag  was  borne  to  the  head  of  the  ranks,  and 
saluted  with  cheers.  Groans  were  given  for  the  troops,  and  the 
flag  was  immediately  surrounded  by  about  200  persons,  who 
marched  in  front  of  the  troops,  protecting  the  flag  and  compelling 
the  volunteers  of  Massachusetts  to  march  for  a  distance  of  two 
squares  behind  the  Confederate  banner.  When  about  one  hundred 
yards  from  the^depot,  a  second  attempt  was  made  by  several  Union 
men  to  seize  the  flag;  and,  upon  being  attacked  by  the  citizens, 
they  endeavored  to  escape  by  retreating  behind  the  ranks  of  the 
military.  This  action  exasperated  the  entire  mass  of  citizens  to 
sueh  an  extent  that  an  attack  was  immediately  made  upon  the 
troops  with  stones  and  such  missiles  as  could  be  found.  As  the 
attack  began  one  of  the  soldiers,  a  man  named  William  Patch, 
from  Massachusetts,  was  seen  to  fall  about  midway  of  the  ranks, 
having  been  struck  in  the  back  with  a  large  paving  stone.  As  he 
fell  upon  his  side  into  the  gutter,  his  musket  was  seized  by  a  portion 
of  the  crowd,  apparently  in  a  great  state  of  exasperation,  who  set 
upon  him,  and  before  the  police  could  prevent  them,  beat  the  un- 
fortunate soldier  most  unmercifully.  The  gun  was  borne  rapidly 
off  to  some  distance,  but  was  finally  given  up  to  an  officer.  As  the^ 
man  Patch  was  seen  to  fall,  the  commanding  officer  of  the  troops 
gave  a  hurried  order  to  the  troops  to  "  run,"  and  dipping  their 
heads,  they  were  soon  running  at  a  rapid  rate,  followed  by  the 
crowd,  who  continued  to  throw  stones  into  their  midst  as  they  re- 
treated. When  at  the  corner  of  President  and  Stiles  streets  the 
crowd  pressed  closely  upon  them,  and  rallying  around  them,  knocked 
down  two  of  the  soldiers  and  seized  their  muskets,  which  were  very  ' 
promptly  delivered  into  the  hands  of  the  police,  who  checked  them 
in  the  attack.  One  of  the  soldiers  who  was  knocked  down 
managed  to  regain  his  feet  and  make  his  escape,  but  the  second 
one  was  quickly  picked  up  by  an  officer,  and  carried  to  the  Middle 
station-house,  where  he  was  protected  from  the  crowd. 

The  body  of  troops  continued  to  run  with  great  rapidity  across 
Pratt  street  bridge,  and  as  far  as  Commerce  street,  the  point  where 
the  street  had  been  torn  up,  where  an  immense  concourse  of  people 
had  assembled,  completely  blockading  the  entire  street  from  one 
side  to  the  other.  As  the  troops  advanced  towards  them  a  tre- 
mendous shout  of  indignation  resounded  among  them,  and  deter- 
mined resistance  waS^rtcpt^ed  upon  every  countenance.  Almost 
every  man  of  them  provided  himself  with  a  huge  paving-stone, 
and  as  the  troops  advanced  a  shower  of  the  stones  was  poured  into 
them.  This  had  the  efifect  of  checking  the  speed  of  the  troops 
completely,  and  for  a  few  minutes  the  citizens  were  decidedly  victori- 
ous. Finding  themselves  hemmed  in,  the  commanding  officer  of 
the  troops  ordered  them  to  "  fire,"  and  the  order  was  no  sooner 


592  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

given  than  several  of  the  men  foremost  in  the  ranks  took  deliberate 
aim,  and  at  the  first  fire  a  young  man  named  Francis  X.  Ward,  a 
member  of  the  City  Guard  Battalion,  fell  to  the  earth,  pierced  by 
a  minie-ball  in  the  left  side  of  the  groin.  The  remainder  of  the 
troops  fired  in  rapid  succession  upon  the  crowd  in  front,  shooting 
several  persons,  hereafter  named,  some  of  whom  were  instantly 
killed.  "  A  resident  of  this  city  was  forced  by  the  rush  of  the 
crowd  in  close  proximity  to  one  of  the  soldiers.  He  raised  his  gun, 
and  taking  deliberate  aim,  pulled  the  trigger.  The  cap  exploded, 
but  the  gun  failed  to  go  off.  The  citizen  rushed  forward,  and 
seizing  the  musket,  plunged  the  bayonet  almost  entirely  through 
his  body." 

As  those  who  were  shot  down  by  the  soldiers  continued  to 
fall,  the  citizens,  who  were  entirely  unarmed,  wavered  somewhat, 
and  giving  way  before  the  fixed  bayonets  of  the  troops,  they 
opened  a  passage  and  the  troops  were  again  in  motion,  running 
rapidly  up  Pratt  street  towards  Camden  Station.  When  at  the 
intersection  of  Pratt  and  Charles  streets,  one  of  the  soldiers,  a 
man  named  Andrew  Eobbins,  from  Stoneham,  Massachusetts,  was 
shot  in  the  neck  by  one  of  the  citizens,  and  being  picked  up,  -was 
carried  into  the  drug  store  of  Mr.  Jesse  S.  Hunt,  where  he  was 
attended  by  Dr.  Dunbar.  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  nine  cars  at 
Camden  Station  they  were  greeted  with  hisses,  groans,  and  insult- 
ing threats  of  every  description.  The  troops  appeared  to  be  some- 
what crest-fallen,  and  looked  upon  the  crowds  who  surrounded  the 
cars  upon  the  outside  with  rather  suspicious  glances.  While  they 
were  waiting  for  their  comrades  at  the  President  street  depot,  the 
crowd  gradually  diminished,  and  a  great  many  persons  left  the 
place  under  the  impression  that  the  excitement  was  subsiding,  but 
in  reality  the  greater  part  of  them  had  gone  off  to  the  conflict  on 
Pratt  street,  while  others  had  repaired  to  the  outskirts  of  the  city 
for  the  purpose  of  tearing  up  the  track  and  making  preparations 
to  attack  the  train  as  it  moved  off  from  the  depot.  A  few  minutes 
past  twelve  o'clock  the  appearance  of/folarshal  Kane  again  drew 
the  people  together  at  the  Camden  Station,  when  the  state  of 
affairs  in  the  lower  section  of  the  city  became  more  generally 
known.  At  once- a  rush  was  made  for  the  scene  of  disturbance. 
In  a  few  minutes  the  crowd  came  swelling  up  Pratt  street,  hoot- 
ing at  the  military,  but  kept  somewhat  at  bay  by  the  strong  police 
force  present,  until  arriving  near  Howard  street,  when  a  volley 
was  fired  by  the  troops,  in  which  one  or  two  persons  were  wounded. 
Immediately  after  firing  they  started  in  a  run,  which  was  kept  up 
until  near  Camden  street,  when  about  a  dozen  shots  were  fired  by 
them,  but  no  one  was  injured  at  this  time.  The  run  was  then  re- 
sumed and  kept  up  until  they  reached  the  cars,  into  which  they 
very  unceremoniously  jumped.  Thirteen  cars  were'  then  drawn 
out,  which  were  entirely  occupied  by  troops,  and  being  attached 
to  a  locomotive,  about  a  quarter  before  one  o'clock  moved  out  of 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE.  593 

the  depot  amid  the  hisses  and  groans  of  the  multitude.  At  every 
point  within  the  city  they  were  stoned,  and  this  was  kept  up  until 
they  were  a  considerable  distance  beyond  the  city  limits. 

A  deep  gloom  was  cast  over  the  community  by  the  wanton  and 
brutal  murder  of  Mr.  Eobert  W.  Davis,  of  the  firm  of  Paj'nter, 
Davis  &  Co.,  dry-goods  dealers  on  Baltimore  street.  It  appears 
that  Mr.  Davis  had  gone  out  along  the  line  of  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Eailroad  early  in  the  morning,  for  the  purpose  of  looking  at 
some  land  which  he  contemplated  purchasing.  He  was  accom- 
panied by  Thos.  W.  Hall,  Jr.,  and  other  gentlemen,  and  at  the  time 
of  his  murder  he  was  standing  at  a  point  near  the  foot  of  Eutaw 
street,  known  as  McPherson's.  The  train  carrying  the  troops  at 
about  this  point  was  greeted  by  some  boys  with  cheers  for  the 
Southern  Confederacy,  when  Mr.  Davis  laughingly  shook  his  fist 
at  the  train  as  it  passed,  all  unconscious  of  any  difficulty  having 
occurred  in  the  city.  One  of  the  soldiers  ran  his  gun  out  of  the 
window,  and  taking  deliberate  aim  at  Mr.  Davis,  shot  him.  Upon 
the  shot  being  fired,  Mr.  Hall  asked  him  if  he  was  hurt.  His  only 
reply  was,  "  1  am  killed." 

About  half-past  two  o'clock  the  populace,  who  about  this  time 
filled  the  streets,  proceeded  in  a  body,  to  the  number  of  about  eight 
or  ten  thousand,  to  the  President  street  depot,  a  rumor  having 
been  spread  abroad  to  the  effect  that  the  renowned  7th  Regiment 
would  arrive  at  3  o'clock.  On  arriving  at  the  depot  they  assembled 
around  the  train  containing  the  Philadelphia  volunteers,  and  began 
an  attack  upon  those  who  were  in  the  passenger  cars,  by  throwing 
stones  through  the  windows  of  the  cars,  all  of  which  were  soon 
smashed  to  atoms.  Marshal  Kane  here  appeared  in  company  with 
General  Egerton,  and  it  was  announced  that  the  train  would  soon 
leave  for  Philadelphia.  With  this  understanding  the  crowd  with- 
drew for  a  short  time,  but  becoming  impatient,  a  second  attack  was 
made,  during  which  about  twenty  of  the  volunteers,  who  were  un- 
armed, were  badly  injured,  being  struck  with  stones  about  the  body 
and  head.  Those  in  the  passenger  cars  were  remoVed  to  freight 
cars  for  safety,  when  a  large  body  of  them,  numbering  110,  includ- 
ing many  members  of  the  band  accompanying  the  troops,  became 
separated  and  were  taken,  into  the  eastern  station-house  by  the 
officers  for  protection.  After  the  lapse  of  a  few  moments,  about 
2J  o'clock,  an  engine  was  attached  to  the  train  consisting  of  some 
twenty  cars,  and  it  passed  slowly  out  of  the  city,  an  order  having 
been  issued  by  the  railroad  company  for  their  return  to  Philadel- 
phia. 

The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  killed  and  wounded  in  the 
riot:  Citizens  killed — Robert  W.  Davis,  Philip  S.  Miles,  John  Mc- 
Cann,  John  McMahon,  William  R.  Clark,  James  Carr,  Francis 
Maloney,  Sebastian  Gill,  William  Maloney,  William  Reed,  Michael 

Murphy,  Patrick  Griffith.     Citizens  wounded — F.  X.  Ward, 

Coney,  James  Myers,  boy  name  unknown.     Soldiers  killed^-Ad- 
38 


694  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

diBon  O.  Whitney,  a  young  mechanic  of  Lowell,  Mass. ;  Luther 
C.  Ladd,  another  young  mechanic  from  Lowell ;  Charles  A.  Taylor, 
a  decorative  painter  of  Boston  ;  and  Sumner  H.  Needham,  a  plas- 
terer by  trade.     And  many  soldiers  wounded. 

The  excitement  continuing  with  unabated  fury  throughout  the 
town,  the  citizens  during  the  day  broke  into  the  stores  of  Patterson 
&  Wool  ford,  and  John  C.  J.  Meyer,  and  seized  a  large  number  of 
firearms,  &c.  During  the  afternoon  an  order  was  issued  by  (rov- 
ernor  Hicks  calling  out  the  military  throughout  the  city,  and  in  a 
short  time  every  company  responded  to  the  call,  and  reported 
themselves  on  Holliday  street  by  five  o'clock  P.  M.  Detachments 
consisting  of  portions  of  each  company  were  out  upon  guard  during 
the  night,  to  assist  the  police  department  in  suppressing  any  riotous 
demonstrations.  In  the  afternoon  the  following  letter  was  tele- 
graphed to  Washington : 

"  To  His  Excellency  the  President  of  the  United  States  : 

"/S^iV; — A  collision  between  the  citizens  and  the  ISTorthern  troops 
has  taken  place  in  Baltimore,  and  the  excitement  is  fearful.  Send 
DO  troops  here.  We-  will  endeavor  to  prevent  all  bloodshed.  A 
public  meeting  of  citizens  has  been  called,  and  the  troops  of  the 
State  have  been  called  out  to  preserve  the  peace.  They  will  be 
enough.    Eespectfully, 

"  (Signed)  Thomas  H.  Hicks. 

Geo.  Wm.  Brown,  Mayor." 

After  the  departure  of  the  troops,  information  was  dispatched 
to  the  police  department,  to  the  effect  that  a  freight  car  was 
standing  at  the  Philadelphia  depot  containing  a  large  quantity  of 
arms  and  ammunition  belonging  to  the  Massachusetts  troops. 
Gen.  James  Anderson  was  immediately  dispatched  to  the  spot  to 
take  possession  of  the  car,  which  he  did,  leaving  a  large  force  of 
police  officers  to  guard  it  until  the  contents  could  be  removed. 
The  baggage  was  conveyed  to  the  Middle  Station-house ;  the  arms 
were  subsequently  seized  upon  and  appropriated  by  the  city. 
About  3  o'clock  A.  M.  Saturday,  an  order  was  issued  for  the  de- 
struction of  all  bridges  on  the  line  of  the  Northern  Central  and 
Philadelphia  railroads  within  the  State  of  Maryland,  so  as  to  pre- 
vent the  passage  of  more  troops.  In  pursuance  of  this  order  the 
police  and  military  and  a  number  of  armed  citizens  performed  the 
duty. 

On  the  19th  of  April  a  committee  of  citizens,  consisting  of  Hon. 
H.  Lennox  Bond  and  John  C.  Brune  and  George  W.  Dobbin, 
proceeded  to  Washington  in  order  if  possible  to  eifect  some 
settlement  of  the  difficulties  caused  by  the  transportation  of  large 
bodies  of  troops  through  the  city  to  Washington.  They  bore  a 
letter  from  Mayor  Brown  and  Governor  Hicks,  to  the  President, 
of  which  the  following  is  a  copy  : 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  595 

"  Mayor's  Office,  Baltimore,  April  19M,  1861. 

"^iV ; — This  will  be  presented  to  you  by  the  Hon.  H.  Lennox 
Bond,  and  Geo.  W.  Dobbin  and  John  C.  Brune,  Esqs.,  who  will 
proceed  to  Washington  by  an  express  train,  at  my  request,  in 
order  to  explain  fully  the  fearful  condition  of  affairs  in  this  city. 
The  people  are  exasperated  to  the  highest  degree  by  the  passage 
of  troops,  and  the  citizens  are  universally  decided  in  the  opinion 
that  no  more  should  be  ordered  to  come.  The  authorities  of  the 
city  did  their  best  to-day  to  protect  both  strangers  and  citizens, 
and  to  prevent  a  collision,  but  in  vain  ;  and  but  for  their  great 
efforts  a  fearful  slaughter  would  have  occurred.  Under  these  cir- 
cumstances it  is  my  solemn  duty  to  inform  you  that  it  is  not  pos- 
sible for  more  soldiers  to  pass  through  Baltimore  unless  they  fight 
their  way  at  every  step.  I  therefore  hope  and  trust,  and  most 
earnestly  request,  that  no  more  troops  be  permitted  or  ordered  by 
the  Government  to  pass  through  the  city.  If  they  should  attempt 
it,  the  responsibility  for  the  bloodshed  will  not  rest  upon  me. 

"  With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

"  Geo.  Wm.  BROwn,  Mayor. 

"  To  His  Excel'y  Abraham  Lincoln^  President  United  States." 

"  I  have  been  in  Baltimore  city  since  Tuesday  evening  last, 
and  co-operated  with  Mayor  G.  W.  Brown  in  his  untiring  efforts 
to  allay  and  prevent  the  excitement,  and  suppress  the  fearful  out- 
break as  indicated  above,  and  I  fully  concur  in  all^  that  is  said  by 
him  in  the  above  communication.  Very  respectfully  your  obe- 
dient servant,  Thomas  H.  Hicks,  Governor  of  Maryland. 

"  To  His  Excel'y  Abraham  Lincoln,  President  U.  S." 

The  affair  of  the  19th  of  April  naturally  produced  intense  ex- 
citement in  the  community,  and  though  the  feeling  against  the 
Administration  and  the  North  was  very  general,  almost  all  citizens 
regretted  the  collision  that  had  taken^  place.  But  the  feeling  of 
the  people  of  Baltimore  was  changed  from  one  of  mere  excitement 
to  one  of  stern  determination  when  they  heard,  on  the  night  of  the 
19th  and  on  the  following  morningi^that  other  Northern  regi- 
ments, then  on  their  way  to  Baltimore,  were  loud  in  their  threats 
of  vengeance  against  the  people  of  the  city.  These  troops  were 
approaching  Baltimore  from  the  north  and  east,  and  thousands  of 
them  were  within  twenty-five  or  thirty  miles  of  it.  Information 
was  also  received  by  telegraph  that  the  most  vindictive  feeling 
against  the  whole  population  of  Baltimore  had  been  aroused  in  the 
Northern  cities,  and  that  numerous  bodies  of  men  were  organizing 
for  the  avowed  purpose  of  marching  on  their  own  responsibility  to 
inflict  punishment  upon  our  people.  The  Northern  papers,  too, 
were  filled  with  the  most  savage  denunciations  and  brutal  threats. 
All  were  united  in  the  resolution  not  to  accept  at  the  hands  of 


596  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Northern  regiments  the  punishment  with  which  they  indiscrimi- 
nately threatened  Baltimore.  It  is  not  necessary  here  to  enter 
upon  a  narrative  of  the  events  of  the  succeeding  days.  A  few 
facts  will  suffice  to  show  that  almost  the  whole  population  of  the 
State  and  city  was  united  upon  that  occasion.  On  the  afternoon 
of  the  19th  of  April,  at  four  o'clock,  a  town  meeting  was  held  in 
Monument  Square,  at  which  the  Governor,  the  Mayor,  Dr.  A.  C. 
Robinson,  Geo.  M.  Gill,  Wm.  P.  Preston,  S.  Teackle  Wallis,  Marcus 
Duvall,  John  Wethered,  Charles  Marshall,  and  Eobert  M.  McLane 
addressed  the  people,  advising  moderation,  &c.  Governor  Hicks, 
in  the  course  of  his  remarks,  said,  that  "  ho  had  three  conferences 
with  the  Mayor,  and  they  had  always  agreed  upon  every  point 
presented.  He  was  a  Marylander,  and  would  sooner  have  his 
right  arm  cut  off  than  raise  it  against  a  sister  Southern  State." 
On  the  same  evening  the  following  editorial  article  appeared  in 
the  American  newspaper : 

"  Let  us  Unite. —  The  results  of  this  morning  must  determine 
the  position  of  all  men.  We  must  agree  first  to  secure  the  re-es- 
tablishment of  harmony  among  ourselves,  and  all  then  join  in 
whatever  measures  may  be  determined  upon.  Whatever  differ- 
ences may  have,  or  do  yef  exist,  the  blood  of  our  citizens  shed  in 
our  streets  is  an  irresistible  appeal  to  us  all  to  unite  as  Mary- 
landers,  to  meet  firmly  and  together  the  responsibilities  clustering 
thickly  about  us.  There  can  be  no  difficulty  now  in  the  Governor, 
the  Mayor  and  the  police  authorities  from  together  concerting 
those  measures  which  are  necessary  to  the  public  safety.  Let  us 
first  seek  unity  among  ourselves,  and  then  act.  In  such  a  crisis  as 
this  all  other  considerations  must  give  way  to  our  duty  towards 
one  another,  and  to  the  State  and  city." 

On  that  night  the  Mayor  and  Police  Commissioners  deter- 
mined. Governor  Hicks  consenting,  to  burn  the  bridges  on  the 
Philadelphia  and  Wilmington  and  the  Northern  Central  railroads. 
The  citizens  also  turned  out  en  masse  with  arms  in  their  hands, 
and  began  to  enrol  themselves  in  companies,  and  the  Police  Com- 
missioners thought  it  the  wisest,  as  indeed  it  was  their  only  course, 
to  assume  command  of  these  volunteer  organizations.  The  action 
of  the  Police  Board  was  subsequently  explained  by  them  in  their 
report  to  the  Legislature,  from  which  the  following  is  an  extract: 

"  The  absolute  necessity  of  the  measures  thus  determined  upon 
by  the  Governor,  Mayor  and  Police  Board,  is  fully  illustrated  by 
the  fact  tha,t  early  on  Sunday  morning,  reliable  information  reached 
the  city  of  the  presence  of  a  large  body  of  Pennsylvania  troops, 
amounting  to  about  twenty-four  hundred  men,  who  had  reached 
Ashland  near  Cockeysville,  by  the  way  of  the  Northern  Central 
Raili-oad,  and  were  stopped  in  their  progress  towards  Baltimore 
by  the  partial  destruction  of  the  Ashland  bridge.  Every  intelli- 
gent citizen  at  all  acquainted  with  the  state  of  feeling  then  exist- 
ing must  be  satisfied,  that  if  these  troops  had  attempted  to  march 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  597 

through  the  city,  an  immense  loss  of  life  would  have  ensued,  in 
the  conflict  which  would  necessarily  have  taken  place.  The  bitter 
feelings  already  engendered  would  have  been  intensely  increased 
by  such  a  conflict;  all  attempts  at  conciliation  would  have  been 
vain,  and  terrible  destruction  would  have  been  the  consequence,  if, 
as  is  certain,  other  bodies  of  troops  had  insisted  upon  forcing  their 
way  through  the  city.  The  tone  of  the  whole  of  the  Northern 
press,  and  of  the  mass  of  the  population,  was  violent  in  the  extreme. 
Incursions  upon  our  city  were  daily  threatened,  not  only  by  troops 
in  the  service  of  the  Federal  Government,  but  by  the  vilest  and 
most  reckless  desperadoes,  acting  independently,  and  as  they 
threatened,  in  despite  of  the  Government,  backed  by  well-known 
influential  citizens,  and  sworn  to  the  commission  of  all  kinds  of 
excesses.  In  short,  every  possible  effort  was  made  to  alarm  this 
community.  In  this  condition  of  things,  the  Board  felt  it  to  be 
their  solemn  duty  to  continue  the  organization  which  had  already 
been  commenced,  for  the  purpose  of  assuring  the  people  of  Balti- 
more that  no  effort  would  be  spared  to  protect  all  within  its 
borders  to  the  full  extent  of  their  ability.  All  the  means  employed 
were  devoted  to  this  end,  and  with  no  view  of  procuring  a  collision 
with  the  General  Government,  which  the  Board  were  particularly 
anxious  to  avoid ;  'and  an  arrangement  was  happily  effected  by  the 
Mayor  with  the  General  Government  that  no  troops  should  be 
passed  through  the  city." 

The  proceedings  of  the  State  and  municipal  authorities  were 
heartily  sustained  by  the  community.  On  the  afternoon  of  the 
20th,  the  American  put  forth  another  appeal  to  the  people,  as  fol- 
lows : — "  Preparation  and  Organization. — It  is  no  longer  a  time 
to  discuss,  but  to  act  so  as  to  direct  thenj.  We  have  through  our 
constituted  authorities  declared  that  the  Northern  troops  shall  not 
be  passed  through  our  city,  and  that  declaration  must  now  be  sup- 
ported with  determination,  energy  and  unanimity.  There  must 
be  preparation,  organization,  and  good  counsel.  To  prevent  the 
passage  of  these  troops  they  should  be  met  beyond  'the  limits  of 
the  city  by  such  an  organized  force  as  will  make  the  prohibition 
effectual.  We  must  keep  the  war  away  from  our  homes  if  pos- 
sible. The  facts  stated  elsewhere  show  what  measures  have  already 
been  taken  to  secure  these  ends."  In  the  same  article  is  referred 
to  the  specific  measures  which  had  been  taken  to  place  the  city  in 
a  state  of  defence,  all  of  which  it  evidently  approved.  It  said : 
*'  The  bridges  on  the  Philadelphia  and  Northern  Central  railroads 
have  been  destroyed  by  order  of  the  Mayor.  This  will  prevent 
the  attempt  to  suddenly  precipitate  any  large  bodies  of  troops 
upon  us,  and  give  time  for  preparation." 

The  Baltimore  County  American,  which  then  was,  and  after- 
wards again  became,  a  violent  Union  paper,  published  an  "Extra" 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  20th,  in  which  it  said :  "  Civil  war  is  in 
our  midst.     A  riot  has  occurred  between  soldiers  from  the  North 


598  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

and  the  citizens  of  Baltimore,  and  unarmed  men  have  fallen  be- 
neath the  musket-shots  of  soldiers  from  another  State.  We  have 
stood  long  by  the  Union  flag  —  we  have  contended  thus  far  be- 
neath its  folds ;  but  now  we  must  coincide  with  Governor  Hicks 
and  Mayor  Brown,  as  well  as  with  the  sentiment  of  the  people  of 
the  entire  State,  in  saying  that  Northern  troops  shall  not  pass  un- 
harmed through  the  State  of  Maryland  for  the  purpose  of  subju- 
gating the  South.  Northern  troops  are  now,  it  is  said,  marching 
to  Washington,  intending  to  force  themselves  through  Maryland ; 
and  we  can  but  say  to  our  people,  respond  to  the  call  issued  by  the 
Governor,  and  defend  your  State." 

At  this  time  a  few  gentlemen,  acting  simply  upon  their  own 
responsibility,  undertook  to  obtain  subscriptions  among  the  mer- 
chants in  their  immediate  neighborhood,  to  be  devoted  to  "  the 
purchase  of  arms  to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  police  commis- 
sioners for  distribution,"  or  placing  the  city  in  a  defensible  posi- 
tion. Among  the  firms  that  subscribed  and  paid  one  hundred  dol- 
lars each,  were  Messrs.  Benner,  Dennison  &  Co.;  Wyman,  Byrd  & 
Co.;  John  S.  Berry ;  Austin,  Dall  &  Co.;  Hodges  Bros.;  Isaac  Coalo, 
Jr.,  k  Bro.;  H.  Tiffany  &  Co.;  Eaton  Brothers  &  Co.;  Turnbull, 
Slade  &  Co.;  Duvall,  Keighler  &  Boyd  ;  Eice,  Chase  &  Co.;  Henry 
Keiman  &  Son  ;  Mills,  Mayhew  &  Co.;  Lanier  Bi-others  k  Co.;  Mil- 
ler, Cloud  k  Miller;  Whiteley,  Stone  k  Co.;  Hambleton  Bros.  &  Co.; 
Magruder,  Taylor  &  Eoberts ;  Wiesenfeld  &  Co.;  Paynter,  Davis  & 
Co.;  John  W.  Bruff  &  Co.;  Kobert  Mowet  &  Bro.;  Hamilton  Easter 
&  Co.;  Thos.  J.  Carson ;  Boyd  Brothers  &  Co.;  A.  J.  Albert;  E. 
Walter  &  Bro.;  Sam'l  Bevan  &  Co.;  Meredith  Spencer;  Devries, 
Stephens  &  Thomas ;  C.  D.  Slingluff  &  Son ;  Orendorf  &  Beam ; 
McDowell,  Eobinson  &  Co.;  Gushing  &  Bailey ;  John  Turnbull,  Jr.; 
Orem,  Hopkins  &  Co.;  Hurst  &  Co.;  F.  B.  Loney  &  Co.;  F.  Fickey 
&  Sons,  and  others.  When  it  is  remembered  that  the  gentlemen 
composing  the  committee  from  the  banks,  and  many  of  those  be- 
longing to  the  above-named  firms,  and  the  editors  of  the  news- 
papers referred  to,  were  recognized  shortly  afterwards  as  the  most 
violent  partizans  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  it  is  not  reasonable  to  suppose 
that  there  was  much  division  of  sentiment  in  Baltimore  on  and 
immediately  after  the  19th  of  April.  It  is  equally  capable  of  proof 
that,  though  the  people  were  thus  united,  no  violence  was,  with  a 
solitary  exception,  done  to  the  few  whose  opinions  differed  radi- 
cally from  those  of  the  mass  of  the  community.  Men  who  were 
known  always  to  have  been  strenuous  supporters  of  Mr.  Lincoln, 
and  to  have  sympathized  warmly  with  the  most  extreme  politi- 
cians of  the  North,  walked  the  streets  unmolested.  Tlje  people  of 
Baltimore,  though  bent  upon  vindicating  their  own  rights,  did  not 
then  or  afterwards  desire  or  attempt  to  compel  any  citizen  to 
forego  his  political  opinions. 

About  ten  o'clock  on  Saturday,  the  20th  of  April,  the  following 
telegram  was  received  by  the  Mayor : 


CHROISICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  599 

Washington,  April  20th,  1861. 

To  Mayor  Brown,  Baltimore. — "VVe  have  seen  the  President  and 
General  Scott.  We  have  from  the  former  a  letter  to  the  Mayor 
and  Governor,  declaring  that  no  troops  shall  be  brought  through 
Baltimore,  if,  in  a  military  point  of  view,  and  without  interruption 
from  opposition,  they  can  be  marched  around  Baltimore. 

H.  L.  Bond, 
J.  C.  Brune. 
G.  W.  Dobbin. 

There  was  considerable  dissatisfaction  expressed  on  the  street* 
at  the  unsatisfactory  tone  of  the  President's  reply,  many  being  of 
the  opinion  thai  "  these  Northern  troops  should  not  be  allowed  to 
pollute  the  soil  of  the  State  of  Maryland  by  their  march  to  the 
rendezvous."  Throughout  the  entire  day  the  matter  was  discussed, 
and  preparations  were  made  for  the  defence  of  the  city  in  any 
emergency.  During  Saturday  morning  Mayor  Brown  issued  the 
following  proclamation : 

"Mayor's  Office,  Baltimore,  April  20th,  1861. 

"  All  citizens  having  arms  suitable  for  the  defence  of  the  city, 
and  which  they  are  willing  to  contribute  for  the  purpose,  are  re- 
quested to  deposit  them  at  the  office  of  the  Marshal  of  Police. 

"George  Wm.  Brown,  Mayor." 

An  immediate  and  hearty  response  was  given  to  this  call  by 
citizens  of  every  class  and  age.  The  members  of  the  City  Council 
met  in  their  respective  chambers  at  nine  o'clock  on  Saturday,  and 
after  a  brief  session  appropriated  half  a  million  of  dollars  for  the 
defence  of  Baltimore  against  any  danger  that  might  arise  from  the 
then  condition  of  aifairs.  Messrs.  Nicholas,  Blanchard,  and  Drake- 
ley,  were  the  committee  on  the  part  of  the  First  Branch,  and  Messrs. 
Miller,  Hicks  and  Higgins,  the  committee  on  the  part  of  the  Second 
Branch,  to  carry  out  the  terms  of  the  ordinance. 

The  directors  of  the  various  banks  in  Baltimore  held  a  consul- 
tation at  one  o'clock  on  Saturday,  and  proffered  the  cit}^  the  loan 
of  half  a  million  dollars,  through  Messrs.  Columbus  O'Donnell,^ 
Johns  Hopkins  and  John  Clarke,  a  committee  on  the  part  of  the 
banks.  At  the  dawn  of  day  on  Saturday  morning,  the  flag  of  the 
Confederate  States  was  unfurled  at  Taylor's  building,  Calvert  street, 
the  headquarters  of  the  National  volunteers,  and  the  multitude  as- 
sembled at  that  early  hour  greeted  it  with  vociferous  cheers.  In 
addition  to  the  committee  of  citizens  sent  by  the  Mayor,  Hon. 
Anthony  Kennedy  and  Hon.  J.  Morrison  Harris  visited  Washington 
and  had  an  interview  with  the  President.  They  sent  the  following 
despatch  to  the  Mayor :  "  Washington,  April  20th — We  have  seen 
the  President,  Secretaries  of  State,  Treasury,  and  War,  also  General 
Scott.  The  result  is  the  transmission  of  orders  that  will  stop  the 
passage  of  troops  through  or  around  the  city." 


600  .        CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

About  six  o'clock,  a  company  of  men  numbering  about  seventy, 
under  command  of  Bradley  T.  Johnson,  arrived  from  Frederick, 
Md.  About  four  o'clock,  considerable  excitement  was  occasioned 
by  the  appearance  of  a  company  of  mounted  men,  styled  the 
Patapsco  Dragoons,  Capt.  E.  J.  Hinkle,  from  the  fifth  district  of 
Anne  Arundel  county.  At  nine  o'clock  the  Towson  Mounted 
Guard,  commanded  by  Capt.  Charles  Eidgely,  rode  into  Monument 
Square.  And  on  Sunday  evening  the  steamer  Pioneer  arrived  from 
East  on  with  two  companies  of  troops.  On  the  same  evening  the 
Howard  Dragoons,  Capt.  Geo.  E.  Gaither,  Jr.,  arrived  in  the  city, 
and  reported  themselves  for  duty.  A  party  of  military,  by  authority 
of  those  in  command,  on  Saturday  took  possession  of  five  cannon 
belonging  to  the  Catonsville  Military  Institute,  and  brought  them 
to  the  city.  They  had  been  previous!}'  spiked,  as  was  supposed  by 
Eev.  Mr.  Van  Eokkelen,  the  principal  of  the  school.  Quite  a 
number  of  persons  were  kept  upon  the  streets  on  Saturday  night 
until  a  late  hour,  in  consequence  of  a  rumor  that  Fort  McHenry 
would  be  attacked.  A  military  force  from  the  city  was  sent  out  in 
order  to  prevent  such  an  attempt. 

About  2^  o'clock  on  Saturday  afternoon,  the  Turner  Hall  on 
Pratt  street,  near  Howard,  was  entered  by  a  band  of  about  thirty 

Eersons,  who,  after  breaking  down  the  doors,  sacked  the  entire 
uilding  from  top  to  bottom,  destroying  the  furniture,  liquors,  fix- 
tures, &c.,  and  damaging  the  building  to  the  amount  of  several 
hundred  dollars.  This  act  was  committed,  it  is  alleged,  by  a  num- 
ber of  indignant  Southern  men  who  obtained  information  to  the 
effect  that  the  German  Turners,  who  were  accustomed  to  occupy 
the  place,  had  departed  for  Washington  to  tender  their  services  to 
the  Government.  During  the  day  large  numbers  of  arras  of  every 
description  were  taken  possession  of  by  the  city,  and  in  a  few  hours 
several  thousand  stand  of  arms  were  packed  away  at  the  office  of 
the  marshal  of  the  police,  to  be  distributed  to  those  who  enrolled 
themselves  as  volunteers. 

At  an  early  hour  on  Saturday  morning  Major  Hay  ward,  together 
with  several  other  military  gentlemen,  opened  a  recruiting  office  at 
the  old  City  Hall,  when  the  building  was  immediately  besieged  by 
hundreds  who  enrolled  themselves.  During  the  day  a  large  body 
were  enlisted,  and  being  formed  into  companies  of  forty  each,  they 
•elected  their  own  captains,  and  joined  different  regiments,  head- 
quarters being  provided  for  them  by  the  authorities  in  various 
localities.  The  fife  and  drum  were  to  be  heard  in  almost  every  di- 
rection, parties  having  secured  them  for  the  purpose  of  drumming 
up  the  recruits,  and  in  a  short  time  large  bodies  of  the  volunteers 
were  in  the  streets  organizing,  drilling  and  concluding  all  arrange- 
ments for  instant  duty  when  called  upon.  About  6  o'clock  all 
taverns  were  ordered  to  be  closed,  which  was  carried  into  effect 
forthwith. 

During  the  ftfternoon  of  Saturday,  a  large  crowd  of  persons 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  601 

proceeded  to  the  office  of  the  Wecker,  a  German  abolition  paper, 
on  Frederick  street  near  Gay,  and  under  threats  of  death  com- 
pelled the  proprietor  to  hang  out  a  secession  flag.  The  excitement 
was  most  intense,  and  those  assembled  gave  free  expression  to 
their  contempt  for  the  editor.  During  the  night  the  office  was 
again  attacked,  and  the  windows  completely  riddled.  The  occu- 
pants were  compelled  to  flee  for  their  lives  and  take  refuge  in  the 
houses  of  their  neighbors. 

Sunday  was  a  clear  and  lovely  day,  and  nature  appeared  as  if 
smiling  upon  us  with  every  assurance  that  our  troubles  were  art  an 
end.  About  9  o'clock  a  rumor  was  spread  abroad  to  the  efl'ect 
that  700  Virginia  troops  bad  arrived  on  board  the  steamer  Louis- 
iana. An  immense  crowd  soon  collected,  and  in  a  short  time  the 
streets  leading  to  the  wharves  were  literally  black  with  people 
who  ran  shouting  and  cheering  towards  the  steamer,  but  were 
mistaken  in  their  expectations.  All  excitement  had  generally  sub- 
sided until  about  ten  o'clock,  when  a  man  mounted  on  a  horse  came 
dashing  through  the  streets  and  rode  to  the  office  of  the  Marshal 
of  Police,  bringing  intelligence  that  about  5000  Northern  troops 
were  at  Cockeysville  and  were  marching  direct  for  this  city.  This 
news  gave  the  finishing  touch  to  the  smothering  flame  which  had 
been  burning  for  the  past  week.  The  startling  announcement  was 
very  soon  spread  abroad  by  the  newspaper  offices,  and  in  a  few 
moments  the  whole  town  was  on  fire  with  excitement.  The  church 
bells  were  ringing  for  morning  service,  when  the  quick  roll  of  the 
drums  at  the  various  armories  was  instantly  heard  calling  the 
forces  to  arms,  and  the  efl'ect  was  instantaneous.  The  men  rushed 
from  the  churches  as  if  crazy,  to  the  armories ;  the  females  ran 
shrieking  through  the  streets,  supposing  that  the  enemy  were 
already  in  our  midst.  Some  of  the  churches  were  deserted;  most 
of  the  ministers  read  only  a  jibrtion  of  the  morning  service,  and 
then  dismissed  their  congregations,  and  in  less  than  fifteen  minutes 
after  the  first  alarm  the  streets  were  filled  with  people  flying  to 
arms  to  meet  the  "  invaders."  The  old  "  Town  Clock  "  bell  soon 
rung  an  alarm,  and  by  eleven  o'clock,  Holliday  street  from  Balti- 
more to  the  old  city  hall  was  packed  with  a  dense  mass  of  citizens 
and  soldiers.  They  were  rapidly  enrolled  in  companies  of  forty, 
and  electing  their  captains,  were  furnished  with  a  gun.  They  were 
then  marched  to  the  headquarters  assigned  them  to  await  further 
orders.  Hundreds  of  persons  made  their  appearance  at  the 
Marshal's  office,  armed  with  small  bird  and  heavy  duck  guns, 
bowie  knives,  pistols  and  every  description  of  weapon.  After  some 
five  hours  spent  in  hasty  preparation  the  forces  were  all  collected 
and  ready  for  a  move,  when  at  2  o'clock  several  cannon  were 
taken  as  far  as  Easrer  street,  near  Greenmount  avenue,  where  they 
awaited  the  arrival  of  the  remainder  of  the  force  stationed  on 
Holliday  street.  Nothing  definite  however  was  known  until 
about  5  o'clock,  when  it  was  announced  that  the  President  had 


602  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

ordered  the  troops  back  to  Harrisburg.  Col.  1.  E.  Trimble  was 
appointed  to  the  command  of  the  uimniformed  volunteers,  with 
Messrs.  William  H.  Norris,  K.  M.  McLane,  B.  C.  Presstman,  E. 
Louis  Lowe,  Charles  Wethered,  Frederick  Harrison  and  Grafton 
D.  Spurrier  as  aides. 

The  following  correspondence  took  place  by  telegraph  between 
John  W.  Garrett,  President  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad, 
and  Mayor  Brown  : 

Baltimore,  April  21st,  1861. 

Hon?  Geo.  Wm.  Brown,  Mayor  of  Baltimore  at  Washington  : 

Three  thousand  Northern  troops  are  reported  to  be  at  Cock- 
eysville.  Intense  excitement  prevails.  Churches  have  been  dis- 
missed, and  the  people  are  arming  in  mass.  To  prevent  terrific 
bloodshed,  the  result  of  your  interview  and  arrangement  is 
awaited.        (Signed)  John  W.  Garrett,  President. 

Washington,  April  21st,  1861,  1:25  P.  M. 
John  W.  Garrett,  President. 

Your  telegram  received  on  our  return  from  an  interview  with 
the  President,  Cabinet,  and  Gen.  Scott.  Be  calm,  and  do  nothing 
until  you  hear  from  me  again.  I  return  to  see  the  President  at 
onc6,  and  will  telegraph  again.  Wallis,  Brune,  and  Dobbin  are 
with  me.  Geo.  W.  Brown,  Mayor, 

Washington,  April  21st,  1861,  3:15  P.  M. 

John  W.  Garrett,  President. 

We  have  again  seen  the  President,  Gen.  Scott,  Secretary  of 
War,  and  other  members  of  the  Cabinet,  and  the  troops  are  ordered 
to  return  forthwith  to  Harrisburg.  A  messenger  goes  with  us  from  Gen. 
Scott.     We  return  immediately. 

(Signed),  Geo.  Wm.  Brown,  Mayor. 

Upon  the  announcement  of  the  news  contained  in  the  dispatches, 
the  military  and  volunteers  quickly  dispersed  and  a  perfect  calm 
ensued,  the  streets  being  almost  deserted  in  a  short  time.  On 
Monday  by  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  volunteers  were  out 
in  great  numbers,  and  were  soon  collected  at  various  points  through- 
out the  city  engaged  in  drill  practice.  At  about  9  o'clock  an  order 
was  issued  by  Major  Isaac  I).  Trimble,  the  commanding  officer  of 
the  ununiformed  volunteers,  commanding  the  various  companies  to 
assemble  and  report  themselves  at  the  Calvert  station  of  the  North- 
ern Central  railway.  The  order  was  quickly  complied  with,  and 
after  a  brief  delay  companies  were  to  bo  seen  approaching  the 
depot  in  every  direction.  They  underwent  an  examination  by  their 
commanding  officer,  and  were  thoroughly  organized  for  immediate 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE.  603 

action  wherever  their  services  might  be  required.  They  were  en- 
camped in  the  vicinity  for  several  hours.  Sentinels  were  stationed 
around  the  lines,  and  every  rule  of  camp  life  was  kept  up  for  some 
time.  Early  in  the  morning  the  Maryland  guard  battalion,  con- 
sisting of  six  companies,  under  Captains  Loney,  Carroll,  Murray, 
Conway,  Woodville,  and  Pennington,  took  possession  of  the  hall  of 
the  Maryland  Institute  for  their  headquarters. 

Nearly  all  the  pastors  and  ministers  of  the  Gospel  in  the  city 
met  at  the  New  Assembly  Eooms  on  Hanover  street,  on  Monday 
morning  at  10  o'clock,  "  in  compliance  to  the  public  call  to  consider 
and  adopt  such  measures  as  by  God's  blessing  might  promote  the 
public  peace."  On  motion  of  Eev.  Dr.  N.  H.  Schenck,  of  the  Epis- 
copal Church,  Eev.  Dr.  Thomas  Sargeant,  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
was  unanimously  appointed  chairman,  and  led  the  meeting  in 
prayer.  On  motion  of  the  Eev.  Dr.  Morris,  of  the  Lutheran 
Church,  Eev.  Dr.  Dickson,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  was  ap- 
pointed secretar}^  After  a  free  and  friendly  conference  the  follow- 
ing resolution  was  offered  by  the  Eev.  F.  AVilson,  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  unanimously  adopted :  "  Eesolved,  That  we  will  re- 
quest the  respective  churches  under  our  pastoral  care,  and  all  other 
churches  in  this  city,  to  meet  in  their  respective  places  of  worship 
on  Wednesday  morning  at  11  o'clock,  and  spend  that  day  as  a  day 
of  humiliation,  fasting  and  prayer  to  Almight}^  God  to  avert  the 
civil  war  which  is  now  impending  over  our  country."  The  meeting 
then  adjourned  with  prayer  by  the  Eev.  Dr.  Backus,  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

On  Monday  morning  between  200  and  300  of  our  most  re- 
spectable colored  residents  made  a  tender  of  their  services  to  tho 
city  authorities.  The  Mayor  thanked  them  for  the  offer,  and  in- 
formed them  that  their  services  would  be  called  for  if  they  could 
be  made  in  any  way  available. 

We  extract  the  following  from  the  proceedings  of  the  Board  of 
Police,  which  met  at  1  o'clock  A.  M.,  at  the  office  of  the  Marshal, 
on  Saturday  morning,  the  20th  of  April : 

"Present,  C.  H.  Howard,  president,  W.  H.  Gatchell,  J.  W. 
Davis,  and  Hon.  Geo.  Wm.  Brown.  The  Mayor  informed  the 
Board  of  the  nature  of  a  dispatch  received  by  the  Master  of  Trans- 
portation of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad  Company,  in  refer- 
ence to  the  further  passage  of  troops  from  the  North  through  the 
city.  He  further  stated  that  his  Excellency  the  Governor  fully 
concurred  with  him  in  the  opinion  that  the  only  security  against 
the  arrival  of  troops  within  not  many  hours,  which  the}'  were  per- 
fectly assured  would  necessarily  produce  in  the  city  a  wide-spread 
scene  of  slaughter  and  devastation  in  our  streets,  would  be  the  im- 
mediate destruction  of  some  of  the  bridges  on  the  Philadelphia, 
Wilmington  and  Baltimore  Eailroad  and  the  Northern  Central 
Eailroad.  The  Board  of  Police  being  fully  convinced  of  the  sound- 
ness of  the  above  views,  authorized  Marshal  Kane  to  proceed  with 


604  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

a  party  to  accomplish  the  object  in  view,  on  the  Northern  Central' 
Kailroad,  and  Isaac  K.  Trimble,  Esq.,  to  do  the  same  on  the  Phila- 
delphia, Wilmington  and  Baltimore  Eailroad.  Adjourned  at  half- 
past  two  o'clock  A.  M." 

The  following  letter  was  written  and  complied  with  by  Mr. 
Charles  Howard,'President  Of  the  Board  of  Police  Commissioners, 
to  Capt.  Eobinson,  commanding  at  Fort  McHenry : 

"  Office  Board  of  Police, 
"Baltimore,  April  20th,  1861  (8  o'clock  P.  M.) 
"  Capt.  Eobinson,  U.  S.  A.,  Commanding  at  Fort  McHenry : 

^^Dear  Sir: — From  rumors  that  have  reached  us,  the  Board  are 
apprehensive  that  you  may  be  annoyed  by  lawless  and  disorderly 
characters  approaching  the  walls  of  the  fort  to-night.  We  pro- 
pose to  send  a  guard  of  perhaps  200  men  to  station  themselves  on 
Whetstone  Point,  of  course  entirely  beyond  the  outer  limits  of  the 
fort,  and  within  those  of  the  city.  Their  orders  will  be  to  arrest 
and  hand  over  to  the  civil  authorities  any  evil-disposed  or  disor- 
derly persons  who  may  approach  the  fort.  Wo  should  have  con- 
fided this  duty  to  our  regular  police  force,  but  their  services  are  so 
imperatively  required  elsewhere  that  it  is  impossible  to  detail  a 
sufficient  number  of  men  to  your  vicinity  to  ensure  the  accom- 
plishment of  our  object.  This  duty  has  therefore  been  entrusted 
to  a  detachment  of  the  regularly  organized  militia  of  the  State, 
now  called  out  pursuant  to  law,  and  actually  in  the  service  of  the 
State  of  Maryland.  The  commanding  officer  of  the  detachment 
will  be  instructed  to  communicate  with  you.  Permit  me  here  to 
repeat  the  assurance  I  verbally  gave  you  this  morning,  that  no 
disturbance  at  or  near  your  post  shall  be  made  with  the  sanction 
of  any  of  the  constituted  authorities  of  the  city  of  Baltimore,  but 
that  on  the  contrary  all  their  powers  shall  be  exerted  to  prevent 
anything  of  the  kind  by  any  parties.  I  have  the  honor  to  be  very 
respectfull}'-  your  obedient  servant, 

"  Charles  Howard,  President. 

"  P.  S.  There  may  probably  be  a  troop  of  volunteer  cavalry 
with  the  detachment;  these  will  of  course  be  under  the  orders  of 
the  officer  in  command.  Yours,  &c., 

"C.  H.,  President:' 

Ko  attack  or  even  threatened  movement  was  ever  made  against 
Fort  McHenry,  which  in  a  short  time  afterward  was  fully  gar- 
risoned and  powerfull}^  armed. 

We  deem  it  necessary  to  give  here  other  details  with  extracts 
from  official  documents,  in  illustrating  the  history  of  this  stirring 
period.  Maryland  being  a  border  State,  in  which  the  institution 
of  slavery  still  existed,  it  was  natural  that  the  sympathies  of  her 
people  should  be  divided  on  the  outbreak  of  the  late  civil  war ;  but 
the  feelings  of  the  majority  both  in  the  State  and  in- the  city  of 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  605 

Baltimore,  were  strongly  enlisted  on  the  side  of  the  South.  When, 
therefore,  the  President  of  the  United  States  by  his  proclamation 
issued  on  the  15th  of  April,  1861,  called  out  a  volunteer  force  of 
seventy-five  thousand  men,  who  were  to  assemble  in  Washington, 
a  violent  feeling  of  indignation  was  aroused,  because  it  was  re- 
garded as  an  attempt  to  overrun  and  subjugate  the  South.  The 
passage  of  some  of  these  troops  through  the  city  was  the  exciting 
cause  of  the  memorable  riot  which  occurred  on  the  19th  of  April, 
1861,  and  as  the  events  of  that  day  and  of  the  days  which  followed 
have  furnished  occasion  for  much  misrepresentation  of  the  motives 
and  conduct  of  the  chief  executive  authorities  of  the  city,  consisting 
of  the  Mayor  and  Board  of  Police  Commissioners,  a  brief  account 
of  them  will  here  be  given.  The  following  account  of  the  riot  and 
the  subsequent  events  is  extracted  from  the  message  of  the  Mayor 
communicated  to  the  City  Council  on  the  12th  of  Jul}",  1861 : 

"  On  the  19th  of  April  last,  an  attack  was  made  by  a  mob  in 
the  streets  of  Baltimore  on  several  companies  of  a  regiment  of 
Massachusetts  troops,  who  were  on  their  way  to  the  city  of  Wash- 
ington, in  pursuance  of  a  call  for  75,000  men  made  by  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States.  On  the  day  previous  troops  had  been 
safely  passed  through  the  city,  under  the  escort  of  the  police.  In 
the  afternoon  of  the  ^ame  day  (18th),  the  regiments  Irom  Massa- 
chusetts were  expected,  and  provision  was  made  by  the  police  for 
their  reception  ;  but  they  did  not  arrive,  and  the  board  of  police 
could  not  ascertain  when  they  would  come,  although  two  of  the 
members  of  the  board  went  in  person  to  the  station  of  the  Phila- 
delphia railroad  company  to  obtain  the  necessary  informatioq^^.^^ 
On  the  morning  of  the  19th,  about  ten  o'clock,  I  was  at  my  law- 
office  engaged  in  the  performance  of  my  professional  business, 
when  three  members  of  the  City  Council  came  to  me  with  a 
message  from  Marshal  Kane,  to  the  effect  that  he  had  just  learned 
that  the  troops  were  about  to  arrive,  and  that  he  apprehended 
some  disturbance.  1  immediately  hastened  to  the  otllce  of  the 
board  of  police  and  gave  notice.  Geo.  M.  Gill,  Esq.,  counsellor 
of  the  city,  and  myself  got  into  a  carriage  and  drove  rapidly 
to  the  Camden  Station,  and  the  police  commissioners  followed 
without  delay.  On  reaching  Camden  Station  we  found  Marshal 
Kane  in  attendance,  and  the  police  coming  in  squads  to  the  spot. 
The  plan  of  the  agents  of  the  railroad  companies  was  that  the 
troops  which  were  to  arrive  in  the  cars  at  the  President  street 
station,  should  in  the  same  way  be  conveyed  through  the  city,  and 
be  transferred  to  the  cars  for  Washington  at  the  Camden  station. 
Accordingly,  the  police  were  requested  by  the  agent  of  the  road  to 
be  in  attendance  at  the  latter  station.  After  considerable  delay 
the  troops  began  to  arrive,  and  were  transferred,  under  the 
direction  of  the  police,  to  the  Washington  cars  as  rapidly  as  pos- 
sible. There  was  a  good  deal  of  excitement,  and  a  large  and  angry 
crowd  ^assembled,  but  the  transfer  was  safely  eflected.    No  one 


606  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMOEE. 

could  tell  whether  more  troops  were  expected  or  not.  At  this 
time  an  alarm  was  given  that  a  mob  was  about  to  tear  up  the  rails 
in  advance  of  the  train  on  the  Washington  road,  and  Marshal 
Kane  ordered  some  of  his  men  to  go  out  the  road  as  far  as  the 
Eelay  House,  if  necessary,  to  protect  the  track.  Soon  afterwards, 
and  when  I  was  about  to  leave  the  station,  supposing  all  danger  to 
be  over,  news  was  brought  to  Commissioner  Davis  and  mj^self, 
who  were  standing  together,  that  other  troops  were  left  at  the 
President  street  station,  and  that  the  mob  was  tearing  up  the  track 
on  Pratt  street.  Mr.  Davis  immediately  ran  to  summon  a  body  of 
police  to  be  sent  to  Pratt  street,  while  I  hastened  alone  down  Pratt 
street  towards  President  street  station.  On  arriving  at  the  head 
of  Smith's  wharf  I  found  that  anchors  had  been  piled  on  the  track 
so  as  to  obstruct  it,  and  Sergeant  McComas,  and  a  few  policemen 
who  were  with  him,  were  not  allowed  by  the  mob  to  remove  the 
obstruction.  I  at  once  ordered  the  anchors  to  be  removed,  and  my 
authority  was  not  resisted.  On  approaching  Pratt  street  bridge 
I  saw  several  companies  of  Massachusetts  troops  who  had  left  the 
cars,  moving  in  column  rapidly  towards  me.  An  attack  on  them 
had  begun,  and  the  noise  and  excitement  were  great.  I  ran  at  once 
to  the  head  of  the  column — some  persons  in  the  crowd  shouting  as 
I  approached,  'Here  comes  the  Mayor.*  I  shook  hands  with  the 
officer  in  command,  saying  as  I  did  so,  *  I  am  the  Mayor  of  Balti- 
more.' I  then  placed  myself  by  his  side  and  marched  with  him 
as  far  as  the  head  of  Light  street  wharf,  doing  what  I  could  by  my 
presence  and  personal  efforts  to  allay  the  tumult. /The  mob  grew 
bolder,  and  the  attack  became  more  violent.  Various  persons  were 
killed  and  wounded  on  both  sides.  The  troops  had  some  time  pre- 
viously begun  to  fire  in  self-defence ;  and  the  firing  as  the  attack 
increased  in  violence  became  more  general.  At  last,  when  I  found 
that  my  presence  was  of  no  use,  either  in  preventing  the  contest 
or  saving  life,  I  left  the  head  of  the  column;  but  immediately 
after  1  did  so  Marshal  Xane,  with  about  fifty  policemen  from  the 
direction  of  the  Camden  station,  rushed  to  the  rear  of  the  troops, 
forming  a  line  across  the  street,  and  with  drawn  revolvers  checking 
and  keeping  off  the  mob.  The  movement,  which  I  saw  myself,  was 
perfectly  successful,  and  gallantly  performed. 

"  It  is  doing  bare  justice  to  say,  that  the  Board  of  Police,  the 
Marshal  of  Police,  and  the  men  under  his  command,  exerted  them- 
selves bravely,  efficiently,  skilfully,  and  in  good  faith  to  preserve 
the  peace  and  protect  life.  If  proper  notice  had  been  given  of  the 
arrival  of  the  troops  and  the  number  expected,  the  outbreak  might 
have  been  prevented  entirely,  and  but  for  the  timely  arrival  of 
Marshal  Kane  with  his  force,  as  I  have  described,  the  bloodshed 
would  have  been  great.  The  wounded  among  the  troops  received 
the  best  care  and  medical  attention  at  the  expense  of  the  city,  and 
the  bodies  of  the  killed  were  carefully  and  respectfully  returned 
to  their  friends.     The  facts  which  I  have  witnessed  myself,  and  all 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  607 

that  I  have  Bince  heard,  satisfy  me  that  the  attack  was  the  result 
of  a  sudden  impulse,  and  not  of  a  premeditated  scheme.  But  the 
effect  on  our  citizens  was  for  a  time  uncontrollable.  In  the  in- 
tense excitement,  which  lasted  for  many  days,  and  which  was 
sljared  by  men  of  all  parties,  and  by  our  volunteer  soldiers  as  well 
as  citizens,  it  would  have  been  impossible  to  convey  more  troops 
from  the  North  through  the  city  without  a  severe  fight  and  blood- 
shed. Such  an  occurrence  w^ould  have  been  fatal  to  the  city,  and 
accordingly,  to  prevent  it,  the  bridges  on  the  Northern  Central 
Eailroad  and  on  the  Philadelphia,  Wilmington  and  Baltimore  Kail- 
road  were,  with  the  consent  of  the  Governor,  and  by  my  order, 
with  the  co-operation  of  the  Board  of  Police  (except  Mr.  Chas.  D. 
Hinks,  who  was  absent  from  the  city),  partially  disabled  and  burnt, 
so  as  to  prevent  the  immediate  approach  of  troops  to  the  city,  but 
with  no  purpose  of  hostility  to  the  Federal  Government.  This 
act,  with  the  motive  which  prompted  it,  has  been  reported  by  the 
Board  of  Police  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  and  approved  by 
that  body,  and  was  also  immediately  communicated  by  me  in 
person  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  and  his  Cabinet. 

"  On  the  evening  of  the  19th  of  April  a  portion  of  the  military  of 
the  city  were  called  out.  On  the  20th  of  April  your  honorable  body, 
by  a  unanimous  vote,  placed  at  my  disposal  the  sum  of  8500,000  for 
the  defence  of  the  city,  and  the  banks  with  great  patriotism  and 
unanimity  voluntarily  offered  to  advance  the  money,  through  a  com- 
mittee of  their  presidents,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Columbus  O'Don- 
nell,  Johns  Hopkins,  and  John  Clark,  who  notified  me  in  person  of 
the  fact  on  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  April  at  the  Mayor's  office. 
A  number  of  citizens  in  all  the  wards,  volunteered  for  the  purpose 
of  defence,  were  enrolled  under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of 
Police,  and  for  their  use  arms  were  partially  provided.  The 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  forces  of  the  United  States,  with  the 
approbation  of  the  President,  in  view  of  the  condition  of  affairs 
then  existing  in  the  city,  on  the  earnest  application  of  the  Gov- 
ernor of  the  State,  of  prominent  citizens,  and  myself,  ordered  that 
thereafter  the  troops  should  not  be  brought  through  Baltimore, 
and  they  were  accordingly  transported  to  Washington  by  way  of 
Annapolis.  But  great  danger  existed  to  Baltimore  from  large  bodies 
of  unauthorized  men  at  the  North,  who  threatened  to  cut  their 
way  through  the  city,  and  to  visit  upon  it  terrible  vengeance  for 
the  acts  of  the  19th  of  April. 

"As  soon  as  this  danger  had  passed  away,  and  the  excitement 
among  our  own  citizens  had  sufficiently  subsided,  the  military 
were  dismissed,  and  the  citizens  who  enrolled  were  disbanded  by 
order  of  the  Board  of  Police.  The  peace  of  the  city  had  been  pre- 
served, and  its  safety,  and  the  persons  and  property  of  men  of  all 
parties  protected  under  circumstances  of  great  peril  and  the  most 
intense  excitement,  and  it  was  hoped  that  affairs  would  be 
allowed  to  return  as  nearly  as  possible  to  their  previous  condition. 


608 


CHROKICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 


To  this  end  my  efforts  and  those  of  the  board  were  devoted. 
Large  bodies  of  troops  from  the  North  have  ever  since  passed 
through  the  city  without  molestation,  and  every  proper  precaution 
to  accomplish  that  object  was  taken  by  the  Board  of  Police  and 
carried  out  by  the  force.  But  civil  war  had  begun  on  the  imme- 
^diate  border  of  our  State.  A  great  division  of  opinion  in  regard 
to  it  existed  among  the  people,  and  the  events  which  had  occurred 
in  the  city  and  their  consequences  seemed  to  have  made  an  in- 
delible impression  on  the  minds  of  the  authorities  in  Washington, 
that  the  police  force  of  the  city  of  Baltimore  was  prepared  to  ^- 
gage  in  hostility  against  the  General  Government  whenever  an 
opportunity  should  occur.  The  result  has  been  very  unfortunate. 
On  the  ground  of  military. necessity,  of  the  existence  of  which, 
and  of  the  measures  required  by  it,  the  Federal  officers  claim  to  be 
the  sole  judges,  our  city  has  been  occupied  by  large  bodies  of 
troops  in  its  central  points;  picket-guards  have  been  stationed 
along  many  of  our  streets;  the  arms  provided  by  the  city  for  its 
defence,  and  those  left  by  private  individuals  with  the  authorities 
for  safe-keeping,  the  station-houses  and  other  property  of  the  city, 
have  been  seized  ;  operators  in  the  police  and  fire-alarm  telegraph 
ofiice  have  been  displaced  and  others  substituted  in  their  stead; 
the  Marshal  of  Police  and  Board  of  Police,  with  the  exception  of 
myself,  have  been  arrested,  and  are  now  imprisoned  in  Fort 
McHenry  —  one  only,  who  is  in  bad  health,  has  been  released  on 
his  parole  ;  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  has  been  suspended ;  the 
police  force,  established  under  a  law  of  the  State,  has  been  set 
aside  by  superceding  the  only  power  which  could  lawfully  control 
it ;  a  new  police,  without  authority  of  law,  has  been  established, 
under  the  control  of  a  marshal  appointed  by  the  commanding 
general ;  and  all  power  to  hold  elections  in  the  city  has  been  for 
the  present  set  aside,  by  suspending  the  functions  of  the  board 
under  which  alone  elections  can  lawfully  be  held. 

"  Indeed,  my  experience  of  the  fidelity  of  the  board  to  its  legal 
obligations  during  my  whole  official  connection  with  it,  and  the 
common  understanding  between  myself  and  my  colleagues  as  to 
our  course  of  duty  since  the  present  troubles  began,  justify  me  in 
Baying  that  if  any  organizations  in  this  city  for  resistance  to  the 
laws  could  have  been  discovered  by  proper  vigilance,  they  would 
have  been  found  out  and  suppressed  to  the  extent  of  the  powers 
conferred  on  the  board  by  law.  I  mention  these  facts  with  pro- 
found sorrow,  and  with  no  purpose  whatever  of  increasing  the 
difficulties  unfortunately  existing  in  this  city,  but  because  it  is 
vour  right  to  be  acquainted  with  the  true  condition  of  affairs,  and 
because  I  cannot  help  entertaining  the  hope  that  redress  will  yet 
be  afforded  by  the  authorities  of  the  United  States  upon  a  proper 
representation  made  by  you.  I  am  entirely  satisfied  that  the  sus- 
picion entertained  of  any  meditated  hostility  on  the  part  of  the 
city  authorities  against   the   General   Government  is  wholly  un- 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  609 

founded,  and  with  the  best  means  of  knowledge,  express  the  confi- 
dent belief  and  conviction  that  there  is  no  organization  of  any 
kind  among  the  people  for  such  a  purpose.  I  have  no  doubt  that  the 
officers  of  the  United  States  have  acted  on  information  which  they 
deemed  reliable,  obtained  from  our  own  citizens,  some  of  whom 
may  be  deluded  by  their  fears,  while  others  are  actuated  by  baser 
motives  ;  but  suspicions  thus  derived  can,  in  my  judgment,  form  no 
sufficient  justification  for  what  I  deem  to  be  grave  and  alarming 
violations  of  the  rights  of  individual  citizens  of  the  city  of  Balti- 
more and  of  the  State  of  Maryland." 

This  message  of  Mayor  Brown  is  a  calm  and  frank  statement 
of  the  occurrences  of  the  19th  of  April,  and  of  the  action  of  the 
police  commissioners  at  and  subsequent  to  that  time,  and  it 
thoroughly  vindicates  the  authorities  from  the  false  and  malignant 
aspersions  of  the  unscrupulous  partisans  who  have  so  persistently 
libelled  them.  Mr.  Brown  shows  that  the  Police  Board,  and  the 
officers  and  men  under  its  control  at  the  time,  did  impartially  and 
manfully  discharge  the  duties  assigned  them ;  and  that  whatever 
might  have  been  their  individual  sympathies  and  opinions,  they 
did  in  the  trying  circumstances  in  which  they  were  placed  stren- 
uously and  successfully  exert  themselves  to  preserve  the  peace  of 
the  city  and  to  enforce  the  laws  of  the  State.  The  assault  was 
an  unpremeditated  one,  and  the  authorities  did  all  in  their  power 
to  preserve  the  peace.  The  police  commissioners  had  not  only 
been  unable  to  obtain  any  information  in  regard  to  the  precise 
time  at  which  the  troops  were  expected  to  reach  Baltimore,  but 
there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  such  information  was  de- 
signedly withheld.  But  they  were  not  the  less  energetic  in  their 
efforts  to  protect  the  troops.  The  police  had  been  on  duty  in  force 
the  previous  day  and  evening  awaiting  the  arrival  of  these  very 
troops.  When  the  latter  reached  Baltimore  at  an  unexpected 
hour,  the  police  were  sent  to  the  Camden  street  depot,  where 
most  of  the  soldiers  were  assembled.  It  was  not  known  to  Marshal 
Kane  that  another  detachment  was  on  its  march  through  the  city, 
until  he  received  information  that  it  was  then  being  attacked  about 
a  half  a  mile  from  where  he  was  stationed.  He  instantly  marched 
a  police  force  to  the  place,  and  as  he  met  the  retreating  soldiers, 
he  formed  his  men,  with  their  revolvers  in  hand,  across  the  street 
between  the  troops  and  their  assailants.  The  police  of  Baltimore 
that  day  saved  the  soldiers  from  extermination.  No  one  doubted 
the  good  faith  and  efficiency  of  the  authorities.  The  evidence  on 
this  point  is  conclusive.  Mr.  Lincoln  at  an  interview  between  him 
and  the  Mayor  and  other  gentlemen  of  Baltimore,  on  the  22d  of 
April,  "  recognized  the  good  faith  of  the  City  and  State  authorities" 
The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  editorial  columns  of  the 
Baltimore  Clipper  of  April  20th,  1861,  a  leading  Union  journal  of  the 
city  : 

"  We  cannot  too  highly  commend  the  conduct  of  Mayor  Brown 
39 


610  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOKE. 

throughout  the  troubles  of  yesterday.  He  acted  honestly,  firmly 
and  bravely.  Placing  himself  at  the  head  of  a  detachment  of  the 
Massachusetts  volunteers  passing  through  Baltimore,  he  did  all  in 
his  power  to  stay  the  violence  of  the  assembled  mob,  and  willingly 
exposed  his  person  in  the  defence  of  the  soldiers  w^ho  w^ere  thus 
■wantonly  assailed.  From  the  beginning  of  our  troubles  until  now, 
he  has  shown  himself  a  chivalrous  gentleman,  and  a  brave,  honor- 
able and  right-meaning  citizen  and  upright  officer.  It  gives  us 
pleasure  to  bear  testimony  to  his  right  bearing.  Notwithstanding 
all  that  has  been  said  and  feared  of  the  police,  we  are  assured  that 
their  efforts  to  preserve  the  public  peace  yesterday,  where  they 
had  reason  to  apprehend  difficulties,  were  strenuous  and  well  di- 
rected. They  had  a  difficult  duty  to  perform,  and  although  they 
failed  to  prevent  a  riot,  they  were  not  wanting  in  effort  to  do  so. 
The  result  only  shows  the  impossibility  of  a  simple  police  force  to 
iuppress  t^uch  a  riot  as  was  seen  among  our  people  yesterday." 

The  following  letter  was  written  by  Col.  Edward  F.  Jones,  of 
the  Sixth  Massachusetts  regiment,  to  Marshal  Kane,  in  reference 
to  the  remains  of  the  unfortunate  soldiers  who  fell  in  the  riot  of 
the  19th  of  April : 

"  Headquarters  Sixth  Eegiment,  M.  V.  M. 
"  Washington,  D.  C,  April  2Sth,  1861. 

"  Marshal  Kane,  Baltimore,  Maryland. 

"  Please  deliver  the  bodies  of  the  deceased  soldiers  belonging  to 
my  regiment  to  Murrill  S.  Wright,  Esq.,  who  is  authorized  to  re- 
ceive them  and  take  charge  of  them  through  to  Boston,  and  there- 
by  add  one  more  to  the  many  favors  for  which,  in  connection  with  this 
matter,  1  am,  with  my  command,  much  indebted  to  you.  Many,  many 
thanks  for  the  Christian  conduct  of  the  authorities  of  Baltimore  in  this 
truly  unfortunate  affair.  I  am  with  much  respect,  your  obedient 
servant,  Edward  F.  Jones, 

^^  Colonel  Sixth  Regiment,  M.  V.  M." 

On  the  25th  of  April,  Gov.  Hicks  had  occasion  to  send  a  mes- 
fiage  to  the  Legislature  at  the  opening  of  the  special  session,  in 
which  he  said:  "On  Friday  last  a  detachment  of  troops  from  Mas- 
isachusetts  reached  Baltimore,  and  was  attacked  by  an  irresponsible 
mob,  and  several  persons  on  both  sides  were  killed.  The  Mayor  and 
Police  Board  gave  to  the  Massachusetts  troops  all  the  protection  they 
could  afford,  acting  with  the  utmost  promptness  and  bravery.  But  they 
•were  pow^eiless  to  restrain  the  mob.  Being  in  Baltimore  at  the 
time,  I  co-operated  with  the  Mayor  to  the  full  extent  of  my  power 
in  his  efforts." 

Now  let  us  Bee  what  one  of  the  parties  most  interested  and 
most  likely  to  know,  thought  of  the  conduct  of  our  "  treasonable  " 
authorities  on  the  occasion.  The  following  is  the  card  of  Captain 
Dike  on  the  subject,  taken  from  the  Boston  Courier: 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE,  611 

"  Baltimore,  April  25<A,  1861. 
"  It  is  but  an  act  of  justice  that  induces  me  to  say  to  my  friends 
who  may  feel  any  interest,  and  to  the  community  generally,  that 
in  the  affair  which  occurred  in  this  city  on  Friday,  the  19th  inst., 
the  Mayor  and  city  authorities  should  be  exonerated  from  blame  or 
censure^  as  they  did  all  in  their  power,  as  far  as  my  knowledge  extends, 
to  quell  the  riot,  and  Mayor  Brown  attested  the  sincerity  of  his  desire  to 
preserve  the  peace,  and  pass  our  regiment  safely  through  the  city,  by 
marching  at  the  head  of  its  column,  and  remaining  there  at  the  risk  of 
his  life.  Candor  could  not  permit  me  to  say  less,  and  a  desire  to 
place  the  conduct  of  the  authorities  here  on  the  occasion  in  a  right 
position,  as  well  as  to  allay  feeling,  urges  me  to  this  act  of  sheer 
justice.  John  H.  Dike, 

^^  Captain  Co,  C,  7th  Reg.  attached  to  6th  Reg.,  Mass.  V.  Jf." 

In  such  a  period  of  intense  excitement,  many  foolish  and  un- 
necessary acts  were  undoubtedly  done  by  persons  in  the  employ- 
ment of  the  city  as  well  as  by  private  individuals,  but  it  is  undoubt- 
edly true  that  the  Mayor  and  board  of  police  commissioners  were 
inflexibly  determined  to  resist  all  attempts  to  force  the  city  into 
secession  or  into  acts  of  hostility  to  the  Federal  Government,  and 
that  thej^  successfully  accomplished  their  purpose.  If  they  had 
been  otherwise  disposed  they  could  easily  have  effected  their 
object. 

The  election  to  represent  this  city  in  the  extra  session  of  the 
State  Legislature,  which  met  on  the  26th  of  April,  1861,  at  Fred- 
erick, Md.,  took  place  on  the  24th  of  April.  There  was  but  one 
ticket  nominated,  the  "  States  Eights  candidates,"  who  were  John 
C.  Brune,  Henry  M.  Warfield,  T.  Parkin  Scott,  S.  Teackle  Wallis, 
Wm.  G.  Harrison,  Eoss  Winans,  J.  Hanson  Thomas,  H.  M.  Morfitt, 
Chas.  H.  Pitts,  and  Laurence  Sangston.  The  aggregate  number 
of  votes  cast  exceeded  nine  thousand  two  hundred. 

Late  on  the  evening  of  the  11th  of  May  1861,  Mayor  Brown  re- 
ceived the  following  urgent  application  for  assistance  from  Edward 
G.  Parker,  aide-de-camp  of  Gen.  Benjamin  F.  Butler: 

"  Camp  at  Eelay,  Saturday,  P.  M. 
"  To  Mayor  Brown  : 

"  Sir  : — I  represent  Gen.  Butler  at  this  camp  during  bis  absence 
at  Annapolis.  I  have  received  intimations  from  many  sources 
that  an  attack  on  us  by  the  Baltimore  roughs  is  intended  to- 
night. About  4  P.  M.  to-day  these  rumors  were  confirmed  by  a 
gentleman  from  Baltimore,  who  gave  his  name  and  residence  in 
Monument  St.  He  said  that  he  heard  positively  that  on  Saturday 
night  the  attack  would  take  place  by  more  than  a  thousand  meu, 
every  one  '  sworn  to  kill  a  man '  before  he  returned ;  a  portion  were 
Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle,  &c.  I  wish  you  to  guard  every 
avenue  from  your  city,  and  prevent  these  men  from  leaving  town. 


612  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

They  are  coming  in  wagons,  on  horses  and  on  foot,  we  are  in- 
formed. We  are  also  told  that  a  considerable  force  is  approaching 
from  the  West,  probably  Point  of  Eocks,  to  attack  on  that  side 
and  co-operate  with  the  Baltimore  mob,  with  whom  they  have 
constant  communication.  Mr.  Clark,  whom  I  have  already  sent  to 
you,  will  tell  something  about  it.  It  may  be  all  a  sham,  but  the 
evidence  is  very  cumulative,  and  from  several  sources. 

"Edward  Gr.  Parker,  Aide-de-Camp." 

The  Mayor,  although  he  well  knew  that  the  alarm  of  Colonel 
Parker  was  wholly  unfounded,  immediately  referred  the  a])plica- 
tion  to  Col.  Kane,  who  prompt!}^  sent  detachments  of  the  police  to 

fuard  all  the  roads  leading  from  the  city  so  as  to  prevent  the 
readed  attack  on  Gen.  Butler's  camp  by  the  roughs  of  the  city. 

On  the  13th  of  May  Gen.  Butler,  with  a  force  under  his  com- 
mand composed  of  a  portion  of  the  Boston  light  artillery.  Major 
Cook,  a  strong  detachment  of  the  6th  Massachusetts  regiment, 
Col.  Jones,  and  about  500  of  the  8th  New  York  regiment,  Lieut.- 
Col.  Waltenburg,  marched  by  night  to  the  city  and  took  posses- 
sion of  Federal  Hill,  no  one  offering  the  slightest  resistance.  He 
remained  here  in  command  until  removed  for  acting  without 
orders,  by  an  order  of  Gen.  Scott,  and  for  this  exploit,  which  was 
the  most  successful  of  his  military  achievements,  was  made  a 
Major- General. 

On  the  14th  of  May  Col.  Hare,  with  28  of  the  New  York  volun- 
teers, marched  to  the  warehouse  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Gay  and 
Second  streets,  where  were  stored  a  large  number  of  muskets  and 
pikes,  similar  to  those  captured  at  Harper's  Ferry  during  the  John 
Brown  raid.  Over  sixty  wagon-loads  of  the  arms  were  removed, 
and  it  was  not  until  after  dusk  that  all  had  been  taken  to  Fort 
McHenry.  The  arms  consisted  of  about  2900  muskets,  of  which 
about  2000  were  of  the  old  flintlock  pattern,  and  3500  pikes  manu- 
factured in  this  city  for  the  authorities.  The  arms  were  the  prop- 
erty of  the  city. 

On  the  same  day  Eoss  Winans,  Esq.,  was  arrested  at  the  Eelay 
House  as  he  was  retaining  to  the  city  from  Fi-ederick,  where  he 
was  in  attendance  as  one  of  the  members  of  the  Legislature,  and 
conveyed  under  guard  to  Fort  McHenry. 

Mr.  John  Merryraari  having  been  arrested  by  the  government 
troops  on  the  charge  of  treason,  a  petition  was  filed  May  25th  in 
the  United  States  Circuit  Court  by  him,  through  his  counsel, 
Messrs.  George  M.  Gill  and  G.  M.  Williams,  praying  the  issuing 
of  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  which  was  granted  by  Chief  Jus- 
tice Taney,  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  refused  by  General  Cad- 
wallader.  Subsequently  the  Chief  Justice  issued  an  attachment 
for  contempt  of  Court.  It  was  thought  best,  however,  by  the 
Marshal  to  leave  the  matter  to  the  President. 

At  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  27th  of  June,  a  detach- 


CHRONICLES  OF   BALTIMORE.  613 

ment  of  military  proceeded  to  the  residence  of  George  P.  Kane, 
Marshal  of  Police,  which  they  surrounded,  and  upon  the  door-bell 
being  rung  the  Marshal  made  his  appearance  at  the  window,  and 
was  immediately  informed  that  he  was  wanted.  He  then  came 
down  to  the  front  door,  and  was  informed  that  they  came  to  arrest 
him.  A  hack  was  in  waiting  in  which  the  Marshal  was  placed, 
and  he  was  driven  to  Fort  McHenry.  The  policemen  on  the  route 
were  taken  into  custody  to  prevent  any  unnecessary  alarm,  bufc 
were  liberated  on  the  arrival  of  the  troops  with  their  prisoner  at 
the  fort,  where  he  was  confined.  On  the  same  day,  by  order  of 
Gen.  Banks,  Col.  John  E.  Kenly  suspended  the  board  of  police, 
and  assumed  command  of  the  police  force  of  the  city.  As  usual 
when  anything  exciting  occurred,  crowds  of  people  collected  on 
the  street  corners,  and  of  course  indulged  freely  in  conversation 
that  grew  more  angry  as  it  progressed,  and  in  some  instances  led 
to  blows,  though  no  one  was  seriously  hurt. 

On  Friday  evening,  June  28th,  the  St.  Nicholas,  a  steamer 
running  between  Baltimore  and  various  landings  on  the  Potomac 
river,  left  the  city  at  her  usual  time,  having  on  board  about  fifty 
passengers.  Nothing  in  their  appearance  indicated  that  anything 
unusual  was  about  to  happen,  and  all  passed  off  very  quietly  until 
after  the  boat  had  touched  Point  Lookout,  about  10  o'clock  P.  M. 
Here  several  of  the  passengers  landed,  and  a  gentleman  came  on 
board,  who  afterwards  proved  to  be  Captain  Hollins,  late  of  the 
Federal  Navy,  who  had  resigned  and  joined  the  Confederate 
service.  He  took  his  station  on  the  deck  in  the  rear  of  the  ladies' 
saloon.  Among  those  passengers  who  had  embarked  at  Baltimore, 
was  a  very  respectable-looking  "  French  lady,"  heavily  veiled,  who 
had  appeared  much  concerned  about  the  arrival  of  the  boat  at 
Washington,  but  on  reaching  the  Point  she  retired  to  her  stateroom, 
reappearing  shortly  after  the  boat  had  resumed  its  course  as  a 
stalwart  man  in  a  Zouave  uniform,  climbing  over  the  railing  of  the 
deck,  who  whispered  to  Captain  Hollins,  when  both  rushed  below 
and  in  a  moment  or  two  more  the  boat  stopped.  A  party  of  some 
twenty-five  men  who  had  gone  on  board  at  Baltimore,  disguised  as 
mechanics,  &c.,  now  proved  to  be  fully  in  the  secret,  and  under  the 
directions  of  Captain  Hollins  and  the  "  French  lady,"  who  was 
Col.  Zarvona  Thomas  of  the  Confederate  Army,  but  formerly  of 
St.  Mary's  county,  overpowered  the  officers  and  crew  of  the  boat. 
She  was  then  headed  for  the  Virginia  shore ;  Captain  Kirwin,  the 
commander  of  the  boat,  being  informed  by  Thomas  that  she  was 
now  to  be  engaged  in  a  privateering  expedition.  At  Cone  Point, 
on  the  Virginia  shore,  most  of  the  passengers  were  landed,  and 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  officers  and  men  of  Virginia  and 
Tennessee  troops  were  taken  on  board,  Captain  Kirwin  and  fourteen 
of  his  crew  being  held  as  prisoners.  The  steamer  was  then  run 
down  as  far  as  the  mouth  of  the  Rappahannock  river,  where  three 
large  brigs  were  hailed,  lying  off  the  shore.     These  vessels  were  at 


614  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

once  boarded  and  taken  as  prizes,  laden  with  ice,  coal  and  coifee, 
into  Fredericksburg,  where  the  steamer  with  her  captain  and  crew 
were  delivered  into  the  hands  of  the  Virginians,  who  shortly  after 
released  them.  About  ten  days  after  this  bold  exploit  the  "  French 
lady"  was  captured  on  her  return  to  Baltimore,  and  shut  up  in 
Fort  McHenry.  Marshal  Kenly  had  dispatched  Lieutenant  Car- 
michael  and  Mr.  John  Horner  to  Fair  Haven  to  arrest  Neid  Green, 
a  barber  doing  business  on  Pratt  street  near  Frederick,  charged 
with  being  a  participant  in  the  assault  on  the  Sixth  Massachusetts 
regiment  on  the  19th  of  April,  and  other  offences.  They  arrested 
Green  on  July  8th,  and  were  returning  with  him  and  his  wife  on 
the  steamer  Mary  Washington,  and  on  conversing  with  some  of 
the  passengers,  Lieutenant  Carmichacl  learned  that  Captain 
Kirwin,  with  the  engineer  and  another  officer  of  the  captured  JSt. 
Nicholas,  were  on  board  the  Mary  Washington  returning  to  Balti- 
more, as  was  also  Col.  Thomas,  who  had  seized  him,  with  seven  or 
eight  others  of  the  captors.  As  soon  as  these  facts  were  ascer- 
tained, and  each  one  of  the  party  recognized  beyond  doubt.  Lieu- 
tenant Carmichael  directed  Captain  M.  L.  Weems,  the  commander 
of  the  Mary  Washington,  to  proceed  on  reaching  Baltimore  harbor 
to  land  the  passengers  at  Fort  McHenry,  the  direction  being  given 
while  the  steamer  was  off  Annapolis.  Soon  afterwards  Carmichael 
and  Horner,  who  were  in  the  ladies'  cabin,  were  approached  by 
Thomas,  who  demanded  to  know  by  what  authority  the  steamer 
had  been  ordered  to  land  at  Fort  McHenry.  Carmichael  informed 
him  through  authority  vested  in  him  by  Provost-Marshal  Kenly. 
On  hearing  this,  Thomas  drew  a  pistol  and  called  his  men  around 
him,  while  Carmichael  and  Horner,  provided  with  revolvers,  dis- 
played them,  and  the  other  passengers  supporting  them,  matters 
thus  stood  until  the  steamer  stopped  at  Fort  McHenry,  when  Car- 
michael at  once  informed  General  Banks  of  his  capture.  The 
General  instantly  ordered  out  a  company  of  infantry,  who  marched 
to  the  steamer  and  secured  all  the  accused  excepting  Thomas,  who 
could  not  be  found  for  an  hour  and  a  half.  At  length  he  was  dis- 
covered secreted  in  a  bureau-drawer  in  the  ladies'  cabin.  He  and 
the  other  prisoners  were  then  marched  into  the  fort  and  placed  in 
confinement,  while  the  witnesses,  some  ten  or  twelve  in  number, 
were  also  detained  over  night. 

A  new  sensation  was  created  on  the  first  day  of  July  by  the 
arrest  of  the  Police  Commissioners,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Mayor.  These  arrests  took  place  between  three  and  five  o'clock 
in  the  morning  by  Col.  Morehead's  Philadelphia  regiment,  who 
first  proceeded  to  the  residence  of  John  W.  Davis,  arrested  him, 
and  sent  him  under  guard  to  the  fort.  They  next  visited  the  resi- 
dences and  arrested  Charles  D.  Hinks,  Charles  Howard,  and  Wil- 
liam H.  Gatchell.  All  four  of  the  Commissioners  were  conveyed 
to  Fort  McHenry,  and  were  afterwards  imprisoned  for  more  than 
a  year  in  Fort  Warren,  Boston  harbor.     William  McKewen,  the 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  615 

clerk  of  the  police,  was  arrested,  and  discharged  by  Marshal  Kenly, 
there  being  no  charge  against  him.  A  force  of  the  military  was 
marched  into  the  city  at  an  early  hour,  and  posted  in  the  different 
quarters.  A  portion  of  Col.  Cook's  Boston  light  artillery  were 
stationed  in  Exchange  Place,  while  three  companies  of  Col.  Pratt's 
20th  'Sew  York  were  marched  into  the  Exchange  building  as  a 
guard  over  the  custom-house  and  post-office.  Another  portion  of 
the  Boston  artillery  and  some  infantry  occupied  Monument  Square. 
Detachments  were  also  stationed  in  Broadway,  opposite  St. 
Patrick's  Churoh,  and  were  on  guard  about  the  steamboat  wharfs 
and  other  places.  The  13th  New  York  regiment  broke  camp  at 
"Bellevue  Garden,"  and  marched  out  to  the  hill  known  as 
McKim's,  overlooking  the  jail  and  Jones  Falls,  on  the  York  Eoad, 
and  encamped  there,  the  officers  taking  possession  of  the  mansion. 
The  Eastern  police-station  was  taken  possession  of,  and  also  the 
public-school  on  the  corner  of  Broadway  and  Bank  street. 

On  the  11th  of  July  Col.  Konly  was  relieved  of  the  office  of 
Provost-Marshal  at  his  urgent  request.  George  R.  Dodge  was  ap- 
pointed in  his  place,  and  the  troops  which  had  been  quartered  in 
the  heart  of  the  city  were  withdrawn  and  marched  back  to  their 
several  camps. 

The  United  States  Government  being  resolved  on  permanently 
holding  Baltimore  during  the  continuance  of  the  war,  extensive 
additions  were  made  to  the  fortifications  from  time  to  time,  and  in 
August  Federal  Hill,  first  occupied  by  Gen.  Butler,  was  crowned 
with  a  strong  work,  mounting  upwards  of  fifty  heavy  guns,  and 
effectually  commanding  the  city,  as  well  as  Fort  McHenry,  being 
some  thirty  feet  higher  than  that  post.  Colonel  Brewerton,of  the 
United  States  Topographical  Engineers,  designed  the  plans  of  the 
work,  which  were  carried  out  in  construction  by  a  New  York 
Zouave  regiment.  It  enclosed  the  entire  crown  of  the  hill.  The 
angles  of  the  bastions  were  so  arranged  that  the  guns  mounted  on 
them  would  rake  by  an  enfilading  fire  all  the  streets  by  which  the 
hill  could  be  approached.  As  completed  the  work  was  a  very 
strong  one,  its  huge  cannons  in  close  proximity  to  South  Balti- 
more, and  effectually  overlooking  the  city  across  the  basin  and  the 
shipping  below.  A  number  of  other  forts  were  afterwards  con- 
structed, that  of  Fort  Marshall  being  the  chief,  a  very  strong  work 
to  the  east  of  Patterson  Park  ;  and  Fort  Worthington,  northeast  of 
the  Maryland  Hospital.  These  were  fully  mounted  and  garri* 
soned,  Fort  Worthington  towards  the  middle  of  the  war,  after  ono 
or  two  of  the  threatened  Confederate  raids  had  convinced  the 
military  authorities  that  the  key  of  Baltimore  lay  in  the  heights 
to  the  northeast  of  the  city,  an  invading  column  boinsr  sure  to 
attack  by  way  of  the  Belair  road  and  others  in  its  vicinity.  Be* 
sides  these  regular  works  a  number  of  others  were  at  different 
times  erected,  and  completely  defended  the  city.  These  were 
numbered,  beginning  at  the  head  of  Baltimore  stx'oet,  on  thQ  estate 


616  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

of  General  George  H.  Steuart.  His  property  there  was  confis- 
cated, and  his  mansion  and  extensive  grounds  devoted  to  the  use 
of  a  hospital,  known  as  the  Jervis  Hospital.  Adjoining,  on  a 
ridge  overlooking  a  wide  extent  of  country,  an  extensive  fortifica- 
tion was  reared,  the  lines  of  which  may  still  be  traced.  This  was 
Fort  No.  1,  and  these  earthworks,  regularly  numbered,  encircled 
Baltimore.  Many  of  them  were  never  used  at  all,  and  a  number 
of  the  smaller  ones  within  the  inhabited  parts  of  the  city  have  now 
disappeared.  Fort  No.  4  stood  at  the  intersection  of  Gilmor  street 
with  the  Liberty  road,  and  No.  5  is  now  distinguished  as  the  little 
eminence  just  within  the  gate  of  Druid  Hill  Park.  These  two 
posts  were  garrisoned  after  the  raid  of  1864.  No  guns  were  ever 
mounted  in  No.  5,  although  several  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance  were 
sent  out  there,  the  company  of  the  Veteran  Eeserve  Corps  occupying 
it  only  a  few  weeks.  Fort  No.  7  was  the  extensive  work  near  Mount 
Eoyal  Eeservoir,  and  was  garrisoned  for  a  few  days  also  in  July,  1864, 
by  the  Union  Club  Company.  Two  heavy  pieces  of  cannon  were 
Bent  out  there,  but  not  mounted,  and  shot  and  shell  provided.  In 
addition  to  these  strong  lines  of  defence  there  were  numerous 
great  hospitals  in  different  sections  of  the  city,  as  well  as  camps 
and  barracks.  Jervis  Hospital,  already  mentioned,  was  very  ex- 
tensive, and  considered  one  of  the  finest  in  the  country.  The 
National  Hotel,  in  Camden  street,  near  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Bailroad,  was  converted  into  another.  That  of  "  West's  Buildings," 
on  the  Union  dock,  was  also  very  extensive,  as  well  as  that  in 
Patterson  Park.     But  now  in  this  beautiful  city,  since 

"  Gi  im-visaged  war  hath  smoothed  his  wrinkled  front " 

it  is  almost  impossible  in  manj^  cases  to  reproduce  the  scenes  of 
the  past.  Patterson's  Park  and  Lafayette  Square,  the  favorite  plea- 
Bure  grounds  of  Baltimore,  presented  far  diiferent  aspects :  one 
the  site  of  an  immense  hospit^,  its  long  rows  of  wards  and  bar- 
racks filled  with  soldiers ;  and  the  other  the  camp  of  various  com- 
panies, armed  sentries  pacing  where  happy  children  now  disport. 
Bo  late  as  1865  Lafayette.  Square  was  filled  with  ugly  wooden 
Bheds,  swarming  with  rough  troops,  while  not  one  of  the  elegant 
mansions  now  surrounding  it  had  been  reared. 

On  September  5th  the  United  States  authorities  promulgated 
an  order  forbidding  the  display  and  sale  of  all  secession  badges, 
flags,  pictures,  songs,  photographs,  music,  neckties,  infants' 
BOCKS,  &c. 

On  Saturday  night,  September  14th,  Mr.  W.  W.  Glenn,  one  of 
the  proprietors  and  editors  of  the  Exchange,  was  arrested  by  the 
police  and  taken  to  Fort  McHenry"for  treasonable  expressions 
published  in  the  Exchange,''  which  was  a  few  days  after  suppressed. 
Mr.  John  L.  Crise  was  also  arrested  charged  with  treason. 

On  the  18th  of  July  the  following  resolutions  of  thanks  were 
introduced  in  the  First  Branch  of  the  City  Council  by  Mr.  Crout, 
ftnd  unanimously  passed : 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  617 

'^Resolved  by  the  Mayor  and  City  Council  of  Baltimore,  That  the 
thanks  of  the  corporation  are  eminently  due,  and  are  hereby  ten- 
dered, to  Mrs.  George  Brown  and  Thomas  Winans,  Esq.,  for  the 
great  and  munificent  liberality  displayed  by  them  in  establishing, 
and  keeping  daily  in  operation,  extensive  soup-houses  for  the 
benefit  and  relief  of  the  suffering  thousands  in  our  cit3^  And  be 
it  further  resolved,  That  the  Mayor  be  requested  to  transmit  to  Mrs. 
Brown  and  Mr.  Winans  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  preamble  and 
resolution,  with  the  seal  of  the  city  of  Baltimore  attached  thereto." 

The  following  order  was  issued  on  the  12th  of  September  by 
Major-General  Dix,  then  commanding  in  Baltimore,  with  his  head- 
quarters at  Fort  McHenr}^,  for  the  arrest  of  the  parties  therein 
named. 

Fort  McHenry,  12th  September,  1861. 
George  K.  Dodge,  Esq.,  Provost  Marshal  : 

Arrest  without  an  hour's  delay  George  Wm.  Brown,  Coleman 
Ycllott,  Stephen  P.  Dennis,  Charles  H.  Pitts,  Andrew  A.  Lynch, 
Lawrence  Sangston,  H.  M.  Morfitt,  Ross  Winans,  J.  Hanson 
Thomas,  Wm.  G.  Harrison,  John  C.  Brune,  llobert  M.  Dennison, 
Leonard  D.  Quinlan,  and  Thos.  W.  Renshaw. 

John  A.  Dix,  Major-General  Commanding, 

And  in  pursuance  thereof  the  most  important  arrests  of  the 
times  occurred  between  eleven  o'clock  on  Thursday  night  and  11 
o'clock  Friday  morning,  September  12th  and  13th.  The  arrests 
transpired  as  follows:  Hacks  containing  two  police  officers  halted 
in  front  of  the  dwellings  of- those  arrested.  The  door-bell  was 
rung,  and  the  sought-for  party  was  informed  that  his  presence 
■was  required  at  Fort  McHenry.  When  the  news  of  the  arrest  of 
the  parties  became  know^n  in  the  city,  it  created  great  excitement, 
and  man}'  declared  that  a  most  flagrant  outrage  had  been  com- 
mitted. The  following  were  the  arrested  parties:  Geo.  Wm. 
Brown,  Mayor  of  Baltimore;  S.  Teackle  Wallis,  Francis  Key 
Howard,  Lawrence  Sangston,  T.  Parkin  Scott,  Chas.  H.  Pitts,  T. 
C.  Morfitt,  John  C.  Brune,  Thomas  W.  Hall,  Dr.  Lynch,  L.  G. 
Quinlan,  Dr.  J.  Hanson  Thomas,  Wm.  G.  Harrison,  Robert  Denison, 
Benjamin  C.  Howard,  Ross  Winans,  Henry  M.  Warfield,  and  Henry 
May,  member  of  Congress  from  the  fourth  district.  They  were 
all  committed  to  Fort  McHenrj^.  Mr.  Thomas  W.  Hall,  Jr.,  was 
proprietor  of  the  South,  and  Mr.  Frank  Key  Howard  was  editor 
of  the  Exchange,  newspapers  which  were  suppressed.  It  was  the 
intention  of  the  authorities  then  in  power  to  send  these  gentle- 
men, with  the  police  commissioners  arrested  on  the  1st  of  July,  to 
the  "  Dry  Tortugas,"  as  the  following  telegraj)hic  dispatches  sent 
at  the  time  show  : 

"United  States  Military  Telegraph,  received  August  28th,  1861: 
"  From  Fort  McHenry,  to  Major-Gen.  N.  P.  Banks. 


618  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

"  There  is  but  one  sea-going  steamer  here  ;  sailing  vessels  can 
be  obtained,  but  I  suppose  there  would  be  too  much  hazard  in  send- 
ing one.  John  A.  Dix." 

"United  States  Military  Telegraph,  received  August  28th,  1861 : 

"  From  Fort  McHenry  to  Major-Gren.  Banks. 

"  Do  you  still  want  the  vessel  to  go  to  Tortugas?  There  is  but 
one  here  suitable  for  the  service.  Three  hundred  ($300)  dollars  per 
day.    She  must  be  chartered  at  once  or  cannot  be  had. 

"  John  A.  Dix." 

Mr.  Henry  E.  Johnson,  of  the  banking  firm  of  Johnson  Bros.  & 
Co.,  was  arrested  and  conveyed  under  guard  to  Fort  McHenry, 
September  24th  ;  and  on  the  15th  of  October,  Wm.  McKewen,  late 
secretary  to  the  board  of  public  commissioners  j  and  on  the  16th 
of  October,  Mr.  Robert  Ren  wick. 

The  venerable  Thomas  Wildey,  familiarly  known  as  the  "  Father 
of  Odd-Fellowship  in  the  United  States,"  died  at  his  residence  in 
this  city,  on  the  corner  of  Front  and  Gay  streets,  early  on  Satur- 
day morning,  October  19th,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty  years. 
It  is  in  connection  with  the  order  of  Odd-Fellowship  that  Mr. 
Wildey  is  best  known,  and  his  efforts  in  that  behalf  have  been  time 
and  again  acknowledged  throughout  the  whole  country.  He  was 
born  in  the  city  of  London  on  the  15th  day  of  January,  1783,  dur- 
ing the  reign  of  George  III.,  and  at  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary 
War.  He  was  initiated  into  Lodge  No.  17,  of  the  Order  of  Odd- 
Fellows  in  the  city  of  London,  in  which  he  served  in  every  capacity, 
from  the  humblest  to  the  highest  office,  and  was  so  distinguished 
for  his  zeal  and  diligence  as  an  officer  and  member  as  to  secure  at 
the  early  age  of  twenty-three  the  substantial  approbation  of  his 
brethren.  On  the  30th  day  of  July,  1817,  he  bade  adieu  to  his  na- 
tive land  and  embarked  for  America  ;  he  reached  Baltimore  on  the 
2d  of  September  following,  and  without  delay  sought  and  obtained 
employment.  In  the  following  year,  having  formed  the  acquaint- 
ance of  Mr.  John  Welch,  a  fellow-countryman,  who  had  also  been 
an  Odd-Fellow  in  England,  the  subject  of  introducing  the  order  in 
this  country  was  discussed.  Mr.  Welch  cordially  entered  into  Mr. 
Wildey's  suggestion  for  the  formation  of  a  lodge,  and  after  vari- 
ous unsuccessful  efforts  to  increase  their  number,  they  adopted  the 
expedient  of  advertising  through  the  public  press;  accordingly  the 
advertisement  was  so  made  in  the  Baltimore  American,  in  the  fol- 
lowing words : 

"  Notice  to  all  Odd-Fellows. — A  few  members  of  the  society  of 
Odd-Fellows  will  be  glad  to  meet  their  brethren  for  consultation 
upon  the  subject  of  forming  a  Lodge.  The  meeting  will  be  held 
on  Friday  evening,  the  2d  of  March,  1819." 

This  advertisejnent  was  continued  for  one  month  and  failed  to 
aeeemble  a  sufficient  number  to  form  a  lodge.    But  two  persons  ap- 


CHBONICLES   OF   BALTIMOKE.  619 

peared,  who  acquiesced  in  the  purpose ;  one  other  was  required  to 
make  up  the  number  necessary,  and  the  advertisement  was  re-in- 
serted in  the  same  paper  on  the  27th  of  March,  1819,  which  pro- 
duced the  desired  effect.  On  the  13th  of  April,  1819,  Messrs.  John 
Welch,  John  Duncan,  John  Cheatham,  and  Richard  Rushworth  as- 
sembled at  the  dwelling  of  Mr.  Thomas  Wildey,  and  arranged  with 
him  the  preliminaries  for  the  formation  of  a  lodge  of  Odd-Fellows, 
and  on  the  26th  day  of  the  same  month  pursuant  to  previous  ac- 
cord, they  assembled  in  an  upper  room  of  a  tavern  on  Fell's  Point, 
and  organized  the  first  Odd-Fellows'  lodge  on  this  continent.  This 
lodge  they  called,  as  an  earnest  of  their  respect  for  their  adopted 
country — being  all  foreigners — Washington  Lodge  No.  1.  Within 
ten  years  from  the  26th  of  April,  1819,  Thomas  Wildey  instituted 
four  lodges  in  Maryland,  organized  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland 
and  of  the  United  States,  and  originated  the  Patriarchal  Order : 
he  had  extended  the  institution  to  Massachusetts,  New  York,  Penn- 
sylvania and  the  District  of  Columbia,  in  each  of  which  States 
Grand  Lodges  had  been  formed,  and  out  of  these  Grand  Lodges 
the  present  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  In  the  year  1826, 
at  his  own  cost,  Thomas  Wildey  made  a  pilgrimage  across  the 
ocean  to  Manchester,  England,  the  then  Mecca  of  Odd-Fellowship, 
and  arrived  in  Liverpool  on  the  17th  of  June,  1826.  The  order 
which  he  had  instituted,  although  self-created,  or  organized  in- 
dependently of  England,  nevertheless  obtained  the  approval  of 
the  authorities  of  the  Order  in  that  country,  and  Washington 
Lodge  No.  1  of  Maryland  accepted  a  charter  from  the  Duke 
of  York's  Lodge  at  Preston,  Lancaster,  bearing  date  the  1st  day  of 
Februar}^  1820.  From  this  lodge  the  order  in  America  originated ; 
yet  in  the  progress  of  Odd-Fellowship  the  English  charter  had  been 
ignored,  and  a  wholly  independent  form  of  government  had  been 
substituted.  After  being  greeted  with  a  perfect  ovation  by  the 
order  in  England,  on  the  day  fixed  for  his  return  to  his  adopted 
country,  Thomas  Wildey  was  surprised  by  a  visit  of  the  grand 
officers  of  the  order,  and  after  a  formal  address  to  him,  pronounced 
by  a  distinguished  brother,  he  was  made  the  bearer  of  several  me- 
morials of  fraternity,  which  were  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States  as  a  testimony  of  the  interest  awakened  in  that 
country  by  the  success  of  Odd-Fellowship  in  America.  Among 
these  memorials  was  a  charter,  engrossed  upon  parchment,  from 
the  Grand  Master  and  officers  of  the  order  in  England,  recogniz- 
ing the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  surrendering  all 
claim  to  jurisdiction  in  Odd-Fellowship  in  America.  This  was  the 
great  purpose  of  Thomas  Wildey's  ambition,  and  although  it  had 
been  the  subject  of  much  conversation  and  deliberation  between 
him  and  the  brethren  in  England,  this  was  the  first  intimation  of 
their  purpose  to  comply  with  his  request,  and  was  therefore  the 
more  gratifying.  On  the  26th  of  April,  1831,  the  members  of  Odd- 
Fellowship  now  numbering  six  hundred  in  Baltimore,  dedicated 


620  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

their  new  hall  with  the  first  public  procession  of  the  kind  in  the 
United  States.  From  this  period  the  order  progressed  with  un- 
paralleled rapidity. 

On  the  22d  of  October  Mr.  Wildey  was  buried  in  Greenmount 
Cemetery,  with  one  of  the  most  imposing  funeral  pageants  that 
was  ever  gathered  in  our  city. 

There  assembled  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  of  December,  at  the 
House  of  Refuge,  upwards  of  two  hundred  ladies  and  gentlemen, 
to  witness  the  opening  of  that  portion  of  the  institution  intended 
for  females. 

The  following  resolution  was  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  Mary- 
land, whilst  in  session  at  Frederick,  June  22d,  "requesting  the 
representatives  and  senators  of  the  State  of  Maryland,  in  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States,  to  urge  and  vote  for  an  immediate 
recognition  of  the  independence  of  the  Confederate  States." 

Died,  on  the  1st  of  September,  at  Yonkers,  near  New  York  city, 
Philip  E.  Thomas,  Esq.,  of  this  city,  aged  nearly  85  years.  He 
was  a  merchant  and  a  philanthropist,  and  was  always  respected. 
Hon.  John  C.  Legrand,  late  Chief  Justice  of  the  Maryland  Court 
of  Appeals,  died  at  his  residence  in  this  city,  early  on  Saturday 
morning,  in  the  47th  year  of  his  age. 

In  October  a  wagon  train  of  nearly  one  hundred  wagons  was 
established  between  Baltimore  and  Washington  city.  This  was 
rendered  necessary  by  the  closing  of  the  Potomac  by  the  Con- 
federate batteries  at  Evansport,  Virginia,  and  the  great  amount  of 
freight  thus  thrown  upon  the  railroad. 

On  the  3d  of  October,  a  United  States  gunboat,  the  Pinola,  was 
launched  from  the  ship-yard  of  Abrahams  &  Ashcraft.  This  was 
the  first  government  vessel  built  in  Baltimore  since  the  oj^ening  of 
the  war.  The  contract  for  building  her  was  made  on  the  8th  day 
of  Jul}',  and  she  was  ready  for  water  in  seventy  days,  including 
Sundays.  The  Pinola  was  540  tons  burthen,  and  was  pierced  for 
thirteen  guns,  and  had  accommodations  for  one  hundred  men. 

On  the  20th  of  November  Miller's  Hotel,  Messrs.  Joseph  H. 
McGee  &  Bro.,  proprietors,  was  taken  possession  of  by  the  police, 
who,  placing  guards  at  the  avenues  of  entrance  and  exit,  proceeded 
to  search  for  articles  contraband  of  war,  taking  the  keys  of  the 
Bafe  and  desk  for  that  purpose.  Several  persons  connected  with 
the  house  were  arrested,  to  answer  the  charge  of  treason  in  holding 
communication  with  the  Confederate  States.  A  number  of  letters 
and  papers  were  also  seized  to  await  examination  at  the  station- 
house.  A  man  by  the  name  of  Webster,  passing  under  the  name 
of  Hart,  was  seized  and  ordered  to  Fort  McHenry,  and  while  on 
his  way  thither  at  night  in  the  charge  of  several  police  officers,  he 
suddenly,  when  near  the  fort,  sprung  from  the  wagon  and  made 
good  his  escape  in  the  darkness. 

1862.  The  Fourth  Presb^^terian  Church,  situated  on  the  corner 
of  Carey  and  Fayette  streets,  was  dedicated  on  Sunday,  February 


CHRONICLES    OF   BALTIMORE.  621 

16th,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  congregation.  The  services  were 
conducted  by  Rev.  Jacob  A.  Lefevre,  Eev.  Dr.  Backus,  Eev.  J.  T. 
Smith,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Dickson. 

On  Monday  night,  February  17th,  several  policemen  specially 
employed  by  the  provost-marshal,  arrested  Colonel  Samuel  S.  Mills 
and  Mr.  Thomas  S.  Piggott,  one  a  proprietor  and  the  other  the 
principal  editor  of  the  "South"  newspaper.  They  were  placed  in 
close  confinement  at  Fort  McHenry  ;  and  a  few  days  afterward  the 
police  also  arrested  John  Mills,  the  publisher  of  The  South. 

On  Friday,  March  7th,  private  Joseph  H.  Kuhns,  of  the  Second 
Maryland  regiment,  was  hung  within  the  works  of  Fort  McHenry 
by  order  of  General  McClelhm,  for  the  wilful  murder  of  Lieutenant 
David  E.  Whitson,  on  the  10th  of  December  previous. 

On  the  27th  of  March,  the  Maryland  brigade  U.  S.  A.  was  de- 
signated the  First  Brigade,  First  Division,  Eighth  Army  Corps. 

On  Thursday  night,  August  14th,  Deputy-Marshal  Lyons,  with 
Sergeant  Pry  or  and  a  posse  of  policemen,  entered  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Maryland  News  Sheet,  and  after  a  parley  of  a  half 
hour  arrested  Wm.  H.  Carpenter,  Esq.,  one  of  the  editors,  and 
sent  him  to  Fort  McHenry.  The  paper  was  su})pressed  and  the 
office  taken  charge  of  by  the  police  authorities,  in  pursuance  of 
orders  from  Major-General  Wool. 

An  act  was  passed  by  the  General  Assembly  on  the  13th  of 
February,  "  That  Henry  Tyson,  John  W.  Walker,  WilLam  Chesnut, 
John  W.  Randolph,  Conrad  S.  Grove,  Jonathan  Brock,  and  Albert 
W.  Markley,  and  others  their  associates,  assignees  of  all  the  rights, 
powers  and  privileges  granted  to  William  H.  Travers,  William  S. 
Browning,  William  D.  Goey,  Robert  Cathcart,  and  Joshua  B. 
Sumwalt,  and  their  associates  and  assignees,  by  an  ordinance  of 
the  Mayor  and  City  Council  of  Baltimore,  approved  on  or  about 
the  twenty-eighth  of  March,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-nine,  be, 
and  they  are  hereby,  incorporated  by  the  name  and  style  of  the 
Baltimore  City  Passenger  Railway  Company." 

On  the  6th  of  March  the  General  Assembly  passed  an  act  "  re- 
lating to  crimes  and  punishments,  by  defining  treason,  and  pro- 
viding for  the  punishment  of  treason  and  other  kindred  offences  ; " 
and  on  the  5th  of  March  an  act  was  passed  appropriating  the  sum 
of  seven  thousand  dollars,  for  the  relief^  of  the  families  of  those 
belonging  to  the  Sixth  Regiment  of  Massachusetts  volunteers  who 
were  killed  or  disabled  by  wounds  received  in  the  riot  of  the  19th 
of  April  in  Baltimore,  1861.  The  committee  to  whom  was  referred 
the  distribution  of  the  money  given  by  the  State  for  the  relief  of 
the  families  of  those  who  were  killed  or  wounded  in  the  riot,  made 
the  following  award : 

No.  1 — Samuel  H.  Ncedliam,  of  Company  I,  killed,  eight  hundred 
dollars,  to  be  placrd  in  the  bunds  of  W.  U.  P.  Wright 
and  George  P.  Wilson,  of  Lawrence,  in  trust  for  tiie 
support  of  the  deceased $800  00 


622  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMOEE. 

Ko.  2— Addison  0.  Whitney,  of  Company  D,  killed,  six  hundred 
dollftrs,  to  be  paid  to  his  father,  John  F.  Whitney,  of 

Waldo,  Maine 600  00 

«*    8— Luther  C.  Ladd,  killed,  three  hundred  dollars,  to  be  paid  to 
the  father  of  the  deceased,  John  Ladd,  of  Alexandria, 

New  Hampshire 800  00 

"    4_John  E.  Ames,  wounded  severely 1,200  00 

"    6— Edward  Coburn,  Company  D,  wounded  severely 750  00 

"    6— Daniel  B.  Tyler,  Company  D,  wounded 750  00 

«•    7 — Captain  John  H  Dike,  Company  L,  wounded 500  00 

«<    8— Charles  L  Gill,  Company  L,  wounded 450  00 

«<    9 — Jnmes  Keenan,  Company  L,  wounded 350  00 

«♦  10— William  H.  Lawson,  Company  D,  wounded 300  00 

"  11— Charles  H.  Chandler,  Company  D,  w^ounded 400  00 

•*  12— Michael  Green,  Company  F,  to  be  paid  to  his  mother 100  00 

"  13-ViclorGingra8S,  Company  1 100  00 

"  14— Alonzo  Joy,  Company  1 100  00 

**  15 — George  W.  Lovering,  Company  D 50  00 

**  16— Daniel  C.  Stevens,  Company  G 50  00 

"  17— Gorham  Reid,  Company  A 50  00 

"  18-John  F.  Sweet,  Company  A 50  00 

"  19— Charles  B.  Slinpon,  Company  G 50  00 

"  20— Andrew  Robbins,  Company  L 50  00 

Total $7,000  00 

Messrs.  Hindes  &  Wood,  who  were  appointed  by  the  Legislature, 
with  the  Mayor,  the  new  board  of  police  commissioners,  were 
sworn  into  office  before  Mr.  Geo.  E.  Sangston,  the  clerk  of  the 
Superior  Court,  on  the  7th  of  March,  and  entered  upon  the  dis- 
charge of  the  duties  on  Monday  the  10th. 

On  Sunday,  the  25th  of  May,  when  the  news  of  Gen.  Banks' 
retreat,  and  the  rumor  of  Col.  Kenly's  death  at  Front  Royal,  Vir- 

finia,  reached  Baltimore,  crowds  of  excited  people  were  permitted 
y  the  police  to  assemble  about  the  news-offices  and  to  obstruct 
the  streets.  Among  these  crowds  were  persons  of  all  descriptions 
and  of  every  shade  of  opinion  —  unionists  and  secessionists,  loyal 
and  disloyal,  those  who  deplored  and  those  who  exulted  over  tho 
slaughter  of  our  gallant  Maryland  "  First."  In  a  number  of  in- 
stances secessionists  expressed  their  satisfaction  at  Col.  Kenly's 
supposed  death  ;  they  were  knocked  down.  But  personal  violence 
was  not  confined  to  cases  like  these.  Persons  who  said  nothing, 
but  who  were  supposed,  &nd  in  many  cases  most  unjustly  supposed, 
to  be  disloyal,  were  assailed  and  beaten.  One  gentleman  who  was 
driving  a  carriage  up  Baltimore  street  was  said  to  be  a  secessionist; 
he  was  taken  out  of  the  vehicle,  and  would  have  been  severely 
beaten  but  for  the  exertions  of  the  police,  who  protected  him.  Mr. 
Bolivar  D.  Danels  was  attacked  and  dealt  several  blows  about  the 
head ;  he  was  rescued  from  the  mob  by  the  police,  and  taken  to 
the  office  of  the  police  commissioners,  followed  by  a  crowd  of  five 
or  six  hundred  men,  who  cried  out  "hang  him!  hang  him!"  and 
two  in  tho  crowd  drew  out  ropes  from  their  pockets  intent  upon 
the  execution,  but  the  strong  detachment  of  police  succeeded,  with 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE.  623 

great  difficulty,  in  his  protectiorii  For  three  or  four  hours  after 
nine  o'clock  the-crowd  continued  to  increase  until  Baltimore  street 
was  filled  with  excited  men.  Occasionally  a  secessionist  would  be 
seen,  when  he  would  either  be  chased  away,  or  beaten  if  caught. 
The  Independent  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  who  held 
their  meetings  at  the  Assembly  Rooms,  were  advised  to  suspend 
their  services  and  retire,  as  the  members  were  threatened  by  an 
attack  upon  them  when  they  should  leave  the  building.  The  sug- 
gestion was  accepted,  and  they  retired  as  privately  as  possible  ; 
the  usual  afternoon  and  evening  services  were  dispensed  with. 
Among  those  who  were  injured  during  the  day  we  find  Messrs. 
Robert  Morrow,  Thomas  J.  Warrington,  Mr.  Passano,  James  Knox, 
Thomas  W.  Gorman,  and  others.  Shortly  after  5  o'clock  Samuel 
Hindes,  one  of  the  police  commissioners,  mounted  a  box  near  the 
corner  of  Calvert  and  Baltimore  streets,  and  made  a  spirited  ad- 
dress to  the  crowd,  urging  those  composing  it  to  pay  respect  to 
the  law  by  quietly  dispersing  to  their  homes,  which  had  the  de« 
sired  effect.  During  the  day  General  Bix  sent  for  Marshal  Yan 
Nostrand,  and  asked  if  his  force  was  sufficient  to  preserve  the 
peace  of  the  city,  and  received  an  answer  in  the  affirmative.  Ho 
assured  the  Marshal  that  such  proceedings  should  not  be  tolerated 
in  his  department,  and  that  if  necessary  he  would  call  out  the 
military.  On  Monday  and  Tuesday  there  were  other  outbreaks 
and  disturbances.  Houses  supposed,  or  said,  to  be  occupied  by 
the  disloyal  were  broken  into  and  entered,  and  plundered  by 
persons  claiming  to  be  unionists.  On  Monday  afternoon  an  attack 
was  made  on  five  of  the  shops  and  buildings  of  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  railroad  corporation,  near  the  Mount  Clare  depot,  by  a  large 
party  of  disorderly  persons,  who  claimed  to  be  Union  men,  among 
whom  were  several  custom-house  officers,  who  beat  and  wounded 
seven  unoffending  workmen,  whom  they  accused  —  in  most  cases, 
if  not  all,  most  untrul}^ — of  being  secessionists.  On  Tuesday  the 
same  gang  renewed  their  attack  and  wounded  two  other  workmen. 
The  police  took  no  notice  of  these  outrages,  but  Gen.  Dix,  as  soon 
as  they  were  made  known  to  him,  arrested  the  ringleaders,  which 
act  created  a  vast  amount  of  excitement  amongst  the  passionate 
class  of  Union  men.  On  Monday  the  crowd  which  had  gathered 
on  Baltimore  street,  near  the  American  office,  constituted  them- 
selves into  a  committee  on  flag  displays,  and  proceeded  to  the 
office  of  the  Maryland  News  Sheets  with  a  demand  for  the  display 
of  the  stars  and  stripes  from  that  building.  There  was  no  person 
found  in  the  office  but  a  boy,  who  expressed  his  willingness  to  dis- 
play the  flag,  but  stated  that  none  of  the  proprietors  were  in  at 
the  time,  and  that  he  could  not  find  a  flag.  They  then  proceeded 
to  the  Maryland  Institute  with  a  view  of  compelling  those  in  the 
building  to  display  the  flag.  They  then  proceeded  to  the  establish- 
ment of  Mr.  John  H.  Weaver,  and  to  the  HoUiday  street  theatre, 
where  a  flag  was  soon   stretched  across  the  street.     The  march 


624  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

was  then  past  the  room  of  the  police  commissioners,  who  appeared 
on  the  front  steps  of  the  building  and  counselled  the  leaders  of 
the  crowd  to  disperse,  and  not  to  commit  any  breaches  of  the 
peace.  The  crowd  without  stopping  continued  on  to  the  establish- 
ments of  Messrs.  Egerton  &  Keys,  Magraw  &  Koons,  and  the 
Maryland  Club  House,  where  similar  demands  were  made,  but  no 
persons  could  be  found  on  the  premises.  The  crowd  then  went  to 
the  Sun  office  with  a  similar  demand,  the  policemen  following, 
and,  as  at  the  J^ews  Sheet  office,  preventing  any  damage  being 
d6ne;  the  demand  was  promptly  complied  with.  The  crowd 
then  proceeded  to  the  Republican  office,  where,  in  compliance  with 
their  demand,  a  small  national  flag  was  displayed  from  the  third 
story  window.  The  office  of  the  German  Correspondent  was  then 
visited,  but  the  proprietors  stated  that  they  were  about  to  display 
their  flag,  when  the  crowd  proceeded  to  Messrs.  Weisenfield  &  (Jo's, 
corner  of  Centre  Market  Space,  where  a  small  flag  was  displayed 
from  the  awning  post.  On  returning,  the  crowd  went  again  to 
the  Correspondent  office,  where  a  portion  of  a  flag,  showing  the 
stripes,  was  hanging  from  an  upper  window,  but  this  was  not  sat- 
isfactory to  the  crowd,  who  required  that  the  entire  flag,  with  the 
stars,  should  be  exposed  to  view.  This  being  accomplished,  they 
made  another  bolt  at  the  JVews  Sheet  office,  but  the  police  succeeded 
in  preventing  them  from  entering,  the  establishment  being  entirely 
closed  up.  The}'  then  returned  to  the  Republican  office  and  made  the 
proprietors  there  run  out  a  pole  with  a  larger  flag.  Among  those 
who  were  unjustifiably  maltreated  by  small  crowds  of  men,  were 
Mr.  Frick,  Geneial  C.  C.  Egerton,  Messrs.  Wm.  L.  Montague,  John 

E.  Morgan,  James  Hammond,  John  H.  Ing,  Thomas  Bean,  

Thompson, Bennett,  Lewis  Wagner,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frederick 

Upton,  and  others. 

On  the  first  of  June,  General  John  A.  Dix  was  transferred  from 
his  command  of  ihe  Middle  Department  in  Baltimore,  to  Fortress 
Monroe,  and  was  succeeded  by  General  John  E.  Wool,  who  arrived 
in  Baltimore  on  the  18th. 

On  the  30th  of  June,  Mr.  C.  C.  Fulton,  one  of  the  proprietors 
and  editors  of  ihe  Baltimore  American,  and  Agent  of  the  Associated 
Press,  was  anested  by  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War  and  com- 
mitted  to  Fort  McHenry,  for  transmitting  the  following  dispatch 
to  the  Associated  Press  in  ]N^ew  York : 

Baltimore  American  Office, 
Baltimore,  Sunday,  June  29th  [9  P.  M.] 
I  am  writing  for  the  American  a  detailed  account  of  events  at 
White  House,  before  Richmond,  and  on  the  Peninsula,  during  the 
last  four  days,  including  facts  obtained  from  Washington,  having 
been  sent  for  by  special  train  to  communicate  with  the  President. 
If  you  desire  it  I  will  send  it  to  you.  It  will  make  four  or  five 
thousand  words.  We  have  the  grandest  military  triumph  over  the 
enemy,  and  llichmond  must  fall.  C.  C.  Fulton. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  625 

Previous  to  leaving  the  city  for  the  fort,  Mr.  Fulton  addressed 
the  following  dispatch  to  President  Lincoln : 

To  THE  President  op  the  United  States  : 

Sir: — I  find  myself  under  arrest  and  on  ray  way  to  Fort 
McHenry.  I  appeal  to  you  for  a  hearing  and  prompt  release,  in 
behalf  of  my  family,  who  will  be  in  great  distress  at  the  execution 
of  this  inexplicable  order.  The  Secretary  of  War  authorized  me 
to  publish  my  statement.      KespectfuUy,  C.  C.  Fulton. 

To  this  the  following  reply  was  received. 

Washington,  June  30th,  1862. 

To  C.  C.  Fulton,  Fort  McHenry  : 

I  am  authorized  to  say  to  you  that  your  arrest  was  not  made 
for  publishing  the  statement,  but  upon  3'our  statement  that  you 
were  preparing  a  detailed  account,  including  facts  obtained  from 
Washington,  having  been  sent  by  special  train  to  communicate 
with  the  President.  This  is  regarded  by  the  President  and  the 
War  Department  as  a  flagrant  and  outrageous  violation  of  the 
confidence  with  which  you  were  treated.  The  publication  of  facts 
obtained  from  Washington  under  such  circumstances  is  a  high 
military  crime.  iiespectfuUy, 

E.  S.  Sanford,  Military  Superintendent. 

To  the  dispatch  from  Colonel  Sanford  Mr.  Fulton  replied  as 
follows : 

"  Col.  Sanford — Sir : — The  dispatch  I  sent  to  ^ew  York  was  a 
private  one,  addressed  to  Mr.  Craig,  for  his  information  as  to 
whether  he  desired  to  receive  the  report  I  was  preparing  for  the 
press.  It  was  not  intended  for  publication,  and  would  not  have 
been  published  if  my  report  had  been  permitted  to  go  through  by 
telegraph.  I  never  dreamed  of  its  being  published.  To  find 
myself  in  Fort  McHenry,  the  depot  for  traitors,  is  a  mortification 
I  cannot  express.  Having  risked  both  life  and  property  in  de- 
fending the  Union  cause  when  our  city  was  in  the  possession  of 
traitors,  and  rendered  services  as  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Bal- 
timore American  to  the  Government  in  sustaining  the  laws  which 
no  one  has  excelled,  I  ask,  in  common  justice,  that  1  should  at  least 
be  released  on  my  parole.     Eespectfully  yours, 

Chas.  C.  Fulton. 

By  an  order  from  the  authorities  at  Washington,  Mr.  Fulton, 
on  Tuesday  night,  July  1st,  was  unconditionally  released. 

At  a  late  hour  of  night,  June  29th,  the  utmost  consternation 

was  caused  by  the  ringing  of  alarm  bells  generally  throughout  the 

city.     Tlie  impression  readily  prevailed  that  the  Confederate  troops 

were  indeed  marching  upon  the  city,  and  the  streets  were  soon 

40 


626  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

thronged  with  anxious  inquirers  after  the  cause  of  alarm.  It  seems 
that  the  authorities  received  information  of  the  approach  of  the 
"  Rebels,"  supposed  to  be  in  large  force,  from  the  direction  of  West- 
minster, and  it  was  currently  reported  and  believed  that  fighting 
had  taken  place  at  so  near  a  point  to  the  city  as  Reisterstown. 
Under  these  exciting  circumstances  it  was  thought  a  measure  of 
safety  to  sound  an  alarm  and  call  the  Union  Leagues  and  loyal  cit- 
izens together,  so  that  arms  could  be  placed  in  their  hands  to  meet 
the  invaders.  The  streets  were  lively  with  processions  of  armed 
men,  and  the  work  of  barricading  the  approaches  to  the  city  was 
pushed  with  great  vigor.  One  of  the  features  of  the  excitement 
was  the  rapid  retreat  down  Baltimore  street  of  several  city  pas- 
senger railroad  cars  of  the  various  lines,  supposed  to  have  been 
caused  by  a  desire  to  remove  to  some  place  of  safety  should  an  at- 
tack actually  take  place.  At  the  request  of  Gen.  Schenck,  Com- 
modore Dornin  placed  in  position  two  gun-boats  at  the  foot  of 
Broadway,  and  one  at  the  Long  Bridge,  over  the  Ferry  Bar  road. 
Major-General  Schenck  the  day  following  issued  a  proclamation 
declaring  martial  law  in  Baltimore  and  the  western  shore  counties 
of  Maryland. 

The  community  was  startled  and  pained  on  the  morning  of  the 
8th  of  July,  by  the  sad  intelligence  of  the  sudden  death  of  Arch- 
bishop Francis  Patrick  Kenrick,  of  the  Catholic  Church.  His 
council  had  assembled  in  the  Cathedral  at  the  usual  hour  (6  o'clock) 
for  the  purpose  of  solemnizing  mass,  and  the  bishop  not  making 
h\s  appearance  at  the  regular  time,  fears  were  entertained  that  he 
might  be  ill.  Upon  proceeding  to  his  bed  chamber,  he  was  found 
in  his  bed,  clasped  in  the  cold  embrace  of  death.  Dr.  Donovan  and 
two  other  physicians  were  immediately  summoned,  who  gave  as 
their  opinion  that  his  death  was  causedby  apoplexy.  The  bishop 
was  a  man  of  remarkable  literary  abilities,  he  having  translated 
the  Bible  and  written  many  religious  works  of  sterling  merit.  He 
was  one  of  the  most  profoundly  learned  men  in  America. 

At  a  large  public  meeting,  held  on  Monday  the  28th  of  July,  in 
Monument  square,  and  at  which  Governor  Bradford  presided,  a 
resolution  was  adopted  requesting  the  President  to  "instruct  the 
General  in  command  of  this  Military  Department  to  require  all 
male  citizens  above  the  age  of  eighteen  to  come  forward  "  and  take 
an  oath  to  "maintain  the  national  sovereignty  paramount  to  that 
of  all  State,  county,  or  corporate  powers,"  and  to  "  discourage, 
discountenance,  and  forever  oppose  secession,  rebellion,  and  the 
disintegration  of  the  Federal  Union."  Those  who  should  refuse 
to  take  the  oath  which  it  was  thus  proposed  to  tender  them,  and 
which  was  to  bind  every  man  to  "forever"  oppose  what  was 
already  an  accomplished  fact,  were,  if  the  President  had  endorsed 
the  resolution,  to  be  banished  from  their  homes.  The  proposition 
brought  forth  no  public  remonstrance  from  anytportion  of  the 
"  Union  "  party.     Oi!  the  contrary,  the  First  Branch  of  the  City 


CHKONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE.  627 

Council  adopted  a  resolution,  a  few  days  afterwards,  requesting 
General  Wool  "  to  administer  such  an  oath  to  all  the  citizens  of 
the  City  of  Baltimore  at  the  earliest  possible  period."  General 
Wool  rejected  this  advice,  "  for  the  reason,"  as  he  said,  that  it  would, 
at  a  critical  moment,  "  send  twenty  thousand  men  to  swell  the  army 
of  J  etferson  Davis." 

On  the  25th  of  July  the  following  members  of  the  Second 
Branch  City  Council  resigned  their  positions  in  that  body,  accord- 
ing to  the  suggestion  of  Major-General  John  E..W00I:  Charles  J. 
Baker,  President,  13th  and  14th  wards;  Decatur  H.  Miller,  llth 
and  12th  wards ;  William  Dean,  Ist  and  2d  wards ;  Jesse  Marden, 
3d  and  4th  wards;  Asa  Higgins,  19th  and  20th  wards;  William 
Swindell,  17th  and  18th  wards;  Joseph  Eobb,  15th  and  16tli 
wards ;  Francis  W.  Alricks,  9th  and  10th  wards ;  John  W.  Wilson, 
7th  and  8th  wards.  This  action  was  caused  by  the  majority  of  the 
members  of  the  Second  Branch  of  the  City  Council  in  refusing  to 
concur  in  an  ordinance  passed  by  the  First  Branch,  appropriating 
$300,000  to  encourage  enlistments  of  volunteers.  On  the  23d  of 
July,  when  the  bounty  bill  was  taken  up,  the  crowd  in  the  lobby 
evinced  great  interest,  and  the  announcement  of  its  rejection  was 
received  with  marked  disapprobation.  Cries  of  "  Put  them  out !  " 
"Hang  the  traitors  I "  and  similar  expressions  were  indulged  in; 
but  order  was  finally  restored  by  the  interposition  of  Marshal  Van 
Nostrand,  who  had  been  requested  by  the  president  to  preserve 
order.  The  Branch  soon  afterwards  adjourned,  and  the  crowd 
proceeded  to  the  pavement  below  to  await  the  egress  of  the  mem- 
bers. Mr.  Charles  J.  Baker  drove  off  in  his  buggy-wagon,  fol- 
lowed by  groans  from  the  crowd.  The  other  members  remained 
in  the  Council  chamber  until  a  police  force  was  procured,  and  each, 
under  an  escort  of  six  policemen,  left  the  hall.  As  Captain  Asa 
Higgins  was  descending  the  stairs  he  was  assaulted  by  the  crowd, 
but  the  police  protected  him  from  severe  injury.  At  the  corner  of 
Holliday  and  Saratoga  streets  the  crowd  made  a  "rush  for  Mr.  De- 
catur H.  Miller,  who  was  in  charge  of  a  squad  of  policemen,  and 
he  was  struck  several  times  before  he  could  be  rescued. 

There  was  considerable  excitement  in  Baltimore  on  the  7th  of 
September,  principally  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  newspaper 
offices,  where  large  crowds  had  assembled  to  hear  the  news  from 
Western  Maryland,  in  reference  to  Lee's  invasion  of  Frederick. 
In  view  of  the  excitement  in  the  streets  it  was  deemed  advisable 
by  the  Mayor  and  police  authorities  to  appoint  four  hundred 
special  policemen.  Gov.  Bradford  appointed  Gen.  John  E.  Kenly 
to  the  command  of  a  brigade  of  troops  to  be  used  in  the  defence  of 
the  city. 

On  the  19th  of  December  Major-General  Eobert  C.  Schenck, 
having  been  appointed  to  succeed  Major-General  Wool,  arrived  in 
this  city. 

Shortly  after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  the  body  of  Capt.  Wm^. 


628  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOBE. 

D.  Brown,  of  the  Chesapeake  artillery  (Confederate),  who  was  slain 
in  that  engagement,  was  brouirht  to  this  city  and  embalmed,  and 
placed  in  the  mausoleum  at  Greenmount  Cemetery,  where  it  re- 
mained until  Friday,  July  Slst,  when  it  was  removed  to  the  ceme- 
tery chapel,  where  the  funeral  rites  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  to  which  the  father  of  the  deceased  officer  belonged,  were 
observed  ;  Eevs.  Dr.  Slicer,  Sargent,  and  Owens  being  the  officiat- 
ing ministers.  A  company  of  friends  were  present  to  witness  the 
funeral  services,  and  were  just  returning  from  the  lot  where  the  re- 
mains had  been  interred,  when  a  detachment  of  soldiers  appeared 
by  order  from  headquarters,  and  took  into  military  custody  all  the 
male  attendants,  save  the  officiating  ministers,  who  escaped  the  at- 
tention of  the  soldiers.  They  were  conducted  to  the  headquarters 
of  Brig.  Gen.  Tyler  at  the  Gil m or  House,  and  after  a  short  deten- 
tion. Col.  Chesebrough  appeared,  and  released  them  to  appear  the 
next  day  at  headquarters. 

1863.  Major-General  Schenck  on  the  11th  of  September  issued 
an  order  for  the  suppression  of  the  Baltimore  Republican  and  the 
arrest  of  the  editors,  and  in  accordance  with  the  order,  the  office  was 
visited  by  the  military  about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  the 
further  publication  of  the  paper  stopped.  Mr.  Beale  H.  Eichard- 
Bon,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  paper,  and  his  son,  Francis  A. 
Kichardson,  and  Mr.  Stephen  J.  Joice,  associate  editors,  were 
taken  into  custody  and  conducted  to  the  office  of  Col.  Fish,  military 
provost-marshal,  where  an  order  was  shortly  received  from  Major- 
General  Schenck  directing  that  they  be  sent  South  by  way  of 
Harper's  Ferry,  with  orders  not  to  return  under  penalty  of  being 
treated  as  spies.  The  ground  of  arrest  was  alleged  to  be  the  pub- 
lication of  a  piece  of  poetry  entitled  *'  The  Southern  Cross,"  which 
has  been  attributed  to  Mrs.  Ellen  Key  Blunt.  On  the  29th  of 
September  the  Baltimore  Daily  Gazette  was  also  suppressed  by  the 
military  authorities,  and  Messrs.  E.  F.  Carter  and  W.  H.  Neilson, 
editors  and  proprietors,  were  taken  into  custody.  On  Tuesday, 
September  29th,  Mr.  Michael  J.  Kelly  and  John  B.  Piet,  of  the 
book  publishing  house  of  Messrs.  Kelly,  Hedian  &  Piet,  were 
arrested  by  Government  detectives  upon  the  charge  of  selling  a 
work  entitled  "Fourteen  Months  in  the  Bastiles  of  America," 
written  by  Francis  Key  Howard,  Esq.,  of  the  Baltimore  bar.  Col. 
Wm.  S.  Fish  issued  an  order  from  headquarters  on  the  10th 
of  November,  forbidding  the  further  publication  of  the  Evening 
Transcript^  a  paper  started  but  a  few  weeks  before,  under  the  pro- 
prietorship of  W  m.  H.  Neilson,  formerly  of  the  Gazette, 

On  the  30th  of  November  ex-Gov.  Pratt,  and  Col.  Nicholson, 
his  private  secretary,  were  sent  South  by  the  way  of  Fortress 
Jionroe,  for  refusing  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance. 

On  the  17th  of  October,  the  heirs  of  John  R  Howard  sold  at 
private  sale,  to  Messrs.  Thomas  G.  Scharf,  Edward  Wheat,  and 
George  Scott,  the  "  General  Wayne  Inn  "  and  stables,  for  the  sum 


CHROISICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  629 

of  $30,000  cash.  On  the  1st  of  October,  1864,  Mr.  Scharf  pur- 
chased the  interest  of  Messrs.  Wheat  and  Scott  at  an  advance  of 
$3,000,  making  in  all  $33,000  paid  for  the  entire  property. 

The  subscribers  or  stockholders  of  the  "  First  National  Bank  of 
Baltimore,"  upon  the  plan  proposed  by  Secretary  Chase,  and 
approved  by  Congress,  held  their  first  meeting  in  the  afternoon  of 
the  2d  of  December,  in  the  anteroom  of  the  Citizens'  Bank,  corner 
of  Pratt  and  Hanover  streets,  and  elected  directors,  &c. 

Mr.  Hugh  Jenkins,  one  of  the  most  prominent  merchants  of 
Baltimore,  died  on  the  1st  of  December,  in  the  65th  year  of  his 
age.  He  was  distinguished  for  his  many  virtues,  but  more  especially 
his  noble  charities,  his  devotion  to  the  poor,  the  orphans,  the  sick 
and  the  dying — not  alone  amongst  his  own  immediate  people,  but 
especially  to  his  stricken  countrymen  arriving  on  our  shores  in 
distress. 

John  Christian  Brune,  the  first  president  of  the  Maryland 
Sugar  Eefinery,  and  a  gentleman  of  high  commercial  honor, 
winning  manners  and  generous  hospitality,  died  on  the  7th  of 
December,  when  upon  a  voyage  in  a  steamer  from  Southampton 
to  Havana. 

1864.  Mr.  Charles  F.  Mayer,  a  very  prominent  lawyer  of  Balti- 
more, died  on  Sunday,  January  3d.  He  was  a  Senator  in  the 
Legislature  under  the  old  constitution,  and  was  highly  respected  for 
integrity  of  character.  For  nearly  forty  years  he  held  a  high 
position  as  a  lawyer,  the  result  of  a  clear  and  penetrating  intellect 
and  untiring  research. 

The  General  Assembly  at  the  Januar}'-  session  incorporated  the 
following  companies:  The  Safe  Deposit  Company  of  Baltimore, 
the  Baltimore  Academy  of  Music,  the  Franklin  and  Powhatan 
Passenger  Kail  way  Company,  and  the  Baltimore,  Hall's  Springs 
And  Harford  Passenger  Jlailwa^y  Company. 

On  Wednesday,  May  18th,  Mr.  William  H.  Neilson,  proprietor 
of  the  Evening  Transcript^  of  this  city,  received  an  order  from  Gen. 
Wallace,  commander  of  the  middle  department,  directing  that 
the  publication  of  the  paper  cease  at  once ;  which,  it  is  scarcely 
necessary  to  add,  was  complied  with. 

William  Knabe,  Esq.,  a  well-known  and  much  esteemed  citizen, 
died  on  Saturday  evening.  May  21st,  in  the  61st  year  of  his  age. 
Mr.  Knabe  was  the  principal  of  the  house  of  Wm.  Knabe  &  Co., 
the  extensive  piano-forte  manufacturers  of  this  city. 

On  the  23d  of  May,  a  man  named  Andrew  or  Isadore  Laypolo, 
(as  he  bore  several  aliases),  having  been  court-martialed  and  con- 
demned for  being  a  Confederate  spy  and  guerilla,  was  hung  inside 
of  Fort  McHenry.  He  made  a  short  speech  from  the  gallows 
denying  that  he  was  a  felon,  then  prayed  fervently  and  died  bravely. 

Col.  Fish  was  arrested  late  in  the  evening  of  the  24th  of  Jan- 
uary by  an  order  from  the  Hon,  Edwin  M.  Stanton,  Secretary  of 
War,  on  the  charge  of  oflScial  corruption  and  fraud,  while  acting 


[ 


630  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

as  Provost-Marshal  of  this  city.    He  was  arrested  by  Col.  Olcott, 
And  was  closely  confined  in  Campbeii's  jail,  near  the  Camden  street 
Idepot.     He  was  afterwards  tried  by  court-martial,  found  guilty  on 
/nearly  all  the  charges  preferred  against  him,  and  was  cashiered. 
I        The  Union  National  Convention  assembled  in  this  city  at  the 
/  Front  Street  Theatre  on  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  June,  and  on 
/   the  8th  finished  its  business  and  adjourned  sine  die.     The  nomina- 
\/    tion.of  Mr.  Lincoln  for  re-election  was  with  but  the  slightest  oppo- 
Y     sition,  and  made  by  acclamation  amidst  the  most  enthusiastic  de- 
monstrations.    The  nomination  for  the  Yice  Presidency  was  con- 
ferred on  Andrew  Johnson  of  Tennessee,  who  received  the  largest 
vote  on  the  first  ballot,  there  being  several  other  names  placed  in 
nomination. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  11th  of  July  the  city  was  filled 
with  rumors  of  the  approach  of  the  Confederates,  but  nothing 
definite  could  be  ascertained,  except  the  destruction  of  the  coun- 
try residence  of  Governor  Bradford.  The  City  Council  passed 
an  ordinance  conscripting  and  placing  in  defence  of  the  city 
all  able-bodied  male  citizens  from  the  age  of  sixteen  years  and 
upward.  The  Mayor,  after  the  passage  of  the  resolutions  of 
the  City  Council  relative  to  the  defence  of  the  city,  waited  on 
General  Ord,  the  new  commander  of  the  military  forces  of  this 
Ucity  and  vicinity,  to  inform  him  of  the  proceedings  of  the  local 
authorities.  The  General  deemed  it  unnecessary  to  take  any 
steps  in  the  direction  intimated  by  the  resolutions,  for  the  closing 
of  business  and  calling  out  the  citizens  en  masse.  A  large  force  of 
colored  men,  however,  were  actively  employed  in  strengthening 
the  fortifications  in  and  around  the  city.  The  Governor,  through 
John  S.  Berry,  Adjutant-General,  called  out  the  city  militia  for  the 
defence  of  the  city.  Orders  were  given  to  remove  a  large  number 
of  locomotives  from  the  Mount  Clare  depot  of  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Railroad  and  the  main  stem  to  the  track  on  Pratt  street, 
which  was  done  to  prevent  them  from  being  injured  by  the  Con- 
federates, 

On  September  27th  George  McDonald,  alias  M.  M.  Dunning,  of 
the  Third  Maryland  Cavalry,  was  shot  to  death  by  musketry  in 
Fort  McHenry  for  desertion  and  attempt  to  kill  several  persons. 

The  Right  Rev,  Martin  J.Spaulding,  of  the  Diocese  of  Louisville, 
was  consecrated  Archbishop  of  Baltimore  at  the  Cathedral  at  11 
o'clock,  Sunday  morning,  July  Slst.  The  ceremonies  which 
marked  the  consecration  of  Bishop  Spaulding  were  of  an  imposing 
character,  and  the  sermon  by  the  Bishop  was  an  elegant  analysis 
of  the  Scriptures,  and  was  listened  to  with  great  attention.  Rev, 
Bishop  Wood  and  Rev,  Dr.  Harra,  of  Philadelphia,  assisted  Bishop 
Spaulding  in  the  Grand  Pontifical  Mass,  assisted  by  Rev.  Father 
Burlando,  Rev.  B.  F.  McManus,  Rev.  John  Dougherty,  and  Rev. 
Father  Leguerra,  master  of  ceremonies. 

The  interesting  ceremony  of  laying  the  coi-ner-stone  of  the 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE,  631 

Concordia  Opera  House  by  the  Concordia  Society,  was  observed 
Monday,  September  5tb.  Several  addresses  were  made,  and  at 
night  the  association  partook  of  a  banquet  at  Western  Hall,  corner 
of  Howard  and  Lexington  streets.. 

The  Evening  Post  was  suppressed  Sept.  30th,  by  order  of  Gen. 
Wallace.  The  offence  consisted  in  the  publication  of  articles 
deemed  offensive  to  the  loyal  citizens. 

The  mercantile  community  of  this  city  was  greatly  agitated  on 
Monday  morning,  October  17th,  in  consequence  of  the  wholesale 
arrest  of  several  business  firms  and  their  clerks  by  the  military 
authorities,  but  upon  what  charge  could  not  be  ascertained.  A 
communication  was  received  by  Colonel  Woolley  from  the  War 
Department,  directing  him  to  arrest  the  firms  and  all  persons  enj- 
ployed  in  the  following  well-known  houses:  Hamilton  Easter  & 
Co.,  dry-goods  dealers,  Baltimore ;  Weisenfeld  &  Co.,  clothiers, 
corner  of  Centre  Market  Space  and  Baltimore  street,  also  of  Han- 
over street;  Jordan  &  Kose,  dry  goods  dealers,  corner  of  Baltimore 
and  Hanover  streets ;  Isaac  E.  Coale  &  Bro.,  commission  mer- 
chants, 17  and  19  Hanover  street;  Charles  E.  Waters  &  Co.,  hard- 
ware merchants,  15  South  Charles  street;  A.  &  L.  Freidenrich, 
gentlemen's  furnishing  articles,  corner  of  Liberty  and  Baltimore 
streets;  Simon  Frank  &  Co.,  jobbera,  corner  of  German  and  Han- 
over streets.  As  the  work  of  effectually  arresting  all  parties  con- 
nected with  the  above  firms  would  require  a  strong  force,  the 
Colonel  ordered  out  a  sufficient  mimber  of  men,  and  with  Capt. 
Wiegel,  visited  the  different  stores,  took  possession  of  the  same, 
and  placed  the  firms  and  their  employees  under  arrest.  The  stores 
were  immediately  closed,  a  guard  stationed  at  the  doors,  and  the 
prisoners  sent  to  Washington  in  a  special  train.  During  the  day 
several  stores  in  Washington,  and  in  Philadelphia  and  New  York, 
were  seized  by  the  military  authorities  and  the  same  programme 
observed.  At  the  store  of  Hamilton  Easter  &  Co.  the  scene  was 
exciting  in  the  extreme.  The  large  number  of  clerks  were  taken 
by  surprise  at  the  summons  to  "fall  in,"  and  in  less  than  five  minutes 
a  large  number  of  notes  were  handed  to  Colonel  Woolley,  with 
instructions  that  they  might  be  forwarded  to  wives,  mothers, 
brothers,  sisters,  boarding-house  keepers,  &c.  Some  required  a 
change  of  clothing,  some  desired  a  change  of  linen,  others  wanted 
supplies  of  money.  One  individual  was  seized  with  cramp,  and  a 
large  dose  of  brandy  was  given  him.  A  large  number  of  ladies 
were  in  the  store  when  the  soldiers  entered,  and  when  it  became 
known  that  the  establishment  was  under  the  ban  of  the  govera- 
ment,  the  fair  creatures  beat  a  hasty  retreat,  and  neglected  to 
finish  their  shopping.  It  was  estimated  that  the  value  of  goods 
guarded  by  orders  of  Col.  Woolley  was  upwards  of  eight  millions 
of  dollars. 

Died  on  Wednesday,  the  14th  of  October,  in  Washington  City, 
D.  C,  in  the  eighty-eighth  year  of  his  age,  Koger  Brooke  Taney, 


J632  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

of  Maryland,  fifth  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  TJnited 
States.  A  man  of  spotless  and  benevolent  life,  he  must,  alike  in 
the  humblest  as  in  the  highest  sphere,  everywhere  and  always, 
have  commanded  the  sympathy,  respect,  and  homage  of  all  good 
men  who  knew  him  or  felt  his  influence.  To  see  him  and  to  speak 
with  him  was  enough  to  give  assurance  of  this.  To  know  him 
intimately  was  to  make  this  assurance  doubly  sure.  He  served 
bis  native  State  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Delegates,  as 
Senator,  and  as  Attorney-General  of  Maryland.  It  was  a  notable 
tribute  to  his  distinction  as  a  lawyer  and  his  worth  as  a  private 
gentleman,  that  he  was  called  by  President  Jackson  to  the  office 
of  Attorney-General  of  the  United  Stales  at  a  time  of  great 
party  strife,  when  a  new  order  of  things  was  about  to  be  inaugu- 
rated, and  when  he  was  known  to  belong  to  the  constitutional 
school,  of  which  Chief-Justice  Marshall  was  the  living  type,  as  his 
name  remains  the  enduring  monument.  Under  Jackson  he  was 
also  Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  Profoundly  learned  in  the  law, 
and  naturally  gifted  with  a  clear,  direct,  and  logical  mind,  he 
nevertheless  listened  for  instruction  from  the  humblest  advocate 
who  appeared  before  him  in  any  cause.  With  all  the  qualities  of 
a  great  Judge,  and  with  the  natural  consciousness  of  his  superiority 
to  ordinary  men,  he  was  ever  attentive  and  respectful  to  those 
whose  duty  brought  them  before  him  to  attempt  to  influence  his 
determination  as  a  Judge,  and  none  who  knew  him  could  doubt 
that  his  conclusions  were  always  the  result  of  conscientious  and 
enlightened  study  and  reflection. 

On  November  1st  the  Evening  Loyalist  was  suppressed  by  order 
of  General  Wallace. 

1865.  The  gale  which  passed  over  our  city  on  Thursday  after- 
noon, March  23d,  was  the  most  severe  that  had  visited  this  section 
of  the  country  in  many  years.  From  all  quarters  chimneys  and 
fences  were  blown  down,  and  trees  that  had  withstood  the  blasts 
of  years  were  twisted  from  the  earth  as  if  they  were  reeds.  A 
large  number  of  houses  in  the  city  were  unroofed,  and  in  several 
instances  walls  were  blown  down,  entailing  a  heavy  loss  upon  the 
owners  of  the  damaged  property.  A  portion  of  the  hospital 
buildings  on  Townsend  street  extended  was  blown  down,  killing 
a  colored  boy  named  John  Nicholson  and  dangerously  wounding 
three  workmen.  A  portion  of  the  boiler-shop  of  Messrs.  Murray 
&  Wiegand,  on  York  street,  was  also  blown  down,  and  a  number  of 
workmen  were  buried  in  the  ruins ;  one  of  them,  Philip  Hughes, 
was  killed. 

The  excitement  on  Monday,  April  3d,  consequent  upon  the 
receipt  of  the  exhilarating  news  from  the  victorious  army  of 
General  Grant  before  Richmond,  surpassed  anything  of  the  kind 
ever  witnessed  in  this  city.  In  less  than  one  hour  after  the  glad 
tidings  had  been  bulletined  at  the  difl'erent  newspaper  offices, 
thousands  of  men  wended  their  steps  to  the  centre  of  the  city,  and 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE,  633 

as  the  dispatches  from  the  army  were  posted  up,  vociferous  cheer- 
ing was  wafted  upon  the  air.  Merchants  quitted  their  places  of 
business,  laborers  threw  down  their  instruments  of  toil,  shopping 
was  neglected,  and  the  Union  citizens  rejoiced  that  the  rebellion 
had  at  last  been  dealt  a  fatal  blow.  Towards  noon  it  was  feared 
that  a  disturbance  would  occur  among  the  thousands  who  had 
congregated  about  the  different  newspaper  offices,  and  to  arrest 
the  anticipated  difficulty,  squads  of  police  officers  from  the  different 
station  houses  and  a  strong  force  of  soldiers  were  detailed  for 
duty  at  the  points  named,  for  the  preservation  of  order.  Several 
encounters,  however,  occurred  during  the  afternoon,  but  not  of  a 
serious  character.  At  three  P.  M.,  in  accordance  with  an  order 
issued  by  Mayor  Chapman,  flags  were  unfurled  from  the  engine 
bouses,  and  the  bells  rung.  At  night  the  Union  citizens  illuminated 
their  dwellings  and  places  of  business,  and  it  was  not  until  mid- 
night that  the  exuberant  feeling  began  to  subside.  A  large  stand 
was  erected  in  front  of  the  American  office,  where  the  thousands 
were  addressed  by  several  popular  speakers. 

On  the  6th  of  April,  in  pursuance  of  a  resolution  of  the  Mayor 
and  City  Council,  the  city  was  draped  in  flags,  the  bells  rung, 
and  the  cannon  roared  their  congratulations  of  Union  thunder. 
It  was  indeed  the  brightest  epoch  that  ever  befel  our  city  for 
those  participating  in  the  Union  cause.  Houses  streamed  with 
bunting,  guidons  and  battle-flags.  Pennants  and  revenue  colors 
were  suspended  in  all  directions.  The  city  was  dressed  in  red, 
white  and  blue.  Baltimore  street  was  decorated  from  Broadway 
to  Carey  street,  and  the  display  of  bunting  was  richer  and  more 
profuse  than  in  any  similar  demonstration  ever  witnessed  in  the 
city.  Secessionists  who  had  since  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
refused  to  displa}'  the  stars  and  stripes,  became  alarmed,  and  gave 
to  the  wind  the  bright  colors.  The  streets  were  filled  with  count- 
less thousands  of  people,  and  at  night  the  city  was  illuminated  in 
all  directions,  especially  the  newspaper  offices,  which  were  the 
centres  of  attraction. 

The  distinguished  naval  hero,  Admiral  Farragut,  arrived  in  this 
city  on  the  morning  of  the  11th  of  April,  from  Norfolk.  He  was 
received  at  the  wharf  by  the  Mayor,  a  committee  of  both  branches 
of  the  City  Council,  a  large  detachment  of  military  ordered  out 
by  Brig.  Grcn.  Morris,  U.  S.  A.,  and  several  hundred  citizens.  The 
line  of  march  was  taken  up,  and  upon  arriving  at  the  Eutaw 
House,  the  Admiral  made  a  few  remarks  and  received  the  congrat- 
ulations of  our  citizens.  In  the  afternoon  the  distinguished  guest 
and  his  friends  were  entertained  at  an  elegant  banquet. 

With  the  advent  of  dawn  on  Saturday,  April  15th,  the  centre 
of  the  city  betokened  that  our  citizens  had  heard  of  the  awful 
tragedy  enacted  in  Washington  on  Friday  night.  Groups  of  per- 
sons could  be  seen  at  the  newspaper  offices  and  the  principal 
corners,  eagerly  seeking  after  the  latest  intelligence  from  Wash- 


634  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

ington,  and  as  usual  when  exciting  news  is  expected,  the  city  was 
quickly  filled  with  the  most  extravagant  rumors.  As  the  recital 
of  the  assassination  of  President  Abraham  Lincoln  was  detailed 
by  the  morning  papers,  friends  and  foes  of  the  Union  alike  mingled 
their  tears  in  one  sincere  lament  for  the  irreparable  loss  which  the 
country  had  sustained.  The  countenances  of  persons  on  the  street 
wore  a  troubled  expression,  and  fears  were  expressed  that  terrible 
deeds  of  blood  would  be  witnessed  in  our  city ;  but  thanks  to  Gen, 
Morris  and  the  police  commissioners,  no  outbreak  occurred.  Dur- 
ing the  morning  the  Mayor  issued  a  proclamation  ordering  the 
closing  of  all  drinking  saloons  and  places  of  amusement  until 
further  orders.  At  all  of  the  departments  of  the  government 
business  was  suspended  for  the  day,  and  by  noon  there  was  but 
little  business  of  any  character  being  transacted  in  the  city  ;  many 
workshops  and  stores  were  closed,  and  the  houses  draped  with  the 
Bombre  hu«s  of  mourning.  Between  the  hours  of  11  and  12  o'clock 
the  fire,  church,  and  other  bells  of  the  cit}'  tolled  forth  their  solemn 
clang  of  death,  and  all  business  was  voluntarily  suspended.  Frora 
an  access  of  joy  the  people  were  suddenly  called  upon  to  bow  their 
heads  in  grief,  and  the  bright  scenes  of  a  few  days  before  were  now 
turned  into  mourning.  Those  buildings  that  had  been  festooned 
with  wreaths,  garlands  and  the  ensign  of  our  country,  were  now 
solemnly  draped  in  sable  hues.  The  Sun,  American,  Clipper,  Ga- 
zette, German  Correspondent,  Wecker,  and  Sunday  Telegram  news- 
papers, had  their  buildings  draped  in  sombre  habiliments,  while  the 
flags  trimmed  with  mourning  floated  at  hulf-mast  from  each  of  the 
offices.  In  fact,  along  the  entire  extent  of  West  Baltimore  street  there 
were  but  few  buildings  which  had  no  emblem  of  grief.  Upon  the  re- 
ceipt of  the  news  of  the  murder  of  the  President,  all  the  military  in 
and  about  the  city  were  ready  at  a  moment's  notice  to  aid  in  the  sup- 
pression of  any  outbreak  that  might  be  agitated.  The  entire  police 
force  was  also  on  duty  ready  to  assist  the  military ;  but  happily 
the  city  assumed  a  remarkable  quietude.  The  remains  of  the 
martyred  President  arrived  here  at  half-past  ten  o'clock  on  tho 
morning  of  the  2l8t  of  April,  and  were  escorted  by  a  large  military 
and  civic  procession  to  the  rotunda  of  the  Exchange,  where  the 
coffin  was  opened,  and  at  least  ten  thousand  persons  viewed  the  re- 
mains during  the  two  hours  allotted.  In  the  afternoon  the  military 
again  escorted  the  body  to  the  depot,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the 
funeral  train  was  wending  its  way  to  Harrisburg,  Pa. 

The  ceremonies  of  laying  the  corner-stone  of  the  Wildey  Monu- 
ment on  North  Broadway  were  observed  on  Wednesda}^  afternoon, 
April  26th.  The  members  of  the  order,  without  regalia,  assembled 
at  their  hall  on  Gay  street,  and  marched  to  the  spot  where  the 
monument  was  to  be  erected,  reaching  the  place  at  half-past  three 
o'clock.  The  ceremonies  were  commenced  by  the  Kev.  Dr. 
McCron,  Grand  Chaplain,  who  asked  the  Divine  blessing  upon  the 
proposed  monument.     The  Grand  Master  then  delivered  the  ora- 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  635 

tion,  closing  with  an  invitation  to  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Sire 
to  officiate  in  laying  the  stone. 

The  reception  of  the  Maryland  Brigade  (Federal)  on  the  6th 
of  June,  if  not  an  imposing  affair  as  regards  numbers,  was  an  ova- 
tion in  spirit  that  will  not  soon  be  forgotten  by  those  who  witnessed 
and  participated  in  it.  Gov.  Bradford  welcomed  home  the  soldiers 
in  an  eloquent  speech,  in  front  of  the  stand  at  the  mansion,  Druid 
Hill  Park.  The  Maryland  Brigade  was  under  command  of  Brig. 
Gen.  A.  VV.  Denison,  and  consisted  of  the  fourth,  seventh,  eighth, 
and  eleventh  regiments.  The  First  Maryland  regiment  (Federal) 
was  welcomed  home  on  the  2d  of  July.  This  regiment  turned  out 
one  of  Maryland's  best  brigadier- generals  (John  R.  Kenly)  who 
was  afterwards  made  major-general  of  volunteers.  The  Third 
Maryland  regiment  infantry  arrived  home  on  the  2d  of  August. 
The  First  Maryland  Cavalry  regiment  arrived  home  on  the  3d  ol 
July.  The  Fifth  regiment  Maryland  infantry  arrived  home  on  the 
3d  of  September. 


1861.  Although  our  history  of  Baltimore  endeavors  in  itg 
general  plan  to  set  forth  facts  in  strict  chronological  sequence,  we 
are  in  some  instances  obliged  to  deviate  from  this  course,  in  order 
properly  to  illustrate  certain  remarkable  scenes  and  occurrences. 
Such  is  the  case  now,  in  dealing  with  the  unhappy  civil  war  which 
for  four  long  and  anxious  years  involved  our  whole  country  in 
arms  and  had  its  marked  effect  on  our  beloved  city.  In  this  chapter 
therefore  we  endeavor,  in  the  first  place,  to  give  a  faithful  pic- 
ture of  those  stirring  scenes  of  which  Baltimore  was  the  theatre 
during  the  war ;  and,  in  the  next  place,  to  record  impartially 
those  deeds  of  valor  done  in  the  field,  alike  by  Union  and  Con- 
federate soldiers,  the  sons  of  Maryland.  Without  partisan  bias, 
and  only  with  a  sincere  desire  to  do  justice  to  all,  we  write  their 
history.  Of  the  causes,  real  or  presumed,  which  led  to  the  memor- 
able contest  we  do  not  treat ;  our  province  is  simply  to  detail  the 
part  of  Baltimore  and  her  people  in  the  remarkable  events  of  that 
trying  period. 

In  the  course  of  our  narrative  we  are  occasionally  obliged  to 
reiterate  facts,  in  order  to  present  clear  and  impartial  statements 
of  events.  It  is,  therefore,  here  necessary  to  repeat  that  on  the  12th 
of  April  Fort  Sumter  was  attacked  by  the  Confederates,  and  on 
the  15th  of  that  month  the  first  decided  step  was  taken  toward 
offensive  efforts  on  the  part  of  the  United  States  Government 
against  the  rebellion.  On  that  day  the  proclamation  of  the  Presi- 
dent calling  for  75,000  militia  for  three  months'  service  to  aid  in 
suppressing  it  was  issued,  the  quota  of  the  State  of  Maryland  being 
fixed  at  four  regiments.  In  consequence  of  the  unsettled  condition 
of  the  affairs  in  the  State,  Governor  Hicks  did  not  comply  with  the 
provisions  of  the  aforesaid  call  until  the  14th  of  May,  when  he 


ff 

636  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

promulgated  his  proclamation  calling  "for  four  regiments  of  infantry 
or  riflemen  to  serve  for  a  period  of  three  months,  within  the  State 
of  Maryland,  or  for  the  defence  of  the  capital  of  the  United  States, 
and  not  to  senve  beyond  the  limits  aforesaid."  On  the  2d  day  of 
May  the  President  issued  another  proclamation  calling  for  42,034 
volunteers  to  serve  for  a  period  of  three  years,  and  in  consequence 
thereof  the  Government  declined  to  accept  any  more  troops  for 
three  months*  service  under  the  call  of  the  15th  of  April.  Con- 
sequently, the  tender  of  the  three  months'  men  from  the  State  of 
Maryland  was  not  accepted,  but  very  many  of  them  imrfiediately 
joined  companies  which  were  then  being  organized  for  three  years* 
service,  in  accordance  with  the  President's  second  proclamation, 
said  companies  subsequently  constituting  a  part  of  the  First 
regiment. 

On  the  6th  day  of  May  a  recruiting  office  for  three  years' 
volunteers  was  opened  at  No.  112  W.  Baltimore  Street,  by  John  C. 
McConnell.  The  response  to  the  call  for  recruits  was  met 
with  alacrity  and  enthusiasm  by  the  "loyal  Baltimoreans,"  so 
much  so  that  by  the  16th  inst.  the  organization  of  four  companies 
of  the  First  regiment  was  completed,  each  company  as  it  was  filled 
being  sent  to  the  old  National  Hotel  building  on  Camden  street 
for  quarters,  at  which  place  they  were  severally  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service,  and  designated  respectively  A,  B,  C,  and  J). 
Meanwhile,  recruiting  for  the  remaining  companies  was  being 
vigorously  pushed  forward  at  other  points  in  the  city  and  State, 
and  attended  everywhere  by  the  same  response,  so  that  by  the  27th 
inst.  the  organization  of  the  regiment  was  fully  completed,  and 
on  that  date  companies  F,  Gr,  H,  I,  and  K,  were  accepted  and 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  at  the  Eelay  House,  on 
the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad,  whither  all  the  companies  had 
previously  been  ordered  to  rendezvous.  Company  E  had  been 
previously  mustered  in  on  the  25th  inst. 

The  firtit  regular  encampment  was  located  at  the  Eelay  House, 
on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad,  and  was  named  "Camp 
Cooper,"  in  honor  of  Brigadier-General  James  Cooper,  then 
engaged  in  the  raising  of  a  brigade  of  Maryland  volunteers.  He 
was  appointed  the  first  brigadier-general  from  Maryland,  and 
subsequently  died  on  the  28th  of  May,  1863,  at  Columbus,  Ohio, 
aged  about  53  years.  The  regiment  remained  at  "  Camp  Cooper" 
for  a  brief  period,  and  then  removed  to  Baltimore  on  the  6th  of 
June,  where  it  went  into  camp  for  instruction  and  drill,  on  the 
grounds  familiarly  known  to  Baltimoreans  as  "Camp  Carroll." 
At  this  place  Colonel  John  E.  Kenly  assumed  command  of  the 
regiment,  having  been  appointed  by  President  Lincoln.  On  the 
7th  of  July  the  regiment  took  its  departure  from  Baltimore,  for 
active  service  in  the  field  near  Downsville,  Maryland,  where  they 
were  joined  on  the  16th  of  July  by  Col.  John  E.  Kenly.  This 
regiment  subsequently  bore  a  gallant  part  in  various  battles.    In 


CHKONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  637 

» 
the  memorable  action  of  a  later  period  at  Ball's  Bluff,  the  First 
Maryland  regiment  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and  Col, 
Kenly  in  his  report,  speaking  of  the  affair,  concludes  with  the 
remark  :  "  I  feel  it  to  be  a  duty  to  say  that  the  soldiers  of  the  First 
Maryland  regiment  of  infantry  saved  numbers  of  our  army  from 
destruction  or  capture.  I  am  very  proud  of  that  night's  work.'* 
The  First  Maryland  Confederate  regiment  was  organized  at 
Harper's  Ferry  in  June,  with  the  following  regimental  officers: 
Colonel  Arnold  Elzey,  Lieut.-Col.  George  H.  Steuart,  Major  Bradley 
T.  Johnson,  acting  Adjutant  Frank  X.  Ward.  The  regiment 
numbered  over  seven  hundred  men,  and  in  bravery  and  discipline 
was  second  to  none  in  the  Confederate  army.  Upon  the  evacua- 
tion of  Harper's  Ferry,  much  valuable  property  was  saved  through 
their  exertions,  which  would  have  been  otherwise  destroyed.  For 
their  services  upon  this  occasion,  Gen.  Joseph  B.  Johnson  issued 
the  following  complimentary  order : 

Headquarters,  "Winchester,  June  22d,  1861. 

Special  Order.  The  Commanding  General  thanks  Lieut.-Col. 
Steuart  and  the  Maryland  regiment  for  the  faithful  and  exact 
manner  in  which  they  carried  out  his  orders  of  the  19th  in^t.  at 
Harper's  Ferry.  He  is  glad  to  learn  that,  owing  to  their  discipline, 
no  private  property  was  injured  and  no  unoffending  citizen  dis- 
turbed. The  soldierly  qualities  of  the  Maryland  regiment  w^ill  not 
be  forgotten  in  the  day  of  action. 

By  order  of  Gen.  Jos.  E.  Johnson. 

W.  M.  Whiting,  Inspector  General. 

On  the  2l8t  of  July,  at  the  first  battle  of  Manassas,  the  Maryland 
Regiment  had  the  right  of  the  line  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Steuart,  Col.  Elzey  commanding  the  brigade.  The  Federals  held 
a  strong  position  on  a  ridge  difficult  of  ascent,  and  immediately  in 
front  of  a  dense  pine-thicket.  Col.  Elzey  ordered  a  "charge."  At 
the  command,  with  one  wild,  deafening  yell,  the  Confederates 
emerged  from  the  woods  where  they  were  formed,  and,  amidst  a 
perfect  storm  of  bullets,  the  gallant  soldiers  rushed  across  a  wheat 
field,  and  dashing  up  the  acclivity  with  an  impetuosity  which 
could  not  be  withstood,  drove  the  enemy  pell-mell  from  their  strong 
position  into  the  thicket  in  the  rear.  With  the  successful  charge 
of  Elzey  upon  their  right  flank  the  whole  of  the  Federal  army 
had  given  away,  and  was  rushing  terror-stricken  in  the  direction 
of  Washington.  AVhilst  pursuing  the  enemy,  Jefferson  Davis,  Gens. 
Johnston  and  Beauregard  rode  up  to  Col.  Elzey,  amid  the  joyful 
shouts  of  the  men,  and  the  former,  with  countenance  beaming 
with  excitement  and  enthusiasm,  seizing  him  by  the  hand  and 
giving  it  a  hearty  shake,  exclaimed:  "  General  Elzey,  you  are  the 
Slucher  of  the  day."     In  answer  to  a  letter  written  to  General 


638  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Beauregard  for  bis  personal  observations  of  tbe  Marylanders  wbo 
served  under  bis  command,  be  answered  as  follows : 

New  Orleans,  November  5th,  1873. 

Dear  Sir: — Your  favor  of  tbe  18th  ult.  was  received  hero 
during  my  absence.  I  had  no  Maryland  troops,  as  well  as  I  can 
now  recollect,  in  my  army  of  the  Potomac ;  but  at  the  battle  of 
tbe  first  Manassas,  the  1st  Maryland  liegiment,  Elzey's  Brigade, 
Kirby  Smith's  Division  Army  of  the  Shenandoah,  contributed 
greatly  to  the  success  of  that  battle  by  checking  the  flanking 
movement  of  tbe  Federals,  until  Early's  Brigade  could  get  into 
position  to  outflank  them  (see  my  report  of  the  Battle  of  Manassas.) 
The  officers  and  men  of  that  Maryland  regiment  behaved  with 
much  gallantry  on  that  occasion ;  and  afterwards,  while  on  duty 
in  front  of  Munson's  Hill  (near  Alexandria)  and  while  in  winter 
quarters  about  Centreville,  they  were  noted  for  their  discipline 
and  good  behavior.  Generals  Elzey  and  Steuart  subsequently  at- 
tained high  distinction  as  Confederate  officers. 

I  remain  yours  very  truly,        G.  T.  Beauregard. 

Mr.  J.  Thomas  Scharf,  Baltimore^  Md. 

In  answer  to  a  letter  for  tbe  same  object,  Mr.  Jefferson  Davis 
wrote  as  follows : 

"  Memphis,  August  28th,  1873. 

"  Col.  J.  Thomas  Scharf,  Baltimore,  Md.: 

"Dear  Sir: — Yours  of  the  22d  inst.  received,  and  I  am  glad  to 
know  that  you  are  about  to  make  a  durable  record  of  the  services 
of  the  Baltimoreans  in  the  great  struggle  for  the  assertion  of  State 
rights  and  the  preservation  of  constitutional  government.  Tbe 
world  will  accord  to  them  peculiar  credit,  as  it  has  always  done  to 
those  who  leave  their  hearthstones  to  fight  for  principle  in  the 
land  of  others.  I  am  glad  that  your  old  commander,  so  distin- 
guished for  skill  and  gallantry,  survives  to  bear  testimony  to  the 
individual  merit  of  the  members  of  his  company.  Wishing  you 
long  life,  prosperity,  and  happiness, 

"  I  remain  very  respectfully  and  truly  yours, 

"Jefferson  Davis.'* 

1862.  Never  in  his  previous  or  subsequent  campaigns  did  "  Stone- 
wall" Jackson's  military  genius  and  daring  show  to  greater  advan- 
tage than  in  the  spring  of  1862,  in  the  Valley  of  Virginia.  In  less 
than  six  weeks  he  had  beaten  tbe  army  of  Milroy,  destroyed  that 
of  Banks,  baffled  that  of  Fremont,  and  annihilated  that  of  Shields, 
and  all  with  less  than  twelve  thousand  men  ;  besides  capturing 
millions  of  dollars'  worth  of  stores,  &c.  From  General  Ewell's  of- 
ficial report  of  the  Valley  campaign,  we  take  the  following  highly 
complimentary  extract :  "  The  history  of  the  Maryland  regiment, 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE.  '  639 

gallantly  commanded  by  Col.  Bradley  T.  Johnson  during  the  cam- 
paign of  the  Valley,  would  be  the  history  of  every  action  from 
Front  Royal  to  Cross  Keys.  On  the  6th  (June),  near  Harrisonburg, 
the  Fifty-Eighth  Virginia  Regiment  was  engaged  with  the  Penn- 
sylvania *  Bucktails,'  the  fighting  being  close  and  bloody.  Colonel 
Johnson  came  up  with  his  regiment  in  the  hottest  period,  and  by 
a  dashing  charge  in  flank  drove  the  enemy  off  with  a  heavy  loss, 
capturing  Lieut.-Col.  Kane  commanding.  In  commemoration  of 
this  gallant  conduct  I  ordered  one  of  the  captured  *  Bucktails '  to  bo 
appended  as  a  trophy  to  their  flag.  The  action  is  worthy  of  ac- 
knowledgment from  a  higher  source,  more  particularly  as  they 
avenged  the  death  of  the  gallant  General  Ashby,  who  fell  at  the 
same  time.  Four  color-bearers  were  shot  down  in  succession,  but 
each  time  the  colors  were  caught  before  reaching  the  ground,  and 
were  finally  borne  by  Corporal  Daniel  Shanks  to  the  close  of  the 
action.  On  the  8th  instant  (June),  at  Cross  Keys,  they  were  op- 
posed to  three  of  the  enemy's  regiments  in  succession."  General 
Jackson  also,  in  his  official  report  of  the  Valley  campaign,  thus 
speaks  of  the  First  Maryland's  participation  in  the  battle  of 
Harrisonburg:  "Apprehending  that  the  Federals  would  make  a 
more  sei-ious  attack,  Ashby  called  for  an  infantry  support.  The 
brigade  of  General  George  H.  Steuart  was  accordingly  ordered  for- 
ward. In  a  short  time  the  Fifty-Eighth  Virginia  Regiment  became 
engaged  with  a  Pennsylvania  regiment  called  the  Bucktails,  when 
Colonel  Johnson  of  the  First  Maryland  Regiment  coming  up  in  the 
hottest  period  of  the  fire,  charged  gallantly  into  its  flank,  and 
drove  the  enemy  with  heavy  loss  from  the  field,  capturing  Lieut.- 
Col.  Kane  commanding."  At  Gaines'  Mills,  in  the  seven  days' 
battles  around  Richmond,  a  historian  of  the  war  says :  "  Taking 
advantage  of  a  rise  in  the  ground,  he  (Col.  Johnson)  halted  the 
men  under  its  shelter,  and  ordered  them  (the  1st  Maryland  Con- 
federate Regiment)  to  rest  preparatory  to  making  the  desperate 
assault.  Scarcely  had  the  command  been  given  when  Captain 
McHenry  Howard,  of  General  Charles  Winder's  staff,  galloped  up 
with  orders  to  remain  where  we  were  until  that  General  could 
overtake  us  with  the  Stonewall  Brigade.  *  The  General  has  ob- 
served your  movements,  sir,  and  thinks  the  place  too  strong  for  you  ; 
we  will,  therefore,  charge  together.'  In  a  few  moments  Jackson's 
favorite  brigade  was  with  us.  At  the  command  of  General  Winder 
we  moved  forward  with  irresistible  impulse,  and  scrambling  over 
the  enemy's  breastwork  of  knapsacks,  we  swept  everything  be- 
fore us.  The  last  charge  had  been  made  and  the  last  battery  cap- 
tured at  Gaines'  Mills,  and  the  right  of  McClellan's  army  was  seek- 
ing safety  in  flight."  On  the  17th  of  August,  the  First  Maryland 
Confederate  Regiment  was  disbanded,  their  term  of  enlistment 
having  expired.  In  the  autumn  of  1862,  the  First  Maryland  Bat- 
talion of  Infantry  was  organized,  and  perfected  a  short  time  after- 
wards by  the  election  of  the  following  battalion  officers:  Lieuten- 


640  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

ant-Colonel,  James  K.  Herbert  j  Major,  W.  W.  Goldsborough  ;  Act- 
ing Adjutant,  Lieutenant  George  Thomas ;  Quartermaster,  Major 
James  Hardin;  Commissary,  JohnE.  Howard;  Surgeon,  De  Wilton 
Snowden. 

Col.  John  E.  Kenly  was  promoted  as  brigadier-general  of  the 
United  States  Volunteers  August  22d,  1862,  "  for  gallant  conduct 
at  the  battle  of  Front  Eoyal,"  and  on  the  6th  of  September  he 
was  ordered  by  Major-General  Halleck  "  to  organize  and  command 
a  brigade  of  new  troops."  Two  days  thereafter,  the  8th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1863,  General  Kenly  assumed  command  of  the  "  Mary- 
land Brigade,"  in  accordance  with  the  following  orders  : 

"  Headquarters  Eighth  Army  Corps^ 
"  Baltimore,  Sept.  Sth^  1862. 
*^  General  Orders  No.  36  : 

"  The  First,  Fourth,  Sixth,  Seventh,  and  Eighth  regiments  of 
Maryland  Volunteers,  now  in  process  of  formation  near  this  city, 
together  with  Captain  Alexander's  battery  Baltimore  light  artil- 
lery, are  hereby  placed  under  the  command  of  Brigadier-General 
John  R.  Kenly,  tjnited  States  Volunteers.  When  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  above-named  regiments  shall  be  completed,  they  will 
constitute  a  brigade,  still  to  be  commanded  by  Brigadier-General 
Kenly  until  further  orders. 

"  By  command  of  Major-General  Wool, 

"  William  D.  Whipple,  Assistant  Adjt.-  Gen." 

1863.  At  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  Ist  'and  4th,  the  1st 
Maryland  battalion  of  Confederate  infantry  fought  desperately  at 
"  Culp's  Hill "  ;  only  two  hundred  reported  after  the  battle,  out  of 
five  hundred  who  went  into  the  fight.  The  following  account  of 
the  part  taken  by  the  Ist  Maryland  Confederate  artillery  in  the 
battle  of  Chancellorsville  appeared  in  the  Eichmond  Dispatch  : 
"First  Maryland  Artillery. —  This  well-known  corps,  com- 
manded by  Captain  William  F.  Dement,  formerly  E.  Snowden  An- 
drews, defended  an  important  position  on  the  right  of  Marye's 
Hill  on  Sunday  morning  [May  3d],  and  did  such  service  as  to 
elicit  the  especial  notice  and  commendation  of  Major-General 
Early."  Lieutenant-General  Eichard  S.  Ewell,  in  his  ofifcial  re- 
port of  operations  of  the  Second  Army  Corps,  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia,  in  the  Confederate  States,  forwarded  late  in  1863  to  the 
Confederate  authorities,  thus  speaks  of  the  Marylanders  who 
eerved  in  his  command  in  the  summer  of  1863 :  "At  Winchester 
the  Maryland  battalion  was  attached  to  Gen.  Stuart's  brigade,  and 
the  Baltimore  light  artillery  to  Col.  Brown's  battalion,  with  which 
they  served  with  their  usual  gallantry  throughout  the  campaign." 
Col.  Andrews,  a  gallant  officer  from  Baltimore,  Lieutenant-General 
Ewell  mentions  on  several  occasions  in  his  report,  but  in  one  in- 


CHBONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE.  641 

Stance  as  follovrs  :  "  Lieut.-Col.  Andrews  of  the  artillery,  not  fully- 
recovered  from  his  serious  wound  at  Cedar  Eun,  was  again 
wounded  at  Winchester,  and  while  suffering  from  his  wounds  ap- 
peared on  the  field  at  Hagerstown  and  reported  for  duty."  At 
Winchester  "  Lieut.  Charles  S.  Contee's  section  of  Dement's  [First 
Maryland]  battery  was  placed  in  short  musket-range  of  the  enemy 
on  the  15th  of  June,  and  maintained  its  position  till  thirteen  of 
the  sixteen  men  in  the  two  detachments  were  killed  or  wounded, 
when  Lieut.  John  A.  Morgan,  of  the  1st  North  Carolina  regiment, 
and  Lieut.  R.  H.  McKim,  A.  D.  C.  to  Brigadier-General  George  H. 
Stuart,  volunteered  and  helped  to  work  the  guns  till  the  surrender 
of  the  enemy.  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  gallant  men 
belonging  to  the  section :  Lieut.  C.  S.  Contee,  A.  J.  Albert.  Jr., 
John  Kester,  William  Hill,  B.   W.  Owens,  John  Glascock,  John 

Harris,    William  Wooden,   C.  C.   Pease,   Frederick   Frayer,   

Duvall,  William  Compton,  John  Yates,  William  Brown,  William 
H.  Gorman,  Thomas  Moore,  Robert  B.  Chew.  Colonel  Brown, 
chief  of  artillery,  recommends  Lieut.  Contee  for  promotion  to 
the  captaincy  of  the  Chesapeake  (Marj^land)  artillery,  vice  Capt. 
W.  D.  Brown,  a  most  gallant  and  valuable  officer,  killed  at  Gettys- 
burg." Gen.  Ewell,  also  in  his  report,  expresses  his  thanks  to  the 
officers  of  his  staff  for  their  distinguished  gallantry  and  valuable 
services  during  the  campaign,  and  among  whom,  in  this  connection, 
he  mentions  Lieut,  ^lliott  Johnson,  of  Baltimore.  Major-General 
Early,  in  his  official  report  of  the  battles  around  Winchester,  also 
said :  "  I  must  also  commend  the  gallantry  of  Lieut.-Col.  Herbert 
and  Major  Goldsborough,  of  the  Maryland  Line,  and  their  troops." 
1864.  At  the  battle  of  Reams'  St^ition,  on  the  Weldon  railroad, 
on  the  19th  of  August,  the  second  Maryland  Confederate  infantry 
again  proved  of  what  material  it  was  made.  A  historian  of  the 
war  says:  "Disdaining  to  retreat  without  the  command,  when 
all  others  were  seeking  safety  in  flight  they  stood  to  their  post  to 
the  last.  Again  and  again  Avere  they  assaulted,  but  again  and 
again  they  drove  their  assailants  back  with  heavy  loss.  At  length 
in  overwhelming  numbers  the  enemy  came  upon  them  and  reached 
the  breastworks.  But  there  that  little  band  remained  for  a  time 
as  firm  as  the  rock  of  Gibraltar.  But  the  enemy  crossed  the 
breastworks,  and  the  struggle  was  hand  to  hand.  Desperately 
the  bayonet  was  thrust,  and  the  butts  of  muskets  crashed  through 
human  skulls.  But  this  unequal  struggle  could  not  be  of  long 
duration,  and  surrounded  and  overwhelmed,  the  survivors  sought 
to  fight  their  way  out.  Many  succeeded,  but  one-third  of  that 
gallant  band  lay  dead  and  wounded,  or  were  prisoners  in  the  hands 
of  the  foe."  On  the  30th  of  September,  at  the  battle  of  Pegi-am's 
farm,  the  second  Maryland  Confederate  infantry  took  a  conspicu- 
ous part  in  that  desperate  engagement,  but.  losing  fearfully  in 
killed  and  wounded.  Out  of  one  hundred  and  forty-nine  men  that 
went  into  the  fight,  forty-three  were  killed  and  wounded.  On  the 
41 


642  CHEONICLES  OF   BALTIMOEE. 

next  day,  October  Ist,  they  again  encountered  the  enemy  on  the 
Squirrel  Level  road,  and  repulsed  them  after  a  sharp  engagement, 
with  severe  loss.  For  a  long  while  after  the  battle  of  Squirrel 
Level  road,  the  Second  Maryland  remained  in  the  trenches,  or 
were  engaged  in  picketing  along  their  front.  It  had  been  reduced 
to  about  one  hundred  men,  and  still  these  men  were  compelled  to 
do  the  duty  of  a  battalion.  So  numerous  were  the  desertions  in 
the  brigade  to  which  they  belonged  that  it  at  last  became  neces- 
sary to  keep  the  Marylanders  almost  constantly  on  picket,  for  as 
sure  as  this  duty  was  entrusted  to  other  troops  just  so  sure  were 
they  to  find  deserted  posts  in  the  morning.  And  still  these  brave 
men  never  complained  of  what  was  imposed  upon  them.  Through- 
out that  dreary  fall  and  the  long  cold  winter,  nearly  naked  and 
hardly  half-fed,  they  silently  did  their  duty,  whilst  thousands  were 
proving  recreant  to  the  cause.  Elegant  and  refined  gentlemen, 
who  at  home  never  knew  what  it  was  to  want  for  a  single  com- 
fort, were  in  rags  and  tatters,  sleeping  in  mud  and  filth  ;  and  when 
the  bleak  winds  of  December  pierced  man^^  a  rent  in  their  wretched 
garments,  they  only  drew  their  sorry  blanket  the  closer  around 
their  gaunt  and  shivering  limbs,  and  cheerfully  responded  to  the 
call  for  any  duty.  Was  it  a  wonder,  then,  that  after  the  battle  of 
Cold  Harbor  General  Breckenridge  should  have  exclaimed,  "  What 
could  not  be  done  with  a  hundred  thousand  such  men  I  "  General 
Breckenridge,  it  is  well  known,  had  occupied  most  conspicuous 
positions  in  the  civil  service  of  the  country' before  the  war;  he 
was  an  eminent  member  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  had  been 
Vice-president  of  the  United  States.  Having  requested  Major- 
General  John  C.  Breckenridge  to  favor  us  with  his  views  regard- 
ing the  services  of  the  1st  Maryland  battalion  of  Confederate  in- 
fantry in  the  battle  of  "  Cold  Harbor,"  he  very  kindly  answered 
as  follows : 

"  Lexington,  Ky.,  January  Qth,  1874. 
"My  dear  Sir: — Since  September  last  I  have,  until  very  recently, 
been  hindered  by  sickness  from  attending  to  my  correspondence, 
and  I  oflfer  this  as  an  apology  for  the  delay  in  not  answering  your 
letter  of  November  30th,  1873.  You  desire  me  to  tell  you  some- 
thing of  a  Maryland  regiment  that  was  in  my  command  toward 
the  close  of  the  war,  with  a  view  to  use  the  information  in  your 
proposed  '  History  of  Baltimore.'  When  I  crossed  over  from  the 
Shenandoah  Valley  in  May,  1864,  and  joined  Gen.  Lee  on  the  North 
Anna,  near  Hanover  Junction,  a  battalion  of  Maryland  infantry 
was  sent  to  me,  and  it  remained  under  my  command  until  I  re- 
turned to  the  Valley  in  the  following  month.  It  had  seen  rough 
service,  and  I  think  all  the  field  ofiicers  were  absent  from  disabling 
wounds.  While  with  me  it  was  commanded  by  Capt.  Crane.  I 
had  occasion  to  observe  this  battalion  along  the  North  Anna,  on 
the  Sotopotomy,  and  in  a  series  of  other  engagements  of  greater  or 
less  importance,  ending  with  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor  early  in 


CHEONIOLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  643 

June,  and  I  take  pleasure  in  saying  that  its  conduct  throughout 
was  not  merely  creditable,  but  distinguished.  Not  being  incor- 
porated into  any  brigade,  it  came  more  frequently  under  my 
eye,  and  I  presently  fell  into  the  habit  of  holding  it  in  hand  for 
occasions  of  special  need,  For  an  instance,  at  Cold  Harbor,  where 
a  point  in  my  line  was  very  weak,  and  was  actually  broken  for  a 
time  by  Gen.  Hancock's  troops,  the  Maryland  battalion  and  Fin- 
negan's  Florida  brigade  (the  latter  borrowed  from  Gen.  Hoke  for 
the  occasion)  aided  decisively  to  restore  the  situation,  and  be- 
haved with  the  greatest  intrepidity.  During  their  brief  service 
with  me  1  was  every  way  favorably  impressed  by  those  Mary- 
landers.  Not  in  courage  only,  but  also  in  discipline,  tone,  and  all 
Boldierly  qualities  they  were  quite  equal  to  any  troops  I  saw  during 
the  war.  After  my  return  to  the  Yaliey  I  did  not  see  them  any 
more,  yet  I  never  think  of  them  but  with  admiration  and  affec- 
tion. Some  Maryland  cavalry  and  artillery  under  the  command 
of  Col.  (afterwards  Brigadier-General)  Bradley  Johnson  reported 
to  me  for  a  few  days  after  my  arrival  at  Hanover  Junction.  They 
seemed  to  be  fine  troops  and  well  instructed,  but  I  cannot  speak 
of  them  more  particularly. 

"  With  good  wishes,  I  am  yours  truly, 

"John  C.  Breckenridge. 
"  Col.  J.  Thomas  Scharp,  Baltimore,  Md." 


The  following  is  what  "  a  Virginian  "  says,  in  the  Eichmond 
Sentinel,  of  the  part  taken  by  the  Marylanders  in  the  sanguinary 
battle  of  Cold  Harbor : 

"  Near  Eichmond,  June  Qth,  1864. 

*^Mr.  Editor : — The  public  have  already  been  informed,  through 
the  columns  of  the  public  journals,  of  the  great  results  of  the  late 
engagements  between  the  forces  of  General  Lee  and  Gen.  Grant 
But  they  have  not  yet  learned  the  particulars,  which  are  always 
most  interesting,  and  in  some  instances,  owing  to  the  confusion 
which  generally  attends  large  battles,  they  have  been  misinformed 
on  some  points.  It  is  now  known  by  the  public  that  the  enemy 
were  momentarily  successful  in  one  of  their  assaults  on  the  lines 
held  by  Major-General  Breckenridge's  division,  which  might  have 
resulted  in  disaster  to  our  cause.  It  will  be  interesting  to  all  to 
know  what  turned  disaster  into  victory,  and  converted  a  trium- 
phant column  into  a  flying  rabble.  The  successful  assault  of  the 
enemy  was  made  under  cover  of  darkness,  before  the  morning 
star  had  been  hid  by  the  light  of  the  sun.  They  came  gallantly 
forward  in  spite  of  a  severe  fire  from  General  Echols'  brigade,  and 
in  spite  of  the  loss  of  many  of  their  men,  who  fell  like  autumn 
leaves,  until  the  ground  was  almost  blue  and  red  with  their  uni- 
forms and  their  blood.  They  rushed  in  heavy  mass  over  our 
breastworks.     Our  men,  confused  by  the  suddenness  of  the  charge, 


644  CHBONICLES   OF   BALTIMOEE. 

and  borne  down  by  the  rush  of  the  enemy,  retreated,  and  all  now 
seemed  to  be  lost.  At  this  juncture  the  Second  Maryland  Infantry, 
of  Col.  Bradley  T.  Johnson's  command,  now  in  charge  of  Captain 
J.  P.  Crane,  were  roused  from  their  sleep.  Springing  to  their 
arms  they  formed  in  a  moment,  and  rushing  gallantly  forward, 
poured  a  deadly  fire  into  the  enemy  and  then  charged  bayonets. 
The  enemy  were,  in  turn,  surprised  at  the  suddenness  and  vim  of 
this  assault.  They  gave  back,  they  became  confused,  and  General 
Finnegan's  forces  coming  up,  they  took  to  flight ;  but  not  until 
nearly  a  hundred  men  were  stretched  on  the  plain,  from  the  fire 
of  the  Second  Maryland  Infantry,  and  many  others  captured. 
Lieutenant  Charles  B.  Wise,  of  Company  B,  now  took  possession 
of  the  guns,  which  had  been  abandoned  by  our  forces,  and  with 
the  assistance  of  some  of  his  own  men  and  some  of  Gen.  Finnegan's 
command,  poured  a  deadly  fire  into  the  retreating  column  of  the 
enemy.  Thus  was  the  tide  of  battle  turned,  and  this  disaster 
converted  into  a  success.  1  am  informed  that  the  whole  force  of 
the  enemy  which  came  within  our  lines  would  have  been  captured, 
had  it  not  been  for  the  mistake  of  an  officer  who  took  the  enemy 
for  our  own  men  and  thus  checked  for  a  few  moments  the  charge 
of  the  Second  Maryland  Infantry.  1  take  pleasure  in  narrating 
these  deeds  of  our  Maryland  brethren,  and  doubt  not  you  will  join 
in  the  feeling.  A  Virginian." 

The  consolidation  of  the  Federal  army  of  the  Potomac  into 
three  corps  instead  of  five  was  ordered  on  the  23d  day  of  March, 
when  the  Maryland  brigade  became  the  Third  Brigade,  Second  Di- 
vision, Fifth  Army  Corps.  Brigadier-General  John  C.  Eobinson 
was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  division,  and  Major-General 
G.  K.  Warren  to  the  corps.  The  consolidation  of  the  army  neces- 
sitated the  removal  of  several  valuable  general  officers  to  other 
fields  of  duty,  among  whom  was  General  Kenly,  a  soldier  and  a 
gentleman  whose  departure  was  sincerely  regretted  by  the  troops 
under  his  command.  General  Kenly  was  assigned  to  the  command 
of  a  military  district  in  the  Middle  Department,  and  on  the  eve  of 
his  departure  issued  a  farewell  address,  expressing  his  heartfelt 
regret  at  the  separation  and  the  kind  feelings  which  he  entertained 
for  all  of  his  command.  The  following  complimentary  address  was 
signed  by  all  the  officers  of  his  command,  and  presented  to  General 
Kenly  on  the  day  of  its  date; 

"  Culpepper  Court-House,  Yirginia,  March  2^th,  1864. 

"  Brigadier-General  John  E.  Kenly : 

"Sir: — The  undersigned  officers,  commanding  regiments,  and 
others  in  the  first  and  second  brigades,  comprising  the  third  divi- 
sion, first  army  corps,  army  of  the  Potomac,  cannot  part  with  you, 
our  late  division  commander,  without  first  conveying  to  you  the 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  645 

assurance  of  the  friendship,  regard,  and  respect  for  you  as  a  soldier 
and  a  gentleman,  in  the  full  comprehension  of  these  terms,  enter- 
tained for  you  by  us,  and  by  the  officers  and  men  of  our  several 
commands.  The  experiences  and  intercourse  of  more  than  eight 
months  of  active  service  in  the  field,  furnishing  an  unerring  test  of 
competence  and  character,  of  courage  and  capacity,  unite  in  im- 
pressing upon  us  a  feeling  of  sincere  regret  at  parting  with  you, 
the  desire  to  retain  a  place  in  your  memory,  and  the  cordial  prayer 
that  your  life  and  health  may  be  spared,  and  your  labors  in  the 
new  field  of  duty  to  which  you  are  to  be  transferred  be  crowned 
with  eminent  usefulness  and  success.  With  the  hope  of  again  re- 
newing with  you.  General,  an  acquaintance  to  us  so  agreeable  and 
profitable,  we  bid  you  a  sincere  and  affectionate  adieu." 

At  the  battle  of  the  Weldon  Eailroad  on  the  18th  of  August, 
the  Maryland  brigade  U.  S.  A.  suffered  severely.  "  Every  member 
of  the  First  Maryland's  color-guard,  including  the  color-bearers, 
received  severe  wounds  in  the  engagement.  When  the  first  color- 
bearer  was  struck,  a  second  one  seized  the  flag,  but  he  too  quickly 
fell;  another  and  another  grasped  the  standard,  until  seven  had 
been  shot  down,  when  Lieutenant  William  Taylor  took  the  banner 
and  carried  it  until  relieved  by  a  newly-appointed  bearer."  The 
gallant  Colonel  Wilson,  subsequently  speaking  of  this  affair,  said: 
"At  no  time  in  my  life  could  I  have  shed  tears  more  freely  than 
when  I  saw  the  men  fall  around  my  colors  as  fast  as  I  could  count 
one,  two,  and  three." 

At  the  battle  known  as  "  Dabney's  Mill,"  fought  on  the  6th  of 
February  near  Hatcher's  Run,  the  Maryland  Brigade  TJ.  S.  A.  again 
distinguished  itself  by  that  conspicuous  gallantry  which  it  had 
displayed  on  many  hard-fought  battle-fields.  A  correspondent  of 
the  Baltimore  American^  detailing  the  part  taken  by  the  Maryland 
brigade,  says :  "  The  brigades  under  command  of  Col.  Bowerman 
advanced  in  column  on  the  left,  and  in  support  of  the  Third 
Division,  Fifth  Corps,  until  some  troops  on  the  right  became 
engaged  with  the  enemy,  when  we  formed  in  line  and  advanced. 
Our  advance  soon  became  engaged,  when  a  charge  was  ordered, 
and  executed  with  a  will  and  loud  cheering.  The  enemy  could  not 
stand  the  terrible  and  galling  fire,  but  commenced  a  precipitate 
retreat,  well  followed  up  by  the  Maryland  brigade.  After  charging 
for  a  considerable  distance, 'we  came  upon  his  main  line,  where  a 
general  engagement  ensued  which  lasted  two  hours  and  forty 
minutes,  during  which  time  we  fired  away  every  round  of  ammu- 
nition on  the  persons  of  the  troops.  The  coolness  and  daring  of 
the  officers  and  men  were  universal  themes  of  conversation  and 
applause.  The  brigade  was  complimented  for  the  stubborn  resist- 
ance it  offered  when  attacked,  and  its  dashing  energy  when 
charging.  Colonel  Wilson  was  killed  while  gallantly  leading  his 
regiment.  The  brigade  has  certainly  added  incorruptible  laurels 
to  its  well-established  fame."    A  few  days  afterward,  Gen.  Meade 


646  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

in  general  orders  granted  furloughs  for  twenty-five  days  to  a  large 
number  of  enlisted  men  which  he  named,  in  recognition  of  the 
gallantry  and  good  conduct  which  they  displayed  in  this  action. 
On  the  27th  of  March  orders  were  issued  for  a  grand  movement 
of  the  entire  Army  of  the  Potomac,  which,  at  this  time,  embraced 
every  available  man  within  its  geographical  limits  capable  of 
bearing  arms.  The  next  day  was  devoted  to  preparations  for  the 
great  event,  which  culminated  in  the  capitulation  of  the  whole 
Confederate  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  under  command  of  Gen. 
Eobert  E.  Lee,  and  virtually  ended  the  war.  The  Maryland 
brigade  participated  in  all  the  great  battles  up  to  the  time  of  this 
great  event,  and  none  displayed  more  gallantry.  The  following 
letter  was  written  by  General  Grant  for  the  object  mentioned 
therein  : 

"  Headquarters  Armies  of  the  United  States, 
"  Washington,  D.  C,  July  22d,  1865. 

"  To  Corporal  Jacob  E.  Tucker, 

"  Comfy  G.,  Fourth  Regiment  Md.  Volunteer  Infantry, 

"  Sir : — The  sum  of  four  hundred  and  sixty  dollars  was  sent  me 
by  patriotic  citizens  of  the  North,  to  be  given  as  a  reward  for 
gallantry  to  the  soldier  who  should  first  raise  the  United  States 
flag  over  Richmond.  As  Richmond  was  not  taken  by  assault,  I 
concluded  that  the  donors'  wishes  would  be  best  carried  out  by 
dividing  the  sum  between  the  three  soldiers  most  conspicuous  for 
gallantry  in  the  final  and  successful  assault  on  Petersburg.  Major- 
General  Charles  Griffin,  commanding  Fifth  Army  Corps,  has 
selected  you  as  entitled  to  this  honor,  in  behalf  of  that  command, 
and  I  herewith  transmit  to  you  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
three  dollars  and  thirty-three  cents  as  one-third  of  the  original 
sum.  It  aifords  me  great  pleasure  to  receive  from  your  command- 
ing general  such  unqualified  testimony  of  your  gallantry  and 
heroism  in  battle,  and  to  bo  the  medium  of  transmitting  to  you 
this  recognition  of  the  worth  of  your  services  in  defence  of  our 
common  country.  U.  S.  Grant,  Lieut- General. 

''  T.  S.  Bowers,  Ass't  Adjutant- General," 

Extracts  from  a  letter  of  Major-General  G.  K.  Warren,  dated 
April  24th,  1866,  to  the  Adjutant-General  United  States  Army, 
recommending  certain  officers  of  the  Maryland  brigade  for  breve^ 
appointments:  "The  following  survivors,  not  brevetted  since  the 
close  of  the  war,  are,  therefore,  respectfully  recommended  as 
worthy  of  that  honor:  .  .  .  Brevet  Brigadier-General  A.  W. 
Denison,  United  States  Volunteers,  commanding  Maryland  brigade, 
to  be  Major-General  of  Volunteers,  by  brevet,  for  gallant  conduct 
in  the  battle  of  White  Oak  Ridge,  M*arch  31st,  1865,  in  which  he 
was  wounded.  ...  In  the  foregoing  list  of  recommendations  for 
the  brevet  Major-General  of  volunteers  is  included  that  of  General 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  647 

Denison,  of  the  Maryland  brigade.  To  this  brigade  especial  honor 
is  due,  for  they  were  the  loyal  men  of  a  divided  community.  They 
had  thus  to  sacrifice  old"  personal  associations  and  interests,  and 
while  doing  Lheir  duty  at  the  front,  had  repeatedly  to  endure  the 
anxieties  of  having  their  homes  invaded  by  the  enemy.  They,  now 
that  the  war  is  over,  have  to  encounter,  socially,  sympathizers  and 
many  active  participants  of  the  rebellion,  and  they  should  be 
strengthened  in  every  proper  way  by  the  approval  of  the  Govern- 
ment that  they  have  so  faithfully  served.  It  would  seem  but  just 
that  the  most  liberal  views  attend  the  consideration  of  the  brevets 
for  this  brigade ;  but  their  record  is  one  that  speaks  for  them,  and 
in  a  way  they  may  well  be  proud  of.  I  will  give  a  brief  outline  of 
their  connection  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  They  first  joined 
it  just  after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  and  were  joined  to  the  First 
Corps.  On  its  consolidation  with  the  Fifth  Corps,  under  me,  their 
former  commander,  General  Kenly,  was  transferred  to  another 
army,  and  Col.  A.  W.  Denison,  of  the  Eighth  regiment,  was  left 
in  command.  The  brigade  was  composed  of  the  First,  Fourth, 
Seventh,  and  Eighth  regiments  of  Maryland  volunteers,  and  they 
were  placed  in  General  Eobinson's  division.  On  the  8th  of  May 
their  division  commander  was  wounded  ;  Colonel  Denison,  their 
brigade  commander,  was  wounded ;  and  Colonel  C.  E.  Phelps,  of 
the  Seventh  regiment,  next  in  command,  was  wounded ;  and  Col. 
Bowerman,  of  the  Fourth  regiment,  took  the  command,  which  he 
kept  till  May  19th,  when  the  arrival  of  Col.  Dushane,  of  the  First 
regiment,  placed  him  in  command.  Col.  Dushane  retained  this 
command  till  killed  in  battle,  August  21st,  on  the  Weldon  railroad. 
The  next  brigade  commander  was  Col.  Graham,  of  the  Purnell 
Legion,  whose  regiment  had  joined  on  the  30th  of  May.  On  the 
12th  of  October  Col.  Denison,  having  recovered,  with  the  loss  of 
an  arm,  for  which  be  was  brevetted  brigadier-general,  returned, 
and  again  took  command.  On  the  6th  of  February,  1865,  Colonel 
Wilson,  of  the  First  regiment,  was  killed  in  battle.  On  March  31st, 
1865,  General  Denison  was  again  wounded,  and  Colonel  Bowerman 
again  succeeded  to  the  command.  On  April  1st,  at  Five  Forks, 
Colonel  Bowerman  was  wounded,  and  the  command  fell  to  Colonel 
Stanton,  of  the  First  regiment.  This  brief  mention  of  the  loss  in 
higher  officers  gives  a  fair  representation  of  the  proportionate  loss 
and  suifering  of  the  brigade  in  battle  while  with  me.  I  therefore 
recommend,  besides  General  Denison  for  the  brevet  rank  of  Major- 
General  of  volunteers,  the  following  additional  ones:  Col.  Charles 
E.  Phelps,  Seventh  regiment  Maryland  volunteers,  to  be  brevet 
brigadier-general  of  volunteers,  for  gallant  conduct  in  battle.  May 
8th,  1864,  at  Spottsylvania;  Col.  D.  L.  Stanton,  First  regiment 
Maryland  volunteers,  to  be  brevet  brigadier-general  of  volunteers, 
for  gallant  conduct  in  battle  of  Five  Forks ;  Major  E.  M.  Mobley, 
who  in  much  of  the  campaign  of  1864  commanded  the  Seventh 


648  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOBE. 

regiment   Maryland  volunteers,   to   be  colonel  of  volunteers,  by 
brevet,  for  faithful  and  gallant  service.     "^ 

"  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
"  G.  K.  Warren,  former  Maj.-Gen.  Vols.,  comd'g  bth  Army  Corps:' 

Mr.  J.  "W.  Kirkley,  requesting  General  G.  K.  Warren  to  favor 
him,  lor  his  history  of  the  1st  Maryland  regiment,  TJ.  S.  Y.,  with  a 
statement  of  his  views  regarding  the  services  of  the  Maryland 
Brigade,  received  the  following  complimentary  reply  : 

''  Newport,  K.  I.,  October  26th,  1871. 

"  To  Mr.  J.  W.  Kirkley,  Washington,  D.  C. : 

"Dear  Sir: — I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  2l8t  instant,  re- 
questing me  to  prepare  a  statement,  such  as  I  *  may  know  the 
Maryland  Brigade  to  be  worthy  of,'  to  annex  to  your  historical 
record  of  those  troops.  Since  the  war  my  official  duties  as  an  en- 
gineer have  so  occupied  me  that  I  have  not  been  able  to  complete 
the  official  report  of  my  command's  achievements,  as  I  intend  to, 
and  am  always  hoping  to  get  the  time  to  do  soon.  The  events 
through  which  we  passed  made  a  lasting  impression  on  my  mind, 
and  it  would  take  a  book  to  tell  all  I  know  of  the  worth  of  the 
Maryland  Brigade.  I  am  very  glad  to  hear  that  you  are  makins^ 
one.  The  frequent  loss  of  commanding  officers  by  that  brigade  in 
the  campaigns  of  1864-'65  brought  it  particularly  to  my  attention, 
and  its  constancy  under  all  the  difficulties  and  hardships  made  me 
regard  it  with  affection  as  well  as  esteem.  As  a  part  of  the  combined 
First  and  Fifth  Army  Corps  it  will  always  share  in  the  common 
reputation  ;  and  this  was  a  corps  that  never  gave  ground  to  the 
enemy,  which  marched  and  fought  battles  in  every  month  but 
January  from  May,  1864,  to  May,  1865;  which  made  all  the  exten- 
sions of  the  line  of  the  Union  army  around  Petersburg  by  contests 
with  the  enemy  from  the  place  where  the  mine  was  sprung  in  the 
summer  of  1864  to  the  capture  of  his  extreme  right  on  the  White 
Oak  road,  at  Five  Forks,  on  April  1,  1865,  and  which  finally 
stretched  its  unflinching  lines  across  the  path  of-  retreat  of  the 
Army  of  Virginia  at  Appomattox.  It  should  hereafter  be  enough 
glory  for.any  man  to  say,  'I  bore  an  honorable  reputation  in  the 
Maryland  brigade.'  Yours  respectfully, 

"  G.  K.  Warren." 

From  a  letter  to  the  author  of  the  "  Chronicles,"  dated  the  5th 
of  October,  1873, we  extract  the  following:  "Those  who,  like  the 
Maryland  troops,  went  to  the  war  and  served  faithfully  to  the  end, 
need  no  commendation  from  me  or  any  one  else  to  set  off  against 
malicious  aspersion.  The  fact  of  the  service  will  survive  when 
words  of  prjiise  as  well  as  of  detraction  shall  all  have  been  for- 
gotten." 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE.  649 

On  the  29tli  of  September  the  Maj^or  and  City  Council  of  Balti- 
more presented  "to  Brevt.  Major-General  John  R.  Kenly,  U.  S.  Y., 
a  son  of  Marj'land,  for  distinguished  services  in  defence  of  the 
Union,  during  the  rebellion,"  a  magnificent  sword  and  belt.  The 
General  Assembly  on  the  5th  of  March,  1862,  resolved  "  That  with- 
out wishing  to  draw^any  invidious  distinction,  the  gratitude  of  the 
people  of  Maryland  is  eminently  due  to  Col.  John  R  Kenly,  of  the 
First  Maryland  Eegiment,  for  his  early,  prompt  and  distinguished 
services  in  the  cause  of  his  country." 

In  the  retreat  of  the  Confederate  army  under  Gen.  E.  E.  Lee, . 
across  Hatcher's  run  near  the  Boydton  plank  road,  the  Second 
Maryland  battalion  assisted  in  bringing  up  the  rear.  They  were 
then  under  the  command  of  Captain  John  W.  Torsch,  and  the  pri- 
vations they  endured  until  the  army  reached  Appomattox  Court- 
house are  too  well-known  to  repeat.  On  the  9th  of  April  they 
laid  down  their  arms  in  obedience  to  the  last  command  they 
were  ever  to  receive  from  their  beloved  Lee,  and  it  was  with  feel- 
ings not  easily  imagined.  As  an  organization  the  Second  Maryland 
Infantry  has  ceased  to  exist,  but  it  has  left  a  heritage  to  its 
posterity  and  to  its  State  of  which  they  may  be  justl}'  proud.  They 
surrendered  63  officers  and  men. 

We  will  here  add,  that  the  young  men  who  went  South  did  not 
organize  themselves  into  one  command,  for  there  were  batteries 
and  companies  of  infantry  and  cavalry  who  were  assigned  to  other 
commands  whose  States  were  accredited  with  their  services.  The 
books  of  the  Confederate  War  Department  contained  the  names  of 
over  twenty  thousand  Marylanders  in  the  service,  and  still  at  no 
time  could  they  be  organized  to  the  proportion  of  a  brigade,  much 
less  a  division.  One  great  reason  for  this  was  the  fact  that  they 
were  required  to  officer  companies,  regiments,  and  brigades  of 
troops  from  other  States,  for,  as  a  general  thing,  the  young  men 
from  Maryland  were  of  a  superior  order  intellectually,  who  were 
actuated  by  patriotism  alone,  and  not  driven  into  the  service  by 
the  conscript  officer,  or  influenced  by  mercenary  motives.  With 
the  infantry  already  spoken  of  there  was  also  in  the  Confederate 
service  a  battalion  of  cavalry  which  was  organized  at  Winchester 
on  the  25th  of  November  1862.  with  the  following  battalion  officers  : 
Major  Ridgely  Brown,  Adjutant  George  W.  Booth,  Quartermaster 
Ignatius  Dorsey,  Surgeon  W.ilmer  McKnew.  This  command 
fojught  gallantly  throughout  the  war,  the  commander  losing  his 
life,  and  gave  the  last  charge  and  struck  the  last  blow  for  the 
army  of  Virginia.  This  battle,  which  closed  the  record  of  the 
army  of  Virginia,  was  fought  on  the  9th  April,  on  the  Lynchburg 
road  while  the  articles  of  capitulation  were  being  prepared.  Thoy 
did  not  surrender,  but  escaped  to  Ljmchburg,  where  they  remained 
about  ten  days,  when  they  took  up  the  line  of  march  for  General 
Johnson's  army.  They  arrived  at  Cloverdale,  Botetourt  county, 
on  the  28th  day  of  April,  where  Colonel  Dorsey,  the  commanding 


650  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

/ 

officer,  received  the  following  very  complimentary  letter  from  Brig. 
General  Munford,  commanding  the  cavalry  division  : 

"  Cloverdale,  Botetourt  County,  Virginia, 
''April  28th,  1865. 

"  Lieut.-Col.  DoESEY,  commanding  First  Mai^^land  Cavalry : 

"  I  have  just  learned  from  Captain  Emack  that  your  gallant 
band  was  moving  up  the  Valley  in  response  to  my  call.  I  am 
deeply  pained  to  say  that  our  army  cannot  be  reached,  as  I  have 
learned  that  it  has  capitulated.  It  is  sad,  indeed,  to  think  that  our 
country  is  all  shrouded  in  gloom.  But  for  you  and  your  command 
there  is  the  consolation  of  having  faithfully  done  your  duty.  Three 
years  ago  the  chivalric  Brown  joined  my  old  regiment  with  twenty- 
three  Maryland  volunteers,  with  light  hearts  and  full  of  fight.  I 
Boon  learned  to  admire,  respect  and  love  them  for  all  those  qualities 
which  endear  soldiers  to  their  officers.  They  recruited  rapidly, 
and  as  they  increased  in  numbers,  so  did  their  reputation  and 
friends  increase,  and  they  were  soon  able  to  form  a  command  and 
take  a  position  of  their  own.  Need  1  say  when  I  see  that  position 
80  high  and  almost  alone  among  soldiers,  that  my  heart  swells  with 
pride  to  think  that  a  record  so  bright  and  glorious  is  in  some  part 
linked  with  mine?  Would  that  I  could  see  the  mothers  and  sisters 
of  every  member  of  your  battalion,  that  I  might  tell  them  how 
nobly  you  have  represented  your  State  and  maintained  our  cause. 
But  you  will  not  be  forgotten.  The  fame  you  have  won  will  be 
guarded  by  Virginia  with  all  the  pride  she  feels  in  her  own  true 
sons,  and  the  ties  which  have  linked  us  together  memory  will  pre- 
serve. You  who  struck  the  first  blow  in  Baltimore,  and  the  last  in 
Virginia,  have  done  all  that  could  be  asked  of  you ;  and  had  the 
rest  of  our  officers  and  men  adhered  to  our  cause  with  the  same 
devotion,  to-day  we  would  have  been  free  from  Yankee  thraldom. 
I  have  ordered  the  brigade  to  return  to  their  homes,  and  it  behooves 
us  now  to  separate.  With  my  warmest  wishes  for  your  welfare, 
and  a  hearty  God  bless  you,  I  bid  you  farewell. 

"  Thomas  T.  Munford, 
'' Brigadier- General  Commanding  Division" 

In  the  cavalry  service  of  the  Confederacy,  Maryland  was  largely 
represented  in  the  commands  of  Col.  Harry  Gilmor,  Col.  Mosby, 
Col.  McNeil  and  others.  The  First  Maryland  Artillery,  composed 
entirely  of  Marylanders,  had  no  superiors  and  few  equals  in  the 
Confederate  service.  This  company  was  organized  in  Kichmond, 
in  August,  1861,  with  the  following  officers:  K.  Snowden  Andrews, 
Captain ;  Wm.  F.  Dement,  1st  Lieutenant,  and  Charles  F.  Contee, 
2d  Lieutenant.  There  was  also  in  the  Confederate  artillery  service 
from  Maryland,  the  Chesapeake  Artillery  Company,  Captain  Wm. 
Brown,  and  the  Baltimore  Light  Artillery,  Captain  J.  B.  Brocken- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  651 

brough.  There  was  also  Captain  J.  Lyle  Clark's  battalion  of 
infantry.  General  Jubal  A.  Early,  in  his  memoir  of  the  last  year 
of  the  war,  speaking  of  the  privates  who  were  in  the  Confederate 
army,  says :  "  I  believe  that  the  world  has  never  produced  a  body 
of  men  superior  in  courage,  patriotism  and  endurance  to  the  pri- 
vate soldiers  of  the  Confederate  armies.  I  have  repeatedly  seen 
those  soldiers  submit  with  cheerfulness  to  privations  and  hardships 
which  would  appear  to  be  almost  incredible ;  and  the  wild  cheers 
of  our  brave  men  when  their  thin  lines  sent  back  opposing  hosts 
of  Federal  troops,  staggering,  reeling,  and  flying,  have  often  thrilled 
every  fibre  in  my  heart.  I  have  seen,  with  my  own  eyes,  ragged, 
barefooted,  and  hungry  Confederate  soldiers  perform  deeds  which 
if  performed  in  days  of  yore  by  mailed  warriors  in  glittering 
armor,  would  have  inspired  the  harp  of  the  minstrel  and  the  pen 
of  the  poet." 

The  following  secret  correspondence,  illustrating  the  condition 
of  affairs  in  Baltimore  and  Maryland,  is  published  as  a  contribu- 
tion to  the  materials  of  which  the  future  history  of  Maryland  is  to 
be  written.  The  endorsements  on  the  backs  of  letters,  as  well  as 
the  letters  themselves,  are  exact  copies  of  the  originals,  which  were 
captured  during  the  war  in  Frederick,  Md.,  when  that  place  was 
seized  by  the  Confederates.  They  were  written  to  Major-General 
Banks  of  the  U.  S.  A.,  by  the  parties  whose  names  are  attached. 

S.  M.  Felton  introducing  two  witnesses  against  Marshal  Kano  : 

"  Philadelphia,  Wilmington  and  Baltimore  E.  E.  Co., 
"Philadelphia,  Jwne  27tA,  1861. 
"O.  B.  Crossman: 

^^  Dear  Sir: — I  have  just  written  Major-General  N.  P.  Banks,  of 
Baltimore,  that  I  thought  I  could  furnish  him  some  positive  in- 
formation in  reference  to  Marshal  Kane.  I  wish  you  to  take 
McClennahan  with  you  and  go  and  see  Gen.  Banks,  and  state  to 
him  what  you  stated  to  me  this  morning,  and  have  McClennahan 
ready  to  make  his  affidavit  if  necessary.  Show  this  to  General 
Banks  in  order  that  he  may  know  that  they  act  at  my  request. 
"  Yours  truly,  S.  M.  Felton." 

'   Letter  from  Y.  L.  Gatchell,  near  Elkton,  Md.: 

"Near  Elkton,  Md.,  July  1st,  1861. 
"  M.  Genl.  N.  P.  Banks, 

"  Commanding  Departmt.  Annapolis 

"  Sir: — You  will  I  hope  excuse  me  for  thus  addressing  you,  my 
only  object  being  to  do  Good.  I  will  first  state  that  I  was  in  Vir- 
ginia in  the  wood  &  lumber  Buisiness  untill  24th  of  May.  after 
getting  all  my  men  out  except  4,  one  an  old  man  70  and  head  of  a 


652  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

family,  who  kept  our  Bourdinof-house,  2  Boys  17  &  18  Pressed  in 
the  army  and  one  in  jail  for  Expressing  views  favourable  to  the 
Administration,  I  left  for  home,  5  miles  above  Elkton,  leaving  my 
Property  mostly  in  Ya.  1  conclude  I  mite  aid  the  officers  some  in 
the  way  of  som  Information  which  I  hope  will  be  confidential  un- 
less it  is  absolutely  Nessary.  I  first  will  inform  you  that  a  Reg- 
ular line  of  travel  from  Baltimore  to  Northern  Neck,  Ya.,  is  car- 
ried on  by  a  Certain  Maj.  Davis,  who  lives  at  St.  Leonards,  3  miles 
above  leonardstown,  St.  Mary's  Co.  Md.  their  Dept.  was  McCon- 
key  &  Parr  in  Baltimore,  but  I  think  it  is  mooved  lately.  A  Lu- 
tenet  Blakwell,  of  Ya.,  on  the  Nomini  Eiver,  Runs  one  line  of  the 
Boats,  aided  by  Dr.  Mayo,  Massey,  J.  P.  Marden.  in  Ya.,  Coleagues 
is  old  Bob  Campbell,  owns  the  Building  No.  3  Wine  St.,  a  Mr. 
Wolf  Failed  at  the  Commission  Buisiness,  with  Mr.  Reip,  Tiner  on 
Baltimore  St.  the  office  in  the  watch-cleaning 

for  Dis  Guise,  this  old  Campbell  was  in  the  South  all  Spring,  he 
once  was  one  of  the  Nobility  of  Park  Eow  in  Baltimore.  I  was 
on  his  Farm  in  Ya.  in  the  wood  Buisiness ;  he  tried  to  get  me  hung 
for  an  easy  way  to  pay  debts,  or  the  Dept  he  owed  me.  he  is  a 
Naturelised  and  a  pergued  Irishman,  bin  concocting  scheemes  with 
J.  Mason  Campbell,  J.  C.  Brune  &  Co.  all  Winter  for  the  Over- 
throw of  the  Government,  a  Capt.  L.  Slemmer,  Cor.  Central  Av. 
&  Biddle  St.,  is  an  Inocent  fool  for  a  Cecessionist ;  throu  him  I  got 
word  of  the  Powder  in  Greenmont  Semetery.  a  Good  Careful 
hand  to  take  a  Glass  of  Red-Eye  with  him  can  Pump  him  so  as  to 
Find  out  where  there  is  1300  Pikes,  1700  Pistles,  some  20,000 
Rifles  sealed  up  in  the  sealing  of  houses  in  his  Yicinity.  a  Num- 
ber where  at  his  house  some  time  ago,  and  may  be  yet.  Capt. 
Slemmer,  with  J.  Whiting,  Pratt  st.,  near  Boley's  worf,  knows 
where  about  4000  Rifles  are.     Whiting  has  bin  the  Per- 

chaser,  as  it  suits  the  Hardware  line  of  Business.  A  line  of  smug- 
ling  is  carried  on  through  Kent  County,  on  this  Eastern  Shore, 
with  Arms  and  Ammunition,  a  J.  Frasier  and  Ed.  Miller,  of  a 
company  of  Rebles  who  Drill  at  Georgetown  —  Roads,  in  Kent 
County,  is  Prime  Reble  opperators.  I  probably  will  trouble  you 
to  much ;  you  1  hope  will  pardon  me  and  keepe  this  confidential, 
as  I  have  Barely  Escaped  a  Rope  or  a  Grapevine  End.  If  you 
wont  a  Pilot  for  Ya.,  I  am  on  hand  after  a  little;  will  go  for  the 
love  I  have  for  the  Union.  1  conveyed  some  information  through 
Capt.  Ricketts,  and  would  refer  you  to  Wm.  P.  Ewing,  Naval 
Agent,  at  Baltimore.  Respectfully  y/ours  in  haste, 

"  Y.  L.  Gatchell." 

Mrs.  Bonaparte  answered : 

"  Major-General  Banks,  Headquarters  Department  Annapolis : 

"Dear  General: — I  enclose  a  few  names  from  a  source  entirely 
reliable  in  every  respect.    I  have  been  waiting  to  add  some  others 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE.  653 

from  another  direction,  but  as  Mr.  Bonaparte  thinks  these  will 
answer  your  present  purpose,  I  beg  leave  to  submit  them  to  you 
exactly  as  I  received  them  yesterday  evening. 

"  Yours  very  truly,  S.  M.  Bonaparte. 

"Park  St.,  Monday,  July  1,  1861." 

Mr.  McJilton,  Surveyor  of  Baltimore,  against  employment  of 
Secessionisthjiu  office,  and  recommending  arrest  of  Edward  Walters, 
of  Baltimore  : 

"  CusTOM-HousE,  Surveyor's  Office, 
"Baltimore,  August  14, 1861. 

"  Maj.-Gen.  Banks,  U.  S.  A.,  Sandy  Hook,  Md,  : 

">Sir; — I  deem  it  to  be  my  duty  to  inform  you  that  Mr.  Edw. 
Walters,  of  the  house  of  Wm.  T.  Walters  &  Co.,  of  this  city,  says 
he  has  a  permanent  pass  from  Gen.  Cameron  to  Virginia  and  back. 
He  makes  a  trip  nearly  every  week,  via  the  Point  of  Kocks,  &c. 
He  is  one  of  our  'unqualified'  secessionists,  and  the  house  of 
which  he  is  a  member  is  one  of  the  most  notorious  as  advocating 
that  faith.  I  learn  also  that  Mr.  Norris  was  in  his  company  at 
the  time  of  his  (N.  ?)  arrest.  Mr.  Walters  will  start  for  Virginia 
in  a  few  days,  and  will  no  doubt  take  his  old  route.  Would  it  not 
be  well  to  have  Walters  searched,  for  he  is  after  no  good.  General 
Cameron  has  been  imposed  upon,  if  he  has  given  this  man  a  perma- 
nent pass.  I  will  see  Gen.  Dix  this  afternoon  and  state  these 
things  to  him,  and  it  may  be  he  will  interest  himself  at  this  end 
to  have  him  (Walters)  arrested,  and  compel  him  to  give  an  ac- 
count of  himself.  There  is  a  considerable  feeling  here  in  regard 
to  these  matters,  especially  so  in  reference  to  the  employment  of 
several  avowed  Secessionists  in  the  different  departments  here.  I 
am  resolved,  as  far  as  I  can,  to  have  these  things  corrected.  If 
the  Government  will  permit  its  officials  to  employ  its  enemies,  as  I 
know  they  are  doing  here,  it  will  take  a  very  strong  army  to  pro- 
tect the  loyal  citizens.  This  is  doing  us  immense  damage.  If  it 
were  otherwise,  the  Union  cause  would  increase  and  strengthen 
daily.     As  it  is,  I  regret  to  say,  it  is  waning. 

"  Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

"  John  F.  McJilton." 

J.  Bly  warns  General  Banks  against  Eevs.  Messrs.  Krebs,  Wil- 
son, and  Martin,  Methodist  preachers,  &c. : 

"  Washington,  Sept  15,  1861. 
"  General  Banks: 

"/S«r : — Three  preachers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
procured  passes  in  Baltimore  to  go  from  that  city  to  Winchester, 
Va.,  &c.  They  are  all  earnest  Secessionists.  Their  names  are  J. 
S.  Martin,  Wm.  Krebs,  and  A.  W.  Wilson.     The  last-named  has 


654  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

gotten  back  to  Baltimore,  and  is  proclaiming  his  secession  sympa- 
thies. It  is  the  judgment  of  many  good  and  true  Union  men  that 
the  other  two  should  not  be  allowed  to  return  to  Baltimore. 
They  have  already  done  much  mischief  there.     These  passes  were 

Erocured  by  E.  Petherbridge,  who  knew  their  sentiments  well, 
aving  co-operated  with  them  and  others  during  the  last  twelve 
months  in  efforts  to  divide  the  M.  E.  Church  on  the  slavery  ques- 
tion by  Mason  and  Dixon's  line.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  this 
same  Petherbridge  is  in  the  service  of  the  Government  as  a  recruit- 
ing officer.  One  day  he  procured  passes  for  well-known  and  mis- 
chievous Secessionists,  and  the  next  recruits  for  the  Government. 
The  great  body  of  the  Methodist  people  of  Baltimore  are  Union 
people,  and  it  will  be  a  service  to  them  as  well  as  the  cause  of  th§ 
Union  in  that  city  if  they  are  not  permitted  to  return. 

"  Yery  respectfully,  J.  Bly." 


G.  E.  Morgan,  of  Baltimore,  informs  Gen.  Banks  of  arms  se- 
creted on  the  premises  of  Eev.  W.  H.  Wilson  in  Frederick  County, 
Virginia : 

"  Baltimore,  Sept.  15,  1861. 
«  Gen.  :^^.  p.  Banks  : 

"/Sffr : —  I  have  received  tolerably  reliable  information  of  a  de- 
posit of  arms  at  the  mill  of  the  Eev.  W.  H.  Wilson  in  Frederick 
County,  said  to  be  1100  navy  revolvers.  My  informer  (a  Eev.  also) 
was  under  the  impression  they  had  been  seized  by  some  portion  of 
your  command.  I  alluded  to  the  fact  in  the  Grand  Jury  room 
(U.  S.  Court),  and  was  requested  by  that  body  to  apply  to  you  for 
the  truth,  and  if  so,  the  necessary  evidence.  Any  communication 
to  this  jury  through  this  Marshal  or  myself  will  be  promptly  at- 
tended to.  Yours  respectfully, 

"  G.  E.  Morgan,  66  N.  Calvert  St.,  Balto. 

"  Gen.  K  P.  Banks,  Army  of  the  Fotomacr 


Gov.  Seward's  confidential  letter.  Eeceived,  September  28th ; 
answered,  September  29th.  Orders  given  to  Col.  Kenly,  Williams- 
port,  September  29th  : 

"  Department  op  State,  Washington,  Sept.  21,  1862. 

"  Major-General  N.  P.  Banks,  Darnestown,  Md.  : 

''General:— If  yon  can  arrest  Dr.  Charles  McGill  of  Hagers- 
town,  Maryland,  or  cause  him  to  be   arrested  and  sent  to  Fort 
MeHenry,  to  be  thence  conveyed  to  Fort  Lafayette,  let  it  be  done. 
"  I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

"  William  H.  Seward." 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  655 

Col.  Kenly,  on  the  arrest  of  Dr.  Magill,  answered  October  3d, 
same  day  of  its  receipt : 

"Headquarters,  Williamsport,  Sej)t.  30,  1861. 
"  Major-General  N.  P.  Banks,  Commanding  Division. 

"  General : — Dr.  Magill  is  now  a  prisoner  in  my  camp.  If  one 
man  can  be  dangerous,  he  is  the  man.  I  shall  send  him  direct  to 
Fort  McHenry  by  Catain  Waltemj^er  of  my  regiment.  He  will 
be  there  to-morrow  night.  Affairs  are  tolerably  quiet  along  my 
lines  to-day,  but  one  of  my  officers  at  Dam  No.  4  is  a  little  nervous 
and  I  have  strengthened  his  post.  You  have  been  kind  enough  to 
say  that  you  would  assist  me  if  attacked  by  overwhelming  num- 
bers; do  not  forget  the  First  Maryland  if  you  be  attacked. 
"  With  the  highest  regard, 

"  John  E.  Kenlt,  Col.  First  Maryland  Regt." 

Milton  Whitney  of  Baltimore  asks  General  Banks  for  a  letter 
to  the  Government  in  favor  of  his  appointment  as  District  Attorney. 
Received  October  8th : 

"  Baltimore,  October  8th,  1861. 
"  Gen.  N.  p.  Banks  : 

"  Dear  Sir : — The  Hon.  H.  Winter  Davis,  together  with  Mr. 
Hoffman,  Collector;  Mr.  Purnell,  Postmaster;  Judge  Bond  and 
others,  have  united  in  recommending  me  to  the  Cabinet  for  Dis- 
trict Attorney  for  Maryland.  When  approached  in  relation  to 
this  subject  in  the  summer  whilst  in  the  country,  I  declined  to 
have  my  name  presented ;  but  since  my  return  to  the  city,  in  view 
of  the  treason  cases  pending  in  that  court,  and  for  other  reasons,  I 
have  consented,  and  would  now  like  the  appointment.  My  friends 
above-named  thought  a  letter  from  you  would  have  more  influence 
than  all  others,  and  I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  writing  this  letter 
and  asking  you  the  favor  (if  you  think  it  consistent)  of  giving 
me  a  letter  to  the  Cabinet  favorable  to  my  appointment.  Trusting 
I  have  not  assumed  too  much  in  addressing  you  upon  this  subject, 
and  asking  you  this  favor,  I  would  simply  say  that  I  have  occupied 
the  position  of  State's  Attorney  for  five  years,  have  had  that  ex- 
perience, and  in  view  of  being  a  Massachusetts  man,  and  having 
been  persecuted  upon  that  ground,  would  now  like  to  be  placed 
in  that  position  independently  of  the  people  of  Baltimore. 

"A  letter  directed  to  Baltimore  will  reach  me.  With  great  re- 
spect, your  obedient  servant,  Milton  Whitney." 

Eelating  to  the  arrest  of  the  Maryland  Legislature.  Letter 
from  Simon  Cameron  in  relation  to  the  Maryland  Legislature : 

"  War  Department,  September  Wth,  1861. 
"  General : — The  passage  of  any  act  of  secession  by  the  Legis- 
lature of  Maryland  must  be  prevented.     If  necessary,  all,  or  any 


656  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOBE. 

part  of  the  members  must  be  arrested.     Exercise  your  own  judg- 
ment as  to  the  time  and  manner,  but  do  the  work  effectively. 
"  Very  respectfully  3'our  obedient  servant, 

"  Simon  Cameron,  Secretary  of  War. 
"  Major-Gen.  N.  P.  Banks,  Commanding  near  Darnestown,  Md" 

Legislative  matters : 

"  Headquarters  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
"  Washington,  September  12th,  1861. 

«  Confidential— KsiyGQn.  'N.  P.  Banks,  U.  S.  A. : 

"  General : — After  full  consultation  with  the  President,  Secre- 
taries of  State,  War,  etc.,  it  has  been  decided  to  eftect  the  opera- 
tion proposed  for  the  17th.  Arrangements  have  been  made  to  have 
a  government  steamer  at  Annapolis  to  receive  the  prisoners  and 
carry  them  to  their  destination.  Some  four  or  five  of  the  chief 
men  in  the  affair  are  to  be  arrested  to-day.  When  they  meet  on  the 
17th,  you  will  please  have  everything  prepared  to  arrest  the  whole 
party,  and  be  sure  that  none  escape.  It  is  understood  that  you 
arranged  with  Gen.  Dix  and  Gov.  Seward  the  modus  operandi.  It 
has  been  intimated  to  me  that  the  meeting  might  take  place  on  the 
14th  ;  please  be  prepared.  I  would  be  glad  to  have  you  advise  me 
frequently  of  your  arrangements  in  regard  to  this  very  important 
matter.  If  it  is  successfully  carried  out  it  will  go  far  towards 
breaking  the  back-bone  of  the  rebellion.  It  would  probably  be 
well  to  have  a  special  train  quietly  prepared  to  take  the  prisoners 
to  Annapolis.  I  leave  this  exceedingly  important  affair  to  your 
tact  and  discretion,  and  have  but  one  thing  to  impress  upon  you 
— the  absolute  necessity  of  secrecy  and  success. 

"  With  the  highest  regard,  I  am,  my  dear  General,  your  sincere 
friend,  Geo.  B.  McClellan,  Maj.-Gen.  U.  S.  A." 

Copeland's  Report,  Legislature,  September  16. 

.  "  Frederick,  September  16th,  1861. 
"  Maj.-Gen.  Banks  : 

"  Dear  Sir : — I  find  that  there  is  some  probability  of  no  quorum 
—this  is  particularly  Gen.  S's  opinion.  He  thinks  the  whole  thing 
is  crushed  by  the  arrest.  But  there  is  reason  to  believe  he  is  mis- 
taken, ^Noakes  is  here,  and  says  there  are  at  least  twenty-five  in 
town  ;  that  they  have  spread  the  rumor  that  there  will  be  no 
quorum  in  order  to  lull  attention,  but  that  there  will  be  enough  to 
meet  and  adjourn  to  a  place  outside  of  the  town.  He  saw  to-night 
four  carriages  and  a  party  of  men  come  in  one  of  the  back  roads, 
and  go  to  a  drinking-saloon,  where  they  were  loud  and  deep  in 
threats  and  imprecations;  they  left  the  tavern  and  came  into  the 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  657 

town  and  separated,  where  he  could  not  tell,  as  he  was  on  foot.  He 
has  got  no  evidence  of  any  messenger  from  Virginia — thinks  no 
one  is  here.     But  there  is  one  bad  thing :  G-en.  Dix  has  sent  his  son 

here,  and  a  Major,  and  the  Provost  Marshal  of  B ,  and  party  of 

police  to  make  arrests.  I  have  tried  to  get  them  sent  back  early  in 
the  first  train  to-morrow,  accompanied  at  least  as  far  as  Monocacy 
by  Mr.  Dix.  He  does  not  like  to  get  up  and  go  at  that  time.  It  is  a 
mistake.  Gen.  S.  has  no  particular  information  and  wants  to  shield 
some  personal  friends — would  like, /or  the  future^  to  make  it  easy 
for  some  men.  I  think  that  I  shall  get  a  plan  arranged  to  take  a 
number  at  any  rate.  The  arrests  in  B.  have  terrified  them  very 
much,  and  all  profess  obedience  there.  None  of  the  members 
from  the  Eastern  Shore  have  come  up  yet,  which  inclines  me  to 
wait  for  day  after  to-morrow.  I  regret  your  letters  to  Col.  R.  did 
not  put  the  matter  more  under  my  especial  control,  as  he  is  rather 
disinclined  to  be  as  careful  and  patient  as  is  desirable,  and  I  do  not 
feel  authorized  to  direct.  If  anything  occurs  to  you  send  by  mes- 
senger to  me,  care  of  Col.  R.     I  am  at  the  U.  S.  Hotel. 

"  In  haste,  very  respectfully,  R.  M.  Copeland. 

"  Young  Dix  tells  me  his  errand  was  to  meet  you,  and  give  you 
a  list  of  names  of  men  to  be  arrested — nothing  more.  He  will 
give  me  the  paper  to-morrow  and  await  orders.  You  will  get  this 
at  six — a  messenger  can  return  in  three  hours." 


Copy  of  letter  of  instructions  concerning  Legislature. 

"Important  and  confidential. 

"  Headquarters,  Camp  near  Darnestown,  l%th  Sept, 

"Lt.-Col.  RuGER,  Commanding  Third  Wisconsin  Reg't. 

"  On  special  service  at  Frederick : 
"  Sir : — The  Legislature  of  Maryland  is  appointed  to  meet  in 
special  session  to-morrow,  Tuesday,  September  17th.  It  is  not 
impossible  that  the  members  or  a  portion  of  them  may  be  deterred 
from  meeting  there,  on  account  of  certain  arrests  recently  made  in 
Baltimore.  It  is  also  quite  possible  that  on  the  first  day  of  meeting 
the  attendance  of  members  may  be  small.  Of  the  facts  as  to  this 
matter,  I  shall  see  that  you  are  well  informed  as  they  transpire. 
It  becomes  necessary  that  any  meeting  of  this  Legislature,  at  any 
place  or  time,  shall  be  prevented.  You  will  hold  yourself  and  your 
command, in  readiness  to  arrest  the  members  of  both  Houses.  A 
list  of  such  as  you  are  to  detain  will  be  enclosed  to  you  herewith ; 
among  them  are  to  be  especially  included  the  presiding  officers  of 
the  two  Houses,  secretaries,  clerks,  and  all  subordinate  officers. 
Let  the  arrests  he  certain  and  allow  no  chance  of  failure.  The  arrests 
should  be  made  w^hile  they  are  in  session,  I  think.  You  will  upon 
receipt  of  this  quietly  examine  the  premises.  I  am  informed  that 
escape  will  be  impossible  if  the  entrance  to  the  building  be  held 
42 


658  CHKONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

by  you;  of  that  you  will  judge  upon  examination.  If  no  session  is 
held,  you  will  arrest  such  members  as  can  be  found  in  Frederick. 
The  process  of  arrest  should  be  to  enter  both  Houses  at  the  same 
time,  announcing  that  they  were  arrested  by  orders  of  the  Govern- 
ment ;  command  them  to  remain,  as  they  are  subject  to  your  orders. 
Any  resistance  will  be  forcibly  suppressed  whatever  the  con- 
sequences. Upon  the  arrests  being  effected,  the  members  that  are 
to  be  detained  will  be  placed  on  board  a  special  train  for  Annapolis, 
where  a  steamer  will  await  them.  Everything  in  the  execution  of 
these  orders  is  confided  to  your  secrecy,  discretion  and  promptness." 


Copeland's  Eeport,  Maryland  Legislature,  September  17th. 
"Frederick,  Md.,  September  17th,  1861. 

"  Bear  Sir : — The  arrests  in  Baltimore  have  entirely  broken 
down  and  disorganized  the  secession  element  in  the  Legislature, 
and  much  less  than  a  quorum  have  assembled.  Of  the  members 
present  the  larger  number  are  Union  men,  who,  encouraged  by  our 
presence,  are  here  to  face  the  enemy.  I  have  had  pickets  set 
since  noon  in  all  the  roads  leading  to  this  place,  with  orders  to 
let  no  one  go  out  unless  down  to  Frederick  Junction,  with  a  trusty 
man  to  see  who  should  come  up  and  make  arrangements  for  them-* 
only  seven  came.  We  find  that  there  are  only  about  six  bad 
specimens  here,  but  that  there  is  a  chance  that  more  may  arrive. 
We  have  spotted  the  house  where  these  men  board,  and  shall  arrest 

them  to-night.    I  have  let  the  train  go  to  B with  a  sergeant 

who  will  come  up  on  the  train,  and  will  spot,  and  if  needs  be,  arrest 
any  man  who  tries  to  leave  the  train  at  Monocacy.     To-day  some 

persons  left  at  the  station  below  M to  drive  here  in  a  carriage. 

As  yet  the  Legislature  has  not  convened ;  when  it  does  I  shall  have 
the  trap  sprung  on  them.  Your  letter  has  just  arrived.  I  will 
attend  to  it  as  you  wish.  You  have  by  this  time  learned  of  the 
arrests  in  Baltimore  yesterday,  which  has  alarmed  all.  I  sent  Mr. 
Dix  and  the  policemen  away  on  the  train  and  went  myself,  as  we 
were  surrounded  by  a  crowd  in  which  were  ten  of  the  worst  men. 
They  now  think  we  are  all  gone.  I  and  two  of  the  policemen 
returned  afoot.  Noakes  is  on  the  watch  to  find  out  where  every 
man  lives,  and  I  do  not  think  we  can  fail  to  get  some;  but  the 
worst  men  are  too  wary  to  come  here.  I  shall  send  this  to  you 
just  as  soon  as  I  can  find  a  messenger,  and  shall  telegraph  when 
the  arrest  is  completed.  General  »S.  and  all  his  friends  believe 
that  nothing  can  be  effected,  as  those  whom  we  shall  take  are  the 
least  conspicuous.  I  shall  arrest  the  clerks  of  the  two  Houses,  who 
are  mentioned  as  particularly  venomous.  Nothing  more  occurs  to 
me  now.     I  will  add  whatever  happens  later. 

"  Truly,  your  obedient  servant,  R,  Morris  Copeland." 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORF.  659 

"  To  Major-General  N.  P.  Banks  : 

"It  is  now  5  P.  M.  We  have  arrested  12  of  the  worst  men,  and 
are  progressing  very  well.  We  shall  get  the  whole  18  I  think,  and 
if  any  come  in  on  the  train  to-night  we  will  bag  them  too.  Gen. 
S.  is  invaluable.  AVe  have  been  besieged  for  passes  —  every  avenue 
being  blocked.  It  has  taken  three  men  all  the  time  to  write  and 
inquire  into  the  merits  of  the  case.  No  news  from  Virginia;  all 
seems  quiet  as  far  as  we  can  learn.  The  House  met  to-day ;  was 
called  to  order  by  the  clerk;  four  members  present,  and  adjourned 
until  to-morrow  noon.  Eespectfully,  K.  M.  C." 

Copeland's  report  of  arrest  of  members  of  Maryland  Legislature, 
September  18, 

"Frederick,  Md.,  Sept.  18,  1861. 
"  To  Major-General  Banks,  JDarnestown  : 

"/Sir; — 1  have  just  telegraphed  to  Gen.  Dix  that  we  have  seized 
seven  members  of  the  House  of  a  very  bitter  character,  and  from 
officers,  clerks,  &c.,  who  are  intensely  bitter,  and  are  said  to  have 
been  very  forward,  and  to  have  kept  some  of  the  weaker  men  up 
to  the  work.  Several  arrests  made  of  violent  or  resisting  persons 
whom  I  shall  let  go  after  the  others  are  gone.  I  shall  send  four 
men  at  least  to  Gen.  Dix,  at  Baltimore,  who  are  very  bad  men.  I 
have  advised  Col.  Kuger  to  send  to  Sharpsburg  landing  to  seize 
500  sacks  salt  which  are  waiting  for  the  Southerners  to  come  and 
take  them ;  they  have  tried  twice  to  do  it.  We  have  also  heard 
of  some  arms,  which  the  Colonel  will  look  up.  There  is  a  very 
bitter  man  here,  a  Mr.  Sinn,  who  is  currently  reported  by  General 
Shriver  and  others  to  be  the  medium  of  communication  with  the 
Southern  Confederacy.  The  names  of  the  members  are  B.  S.  Sal- 
mon, E.  C.  Maccubin,  J.  H.  Gordon,  C.  J.  Durant,  Thomas  Clag- 
gett,  Andrew  Kessler,  and  Bernard  Mills.  We  shall  get  T.  Law- 
rence Jones.  The  officers  of  the  Legislature,  J.  N.  Brewer,  Chief 
Clerk,  Senate ;  Thos.  Moore,  Eeading  do.;  Samuel  Penrose,  Jr.,  As- 
sistant; N.  Kilgore,  Eeading  do.;  Milton  Kidd,  Chief  of  the  House, 
Mr.  Jones  is  taken ;  Edward  Houser,  citizen ;  Eiley  (very  bad), 
printer  to  the  House ;  John  Hogan  (very  bad),  citizen ;  Joseph 
Elkins,  do.;  Mr.  Mason,  Folder  to  the  House.  We  shall  leave  here 
for  headquarters  this  afternoon.  The  arrests  were  nearly  all  seized 
by  the  policemen. 

"  I  am  yours  respectfully, 

•'E.  Morris  Copeland,  Aide-de-Camp. 

"  Mr.  Macubbin  is  a  person  whom  I  should  recommend  you  to 
set  at  large  if  he  takes  the  oath,  which  I  have  no  doubt  he  will. 
He  is  brother-in-law  to  General  Hammond,  and  a  man  much 
respected ;  also  a  man  of  rather  timid  nature,  and  greatly  troubled 
by  his  arrest.  General  Shriver  has  been  very  active  for  us,  and  is 
very  earnest  that  we  should  let  him  go  on  these  terms.    If  you 


660  CHROKICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

can  do  it,  it  will  be  well  to  "telegraph  to  Annapolis  to  have  the 
oath  tendered  and  release  him.  I  should  do  it  under  my  instruc- 
tions, only  that  Col.  Euger  thinks  he  has  no  authority  to  allow 
any  man  on  the  list  any  liberty.  I^-  M.  C." 

This  city  witnessed  on  Sunday,  the  9th  of  July,  one  of  the  grandest 
Catholic  demonstrations  since  its  existence;  it  was  the  laying  of 
the  corner-stone  of  St.  Martin's  E.  C.  Church,  S.  E.  corner  of 
Fulton  and  Fayette  streets.  The  procession  may  have  numbered 
from  six  to  eight  thousand  persons,  with  ten  bands  of  music  and 
over  forty  gorgeous  banners  of  the  various  benevolent  and  other 
associations,  occupying  a  stretch  of  nearly  two  miles ;  it  was  esti- 
mated that  the  number  of  spectators  on  the  spot  exceeded  twenty 
thousand.  The  Most  Eev.  Archbishop  Spaulding  conducting  the 
ceremonies,  assisted  by  the  Pastor,  Eev.  John  Foley,  Eev.  Edward 
McColgan  and  others. 

On  Monday,  July  31st,  a  number  of  persons  assembled  at  Green- 
mount  Cemetery,  to  witness  the  dedication  of  the  McDonough 
monument,  erected  by  the  authorities  of  Baltimore  and  New 
Orleans  as  a  testimonial  of  their  appreciation  of  his  character  and 
his  munificent  liberality  far  the  promotion  of  a  great  public  enter- 
prise, the  education  of  orphans.  The  exercises  were  opened  with 
prayer  by  Eev.  Mr.  Brown,  after  which  Mayor  Chapman  intro- 
duced John  H.  B.  Latrobe,  Esq.,  the  orator  of  the  day. 

The  Concordia  Society  initiated  their  new  hall  for  the  first 
time  on  the  evening  of  the  10th  of  September. 

Wednesday,  the  20th  of  September,  will  long  be  remembered 
in  the  history  of  the  Monumental  City,  especially  among  the  fra- 
ternity of  "  Odd-Fellows,"  as  not  only  being  the  day  for  the  dedi- 
catory services  of  the  Wilde}^  monument  to  take  place,  but  as  a 
grand  reunion  of  fraternal  feeling  among  the  brotherhood  of  the 
entire  Union,  members  of  the  fraternity  from  I^orth,  South,  East 
and  West  joining  hand  in  hand  again  with  the  same  brotherly  love 
that  characterized  their  meetings  in  past  years,  the  strife  of  the 
past  four  years  seemingly  to  have  been  forgotten  while  going 
heart  and  hand  in  carrying  out  the  mottoes  of  the  order,  "  Faith, 
love  and  charity,"  "  Friendship,  love  and  truth."  The  preliminary 
arrangements  being  effected,  the  word  "march"  was  sounded 
about  half-past  ten  o'clock,  when  one  of  the  grandest  processions 
that  ever  passed  through  Baltimore  began  to  move  from  the  hall  on 
Gay  street.  The  whole  procession  being  clothed  with  the  brilliant 
paraphernalia  of  the  order,  presented  a  view  of  the  most  dazzling 
character,  attracting  all  along  the  route  of  the  procession  throngs 
of  people  to  crowd  every  available  point.  The  entire  programme 
was  directed  by  the  committee  of  arrangements,  E.  W.  Grand  and 
Corresponding  Secretary,  James  L.  Eidgely ;  E.  W.  Grand  Treas- 
urer, Joshua  Vansant,  and  Grand  Eepresentative,  Joseph  B.  Escav- 
ailio. 


CHRONICLES   OF    BALTIMORE.  661 

The  merchants  of  Baltimore  on  the  evening  of  the  22d  of 
September  gave  an  elegant  banquet  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  at  the  New  Assembly  Eooms.  Mr.  Jno.  W.  Garrett, 
President  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  presided  on  the 
occasion  and  delivered  a  spirited  oration,  which  elicited  immense 
applause.  Major-General  Hancock,  Lieutenant-Governor  C.  C.  Cox, 
Hon.  E.  H.  Webster,  Brigadier-General  John  S.  Berry,  Colonel  W. 
H.  Purnell  delivered  speeches.  The  applause  after  Gen.  Hancock's 
speech  was  literally  deafening;  three  cheers  were  offered  to  him, 
and  most  of  those  present  left  their  seats  to  shake  hands  with  the 
favorite  hero. 

Early  in  the  spring  an  association  was  formed  composed  of  thirty 
or  forty  colored  men  of  this  city,  who  purchased  the  building  on 
Lexington  street,  near  Davis,  formerly  occupied  as  the  Newton 
University,  for  the  sum  of  $16,000,  and  organized  the  "Douglass 
Institute,"  the  object  of  which  is  the  intellectual  advancement  of 
the  colored  portion  of  the  community.  On  Friday  night,  Sep- 
tember 29th,  the  Institute  building,  which  had  been  previously  ren- 
ovated, was  formally  opened  for  the  purpose  indicated  above  by 
the  delivery  of  a  lecture  by  Frederick  Douglass,  whose  reputation 
as  an  orator  is  well  known.  An  audience  of  seven  or  eight  hun- 
dred males  and  females,  among  them  a  number  of  white  persons, 
was  seated  in  the  main  saloon  of  the  building,  which  was  appro- 
priately decorated  on  the  occasion.  Immediately  over  the  stand 
whereon  the  lecturer  and  the  officers  of  the  Institute  were  seated 
was  a  full-length  portrait  of  the  late  lamented  President  Lincoln, 
while  on  either  side  was  placed  the  National  flag.  After  prayer 
by  Bishop  Wayman,  of  the  African  M.  E.  Church,  Mr.  Douglass 
was  introduced  and  delivered  the  address.  Upon  its  conclusion  a 
call  was  made  for  Rev.  Mr.  Lynch,  who  for  a  half  an  hour  spoke  on 
subjects  relating  to  the  future  state  of  the  colored  people.  The 
audience  then  retired. 

The  sailing  of  the  steamship  Somerset^  the  pioneer  ship  of  the 
Baltimore  and  Liverpool  line,  took  place  promptly  at  noon  on 
Saturday,  September  30th,  and  was  made  the  occasion  of  an  im- 
promptu demonstration,  very  pleasing  and  animated  in  character, 
and  showing  how  earnest  and  general  is  the  popular  interest  in 
this  great  enterprise,  in  the  success  of  which  the  commercial  and 
marine  interests  of  Baltimore  are  so  largely  involved. 

The  Hon.  Henry  Winter  Davis,  for  many  years  a*  distinguished 
representative  of  one  of  the  Baltimore  congressional  districts,  died 
on  Saturday  afternoon,  the  30th  of  December,  1865,  in  the  forty- 
ninth  year  of  his  age.  Called  from  this  life  at  an  age  when  most 
men  are  just  beginning  to  command  the  respect  and  confidence  of 
their  fellows,  he  has  left,  nevertheless,  a  fame  as  wide  as  our  vast 
country.  He  was  born  in  the  city  of  Annapolis  on  the  16th  of 
August,  1817.  His  father,  Kev.  Henry  Lyon  Davis,  of  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  church,  was  president  of  St.  John's  college  at 


662  CHBONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

Annapolis,  Maryland,  and  rector  of  St.  Ann's  parish.  His  mother 
was  Jane  Brown  Winter,  a  woman  of  elegant  accomplishments, 
and  of  great  sweetness  of  disposition  and  purity  of  life.  She  had 
only  two  children,  Henry  Winter  and  Jane,  who  married  Eev. 
Edward  Lyle.  The  education  of  Henry  Winter  began  very  early, 
at  home,  under  the  care  of  his  aunt,  Elizabeth  Brown  Winter,  who 
entertained  the  most  rigid  and  exacting  opinions  in  regard  to  the 
training  of  children,  but  who  was  withal  a  noble  woman.  He 
once  playfully  said,  "I  could  read  before  I  was  four  years  old, 
though  much  against  my  will."  He  was  educated  at  Kenyon  col- 
lege, in  Ohio,  and  the  University  of  Yirginia.  While  at  the  Uni- 
versity he  took  up  the  German  and  French  languages  and  mas- 
tered them ;  and  he  perfected  his  scholarship  in  Latin  and  Greek. 
Until  his  death  he  read  all  these  languages  with  great  fiicility  and 
accuracy,  and  he  always  kept  his  Greek  testament  lying  on  his 
table  for  easy  reference.  After  a  thorough  course  at  the  Univer 
sity,  Mr.  Davis  entered  upon  the  practice  of  law  in  Alexandria, 
Yirginia.  On  the  30th  of  October,  1845,  he  married  Miss  Con- 
stance T.  Gardiner,  daughter  of  William  C.  Gardiner,  Esq.,  a  most 
accomplished  and  charming  young  lady,  who  lived  to  gladden  his 
heart  for  but  a  few  years,  and  then,  "like  a  lily  drooping,  6he 
bowed  her  head  and  died."  In  1850  he  came  to  Baltimore,  and 
immediately  a  high  position,  professional,  social,  and  political,  was 
awarded  him.  His  forensic  efforts  at  once  commanded  attention 
and  enforced  respect.  The  young  men  of  most  ability  and  promise 
gathered  about  him,  and  made  him  the  centre  of  their  chosen 
circle.  He  became  a  prominent  member  of  the  Whig  party,  and 
was  everywhere  known  as  the  brilliant  orator  and  successful  con- 
troversialist of  the  Scott  campaign  of  1852.  The  Whig  party,  worn 
out  by  its  many  gallant  but  unsuccessful  battles,  was  ultimately 
gathered  to  its  fathers,  and  Mr.  Davis  led  off  in  the  American  or 
Know-Nothing  movement.  He  w^as  elected  successively  to  the 
Thirty-fourth,  Thirty-fifth,  and  Thirty-sixth  Congresses  by  the 
American  party  from  the  fourth  district  of  Maryland.  He  sup- 
ported, with  great  ability  and  zeal,  Mr.  Fillmore  for  the  Presi- 
dency in  1856,  and  in  1860  accepted  John  Bell  as  the  candidate  of 
his  party,  though  he  clearly  divined  and  plainly  announced  that 
the  great  battle  was  really  between  Abraham  Lincoln,  as  the  rep- 
resentative of  the  national  sentiment  on  the  one  hand,  and  seces- 
sion and  disunion,  in  all  their  shades  and  phases,  on  the  other. 
To  his  seat  in  the  Thirty-eighth  Congress  he  was  elected  by  the 
unconditional  Union  party.  He  was  married  a  second  time,  on 
the  26th  of  January,  1857,  to  Miss  Nancy  Morris,  a  daughter  of 
John  B.  Morris,  Esq.,  of  Baltimore,  and  left  two  little  girls,  w^ho 
were  the  idols  of  his  heart. 

Mr.  Davis  had  gathered  into  his  house  the  literary  treasures  of 
four  languages,  and  had  reveled  in  spirit  with  the  wise  men  of  the 
ages.    He  had  conned  his  books  as  jealously  as  a  miner  peering  for 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE,  663 

gold,  and  had  not  left  a  panful  of  earth  unwashed.  He  had  col- 
lected the  purest  ore  of  truth  and  the  richest  gems  of  thought, 
until  he  was  able  to  crown  himself  with  knowledge.  Blessed  with 
a  felicitous  power  of  analysis  and  a  prodigious  memory,  he  ran- 
sacked history,  ancient  and  modern,  sacred  and  profane ;  science, 
pure,  empirical,  and  metaphysical ;  the  arts,  mechanical  and  lib- 
eral ;  the  professions,  law,  divinity,  and  medicine ;  poetry  and  the 
miscellanies  of  literature ;  and  in  all  these  great  departments  of 
human  lore  he  moved  as  easily  as  most  men  do  in  their  particular 
province.  His  habit  was  not  only  to  read  but  to  reread  the  best 
of  his  books  frequently,  and  he  was  continually  supplying  himself 
with  better  editions  of  his  favorites.  In  current,  playful  conversa- 
tion with  friends  he  quoted  right  and  left,  in  brief  and  at  length, 
from  the  classics,  ancient  and  modern,  and  from  the  drama,  tragic 
and  comic.  In  his  speeches,  on  the  contrary,  he  quoted  but  little, 
and  only  when  he  seemed  to  run  upon  a  thought  already  expressed 
by  some  one  else  with  singular  force  and  appositeness.  If  oratory 
means  the  power  of  presenting  thoughts  by  public  and  sustained 
speech  to  an  audience  in  the  best  manner  adapted  to  win  a  favor- 
able decision  of  the  question  at  issue,  then  Mr.  Davis  assuredly 
occupied  the  highest  position  as  an  orator.  He  always  held  his 
hearers  in  rapt  attention  until  he  closed,  and  then  they  lingered 
about  to  discuss  with  one  another  what  they  had  heard.  Those 
who  had  heard  him  most  frequently  were  always  ready  to  make 
the  greatest  eifort  to  hear  him  again.  Even  his  bitterest  enemies 
have  been  known  to  stand  shivering  on  the  street  corners  for  a 
whole  evening,  charmed  by  his  marvellous  tongue.  His  stump 
efforts  never  fell  below  his  high  standard.  He  never  condescended 
to  a  mere  attempt  to  amuse.  He  always  spoke  to  instruct,  to  con- 
vince, and  to  persuade  through  the  higher  and  better  avenues  to 
favor. 

Mr.  Davis's  ripe  scholarship  tendered  to  his  thought  the 
happiest  illustrations  and  the  most  appropriate  forms  of  expression. 
His  brain  had  become  a  teeming  cornucopia,  whence  flowed  in  ex- 
haustless  profusion  the  most  beautiful  flowers  and  the  most  sub- 
stantial fruits;  and  yet  he  never  indulged  in  excessive  ornamenta- 
tion. His  taste  was  almost  austerely  chaste.  His  style  was  per- 
spicuous, energetic,  concise,  and  withal  highly  elegant.  He  never 
loaded  his  sentences  with  meretricious  finery  or  high-sounding 
supernumerary  words.  When  he  did  use  the  jewelry  of  rhetoric, 
he  would  quietly  set  a  metaphor  in  his  page  or  throw  a  compari- 
son into  his  speech  which  would  serve  to  light  up  with  startling 
distinctness  the  colossal  proportions  of  his  argument.  Of  humor 
he  had  none;  but  his  wit  and  sarcasm  at  times  would  glitter  like 
the  brandished  cimeter  of  Saladin,  and  descending,  would  cut  as 
keenly.  The  pathetic  he  never  attempted ;  but  when  angered  by 
a  malicious  assault,  his  invective  was  consuming,  and  his  epitheta 
would  wound  like  pellets  of  lead.     Although  gallant  to  the  gracea 


664  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

of.  expression,  he  always  compelled  his  rhetoric  to  act  as  hand- 
maid to  his  oratory.  Henry  Winter  Davis  was  a  man  of  faith,  and 
believed  in  Christ  and  his  fellow-man.  He  entered  public  life  with 
almost  unparalleled  personal  advantages.  Having  boldly  presented 
himself  before  the  most  rigorous  tribunal  in  the  world,  he  proved 
himself  worthy  of  its  favor  and  attention.  He  soon  rose  to  the 
front  rank  of  debaters,  and  whenever  he  addressed  the  House  all 
sides  gave  him  a  delighted  audience. 

1866.  The  hailstorm  which  passed  over  Baltimore  on  Tuesday 
night,  May  1st,  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable  meteorological 
phenomena  of  the  kind  ever  witnessed.  In  force  and  fury,  and  the 
size  and  hardness  of  the  hail  stones,  it  was  unparalleled.  Many  of 
the  particles  of  ice  discharged  from  the  atmosphere  were  perfectly 
round,  the  largest  ranging  from  three  to  four  inches  in  circum- 
ference, clear  as  crystal,  and  of  almost  flinty  hardness.  The  de- 
struction of  window-glass  was  immense.  On  the  southern  and 
eastern  end  of  the  city,  where  the  storm  spent  its  fury,  there  was 
hardly  a  window  facing  north  that  was  not  more  or  less  shattered. 
The  churches,  large  public  buildings,  and  buildings  with  skylights, 
suflered  most  severely.  It  was  computed  that  twenty  thousand 
panes  of  glass  were  shattered  by  the  storm. 

The  following  acts  were  passed  by  the  General  Assembly  at 
the  extra  session  of  January:  authorizing  the  Mayor  and  City 
Council  of  Baltimore  to  build  a  new  city  hall ;  incorporating  Jacob 
Brandt,  Jr.,  Eobert  Lehr,  Henry  E.  Hazlehurst,  Daniel  Wiegand, 
Thomas  C.  Jenkins  and  William  S.  Eaynor,  as  a  body  corporate 
by  the  name  and  title  of  the  Baltimore  and  Savannah  Steam- 
ship Company;  incorporating  George  S.  Brown,  Charles  de  Gar- 
mendia,  E.  C.  Wambersie,  Henry  E.  Hazlehurst,  James  E.  Eamsay, 
Samuel  J.  Pentz  and  Alfred  Jenkins,  as  a  body  corporate,  by  the 
name  and  title  of  the  Baltimore  and  Havana  Steamship  Company; 
incorporating  John  W.  Eandolph,  Chauncey  Brooks,  Horace 
Abbott,  William  A.  Fisher,  Alfred  Mace,  Jesse  Tyson,  Samuel 
Shoemaker,  Dr.  G.  H.  Tyler,  Thomas  Booze,  F.  Littig  Shaffer,  S. 
J.  Carroll,  Charles  J.  Baker,  and  Evan  T.  Ellicott,  as  a  body 
corporate  by  the  name  and  title  of  the  Union  Eailroad  Company ; 
incorporating  John  W.  Eoss,  William  W.  Watkins,  Eobert  Fowler, 
Michael  Hooper,  and  John  O.  Eeid,  as  a  body  corporate,  by  the 
name  and  title  of  the  "  Merchants  Steamship  Line." 

The  great  Southern  Eelief  Fair,  in  aid  of  the  suffering  poor  of 
the  Southern  States,  opened  at  the  hall  of  the  Maryland  Institute 
on  Monday  evening,  April  2d,  and  terminated  with  great  success 
on  Friday  evening,  the  13th.  Total  amount  of  receipts  $164,569.97, 
which  was  disbursed  among  the  Southern  States  as  follows :  Vir- 
ginia committee,  327,000;  North  Carolina  committee,  $16,500; 
South  Carolina  committee,  619,750;  Georgia  committee,  $17,875; 
Alabama  committee,  $16,250;  Mississippi  committee,  $20,625; 
Louisiana  committee,  $7,500 ;  Florida  committee,  $5,500 ;  Arkau- 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  665 

sas  committee,  $5,000;  Tennessee  committee,  $12,500 ;  Maryland 
refugeeB,  $10,000;  Miseelluneoiis  States,  $6,069.97.  The  following 
were  the  principal  officers  of  the  "Ladies'  Southern  Eelief  Associa- 
tion," and  to  whose  generous  hearts  all  honor  is  due,  for  administer- 
ing to  the  wants  of  age,  to  the  distresses  of  afflictions,  and  to  the 
cravings  of  widows  and  orphans,  for  the  indispensable  necessaries 
of  life  in  a  destitute  and  impoverished  country:  President,  Mrs.  B. 
C.  Howard  ;  Vice-Presidents,  Mrs.  J.  Hanson  Thomas,  Mrs.  Chas. 
Howard,  Mrs.  J.  S.  Gittings,  Mrs.  W.  Prescott  Smith,  Mrs.  J.  J. 
Bankard;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Peyton  Harrison  ;  Assistant  Treasurer, 
Miss  Dora  Hoffman ;  Secretary,  Miss  Frick  ;  Executive  Committee — 
Mrs.  J.  Harman  Brown,  Mrs.  Samuel  Hoffman,  Miss  Louisa  Hoff- 
man, Mrs.  Chas.  J.  Baker,  Mrs.  D.  Preston  Parr,  Mrs.  Samuel  W. 
Smith,  Mrs.  T.  Parkin  Scott,  Mrs.  Thomas  Murdoch,  Mrs.  Lurman, 
Mrs.  Eobert  H.  Carr,  Mrs.  John  H.  B.  Latrobe,  Mrs.  Joshua  Vansant, 
Mrs.  A.  DuBois  Egerton,-Mrs.  John  F.  Hunter,  Mrs.  Allan  Dorsey, 
Mrs.  itichard  Norris,  Mrs.  James  F.  Purvis,  Mrs.  Louisa  Cannon, 
Mrs.  James  M.  Anderson,  Mrs.  F.  W.  Elder,  Mrs.  James  Hodges, 
Miss  Harper. 

On  Monday  evening,  May  2l8t,  a  number  of  the  leading  Cath- 
olics of  this  city,  together  with  a  number  of  pastors  of  the  several 
Catholic  churches  of  Baltimore,  met  in  the  basement  of  Calvert 
Hall  and  effected  an  organization  known  as  the  St.  Mary's  Indus- 
trial School  for  boys.  Archbishop  Spaulding  presided  at  the  organ- 
ization, and  in  his  remarks,  acquainted  those  present  with  his  past 
action  in  the  matter  and  its  results,  and  also  what  he  proposed  in 
the  future.  The  meeting  was  also  addressed  by  Kev.  Fathers 
Dolan  and  McColgan  on  the  subject.  The  corner-stone  of  this 
institution  was  laid  on  Tuesday,  June  4th,  1867,  by  Kev.  Thomas 
Foley,  D.  D.,  Administrator  of  the  diocese,  assisted  by  a  number 
of  clergy.  The  building  is  situated  about  one  mile  and  a  half  west 
of  the  city  limits  south  of  the  Frederick  road. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Order  of  Odd-Fellowship  in  the  United 
States  assembled  Monday  morning,  September  17th,  at  9  o'clock, 
in  the  grand  saloon  of  the  Odd-Fellows  Hall  on  Gay  street,  in 
this  cit}*.  There  were  representatives  present  from  twentj^-four 
Grand  Lodges  and  sixteen  Grand  Encampments. 

Died  on  the  25th  of  September,  Hon.  Henry  May,  an  able 
member  of  the  bar  and  formerly  a  member  of  Congress.  He  was 
an  eloquent  and  powerful  speaker,  and  wrote  with  great  power  and 
effect. 

The  Second  Plenary  Council  of  the  Koman  Catholic  Church  in 
the  United  States,  was  held  Thursday,  October  10th,  at  the  Cathe- 
dral Church. 

General  John  Spear  Smith,  son  of  Gen.  Samuel  Smith,  died  on 
the  17th  of  November.  In  1844,  on  the  formation  of  the  Maryland 
Historical  Society,  he  was  unanimously  elected  its  first  president, 
ft  position  which  he  held  for  twenty-two  consecutive  years. 


6S&  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

The  dedication  of  the  Peabody  Institute  took  place  on  Thurs- 
day, the  25th  of  October,  at  the  Institute  building,  situated  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  Mount  Yernon  Phiee  and  Charles  street,  im- 
mediately beneath  the  shadow  of  Washington  monument.  The 
ceremonies  were  very  interesting,  and  attracted  a  large  and  remark- 
ably attentive  audience.  After  prayer  by  the  Eev.  Dr.  Backus 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  the  address  of  welcome  to  Mr. 
George  Peabody  was  delivered  by  Governor  Thomas  Swann. 
Mr.  Peabody's  reply  was  alike  excellent  and  interesting,  touching 
feelingly  on  his  personal  remembrances  of  Baltimore  in  past  days, 
and  exhibiting  the  patriotic  feeling  which  had  animated  Mr. 
Peabody  during  the  Southern  rebellion.  The  report  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees  was  read,  recording  their  action  in  the  building  of  the 
Institute  and  preparing  it  for  the  use  of  the  public.  After  the 
close  of  the  ceremonies  Mr.  Peabody  gave  a  public  reception  in  the 
library  room,  where  a  large  number  of  citizens  paid  their  respects 
to  him.  In  the  evening  he  was  the  guest  of  the  Trustees  at  dinner. 
On  the  26th,  the  children  of  the  public  schools  marched  in  pro- 
cession from  the  different  sections  of  the  city,  and  were  presented 
to  Mr.  Peabody  in  front  of  the  Institute.  It  wa^  estimated' that 
nearly  eighteen  thousand  children  of  the  public  schools  were 
present,  and  the  addition  of  teachers  and  graduates  increased  the 
number  to  fully  twenty  thousand,  requiring  over  two  hours  for  the 
procession  to  pass  in  review. 

Baltimore  was  on  Tuesday,  the  20th  of  November,  the  scene  of 
one  of  the  finest  civic  displays  ever  witnessed  in  this  country. 
The  occasion  —  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  Masonic 
Temple  for  the  members  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  in  Maryland  — 
assembled  together  representatives  of  the  brethren  from  all  sec- 
tions of  the  country.  Our  citizens  cordially  welcomed  the 
strangers.  The  streets  throughout  the  day  were  thronged  with 
people,  eager  to  witness  the  display  and  do  honor  to  the'  visitors. 
The  procession  was  a  most  respectable  one  in  appearance,  and 
numbered  about  eight  thousand  men.  The  members  of  the  frater- 
nity were  attired  in  suits  of  plain  black  cloth,  which  gave  a  uni- 
form appearance  to  the  line.  The  Knights  Templar  in  their  rich 
and  elegant  uniforms  attracted  the  attention  of  all  on  the  route 
of  march.  There  were  many  magnificent  banners  and  flags  in  the 
procession  richly  emblazoned  with  the  symbols  of  the  fraternity, 
conspicuous  among  which  were  the  red-cross  banner  and  flags  of 
the  Templars.  President  Andrew  Johnson,  who  is  a  past  Grand 
Master  of  the  Masons,  was  in  attendance,  and  participated  in  the 
proceedings  at  the  Temple.  The  ceremonies  were  commenced  by  the 
flinging  of  a  hymn,  composed  for  the  occasion  by  Kev.  A.  Long- 
acre.  Eev.  K.  W.  Murdy,  D.I).,  LL.D.,  Grand  Prelate  of  the 
Grand  Encampment  of  the  United  States,  then  offered  up  a  beau- 
tiful prayer.  The  Grand  Treasurer,  Fred.  Fickey,  Jr.,  read  the 
inscription  and  contents  of  the  box,  and  deposited  it  with  its  con- 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE.  667 

tents  in  the  place  prepared  for  its  reception.  The  principal  archi- 
tect, E.  G.  Lind,  then  presented  the  working  tools  to  the  Grraud 
Master,  John  Coates,  who  directed  the  Grand  Marshal  to  present 
them  to  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  Francis  Burns,  and  the  Senior 
and  J^inior  Grand  Wardens.  Hymn,  tune  "  Old  Hundred,"  com- 
posed for  the  occasion  by  Brantz  Maj'er,  Esq.  The  stone  was 
then  lowered  and  laid  with  the  usual  ceremonies.  The  choir  then 
sang  the  grand  chorus  from  Haydn's  oratorio  of  "  The  Creation" 
with  thrilling  effect.  Eev.  John  McCron,  D.D.,  Grand  Chaplain, 
then  followed  with  prayer.  Then  followed  a  very  eloquent  and 
able  oration  by  John  H.  B.  Latrobe,  P.  M.  P.,  H.  P.,  &c.,  who  gave 
a  most  interesting  history  of  Masonry.  At  its  conclusion  Mr. 
Latrobe  was  cordially  complimented  by  many  of  his  brethren  for 
his  masterly  effort.  The  choir  then  sang  the  Gloria  from  Mozart's 
Twelfth  Mass,  and  this  concluded  the  ceremonies,  whereupon  the 
lodges  reformed  and  marched  to  the  Masonic  hall  on  St.  Paul 
street,  where  the  procession  was  dismissed.  Immediately  upon 
the  conclusion  of  the  ceremonies  the  Knights  Templar  of  Balti- 
more entertained  the  visiting  commanderies  with  a  handsome  col- 
lation at  Front  Street  Theatre.  It  was  well  attended,  and  a  very 
happy  season  was  enjoyed  by  all  present.  At  night  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Marj^land  entertained  the  visiting  grand  lodges  at  Con- 
cordia Hall.  The  gavel  used  by  Grand  Master  Coates  was  the 
same  which  was  used  by  Gen.  Washington  upon  the  occasion  of 
the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  first  National  Capitol  at 
Washington  in  1793.  The  gold  trowel  which  he  used  was  also  the 
same  used  by  Levin  Winder,  the  Grand  Master  of  Maryland,  in 
laying  the  corner-stone  of  the  old  Masonic  hall  over  fifty  years 
ago,  and  which  was  also  used  in  laying  the  corner-stone  of  the 
Washington  Monument  and  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad. 

1867.  Dr.  John  Cavendish  Smith  Monkur,  a  very  eminent  Bal- 
timore physician,  died  on  Tuesday  night,  January  1st,  in  the  67th 
year  of  his  age.  Also  on  Sunday,  the  6th  of  January,  Mr.  Nathan 
Tyson,  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  honorable  merchants  of  Balti- 
more, in  the  80th  year  of  his  age.  Also  on  the  18th  of  January, 
Mr.  William  Fisher,  of  the  firm  of  William  Fisher  &  Sons — a  man 
beloved  by  his  family  and  friends,  and  most  highly  esteemed  by 
all  who  knew  him. 

The  "  Newsboy's  Home  "  was  established  by  Messrs.  J.  M.  Drill, 
Wm.  B.  Hill  and  others,  in  a  large  room  over  the  farrier  shop  of 
Mr.  James  Keenan  on  HoUiday  street,  south  of  Saratoga,  below  the 
old  City  Hall,  in  January. 

On  Tuesday,  February  26th,  Mr.  Callender,  a  United  States  Go- 
vernment bank  inspector,  commenced  an  investigation  into  the 
condition  of  the  National  Mechanics'  Bank,  located  on  the  south- 
east corner  of  Calvert  and  Fayette  streets,  and  during  the  day  dis- 
covered false  entries  upon  the  books  in  which  are  kept  the  accounts 
of  foreign  banks,  and  which  were  in  charge  of  Samuel  H.  Wentz, 


66S  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

who  was  known  as  the  "  foreign  bookkeeper."  Mr.  John  H. 
Eogers  was  also  implicated  in  the  systematic  system  of  defalca- 
tion, which  extended  back  a  period  of  twenty-seven  years,  amount- 
ing to  nearly  $300,000.  The  robbery  was  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  adroit  on  record,  the  length  of  time  for  which  it  continued 
evidencing  this,  and  probably  ran  through  a  longer  series  of  years 
than  any  bank  defalcation  yet  discovered. 

At  an  election  held  on  the  10th  of  April,  the  majority- were  in 
favor  of  calling  a  convention  to  change  the  constitution  of  the 
State,  and  the  running  of  the  city  passenger  railway  cars  on  Sun- 
da}'.     The  cars  commenced  running  on  Sunday,  Api-il  28th. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  Ascension  Church,  Lafayette  Square, 
was  laid  on  Thursday  afternoon,  July  18th,  with  appropriate  cer- 
emonies, by  the  rector  Eev.  C.  M.  Callaway,  assisted  by  a  number 
of  other  clergymen,  after  which  addresses  were  delivered  by  Rev, 
A.  P.  Stryker,  Eev.  J.  E.  (irammer,  and  E^v.  H.  A.  Wise. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  new  City  Hall  was  laid  in  this  city 
on  the  18th  of  October.  It  was  altogether  a  very  dull  affair,  little 
interest  being  manifested  in  the  proceedings.  John  H.  B  Latrobe, 
who  had  been  selected  as  the  orator  of  the  occasion,  delivered  an 
eloquent  address. 

The  first  grand  parade  and  review  of  the  First  Division  of  the 
Maryland  National  Guard  took  place  on  Tuesday,  October  15th, 
and  it  was  a  display  that  reflected  credit  upon  the  troops  and  their 
officers. 

The  General  Assembly  at  the  January  session  passed  the  fol- 
lowing acts:  incorporating  the  Maryland  State  Agi-icultural  and 
Mechanical  Association  ;  the  Baltimore  "Warehouse  Company',  and 
the  Central  Maryland  Eailroad  Company. 

The  order  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  was  instituted  in  the  city 
of  Baltimore,  November  27th,  when  "  Golden  Lodge  No.  1"  and 
''Monumental  Lodge  No.  2"  were  both  started  on  the  same 
evening. 

Major-General  Geo.  H.  Steuart  died  in  the  city  of  Baltimore  on 
Tuesday,  October  22d,  in  the  77th  year  of  his  age.  Previous  to 
the  civil  war  Gen.  Steuart,  for  some  twenty  years,  commanded  the 
first  light  division  of  Maryland  militia,  and  in  his  younger  days 
represented  the  city  in  the  State  Legislature.  He  vvas  also  at  one 
time  a  member  of  the  City  Council.  During  the  war  of  1812  with 
Great  Britain,  the  deceased  vvas  nno  of  the  brave  men  who  de- 
fended -the  cit}^  of  Baltimore  when  attacked  by  General  Eoss. 
Shortly  after  the  civil  war  commenced  he  went  South,  where  he 
resided  j)rivately,  mostly  at  Charlottesville,  Ya.,  and  after  the  war 
went  to  Europe,  where  he  remained  until  within  some  four  or  five 
months.  At  the  first  battle  of  Manassas  General  Steuart  was 
present  as  a  spectator,  and  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  United 
States  forces,  but  on  the  fact  becoming  known  that  he  was  not  en- 
gaged in  actual  hostilities,  he  was  promptly  released. 


CHRO]SICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  669 

1868.  The  demonstration  on  Thursday,  March  27th,  in  honor  of 
the  officers  of  the  Bremen  steamship  Baltimore,  which  arrived  here 
on  Monday  morning,  March  23d,  was  one  of  the  most  imposing 
displays  that  has  ever  taken  place  in  our  city.  The  military  were 
out  in  strong  force,  the  number  of  cavalry  being  a  marked  feature, 
and  all  looked  and  marched  well.  The  officers  of  the  steamer 
(Capt.  Voeckler;  first  officer,  Thomas  Schubert;  Brst  engineer, 
VValter  Moffat;  second  engineer,  Frederick  Fanger;  purser,  Thos. 
Flutting;  doctor,  F.  Frei ;  second  officer,  Theodore  De^tzen ; 
third  engineer,  Herman  Tage ;  and  third  officer,  F.  Kustar),-  as 
they  passed  along  the  route,  everywhere  densely  crowded,  w^ere 
warmly  cheered,  and  a  platoon  of  German  sailors  that  followed, 
fine  hardy  looking  fellows,  met  with  a  characteristic  reception 
which  they  warmly  reciprocated.  The  civic  part  of  the  procession 
was  also  quite  large,  the  battalion  of  policemen  and  the  tire  depart- 
ment, and  the  strong  array  of  mounted  butchers  being  the  most 
attractive  points  in  this  part  of  the  long  procession.  The  mass  of 
spectators  along  the  route  was  wonderful ;  the  whole  population 
of  the  city  apparently  being  congregated  on  the  sidewalks,  in  the 
windows,  and  on  the  roofs  of  the  houses.  The  banquet  at  night 
at  the  Concordia  was  a  splendid  aff'air. 

Thursday,  July  16th,  was  an  exceedingly  warm  day,  the  ther- 
mometer ranging  from  97  to  101  degrees  in  the  shade.  Thirty 
cases  of  sun-stroke  were  reported,  twenty  one  of  which  proved  fatal. 

Our  city  on  Friday,  July  24th,  was  visited  with  one  of  the  most 
appalling  and  destructive  calamities  that  has  ever  overtaken  it 
since  1837,  which  swept  away  all  the  old  stone  and  brick  bridges 
that  previously  spanned  Jones  Falls.  It  was  thought  that  the 
elevated  and  broad  span  iron  bridges  that  have  since  been  con- 
structed would  prove  an  efi^ectual  bar  to  a  similar  visitation,  but 
even  these  have  proved  ineffectual,  and  we  have  now  to  record  a 
flood  the  most  disastrous  that  has  ever  visited  Baltimore.  The 
amount  of  destruction  to  property  no  doubt  far  exceeds  that  of 
1837. 

About  two  o'clock  on  Friday  morning,  July  24th,  the  storm 
commenced,  accompanied  by  thunder  and  lightning,  but  the  fall  of 
rain  was  not  serious  until  eight  o'clock,  when  it  began  to  pour 
down  in  such  a  volume  that  fears  at  once  were  entertained  of  a 
flood  in  Jones  Falls,  which  passes  through  the  heart  of  the  city 
dividing  east  from  west  Baltimore.  This  heavy  fall  of  rain  con- 
tinued with  but  little  intermission  until  after  two  o'clock,  flooding 
the  streets,  and  rendering  pedestrianism  next  to  an  impossibility. 
Accompanying  the  rain  was  a  strong  wind  from  the  southeast,  and 
persons  owning  property  of  any  kind  in  the  vicinity  of  Jones 
Falls  were  instantly  apprised,  upon  arising  in  the  morning,  that 
their  Id  enemies,  a  heavy  rain  and  a  south  wind,  were  again  at 
work  and  that  they  must  move  quickly  if  they  would  save  their 
good    and  chattels  from  damage  or  destruction. 


670  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

The  water  in  Jones  Falls  commenced  rising  very  rapidly  about 
ei^ht  o'clock,  and  gradually  creeping  upwards,  first  overflowed  its 
banks  and  filled  the  east  side  of  Centre  Market  Space  and  Swann 
and  Hawk  streets.     Another  hour  and  it  had  backed  up  sufficiently 
to  overflow  Harrison  street,  §,nd  within  a  few  moments  it  was  in 
Holliday,  Frederick  and  Saratoga  streets.     At  twelve  o'clock  the 
cellars  of  perhaps  two  thousand  houses  in  this  section  of  the  city 
were  filled,  and  the  water  was  steadily  rising  on  their  first  floors  ; 
but  as  the  storm  had  commenced  to  abate,  hopes  Vere  still  enter- 
tained that  the  flood  was  at  its  height.     About  half-past  twelve 
o'clock,  however,  the  flood  then  commenced  to  rise  more  rapidly 
than  ever,  and  in  a  half  hour  reached  ceilings  where  it  had  previ- 
ously only  invaded  floors,  and  the  greatest  consternation  prevailed. 
So  rapid  was  this  rise,  and  so  wild  and  furious  the  rushing  torrent, 
that  the  lives  of  many  persons  were  jeopardized,  and  we  regret  to 
add  several  lives  were  lost.     Had  it  occurred  at  night,  as  in  the 
case  of  the  great  flood  of  1837,  the  loss  of  life  could  not  but  have 
been  immense.     About  half-past  twelve   o'clock  one  of  the  city 
passenger  ears  of  the  Gay  street  line  crossed  the  bridge  coming  to- 
wards Baltimore  street.     Immediately  after  crossing,  the  car  pro- 
ceeded on  as  far  as  Saratoga  street,  down  which  the  water  was 
running  at  a  furious  rate,  reaching  the  floor  of  the  car.     The  horses 
floundered  in  the  water,  and  the  front  wheels  left  the  track ;  the 
driver  unhitched  his  horses,  and  endeavored  to  attach  them  to  the 
other  end  of  the  car  and  draw  it  back  on  to  the  bridge.     The  driver 
and  conductor,  however,  unfastened  the  horses  from  the  car,  and 
getting  on  their  backs,  went  on  shore,  leaving  those  in  the  car  to 
save  themselves  as  best  they  might.     The  car  soon  floated,  and 
was  swiftly  moved   by  the   tremendous   current  down   Harrison 
street,  surging  and  swaying  in  every  direction.     There  were  then 
about  eight  persons  in  the  car,  the  others  having  escaped;  but  as 
it  neared  the  awnings  on  either  side,  four  or  five  of  them  managed 
at  great  risk  to  clutch  the  awnings,  and  were  saved  by  entering 
the  second  story  windows.     Mr.  C.  J.  Emery,  an   employee  of  the 
American  office  who  was  in  the  car,  says  :  "  My  friend  and  myself 
stood  with  our  feet  on  the  brakes  of  the  car,  holding  on  to  the  top 
portion  of  it.     The  water  was  about  up  to  our  arm-pits,  and  the  car 
continued  swaying  in  the  wild  torrent  from  one  side  to  the  other, 
we  laboring  hard  to  clear  ourselves  from  the  floating  debris.     We 
finally  reached  the  corner  of  Harrison  and  Fayette  streets,  in  front 
of  the  tavern  kept  by  John  English,  when  the  car  wheeled  around 
and  turned  over,  carrying  us  and  other  persons,  an  old  gentleman 
and  a  lad  about  fourteen  years  of  age,  with  it.     Myself  and  friend, 
through  great  exertion,  succeeded  in  getting  on  the  upper  side  of 
the  car,  and  reaching  the  awning,  were  saved  by  the  timely  assist- 
ance of  Mr.  English  and  the  occupants  of  the  house.     Mr.  Ayme- 
riche,  my  friend,  was  much  bruised,  cut  and  swollen,  and  almost 
insensible  when  he  reached  a  place  of  safety.     The  old  gentleman 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  671 

and  the  youth  who  were  our  fellow-passengers  in  this  most  terrible 
catastrophe,  followed  us  in  reaching  the  awning,  but  we  had 
scarcely  got  into  the  window  when  it  was  carried  away,  and  these  two 
unfortunates  who  were  on  the  awning  were  carried  off  in  the  raging 
current  and  sunk  to  rise  no  more.  They  were  strangers  to  us,  and 
in  the  excitement  and  the  effort  each  of  us  had  to  make  during  the 
occurrence  to  save  ourselves  from  impending  death,  it  would  be 
impossible  to  give  the  faintest  description  of  their  personal  ap- 
pearance. That  they  were  both  drowned  is  certain,  and  their 
bodies  probably  swept  out  into  the  basin.  AVe  were  most  kindly 
received  by  Mr.  English  and  his  family,  and  every  attention  given 
to  our  comfort  and  resuscitation  from  almost  a  drowned  condition. 
A  boat  in  charge  of  police  officers  finally  came  to  search  for 
the  wrecked  passengers,  and  conveyed  us  to  dry  land  once  more ; 
and  we  hope  never  again  to  make  so  perilous  a  journey  over  the 
paved  streets  of  Baltimore." 

Standing  at  the  corner  of  Frederick  and  Baltimore  streets  about 
1^  o'clock,  the  scene  Tvas  truly  distressing.  The  flood  had  now 
swollen  into  an  angry  torrent  that  rushed  down  the  beds  of  Har- 
rison and  Frederick  streets  in  volume  and  swiftness  resembling  the 
rapids  of  Niagara.  At  the  corner  of  Harrison  street,  in  front  of 
Laroque's  drug  store,  the  water  was  within  one  foot  of  the  top  of 
the  street  lamp.  Ever  and  anon  masses  of  timber  and  wood,  boxes, 
barrels,  railroad  ties,  articles  of  household  furniture,  fencing, 
trees,  wagons,  out-houses,  and  in  short  all  manner  of  debris 
from  the  wreck  and  ruin  along  the  line  of  the  Falls,  came 
sweeping  down  the  fearful  current,  and  piling  up  in  front  of  the 
Maryland  Institute,  in  this  way  a  sort  of  break-water  was  formed, 
protecting  that  building  against  the  beating  of  the  billows, 
for  in  truth  nothing  less  than  billows  they  were  that  swept  down 
both  Harrison  and  Frederick  streets.  The  water  soon  after  this 
was  seen  to  dash  over  the  bed  of  Baltimore  street  bridge,  driving 
the  people  assembled  there  in  wild  confusion  toward  High  street. 
About  this  time  word  came  that  Gay  Street  bridge  was  seriously 
threatened,  and  in  attestation  of  this  report  there  was  soon  a  flood 
of  water  pouring  down  Gay  street,  and  shortly  thereafter  the  back 
water  came  in  large  volumes  down  Holliday  street  also.  Language 
is  almost  inadequate  to  describe  the  scene  that  was  now  witnessed. 
The  surface  of  the  angry  flood  was  fairly  covered  with  every  des- 
cription of  material,  telling  sadly  and  painfully  of  the  immense 
loss,  destruction  and  distress  that  this  disaster  w^as  occasioning. 
Now  the  porch  of  a  house,  now  the  contents  of  some  store,  now 
the  timbers  of  bridges  and  warehouses,  would  come  down  dashing 
along  with  fearful  rapidity,  driving  up  against  buildings,  crashing 
window  glass  in  the  first  floor  and  bursting  in  doorways.  At  one 
time  we  noticed  a  child's  crib  floating  down  Harrison  street,  and 
several  bodies  of  animals,  cows  and  horses  were  also  seen,  whilst 
not  a  few"  of  the  spectators  were  of  the  opinion  that  more  than 
•  one  or  two  dead  bodies  of  human  beings  were  to  be  seen. 


672  CHROKICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

The  effects  of  the  flood  were  very  severely  felt  on  Korth  street, 
and  it  is  almost  impossible  to  estimate  the  extent  of  the  loss  sus- 
tained in  this  portion  of  the  flooded  district.  From  the  high 
ground  near  the  City  Hall  excavation,  just  south  of  Lexington 
street,  the  water  covered  the  whole  extent  of  the  street  northward 
towards  Eager  street,  flooding  every  building.  In  some  places, 
say  from  near  Pleasant  street  northward,  the  water  was  fully  ten 
to  twelve  feet  deep.  The  residents  of  the  small  dwellings  in  the 
neighborhood  were  obliged  to  take  refuge  in  the  upper  stories  of 
their  dwellings,  and  some  made  very  narrow  escapes.  Hollidaj^ 
street  also  came  in  for  a  large  share  of  the  overwhelming  flood. 
The  water  extended  the  whole  length  of  this  street,  even  across 
the  elevated  portion  of  it  at  Fayette  street,  and  thence  passing 
down  into  Baltimore  street.  In  front  of  the  theatre  the  water 
rose  above  the  sills  of  the  doors,  and  thence  extended  in  a  broad 
sheet  across  the  street  to  t»he  new  City  Hall  excavation,  which 
was  quickly  filled,  the  water  rushing  into  it  with  great  volume, 
presenting  the  appearance  of  a  mill  dam.  Northward  the  whule 
length  of  the  street  was  like  an  angry  river,  and  the  occupants  of 
the  small  houses  above  Saratoga  street  were  in  no  little  peril. 
Some  of  them  were  rescued  from  drowning  only  by  the  huniane 
efforts  of  others.  Smith  and  Curlett's  soap  and  candle  factory 
•was  entirely  surrounded  by  the  flood,  and  the,  water  dashed  and 
beat  against  its  walls  on  all  sides  up  to  the  second  floor.  The 
whole  appearance  of  this  region  was  so  changed  by  the  action  of 
the  water  that  one  even  tolerably  familiar  with  the  locality  could 
scarcely  recognize  it. 

On  the  opposite  or  eastern  bank  of  the  Falls  many  of  the  small 
dwellings  had  completely  disappeared,  and  on  this  side  those  that 
were  left  standing  as  the  water  subsided,  were  in  ruins,  as  though 
an  earthquake  had  shattered  them.  J  ust  above  Bath  street  bridge, 
which  disappeared  at  an  early  stage  of  the  flood,  a  frame  dwelling 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Falls  was  lifted  bodily  from  its  foundations 
and  carried  out  into  the  stream,  with  all  its  contents,  and  soon 
became  a  wreck,  its  shattered  fragments  joining  the  mass  of  madly 
rushing  timbers,  boxes,  and  household  goods  continually  passing 
down  the  current.  Near  where  the  above  mentioned  house  stood 
was  located  Crichton's  whisky  distillery,  which  was  also  entirely 
destroyed,  nothing  being  left  of  the  establishment  but  a  mass  of 
ruins.  All  the  whiskey  in  the  stills  and  in  the  bonded  warehouse 
was  swept  down  the  Falls.  The  Centre  Market,  under  the  Mary- 
land Institute,  was  completely  swept  out,  scarcely  a  box  or  a  stall 
being  left  in  the  whole  building.  The  blocks  of  the  upper  market, 
except  those  that  were  swept  out  into  the  basin,  were  piled  up 
upon  those  in  the  lower  markets,  presenting  a  scene  of  confusion 
that  made  a  bad  show  for  holding  market  the  next  morning.  The 
stores  upon  both  sides  of  the  market  were  in  a  terrible  condition, 
the  water  having  reached  the  ceilings,  and  a  large  portion  of  their 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  673 

stock  was  utterly  destroyed.  On  the  west  side  of  the  market  and 
on  Second  street  the  pavements  were  torn  up,  and  in  some  places 
the  earth  washed  out  to  the  depth  of  three  or  ibur  feet.  At  the 
foot  of  the  market  on  Pratt  street  the  earth  caved  in  at  the  head 
of  Long  dock,  taking  with  it  half  of  the  bed  of  Pratt  street.  Five 
dead  bodies  were  fished  out  of  the  falls  and  along  the  streets. 

The  mammoth  body  of  water  that  poured  with  such  terrific 
force  down  Marsh  Market  Space,  Frederick  street  and  Gay  street 
into  the  wharves  at  the  south  side  of  Pratt  street,  can  scarcely  be 
described.  The  bed  of  the  street  was  uprooted  and  carried  away, 
the  enormous  stones  forming  the  coping  at  the  edge  of  the 
wharves  torn  up  as  if  they  were  mere  pebbles,  and  tossed  on  edge 
and  transversely  so  that  the  water  pouring  over  them  formed  a 
cataract  the  width  of  the  streets,  and  swept  downward  into  the 
docks  with  a  volume  of  sound  that  could  be  heard  a  considerable 
distance.  This  was  especially  the  case  at  the  foot  of  Centre 
Market  Space,  where  from  Dugan's  wharf  on  one  side  and  McEl- 
derry's  wharf  on  the  other,  the  torrent  of  angry  turbid  water 
rushed  onward  with  a  force  that  carried  down  huge  beams  and 
rafters,  barrels  of  whiskey,  beef  and  pork,  and  where  it  poured 
over  the  head  of  the  destroyed  dock  was  converted  into  a  cataract 
that  can  be  likened  to  nothing  but  a  miniature  Niagara.  Down 
this  stream  there  came  a  number  of  staves,  probably  25,000 ;  a  short 
distance  further  down  the  dock  they  caught  against  some  huge 
pieces  of  lumber  that  had  become  fixed  across  it.  In  this  waj'^  a 
strong  boom  was  formed,  and  as  the  piled  up  mass  of  debris  grew 
greater,  it  made  u  bridge  on  which  a  person  could  cross  dry-shod 
from  shore  to  shore. 

It  was  supposed  at  first  that  all  the  bridges  over  the  Falls  had 
been  swept  away,  but  fortunately  this  was  not  the  case,  though 
the  few  that  were  left  standing  were  nearly  all  greatly  damaged. 
The  stone  bridge  at  Eager  street  stood  firm,  and  did  not  appear  to 
be  injured  in  the  slightest  degree.  The  Charles  street  bridge  was 
swept  entirely  away,  the  abutments  having  jnelded  to  the  force 
of  the  torrent.  The  structure  was  soon  dashed  to  pieces,  and 
came  down  with  the  mass  of  debris  against  the  Monument  street 
bridge.  The  pressure  of  debris  and  its  damming  of  the  flood  at 
Monument  street,  soon  caused  the  w^ater  to  rise  and  flow  over  the 
bed  of  that  structure,  and  in  a  few  minutes  after  it  floated  from 
its  abutments  and  was  dashed  into  fragments.  The  Madison  and 
Centre  street  bridges,  the  Hi  lien  street  and  the  Swann  street 
bridges  soon  after  gave  way  and  were  swept  down  the  current,  the 
abutments  and  approaches  to  these  fine  structures  being  entirely 
destroyed.  The  Belvedere  bridge  was  not  injured,  it  having  with- 
stood all  the  floods  for  fifty  years  past.  The  firm  iron  bridge  at 
Fayette  street  was  also  swept  oif.  This  bridge  was  of  massive 
cast  iron,  and  probably  had  enough  iron  in  it  to  construct  a  half 
dozen  bridges.  The  abutments  gave  way  about  half-past  one 
43 


674  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

o'clock,  and  the  iron  superstructure  crumbled  into  a  thousand 
fragments;  even  the  abutments  were  pushed  out  to  their  base. 
The  only  other  bridge  totally  destroyed  was  the  foot-bridge  over 
Swann  and  Plowman  streets,  which  was  swept  off  and  destroyed. 
The  three  principal  bridges  in  the  centre  of  the  city,  those  over 
Gay  street,  Baltimore  street,  and  Pratt  street,  were  all  badly  dam- 
aged, and  were  only  in  a  condition  for  foot-passengers  to  cross. 

The  scene  at  Gay  street  bridge  after  the  water  subsided  was  of 
the  most  appalling  character,  and  showed  the  cause  of  suc.h  an  im- 
mense flood  having  forced  its  way  into  Harrison  and  Frederick 
streets.  When  the  flood  was  at  its  height  the  debris  from  the  five 
bridges  that  were  washed  away  above  Gay  street  massed  itself 
against  the  north  side  of  the  Gay  street  bridge,  and  was  piled  up 
to  the  height  of  fifteen  feet  above  the  floor  of  the  bridge,  and 
massed  back  to  the  extent  of  fifty  or  sixty  feet.  The  bridge  itself 
was  raised  from  its  abutments  on  the  north  side,  and  the  railings 
on  both  sides  carried  away.  The  water  when  at  its  height  was 
nearly  a  foot  over  the  railings,  and  it  is  singular  that  the  structure 
retained  its  position.  Baltimore  street  bridge  also  caught  a  large 
portion  of  the  floating  timber,  and  was  badly  damaged,  though  it 
was  made  passable  the  next  day.  Pratt  street  bridge  was  also  in 
a  critical  condition,  and  could  not  be  used  except  for  foot-pas- 
sengers. The  bridge  over  Eastern  avenue  was  not  injured  in 
the  least,  and  this  and  the  Eager  street  bridge  were  the  only  two 
serviceable  for  travel.  The  flood  had  pretty  well  subsided,  and 
the  water  was  confined  to  the  banks  of  the  Falls,  about  six  o'clock 
in  the  evening,  and  many  thousands  of  persons  were  wading 
through  the  mud  left  in  the  streets,  nearly  ankle  deep,  to  witness 
the  scenes  for  two  or  three  squares  on  either  side  of  the  Falls,  ex- 
tending over  a  distance  of  fully  two  miles.  Hundreds  of  vehicles 
were  in  use  for  the  same  purpose,  though  it  was  difficult  at  times 
to  thread  a  way  through  the  rubbish  left  by  the  receding  waters. 
A  horse  and  wagon,  the  latter  containing  some  fifteen  persons,  was 
crossing  Baltimore  street  near  the  west  side  of  Market  Space,  the 
pavement  caved  in  and  the  whole  party  were  thrown  into  a  hole 
«ight  feet  deep.  They  all  managed  to  struggle  to  shore,  and  the 
horse  was  cut  loose  in  time  to  save  himself.  The  wagon  came  to 
a  sudden  end  by  being  badly  smashed. 

Whilbt  the  flood  was  at  its  height,  and  the  angry  billows  of  the 
torrent  were  surging  around  the  Maryland  Institute,  a  most 
thrilling  s^ene  waa  enacted.  Several  members  of  the  theatrical 
prolesHion,  who  had  assembled  in  the  upper  hall  over  the  market- 
house  to  hold  a  rehearsal,  heard  cries  of  distress  from  the  market- 
house.  Mr.  Stevens  procured  a  piece  of  timber,  and  with  the  as- 
sistance of  his  friends,  knocked  out  some  planks  in  the  floor, 
which  enabled  them  to  communicate  with  the  people  who  were 
flood-bound  in  the  market-house  beneath.  The  water  was  now 
bome  eight  or  ten  feet  deep,  and  the  only  refuge  of  these  unfortu- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  675 

nates  was  by  climbing  upon  and  clinging  to  tbe  stalls.  A  rope 
was  procured,  and  a  large  number  of  persons  of  all  ages  and  sex^ 
white  and  colored,  amounting  to  about  thirty-five  in  all,  were 
rescued. 

The  destruction  of  property  in  Baltimore  County  was  immense. 
There  was  scarcely  a  bridge  over  a  stream  of  any  considerable 
size  standing.  The  flood  at  Ellicott  City  was  terrible,  and  thirty- 
eight  lives  were  lost. 

The  People's  Bank,  at  the  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Paca  streets, 
was  discovered  on  Sunday  evening,  August  16th,  to  have  been 
robbed  by  parties  who  first  entered  an  adjoining  warehouse,  and 
then  obtained  access  to  the  bank  by  breaking  through  the  wall. 
Once  in  the  bank,  they  succeeded  in  digging  their  way  into  the 
vault,  and  blew  open  an  interior  safe  containing  money  and  se- 
curities, the  whole  contents  of  which  they  carried  off.  The  safe 
contained  some  six  thousand  dollars  belonging  to  the  bank,  and 
Government  bonds  and  other  securities  belonging  to  other  parties 
and  placed  on  deposit  for  safe-keeping.  The  whole  amount  of  loss 
was  about  $20,000. 

The  Maryland  Institution  for  the  Blind,  on  North  avenue,  near 
Charles  street  avenue,  was  dedicated  on  Friday,  November  20th. 
The  ceremonies  were  commenced  by  the  singing  of  a  chant  by  the 
larger  pupils,  accompanied  on  the  organ  by  Prof  Wm.  Harman. 
Kev.  Dr.  Kandolph  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  ofi'ered  a 
prayer,  after  which  a  chorus  was  sung  by  the  pupils.  W,  W. 
Glenn,  Esq.,  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  read  the  annual  report. 
The  programme  was  closed  by  a  benediction  delivered  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Crosby. 

1869.  In  accordance  with  the  instructions  of  the  Most  Rev. 
Archbishop  Spaulding,  the  Tenth  Provincial  Council  of  Baltimore 
assembled  Sunday  morning,  April  25th,  at  the  Cathedral,  and  the 
first  day  of  its  session  was  celebrated  with  great  religious  ceremo- 
nies. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  new  St.  Peter's  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  corner  of  Druid  Hill  avenue  and  Lanvale  street,  was  laid 
Thursday  afternoon,  April  29th,  with  appropriate  religious  cere- 
monies. An  address  was  delivered  by  the  rector,  Rev.  Dr.  Julius 
E.  Grammer. 

The  eleventh  festival  of  the  Northwestern  Saengerbund  com- 
menced their  five  days  of  musical  and  social  festivities  in  this  city 
on  Monday,  July  12th.  People  of  all  nations,  citizens  of  all  classes, 
were  on  the  streets  to  join  in  the  acclaim  of  kind  words,  and  the 
streaming  flags,  evergreen  arches,  illuminated  houses,  and  flashing 
fireworks,  added  to  the  notable  features  of  an  occasion  that  was 
altogether  remarkable  in  its  demonstrations  of  popular  interest. 
The  procession  was  brilliant  and  well-arranged,  creditable  to  the 
Baltimore  associations,  and  must  have  been  highly  gratifying  to 
their  visitors.     The  14th  was  the  first  picnic  day  at  the  Schuetzen 


676  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Park  of  the  Saengerfept,  and  there  were  numerous  festive  and 
jovial  observances.  The  singing  associations  marched  from  the 
Concordia  to  the  Schuetzen  Park  in  the  morning,  and  on  arriving 
there,  there  were  orations  in  German  by  Wm.  Kapp,  Esq.,  and  in 
English  by  Robert  C.  Barry,  Esq.  Each  was  a  very  fine  oratorical 
eifort,  and   elicited  great  applause.     The  distribution  of  the  prize 

Sianos  to  the  winning  societies  took  place  in  the  afternoon,  the 
lew  York  Liederkranz  taking  the  first,  the  Philadelphia  Junger 
Maennerchor  the  second,  the  Hoboken  Quartette  Club  the  third, 
and  the  Washington  Gesang  Yerein  the  fourth.  During  the  day 
speeches  were  made  by  Mr.  Christain  Ax,  chairman  of  the  hono- 
rary committee,  Mr.  George  P.  Stein  bach,  chairman  of  the  execu- 
tive committee,  Hon.  Reverdy  Johnson,  and  Major-General  Bier, 
Adjutant-General  of  Maryland.  The  management  of  the  musical 
department  of  the  festivities  attending  the  Saengerfest  could  not 
have  been  placed  in  better  hands  than  tbose  of  Professor  Charles 
Lenschow,  our  eminent  townsman,  a  musician  of  great  experience 
and  some  renown  as  a  composer. 

The  most  destructive  fire  that  had  occurred  in  Baltimore  for  some 
time  transpired  between  the  hours  of  half-past  eleven  o'clock  on 
the  morning  of  the  25th  of  April  and  two  in  the  afternoon.  The 
greater  portion  of  a  block  of  buildings,  and  lumberyard  of  Ran- 
dolph Brothers,  and  several  workshops,  bounded  by  Thames, 
Wolfe,  and  Lancaster  streets,  were  consumed^  entailing  a  loss  ot 
nearly  $150,000. 

Shortly  before  twelve  o'clock  on  Saturday  night,  October  2d,  a 
rain  storm  visited  this  city,  and  continued   during  Sunday.     A 

freat  scare  prevailed  amongst  the  residents  along  Jones  Falls,  they 
eing  fearful  that  another  inundation  was  about  to  befall  them. 
Centre  Market  bridge  was  carried  away,  and  Pratt  street  bridge 
and  the  draw-bridge  were  considerably  injured  by  the  dredging- 
machines  which  were  wrecked  against  them. 

The  first  annual  exhibition  of  the  Maryland  State  Agricultural 
and  Mechanical  Association  was  inaugurated  on  Tuesday  morning, 
October  26th.  Agreeably  to  orders  issued  by  the  Adjutant-General 
(George  H.  Bier),  the  First  Division  Maryland  National  Guards 
marched  to  the  grounds  and  participated  in  the  ceremonies. 

Mr.  George  Peabody  died  in  London  on  Thursday,  the  4th  of 
November.  Mr.  Peabody,  whose  name  is  famous  in  two  continents 
for  his  unexampled  generosity  in  distributing  millions  of  money  in 
beneficent  objects,  was  born  in  Danvers,  Massachusetts,  February 
18th,  1795,  and  for  many  years  was  a  merchant  in  this  city.  Our 
State  has  particular  reasons  for  remembering  his  important  services 
in  negotiating  important  loans  while  in  London,  for  which  he 
always  refused  compensation.  Among  the  noble  monuments  which 
will  stand  in  everlasting  attestation  of  his  munificence,  are  the 
working-men's  houses  in  London,  an  immense  block  of  which  were 
built  by  him  and  bestowed  upon  them ;  the  Institute  at  Danvers ; 


CHRONICLES  OF   BALTIMORE.  '  677 

the  donation  of  $1,4,00,000  to  the  purpose  of  educating  the  children 
of  the  South  ;  and  the  Peabody  Institute  at  Baltimore,  to  which  he 
has  also  given  $1,400,000.  The  great  philanthropist  also  gave 
smaller  sums  to  various  objects ;  indeed,  his  last  years  of  life  are 
but  the  history  of  a  series  of  noble  charities,-bestowed  with  a  large 
heart  and  a  willing  hand. 

At  his  residence  in  this  city,  at  twenty-five  minutes  before  one 
o'clock  on  Wednesday,  November  10th,  died  Hon.  Thomas  G. 
Pratt,  a  gentleman  who  in  past  years  had  filled  many  public 
positions  of  importance.  He  was  born  in  the  city  of  Washington 
in  the  j-ear  1804,  and  graduated  at  Princeton  College,  New  Jersey. 
He  served  in  both  the  State  Senate  and  House  of  JDelegates.  The 
next  political  position  held  by  him  was  that  of  Governor  of  Mary- 
land, to  which  he  was  elected  in  1844,  and  retired  from  in  1848. 
He  was  also  in  the  United  States  Senate.  At  the  outbreak  of  the 
late  war  he  strongly  espoused  the  cause  of  the  South,  and  in  1861 
was  arrested  by  order  of  the  Government  and  sent  to  Fortress 
Monroe,  where,  however,  he  remained  iiut  a  few  weeks,  and  then 
returned  to  Baltimore. 

Ml".  Charles  Howard,  who  was  the  youngest  son  of  Col.  John 
Eager  Howard,  died  at  Oakland,  in  Alleghany  county,  where  he 
was  seeking  relief,  under  the  advice  of  his  physicians,  from  a  pro- 
tracted and  distressing  malady,  Friday,  June  18th.  He  was  among 
the  early  graduates  of  St.  Mary's  College  in  this  city.  For  a  con- 
siderable period  he  was  president  of  the  Baltimore  and  Susquehanna 
Railroad  Company.  He  was  afterwards  presiding  judge  of  the 
Orphans'  Court,  and  subsequently  filled  the  place  of  city  collector 
under  Mayor  Hollins.  In  1860  he  was  appointed  by  the  General 
Assembly  of  Maryland  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Police  Com- 
missioners under  the  law  of  that  year,  and  presided  over  the  board 
until  July,  1861,  when  he  was  forcibly  removed  with  his  colleagues, 
by  the  military  power  of  the  Government.  The  health  of  Mr. 
Howard  received  an  impression  from  his  sixteen  months'  imprison- 
ment in  Fort  Lafayette  and  Fort  Warren  which  was  never 
removed.  He  was,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  one  of  the  trustees 
of  the  Peabody  Foundation,  and  belonged  to  the  board  of  trustees 
of  the  Maryland  Hospital,  and  the  board  of  managers  of  the 
Asylum  for  the  Blind.  He  was  amiable,  affectionate,  gentle  and 
brave — full  of  all  the  blessed  charities  and  quiet  virtues  that  make 
this  world  happy,  as  well  as  of  the  Christian  faith  and  hope  which 
brighten  the  pathway  to  another. 

1870.  A  meeting  was  held  on  Tuesday  evening,  March  22d,  at  the 
Mount  Yernon  Hotel,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  an  Academy 
of  Music,  and  the  building  of  an  opera  house  or  music  hall.  Dr. 
J.  Hanson  Thomas  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  Israel  Cohen.  Esq., 
was  appointed  secretary.  A  charter  was  read  and  adopted,  fixing 
the  stock  at  $300,000 ;  the  shares  650  each,  and  giving  to  each 
holder  of  twenty  shares  ($1000)  and  his  assigns  the  privilege  of 


678  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

a  free  seat  to  all  dramatic  and  operatic  representations  so  long  as 
the  stock  was  held  in  one  block.  The  following  gentlemen  were 
then  appointed  directors:  Israel  Cohen,  W.  T.  Walters,  Thomas 
H.  Morris,  S.  T.  Wallis,  A.  Schumacher,  A.  J.  Albert,  W.  F.  Frick, 
W.  P.  Smith,  Werner  Dressel,  Dr.  J.  Hanson  Thomas,  J.  Hall 
Pleasants,  and  John  Curlett. 

In  accordance  with  the  decision  rendered  in  the  United  States 
Circuit  Court  for  the  Maryland  District,  on  April  29th,  by  Judge 
Giles,  the  Baltimore  City  Passenger  Eailway  Company  are  required 
to  carrj'^  colored  people  on  the  lines  of  their  railway  in  the  same 
class  of  cars  provided  for  all  other  persons. 

On  Tuesday,  May  24th,  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  Episcopal 
Christ  Church  of  Baltimore  was  laid  at  the  corner  of  Chase  and 
St.  Paul  streets.  The  services  were  conducted  by  the  rector, 
Thomas  U.  Dudley,  assisted  by  Eevs.  Fleming  James  and  A.  M. 
Kandolph.  An  address  was  delivered  by  the  rector,  in  which  he 
gave  a  very  interesting  history  of  the  church. 

Jerome  Napoleon  Bonj|parte  died  at  his  residence  in  this  city 
on  Friday  morning,  June  17th.  Mr.  Bonaparte  was  the  son  of 
Jerome  Bonaparte,  brother  of  the  Emperor,  and  Miss  Elizabeth 
Patterson,  of  Baltimore,  who  were  married  in  this  city  by  Bishop 
Carroll  in  1803.  Her  treatment  by  Napoleon  and  her  husband  is  fa- 
miliar to  almost  every  one.  Napoleon  forbade  her  landing  in  France, 
would  not  recognize  the  marriage,  and  she  was  compelled  to  leave 
her  husband  and  take  up  her  abode  in  England,  and  at  Camberwell, 
near  London,  the  deceased  was  born  on  the  7th  of  July,  1805. 
Napoleon  never  succeeded  in  inducing  the  then  Pope  Pius  Yll.  to 
declare  Jerome's  marriage  null  and  void,  and  this  protest  had 
several  times  been  brought  forward  in  a  question  inyolving  the 
rank  of  the  deceased  and  his  family.  Madame  Bonaparte  returned 
to  Baltimore  with  her  son  during  his  boyhood,  and  he  was  reared 
in  this  city.  Mr.  Bonaparte  entered  Harvard  College,  and  grad- 
uated from  the  institution  in  1826,  having  then  an  intention  of 
pursuing  the  legal  profession,  but  although  he  studied  for  the  bar 
he  never  practised  law.  He  was  married  in  early  life  to  Miss 
Susan  May  Williams,  only  daughter  of  Benjamin  Williams,  Esq., 
originally  of  Roxbury,  Massachusetts.  Miss  Williams- was  born  in 
Baltimore,  was  a  lady  of  very  large  fortune,  which,  united  with 
Mr.  Bonaparte's  own  fortune,  made  him  one  of  the  wealthiest 
citizens  of  Baltimore.  Mr.  Bonaparte  had  two  sons,  Jerome 
Napoleon,  born  in  1831,  and  Charles  Joseph,  born  in  1852.  Major 
Jerome  served  with  great  distinction  and  gallantry  in  the  Crimean 
war,  and  also  in  the  Italian  campaign  in  1859.  During  the  reign 
of  Louis  Philippe,  Mr.  Bonaparte  was  permitted  to  visit  Paris,  but 
for  a  short  period  only,  and  under  his  mother's  name  of  Patterson. 
Although  travelling  incognito,  he  attracted  much  attention  from  his 
singular  likeness  to  his  uncle,  the  great  Emperor.  He  was  always 
thought  to  resemble  him  more  than  any  of  the  monarch's  own 


CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  679 

brothers  did.  Mr.  Bonaparte  was  distinguished  by  the  same  shape 
of  the  head  and  regularity  of  features,  bronze  countenance  and  dark 
eyes  of  peculiar  tint,  which  Napoleon  had,  and  which  characterized 
the  Corsican  people.  His  figure  too  was  cast  in  the  same  square 
mould  which  we  see  in  the  pictures  of  Napoleon.  Mr.  Bonaparte 
had  long  been  on  good  terms  with  the  late  Louis  Napoleon,  and 
visited  the  French  Court  with  his  son.  If  the  validity  of  his 
father's  marriage  with  Miss  ii'atterson  had  been  fully  recognized 
by  the  Court  of  France  it  would  have  given  his  heirs  precedence 
over  the  children  of  his  half  brothers  and  the  Princess  Mathilda, 
the  children  of  Jerome's  second  marriage.  It  is  very  often  doubted 
whether  there  was  a  drop  of  Bonaparte  blood  in  the  veins  of  the 
late  Emperor  of  France,  but  the  story  of  the  intrigue  between 
Hortense  and  the  Dutch  Admiral  has  never  been  proved,  although 
it  has  formed  one  of  the  staple  themes  for  the  invectives  of  La 
Marsdlatse  and  the  Red  Republicans  against  Napoleon  III.  If  it 
was  true,  then  the  deceased  was  the  proper  heir  to  the  throne  of 
France,  and  his  son  succeeds  to  his  rights.  But  the  son  of  Hor- 
tense made  himself  Emperor  by  a  coup  d'etat,  and  always  refused 
to  recognize  the  American  marriage  of  the  first  Jerome  as  valid, 
thus  excluding  the  Baltimore  Bonapartes  from  rank  as  Princes. 
The  first  Jerome  made  his  second  marriage  with  the  Princess  of 
Wurtemburg  in  1807,  of  which  the  offspring  was  the  present 
Prince  Napoleon,  more  generally  known  by  the  nickname  of 
"  Plon-Plon,"  which  was  given  him  by  the  army,  and  the  Princess 
Mathilde.  Mrs.  Patterson  Bonaparte  and  her  husband  never  met 
but  once  after  his  marriage  with  the  Princess  of  Wurtemburg. 
The  occasion  was  in  a  picture  gallery  of  Florence,  years  after- 
wards. They  recognized  each  other  instantly,  but  the  gentleman 
who  accompanied  the  lady  led  her  away,  and  the  next  morning 
Jerome  Bonaparte  left  the  city.  Mr.  Bonaparte  was  of  a  genial 
and  social  nature,  a  generous  friend,  kind  and  charitable,  and  uni- 
versally beloved  by  his  friends  and  acquaintances. 

Hon.  John  Pendleton  Kennedy,  of  Baltimore,  died  on  Friday, 
August  18th,  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  full  of  years  and  full  of  the  honors 
of  a  meritorious  life.  In  all  of  the  many  public  positions  to  which 
he  was  called  he  distinguished  himself,  bringing  to  them  a  rare  in- 
telligence and  ability.  He  was  born  in  Baltimore  on  the  25th  of 
October,  1795,  and  graduated  at  Baltimore  College  in  1812.  When 
the  British  troops  appeared  before  Baltimore  in  1814,  and  the  call 
was  made  for  volunteers  to  defend  the  city,  Mr.  Kennedy,  then 
but  nineteen  years  of  age,  enlisted  and  fought  in  the  ranks  at  the 
battles  of  Bladensburg  and  North  Point.  In  1816  he  was  admitted 
to  the  practige  of  law  at  the  Baltimore  bar,  and  in  1818  commenced 
authorship  by  the  publication,  in  connection  with  his  friends,  Peter 
Hoffman  Cruse  and  Josias  Pennington,  of  the  "Red  Book,"  a  light 
serial  of  prose  and  verse.  This  was  issued  once  a  fortnight,  and 
continued  for  two  years.     In  1820  he  entered  political  life,  and  ii\ 


680  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

that  year,  and  again  in  1822,  was  elected  to  the  Maryland  House 
of  Delegates.  That  body  chose  him  for  its  speaker.  In  1823  he 
was  appointed  by  President  Monroe,  Secretary  of  Legation  to 
Chili,  and  accepted  the  post,  but  afterwards  declined  it  before  the 
mission  sailed  for  Valparaiso.  He  was  always  strongly  in  favor  of 
high  tariff  and  protection  of  home  industry,  and  in  1830  wrote  a 
review  of  Hon.  C.  C.  Cambreleng's  report  on  commerce  and  navi- 
gation, combatting  its  free  trade  arguments.  In  1831  he  was  ap- 
pointed a  delegate  to  the  National  Convention  of  the  Friends  of 
Manufacturing  Industry,  held  in  New  York.  In  1832  Mr.  Ken- 
nedy published  his  first  novel,  "  Swallow  Barn,  or  a  Sojourn  in  the 
Old  Dominion."  From  this  time  until  1838  Mr.  Kennedy  devoted 
his  attention  to  works  of  fiction,  and  produced  in  1835  his  second 
novel,  "Horseshoe  Kobinson,  a  Tale  of  the  Tory  Ascendency." 
In  1838  he  published  "  Eob  of  the  Bowl,  a  Legend*  of  St.  Inigoes." 
All  .of  these  books  were  revised  and  republished  in  1852.  In  1838 
Mr.  Kennedy  emerged  from  his  retirement  and  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Eepresentatives  as  a  Protectionist.  Once 
at  Washington,  he  immediately  assumed  a  foremost  position  in  a 
Congress  that  numbered  many  of  the  greatest  lights  of  the  nation. 
In  1841  he  was  again  elected  to  Congress,  and  was  appointed 
chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Commerce.  In  1843  he  was  a  third 
time  elected  to  the  House  of  Eepresentatives,  serving  there  in  all 
six  years.  In  1845  the  Democratic  party  carried  his  district 
against  him,  but  in  the  succeeding  year  he  was  again  returned  to 
the  Maryland  House  of  Delegates,  and  was  once  more  elected  its 
speaker.  At  the  expiration  of  this  term  Mr.  Kennedy  devoted 
himself  to  the  production  of  his  "Life  of  William  Wirt,  Attorney- 
General  of  the  United  States,"  which  was  published  in  1849.  In 
1852  Mr.  Fillmore  appointed  him  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  which 

Sosition  he  held  until  the  Administration  went  out  of  office  in 
[arch,  1854.  Since  then  he  lived  the  life  of  cultivated  repose,  and 
literary  and  material  research,  to  which  his  bent  of  mind  disposed 
him.  The  possessor  of  an  ample  fortune,  he  had  every  oppor- 
tunity to  indulge  in  his  predilection.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  war 
he  immediately  announced  himself  a  supporter  of  the  government 
in  its  efforts  to  crush  the  rebellion,  and  remained  firm  in  its  faith. 
In  November,  1868,  he  presided  at  a  Eepublican  mass-meeting  at 
Front  Street  Theatre,  then  held  in  this  city  prior  to  the  Presi- 
dential election.  His  letter  accepting  the  position  was  fervid  with 
the  principles  of  Eepublicanism.  Mr.  Kennedy  was  Provost  of  the 
University  of  Maryland,  Vice-President  of  the  Maryland  Historical 
Society,  and  a  member  of  several  other  literary  and  scientific  asso- 
ciations. Ho  was  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Pea- 
body  Institute  of  this  city,  and  also  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  Peabodj'  Southern  Educational  Fund. 

In  August  it  was  discovered  that  Mr.  John  L.  Crawford,  of  Bal- 
timore, treasurer  of  the  Parker«burg  Branch  Eailroad  Company, 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  681 

had  issued  fraudulent  certificates  of  its  stock  to  the  amount  of 
^1,300,000.  On  account  of  the  manner  in  which  the  alleged  un- 
authorized issues  of  stock,  for  a  period  of  mor^  than  two  years, 
and  perhaps  more  (as  disclosed  in  the  evidence),  were  made  by 
Crawford,  with  the  facilities  especially  afforded  him  for  that  pur- 
pose by  the  absolutely  uncontrolled  possession  and  use  of  the  cer- 
tificate books  and  seal  of  the  company  and  signatures  in  blank  of 
the  president,  and  other  causes,  the  holders  of  the  fraudulent  cer- 
tificates are  endeavoring  to  hold  the  company  responsible.  The  fol- 
lowing very  eminent  legal  gentlemen  have  been  retained  to  settle 
the  questions  in  dispute  before  the  courts  :  Messrs  Reverdy  John- 
son and  John  H.  B.  Latrobe,  for  the  company,  and  Messrs.  I. 
Nevitt  Steele,  William  F.  Frick,  and  Samuel  Snowden,  for  the 
holders  of  the  fraudulent  stock. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  Mount  Yernon  Place  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  was  laid  on  Monday,  September  26th,  with  impres- 
sive ceremonies.  A  large  audience  was  in  attendance,  and  stood 
patiently  through  the  whole  exercises,  which  continued  nearly  three 
hours.  Interesting  addresses  were  delivered  by  Bishop  Janes, 
Dr.  Fuller,  and  Dr.  Eddy. 

The  first  day  of  the  meeting  of  the  Maryland  Jockey  Club  at 
the  grounds  of  the  Association  at  Pimlico  on  Tuesday,  October 
25th,  was  a  grand  success.  The  track  was  in  good  condition,  the 
weather  delightful,  the  exhibition  of  blooded  stock  unequalled, 
and  the  attendance  exceeded  the  expectations  of  the  most  sanguine 
friends  of  the  club.  The  contests  for  speed  were  well-managed, 
and  everything  passed  off  as  all  affairs  of  the  kind  should  —  pleas- 
antly. 

Mr.  Benjamin  Deford  died  on  the  17th  of  April,  leaving  a  larare 
estate,  the  accumulation  of  years  of  patient  industry,  of  prudent 
foresight,  and  of  judicious  enterprise. 

On  Tuesday,  November  8th,  the  colored  people  of  Maryland 
voted  for  the  candidates  of  their  choice. 

In  the  First  Branch  of  the  City  Council,  on  Monday  evening, 
November  14th,  an  ordinance  was  presented  by  Mr.  Trippe,  provi- 
ding for  the  laying  down  of  the  tracks  of  the  Citizens'  Passenger 
Railwa}^ 

At  a  meeting  of  the  stockholders  of  the  Baltimore  Gas  Li^t 
Company  on  Monday,  November  31st,  the  franchises  and  property 
of  the  company  were  disposed  of  to  capitalists  from  New  York  for 
$3,000,000. 

The  opening  of  Brown  Memorial  Presbyterian  Church,  corner 
of  Park  avenue  and  Townsend  street,  took  place  on  Sunday,  De- 
cember 2d.  The  dedicatory  services  in  the  morning  were  led 
by  Rev.  Dr.  J.  C.  Backus.  The  dedicatory  services  were  continued 
in  the  evening.  Every  seat  was  occupied,  the  aisles  were  crowded, 
find  hundreds  went  away  who  were  not  able  to  find  even  standing 
room  inside  the  doors.    After  the  introductory  services,  which 


682  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

-were  conducted  by  the  pastor,  Eev.  J.  S.  Jones,  a  sermon  was 
preached  by  Eev.  Henry  C.  Boardman,  of  Philadelphia,  appro- 
priate to  the  occasion,  and  commemorative  of  the  eminent  Chris- 
tian gentleman  tb  whose  memory  the  church  was  erected,  its 
cost  was  entirely  defrayed  as  a  gift  from  his  widow,  Mrs.  Isabella 
Brown,  a  lady  distinguished  for  her  great  liberality  and  truly 
Christian  character.  The  church  is  a  most  beautiful  edifice,  and 
will  stand  as  a  monument  to  her  memory. 

The  Eev.  James  Dolan,  familiarly  known  as  the  "good  Father 
Dolan,"  pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  Eoman  Catholic  Church  in  the  city 
of  Baltimore,  who  was  respected  and  admired  by  all  for  his  virtues, 
charities,  and  usefulness,  died  on  the  12th  day  of  January,  1870, 
aged  55  years,  6  months,  and  12  days.  He  was  born  in  Ireland  on 
the  let  day  of  July,  1814,  and  sailed  from  the  city  of  Cork  on  the 
18th  day  of  February,  1834,  bound  for  New  Orleans,  in  the  State 
of  Louifciiana.  After  many  hardships  and  privations  he  arrived  in 
Baltimore  on  the  18th  day  of  December,  1834.  He  was  admitted 
into  the  seminary  in  1834,  received  the  holy  tonsural  in  January. 
1836,  was  admitted  to  minor  orders  in  1838,  to  subdeaconship  in 
September,.  1839,  deaconship  in  the  same  month  of  the  following 
year,  and  was  ordained  a  priest  and  entered  on  the  duties  of  assist- 
ant pastor*  of  St.  Patrick's  on  the  20th  of  December,  1840,  and 
jjastor  on  the  28th  day  of  February,  1841. 

The  order  of  the  Sons  and  Daughters  of  America  was  first  in- 
troduced into  this  State  and  cit}^  by  the  Grand  Council  of  Penn- 
sylvania, November  17th,  1870,  upon  which  occasion  ''  Columbia 
Council  No.  1 "  was  duly  instituted  as  the  pioneer  council. 

James  Sullivan  Garey,  one  of  Baltimore's  wealthiest  and  promi- 
nent manufacturers,  died  on  the  7th  of  March,  1870,  aged  sixty- 
two  years.  The  village  of  Alberton,  on  the  line  of  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  Eailroad,  about  twelve  miles  from  Baltimore,,  is  tho 
scene  of  his  many  labors,  and  the  busy  factory  and  its  pleasant 
surroundings  remain  as  monuments  to  his  energy  and  skill. 

1871.  The  consolidation  of  the  Central  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  with  the  Baltimore  Association,  was  consummated  at 
the  rooms  160  West  Baltimore  street,  on  the  evening  of  Thursday, 
March  2d. 

/A  serious  conflagration  took  place  on  Sharp  street,  near 
German,  before  daylight  of  Monday  morning.  May  22d.  Two  ex- 
tensive warehouses  occupied  by  Messrs.  Wm.  H.  Brown  &  Bro., 
and  Stellman,  Henrichs  &  Co.,  and  a  dwelling-house,  were  destroyed^ 
and  several  other  buildings  damaged,  the  loss  amounting  to  a  total 
of  between  two  hundred  and  two  hundred  and  fift}-  thousand 
dollars.  The  saddest  incident  of  the  calamity  was  the  killing  of  J. 
Harry  Weaver,  member  of  the  First  Branch  of  the  City  Council 
from  the  nineteenth  ward,  by  the  explosion  of  the  steam  fire 
engine  "  Alpha,"  at  the  northwest  corner  of  German  and  Howard 
fltreets. 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOBE.  683 

John  Van  Lear  McMahon,  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
lawyers  of  the  Maryland  bar,  died  at  the  residence  of  Dr.  Robert 
J.  McKaig,  Cumberland,  on  Thursday,  June  15th.  Mr.  McMahon 
was  born  in  Cumberland,  August  ISth,  1800.  His  father,  Wm. 
McMahon,  was  a  highly  respected  farmer  of  Alleghany  county. 
Mr.  McMahon  graduated  when  only  seventeen  years  old,  with  the 
first  honors  of  Princeton  College.  He  immediately  commenced 
the  study  of  law  with  Roger  Perry,  the  father  of  Judge  Perry,  of 
Cumberland,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  the  nineteenth  year 
of  bis  age.  He  was  at  once  successful,  being  retained  as  counsel 
in  almost  every  considerable  case.  As  soon  as  he  had  reached  his 
majority  he  was  elected  to  the  Legislature.  The  next  year  he  was 
re-elected,  and  at  that  session  became  the  leader  of  the  House  of 
Delegates,  and  made  his  famous  speech  in  favor  of  giving  to  the 
Jews  of  the  State  an  equality  of  all  rights.  In  1826  he  was  urged 
by  his  friends  and  admirers  to  remove  his  residence  to  Baltimore 
city,  which  he  did,  and  was  elected  to  the  Legislature  with  Geo. 
H.  Steuart,  Esq.,  twice  in  succession,  by  the  Jackson  democrats. 
The  same  party  unanimously  nominated  him  as  their  candidate  for 
Congress,  which  he  peremptorily  refused  to  accept.  .  He  after- 
wards b^ame  identified  with  the  Whig  party,  and  in  1840  he 
was  president  of  the  great  National  Whig  Mass  Convention  which 
gathered  its  thousands  in  this  cit}^  at  Canton,  where,  in  his  stento- 
rian voice,  he  "  called  the  nation  to  order,"  and  proclaimed  that 
"  every  mountain  has  sent  forth  its  rill,  everj^  valley  its  stream, 
and  lo!  the  avalanche  of  the  people  is  here."  When  General 
Harrison  became  President,  Mr.  McMahon  was  oifered,  by  letter, 
any  office,  except  one,  in  the  presidential  gift.  But  he  declined  to 
accept  any  office  of  a  political  nature,  although  the  highest  honors 
of  his  State  were  also  offered  him.  Mr.  McMahon  was  a  delegate 
to  the  State  Internal  Improvement  Convention  in  1825,  of  which 
Charles  Carroll,  of  Carrollton,  was  president,  and  was  the  leader 
in  it,  although  such  men  as  John  Nelson  and  Charles  Fenton  Mercer 
were  members  of  it.  When  it  was  determined  to  construct  the 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad,  Mr.  McMahon,  then  only  26  years 
old,  drew  the  charter,  which  has  ever  since  served  as  a  model  for 
railroad  charters  in  this  country.  In  1831  he  published  the  first 
volume  of  his  History  of  Maryland,  and  it  is  greatly  to  be  regretted 
that  he  never  published  the  intended  second.  Mr.  McMahon  con- 
tinued to  be  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  Baltimore  bar  from  1827  to 
1859,  in  which  year,  whilst  preparing  a  brief  in  a  cause  in  the 
Court  of  Appeals,  he  was  stricken  with  partial  blindness,  which 
continued  to  grow  worse  thereafter.  In  consequence  he  gradually 
withdrew  from  the  bar,  and  in  1863  removed  to  his  native  town, 
Cumberland,  where  he  resided  with  his  brothers-in-law,  the  late 
Joseph  Sprigg,  Esq.,  and  Dr.  Robert  McKaig,  who  married  his 
sisters.  He  also  passed  a  portion  of  his  time  in  Dayton,  Ohio, 
where  another  brother-in-law,  Hon.  C.  L.  Yallandigham,  resided. 


684  CHEONICLES  OF   BALTIMOEE. 

In  his  residence  in  this  city  Mr.  McMahon  made  his  home  at  the 
Eutaw  House,  from  the  time  it  was  erected  until  he  left  the  city 
in  1863.  As  a  political  speaker  it  is  said  no  one  ever  heard  his 
superior;  as  a  profound  and  astute  lawyer  he  had  few  equals. 
When  practising  his  profession  he  was  familiar  with  the  decisions 
of  all  the  States  in  the  Union.  The  power  of  his  memory  was 
wonderful.  If  a  legal  question  was  propounded  to  him,  he  would 
at  once  say,  "  It  is  decided  so  and  so  in  such  and  such  States,"  and 
would  at  once  go  to  his  library  and  put  his  hand  on  the  volume 
containing  the  decision.  His  voice  had  a  wonderful  volume,  and  he 
could  be  distinctly  heard  at  a  great  distance,  and  yet  there  was  no 
harshness.  He  was  always  Uetened  to  with  pleasure,  for  he  was 
truly  eloquent  both  in  language  and  thought. 

The  Pope's  Jubilee  illumination  on  the  night  of  the  17th  of 
June  was  a  most  extraordinary  affair,  and  one  that  will  long  be 
remembered  by  the  rising  generation  of  the  city.  In  every  section 
the  city  was  brilliantly  illuminated  and  handsomely  decorated  with 
wreaths,  crosses,  and  festoons  of  evergreens  and  flowers;  the 
illumination  was  in  many  instances  by  gas-jets  and  Chinese 
lanterns  outside,  as  well  as  candles  and  other  lights  ipside  the 
w^indows.  Flags,  both  the  Papal  and  American,  were  profusely 
displayed.  With  the  evening  of  June  21st  terminated  the  cele- 
bration, by  the  Eoman  Catholics  of  Baltimore,  of  the  twenty-fifth 
anniversary  of  the  accession  of  Pope  Pius  IX.  to  the  position  of 
spiritual  head  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church.  The  churches  of 
that  denomination,  with  the  residences  of  many  citizens,  were 
brilliantly  illuminated,  and  a  mammoth  procession  took  place.  The 
procession,  both  in  point  of  numbers  and  brilliancy  of  design,  was, 
perhaps,  one  of  the  grandest  which  has  ever  passed  through  the 
streets  of  Baltimore.  Every  inch  of  curbstone  along  the  streets 
through  which  the  pageant  passed  was  occupied  by  young  and  old 
of  both  sexes,  and  every  window  and  door-step  that  would  afford 
humanity  a  chance  of  gazing  upon  the  flaming  procession,  was 
filled  with  ladies  and  children.  At  half-past  seven  o'clock  large 
crowds  of  men  were  seen  wending  their  steps  to  the  different 
Catholic  churches,  each  man  bearing  in  his  hands  Chinese  lanterns, 
torches,  or  other  illuminating  devices ;  and  by  eight  o'clock  most 
of  the  congregations  had  received  their  full  complement  of  members, 
and  in  a  short  time  thereafter  the  flambeaux,  lanterns,  and  torches 
were  ignited,  and  the  line  of  march  taken  up  for  headquarters  on 
Central  avenue,  where  a  multitude  of  persons,  numbered  by  thou- 
sands, had  assembled.  During  the  passage  of  the  procession 
through  the  streets  the  church-bells  were  rung,  and  thousands  of 
sky-rockets  and  other  fireworks  flashed  upon  the  horizon,  remind- 
ing  one  of  the  time  when  the  night  of  a  4th  of  July  was  celebrated 
in  a  truly  national  manner.  The  illumination  this  night  of  the 
dwellings  and  places  of  business  was  on  a  more  extended  and  magnifi- 
cent scale  than  that  employed  on  Saturday  night.     Two  stands  had 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  685 

been  erected  at  the  Cathedral,  one  at  the  front  of  the  building  on 
Cathedral  street,  the  other  "on  Mulberry  street.  At  the  latter 
the  addresses  were  made  in  the  German  language.  AVhilst  the 
procession  was  passing  the  west  front  of  the  Cathedral,  the  meeting 
at  the  stand  there  was  organized  by  the  selection  of  the  following 
officers :  President,  Hon.  J.  Thompson  Mason ;  Vice-Presidents, 
Hon.  Judge  T.  Parkin  Scott,  Hon.  Judge  Danels,  Capt.  William 
Kennedy,  Charles  M.  Dougherty,  C.  Oliver  O'Donnell,  Col.  T.  J. 
Mathias,  John  Murphy,  Michael  Kelly,  George  W.  Webb,  Thomas 

E.  Jenkins,  D.  J.  Foley,  John  F.  Hunder,  Cumberland  Dugan, 
John  E.  Eschbach,  John  Bell,  and  Colonel  Bensinger ;  Secretaries^ 

F.  X.  Ward  and  Joseph  S.  Heuisler.  Speeches  were  made  by 
Messrs.  J.  Thompson  Mason,  F.  X.  Ward,  William  P.  Preston, 
Prof  Burg,  F.  E.  Bauer,  and  A.  Heine.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
clergy  in  the  interior  of  the  Cathedral,  Archbishop  Spaulding  de- 
livered a  brief  address. 

Mr.  Albert  Schumacher,  one  of  the  leading  shipping  merchants 
of  Baltimore,  president  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  and  agent  for  the 
North  German  Lloyd  line  of  steamships,  died  suddenly  at  his  resi- 
dence No.  62  Mount  Vernon  Place,  on  Monday,  June  27th. 

The  West  Baltimore  Schuetzen  Association  commenced  their 
first  annual  festival  on  Monday,  July  31st. 

Thousands  of  Knights  Templar  thronged  into  Baltimore  during 
Tuesday,  September  19th.  The  hotels  were  packed,  and  in  the, 
centre  of  the  city  the  symbols  of  the  order  met  the  eye  at  every 
point  of  view.  The  streets  were  bright  with  their  uniforms,  deco- 
rations and  banners,  and  the  music  of  their  bands  was  almost  con- 
stantly ringing  out  in  the  air.  The  Grand  Commandery  was  es- 
corted to  Masonic  Hall  by  the  Baltimore  Commanderies,  and  there 
an  address  of  welcome  was  delivered  by  Hon.  John  H.  B.  Latrobe, 
Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Masonic  Order  in  Mary- 
land. The  response  was  delivered  by  Grand  Commander  Warren. 
In  the  evening  there  was  a  banquet  at  the  Maryland  Institute  and 
social  entertainments  at  the  various  headquarters.  On  the  second 
day  there  were  excursions  on  the  Chesapeake,  and  the  usual  parad- 
ing of  commanderies  through  the  streets  and  visits  to  the  various 
headquarters.  The  Grand  Commandery  and  the  Grand  Koyal  Arch 
Chapter  were  in  session  at  the  Temple.  In  the  evening  there  were 
balls  at  the  Concordia,  Masonic  Temple  and  the  New  Assembly 
Eooms,  and  a  banquet  at  Barnum's  Hotel.  The  grand  parade  and 
review  of  the  Knights  Templar  took  place  on  Thursday,  Septem- 
ber 2l8t,  and  was  a  most  superb  spectacle  of  its  kind.  The  streets 
were  crowded,  and  such  a  manifestation  of  enthusiasm  and  interest 
was  shown  as  has  never  before  been  witnessed  in  Baltimore  on  any 
occasion  of  Masonic  character.  The  procession  was  truly  a  mag- 
nificent demonstration.  There  was  a  sparkling  grandeur  in  its 
massed  columns,  and  it  may  be  doubted  whether  a  finer  looking 
set  of  men  ever  marched  in  solid  phalanx  before.     A  manly  and 


688  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

martial  tread  indicated  military  service,  and  the  perfection  of  drill 
could  be  accounted  for  in  no  other  way.  An  army  of  veterans 
could  scarcely  have  kept  step  to  martial  music  with  more  precision 
than  was  universal  throughout  the  line.  Many  of  the  commande- 
ries  also  went  through  various  evolutions  along  the  line  of  march, 
forming  crosses,  diamonds,  and  one  from  Philadelphia  actually 
without  halting  or  breaking  the  line  of  march  formed  the  figures 
signifying  the  number  of  their  commandery.  Of  course  nearly 
all  of  our  citizens  witnessed  the  procession,  as  throughout  the  line 
of  march,  extending  not  les^than  five  miles,  the  streets  and  side- 
walks were  literally  massed,  and  the  windows  and  steps,  even  the 
house-tops,  thronged  with  ladies.  We  think  we  do  not  exaggerate 
when  we  number  the  spectators  at  not  less  than  two  hundred 
thousand,  there  being  just  room  sufficient  for  the  broad  platoons  of 
Knights  to  pass.  At  all  points  of  the  route  they  were  greeted  with 
cheers,  the  clapping  of  hands,  showering  of  bouquets,  and  the 
waving  of  handkerchiefs  by  ladies  on  all  the  elevated  positions. 
They  marched  generally  in  platoons  of  eight,  whilst  some  num- 
bered twelve,  and  others  kept  up  through  a  greater  portion  of  the 
route  the  form  of  a  cross.  Each  of  the  seventy  commanderies 
bore  a  handsome  banner,  and  the  number  of  full  bands  of  music 
in  line  was  thirty-three,  with  seven  drum  corps.  These  bands 
were  mostly  from  other  cities,  and  included  all  the  finest  and  most 
elegantly  equipped  military  organizations  from  all  sections  of  the 
country.  The  music  of  course  was  grand  and  inspiriting,  and  there 
was  no  lack  of  it,  their  fine  uniforms  serving  to  break  the  uniform- 
ity which  might  otherwise  have  marred  the  scenic  effect  of  the 
display.  It  was  a  demonstration  composed  of  members  from  nearly 
every  State  in  the  Union,  and  some  of  the  Territories.  The  men 
of  Mississippi  were  in  brotherly  fellowship  with  those  of  Maine 
and  New  Hampshire,  and  Virginia  and  South  Carolina  trod  in  the 
footsteps  of  their  brethren  from  Massachusetts  and  Kansas.  It 
brought  together  in  brotherly  concord  the  North  and  the  South, 
the  East  and  the  West,  and  has  cemented  a  fellowship  that  will  be 
lasting  and  serviceable  to  both  sections. 

The  National  Commercial  Convention  opened  its  session  in 
this  city  on  Monday,  September  25th,  at  Masonic  Hall.  Delega- 
tions were  present  from  twenty-two  States.  Mr.  John  W.  Garrett 
was  appointed  temporary  president,  until  a  perfect  organization 
was  effected. 

The  Triennial  General  Convention  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  composed  of  delegates  from  every 
portion  of  the  Union,  met  in  this  city  on  Wednesday  the  1st  of 
October,  at  the  Emanuel  church,  corner  of  Cathedral  and  Read 
streets,  where  the  opening  services  took  place  at  ten  o'clock,  in  the 
presence  of  an  immense  congregation  of  clergy  and  laity.  The 
sermon  was  delivered  by  the  venerable  Bishop  Johns,  of  the  Dio- 
cese of  Virginia. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  687 

The  City  Council  ou  thelOth  of  October  appropriated  $100,000 
for  the  relief  of  the  Chicago  sufferers  by  fire. 

The  Union  railroad  tunnel  was  commenced  on  the  first  of 
May,  1871,  and  finished  June,  1873.  It  is  about  five-eighths  of  a 
mile  long. 

Ford's  Grand  Opera  House  was  inaugurated  on  Tuesday  even- 
ing, October  3d,  with  a  crowded  house.  The  opening  address, 
written  by  Dr.  C.  C.  Bombaugh,  was  delivered  by  Mr.  Harry  S. 
Murdock.  The  initial  performance  was  Shakspeare's  comedy  "As 
You  Like  It" — Jacques,  Mr.  James  AV.  Wallack;  Eosalind,  Mrs. 
Caroline  Eichings  Bernard.  The  music  was  sung  by  the  Balti- 
more Liederkranz.  The  orchestra  under  the  direction  of  Prof. 
J.  H.  Rosewald.     The  scenic  department  under  Charles  S.  Getz. 

1872.  Mr.  Alexander  Lorman,  an  old  and  well-known  citizen  of 
Baltimore,  died  on  the  14th  of  January,  at  his  residence,  corner  of 
Charles  and  Lexington  streets,  in  the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his 
age.  Mr.  Lorman  was  many  years  ago  a  merchant,  but  retired 
from  business  with  a  large  fortune,  which  he  judiciously  invested, 
and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  accounted  one  of  the  wealthiest 
of  our  citizens. 

On  Tuesday  afternoon,  January  23,  the  first  grain  elevator 
erected  by  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  Company  at  Locust 
Point  was  ready  to  receive  grain,  and  car  No.  15,119  of  the  Con- 
tinental Line,  B.  &  O.  R.  R.,  containing  a  lot  of  corn  consigned  to 
Messrs.  Barker  &  Fisher,  was  run  alongside,  and  in  a  short  time 
was  emptied  into  one  of  the  bins. 

At  five  o'clock  on  Wednesday  afternoon,  February  the  7th,  the 
Cathedral  bell  tolled  a  requiem  for  the  departed  spirit  of  a  man 
who  in  life  was  truly  great  and  truly  good.  When  the  solemn 
tones  broke  upon  the  winter  air,  all  who  heard  the  mournful  sound 
knew  that  Martin  John  Spaulding,  Archbishop  of  Baltimore  and 
Primate  of  the  United  States,  had  breathed  his  last.  His  death 
was  not  unexpected.  From  time  to  time  the  city  newspapers  had 
published  bulletins  of  his  health,  which  were  read  with  eager  and 
trembling  interest  by  tens  of  thousands  of  devout  Catholics,  whom 
he  was  in  the  habit  of  saluting  as  "  dearly  beloved  children."  Martin 
John  Spaulding,  the  seventh  Archbishop  of  Baltimore,  was  born 
near  Lebanon,  Marion  Co.,  Ky.,  on  May  23d,  1810.  His  ancestry, 
however,  was  of  Maryland  origin ;  his  father,  Richard  Spaulding, 
having  been  born  near  Leonardtown,  in  St.  Mary's  County,  while  his 
mother,  Henrietta  Hamilton,  was  a  native  of  Charles  County,  her 
parents  residing  near  Port  Tobacco.  They  both  emigrated  with 
their  parents  to  Kentucky  in  1790. 

Died,  on  the  25th  of  February,  Jonathan  Meredith,  in  the  88th 
year  of  his  age.  Mr.  Meredith  was  a  connecting  link  between  the 
present  and  past  generation.  Born  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  at 
a  time  when  this  was  the  infant  republic,  and  it  had  but  just 
emerged  from   the   struggles   of   the  Revolution   a  free  nation, 


688  OHRONIOLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

when  the  Continental  Congress  assembled  in  Independence  Hall 
and  Washington  had  not  entered  on  the  first  term  of  his  Presi- 
dency. Mr.  Meredith  grew  up  amongst  all  the  great  events  of  our 
early  national  history,  and  was  personally  cognizant  of  the  days 
and  the  men  that  laid  the  foundations  of  the  nation.  He  had 
known  Washington,  Franklin,  Adams,  Jefferson,  Monroe,  in  fact 
all  the  great  men  of  the  times  following  the  war  for  independence, 
and  while  in  Philadelphia  met  with  the  notabilities  of  this  and 
other  countries,  who  clustered  around  the  seat  of  thfe  new-born 
Government,  among  whom  were  Kobert  and  Gouverneur  Morris, 
Alexander  Hamilton,  Louis  Philippe,  afterwards  King  of  Franco ; 
the  wily  diplomatist,  Prince  Maurice  de  Talleyrand ;  the  Duke  of 
Kent,  father  of  Queen  Victoria ;  the  Marquis  De  la  Fayette,  and 
a  host  of  other  illustrious  persons.  Mr.  Meredith  was  still  a  young 
man  when  he  removed  to  Baltimpre  and  established  himself  here 
in  the  practice  of  the  law.  His  contemporaries  were  Luther 
Martin,  Eoger  B.  Taney,  William  Pinckney,  and  William  Wirt, 
and  even  among  such  intellectual  giants  he  stood  in  the  front  rank 
of  his  profession,  and  won  a  fame  for  skill,  learning  and  eloquence 
that  places  his  reputation  side  by  side  with  those  of  these  great 
lawyers.  Men  who  have  listened  to  his  reminiscences  of  the  past, 
either  on  the  lecture  platform  or  in  the  private  circle,  will  not  need 
to  be  told  how  richly  freighted  his  mind  was  with  the  memories  of 
historic  days.  Living  an  honorable,  upright  life,  in  death  he  was 
crowned  with  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him. 

In  the  First  Branch  of  the  City  Council,  on  March  4th,  Mr. 
Orndorff,  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  City  Passenger  Railways, 
presented  an  ordinance  granting  permission  to  James  L.  McLane, 
Wallace  King,  C.  Oliver  O'Donnell,  Darius  C.  Howell,  George  P. 
Frick,  Cumb^land  Dugan,  James  W.  Tyson,  John  S.  Hogg,  and 
Gerard  T.  Hopkins,  or  a  majority  of  them,  &c.,  to  lay  down  city 
passenger  railway  tracks  along  the  following  streets:  commencing 
on  German  street,  at  the  west  line  of  South  street,  and  with  double 
tracks  on  German  street  to  Charles,  and  on  Charles  to  Saratoga, 
and  a  single  track  on  Saratoga  street  to  and  on  Park  street,  to  and 
on  Franklin  street,  to  and  on  Howard  street,  and  on  Howard 
street  north  from  Franklin  street,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 

Died  on  the  6th  of  March,  Benjamin  Chew  Howard,  at  his  resi- 
dence in  this  city.  He  was  the  third  son  of  Col.  John  Eager 
Howard,  of  Revolutionary  fame.  The  deceased  was  a  brother  of 
Governor  George  Howard,  who  was  Governor  of  Maryland  in 
1830;  also  of  Judge  Charles  Howard,  who  died  about  the  year  1869, 
and  Dr.  William  Howard,  a  celebrated  chemist  in  his  day.  Benjamin 
C.  Howard  was  born  November  5th,  1791,  at  Belvedere,  and  gradu- 
ated at  Princeton  with  high  honors,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
was  the  oldest  alumnies  living.  He  was  Captain  of  the  Mechanical 
volunteers  at  the  battle  of  North  Point  in  1814.  The  deceased, 
was  by  profession  a  lawyer,  but  being  possessed  of  a  princely  for- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  689 

tnne,  he  yielded  the  high  position  at  the  Baltimore  bar  which  he 
had  earned,  for  political  honors.  He  commenced  political  life  in 
1820  in  the  First  Branch  of  the  City  Council,  was  sent  to  the 
Legislature  in  1824,  and  afterwards  to  the  Senate,  and  the  same 
year  connected  himself  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  was  be- 
fore he  died  the  oldest  P.  G-.  M.  living.  In  1830  he  was  sent  to  the 
United  States  Congress,  and  was  a  leading  member  of  that  body 
for  about. ten  years.  He  was  chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Foreign  Eelations,  and  author  of  the  celebrated  report  on  the 
Northeastern  boundary  question,  a  remarkable  document,  fre- 
quently ascribed  to  Cushina:  and  Winthrop,  who,  however,  said 
the  whole  .credit  therefor  belonged  to  Gen.  Howard.  After  leav- 
ing Congress  he  was  induced  by  Chief  Justice  Taney  and  Judge 
Wayne,  both  intimate  friends,  to  accept  the  position  of  Eeporter 
to  the  Supreme  Court,  and  was  the  author  of  the  well-known  text- 
book, ''Howard's  Eeports."  He  declined  the  nomination  for  Gov- 
ernor, and  also  the  nomination  for  Yice-President,  and  United 
States  Senator.  At  the  commencement  of  the  war  he  resigned  his 
position  as  Eeporter  to  the  Supreme  Court.  In  1861  he  was  one 
of  the  Washington  Peace  Commissioners,  by  appointment  of  Gov- 
ernor Hicks.  He  was  Democratic  candidate  for  Governor  against 
Governor  Bradford.  His  intimate  friends  and  compatriots  were 
Presidents  Jackson  and  Van  Buren,  Governor  Kemble,  of  New 
York ;  Chief  Justice  Taney,  Judge  Wayne,  Judge  Daniel,  George 
M.  Dallas,  John  E.  Poinsett,  Lewis  Cass,  and  Forsyth  of  Alabama. 

The  National  Democratic  Convention  assembled  in  this  city,, 
on  the  9th  of  July,  at  Ford's  Opera  House.  On  the  second  day 
Horace  Greeley  was  nominated  on  the  first  ballot  the  Democratic 
candidate  for  President,  and  B.  Gratz  Brown  the  Democratic  can- 
didate for  Yice-President.  Senator  Baj^ard  of  Delaware,  and  the 
Delaware  delegation,  with  a  few  others  from  other  States,  dissatis- 
fied with  the  nomination,  held  a  meeting  in  the  Maryland  Institute, 
adopted  an  address  to  the  Democratic  party  of  the  country,  and 
called  another  convention  to  be  held  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  on 
the  3d  of  September. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  new  Carmelite  Convent  at  the  south- 
west corner  of  Caroline  and  Biddle  streets  was  laid  on  the  21st  of 
July  with  the  usual  religious  ceremonies. 

Decidedly  the  most  bold,  daring,  well-planned,  well-executed 
and  successful  bank  robbery  that  has  ever  been  perpetrated  in 
Baltimore,  or  perhaps  in  the  United  States,  was  accomplished  in 
this  city  between  the  hours  intervening  from  the  close  of  business 
on  Saturday,  August  17th,  and  daylight  of  Monday  morning,  Aug. 
19th,  at  the  Third  National  Bank  of  this  city,  which  is  located  on 
the  east  side  of  South  street  near  Second.  About  $70,000  of  the 
bank  was  stolen,  and  the  boxes  rifled  of  private  funds,  bonds 
and  securities.     The  entire  loss  was  over  $220,000. 

William  Prescott  Smith  died  on  Tuesday  night,  October  1st, 
44 


690  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

1872,  at  his  residence  in  this  city.  Mr.  Smith  was  born  in  Balti- 
more  about  1822.  His  family  were  in  humble  circumstances,  and 
he  received  merely  a  common  school  education.  He  was  a  won- 
derful man,  ev*en  in  these  days  of  remarkable  phenomena.  Whether 
we  consider  him  as  a  scholar,  a  wit,  a  gentleman,  *or  a  railroad 
magnate,  he  was  simply  admirable.  As  a  mimic  he  was  unrivalled, 
and  could  at  his  pleasure  "  set  the  table  in  a  roar."  As  a  railroad 
man  he  had  no  superior  on  this  continent,  and  his  untimely  death 
leaves  it  a  matter  of  speculation  to  what  position  he  would  have 
risen  had  his  life  been  spared  but  a  few  years  longer. 

The  Eight  Eeverend  James  Eoosevelt  Bayley,  D.  D.,  was  on 
Sunday,  October  13th,  installed  as  Archbishop  of  Baltimore  and 
Primate  of  the  United  States,  with  imposing  ceremonies  at  the 
Cathedral. 

Fully  one  thousand  ladies  and  gentlemen  assembled  at  noon  on 
Wednesday,  October  16th,  in  the  new  Home  for  Aged  Women, 
corner  of  Fulton  and  Franklin  streets,  for  the  purpose  of  taking 
part  in  the  dedicatory  services  of  that  institution. 

The  prevalence  of  the  horse  disease,  "  Epizootic,"  cansed  a  total 
suspension  of  travel  on  all  the  car  routes,  on  Monday,  November 
4th,  and  proved  a  very  serious  inconvenience  to  that  portion  of 
the  public  who  resided  in  sections  of  the  city  remote  from  its  busi- 
ness centre.  There  were  but  very  few  animals  on  the  street,  and 
it  was  no  uncommon  thing  to  see  a  party  of  men  pulling  a  wagon, 
and  oxen  were  in  some  instances  brought  into  requisition.  Busi- 
ness of  course  suffered  seriously  by  the  lack  of  means  of  transpor- 
tation. 

Mount  Yernon  Place  M.  E.  Church  was  formally  dedicated  on 
Thursday,  November  21st.  The  large  interior  was  filled  to  the 
utmost  extent  of  its  capacity.  Many  ministers  of  other  cities  were 
present,  as  well  as  the  clergy  of  Baltimore.  In  the  morning  the 
dedicatory  sermon  was  delivered  by  Eev.  P.  S.  Foster,  D.D.,  LL.  D., 
one  of  the  newly  made  bishops.  The  formal  dedication  was  made 
by  the  Eev.  Dr.  Eddy,  a  former  pastor  of  the  congregation,  ac- 
cording to  the  form  prescribed  by  the  Discipline.  In  the  evening 
a  sermon  was  delivered  by  Bishop  Andrews.  The  pulpit  was  oc- 
cupied by  Bishop  Foster,  Bishop  Weaver  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church,  Eev.  Dr.  Backus,  Eev.  Mr.  Eogers  of  the  M.  E.  Church 
South,  Eev.  Andrew  Longacre,  Eev.  Thomas  Eddy,  Eev.  Mr. 
Slicer,  the  Presiding  Elder,  and  Eev.  Thomas  Guard,  the  present 

Sastor.     In  front  of  the  pulpit  were  seated  Eev.  Henry  Furlong, 
►r.  James  H.  Brown,  and  Eeverends   George  Hildt,  William  H. 
Pitcher  and  William  Harden. 

Samuel  Eeady,  the  founder  of  "  The  Samuel  Eeady  Asylum  for 
Female  Orphans,"  died  on  Tuesday,  November  28th,  in  the  83d  year  of 
his  age.  He  was  born  in  Baltimore  County,  on  the  8th  of  March,  1789, 
and  came  to  Baltimore  when  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  was  apprenticed 
to  Messrs.  Grafflin  &  Hardester,  sail-makers,  on  Bowley's  wharf. 


CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  691 

About  the  year  1815  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  James 
Kerby,  and  carried  on  the  sail-making  business  under  the  firm 
name  of  Kerby  &  Eeady,  at  the  corner  of  Light  and  Camden  streets. 
In  1846  Mr.  Eeady  gave  up  sail-making  to  engage  in  the  planing- 
mill  and  lumber  business.  He  continued  to  carry  on  the  latter 
until  1861,  when,  on  account  of  advanced  age  and  failing  health,  he 
retired  from  active  business.  In  1864  he  determined  to  endow  with 
his  entire  wealth  (about  $400,000)  an  asylum  for  female  orphan 
children.  He  never  married.  The  life  of  Mr.  Eeady  was  one  of 
great  industry,  frugality,  probity,  and  simplicity  of  habit,  and  had 
for  its  chief  object  the  foundation  of  an  asylum  for  the  helpless 
female  orphan  ;  and  although  he  has  passed  away,  his  work  survives 
and  will  bear  fruit  to  nourish  the  destitute. 

1873.  The  night  of  the  29th  and  the  early  morning  hours  of 
the  30  th  of  January,  1873,  will  long  be  remembered  in  this  region 
as  one  of  the  coldest  periods  ever  experienced.  In  the  city  of  Bal- 
timore the  mercury  fell  before  sunrise,  6  A.  M.,  to  10  degrees  below 
zero,  which  is  perhaps  the  lowest  temperature  ever  recorded  in  this 
city.  At  Lutherville,  Baltimore  County,  the  thermometer  ranged 
20  degrees  below  zero ;  at  Mount  Washington  22  degrees ;  at  the 
Eelay  House,  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad,  24  degrees  below  zero. 

The  Fifth  Eegiment  Maryland  National  Guard  is  to  the  city  of 
Baltimore  what  the  Seventh  Eegiment  is  to  New  York,  or  what 
the  First  Eegiment  of  Grey  Eeserves  is  to  Philadelphia.  It  is  a 
military  organization  whose  members  are  all  recognized  as  gentle- 
men, an  organization  that  aspires  to  have  the  best  possible  military 
drill,  and  at  the  same  time  to  cultivate  the  self-respect,  the  manly 
bearing,  the  social  courtesy,  and  the  fraternal  feelings  that  belong 
to  the  most  advanced  civilization.  This  fine  regiment,  so  elevated 
in  its  aims,  and  composed  of  such  excellent  materials,  is  only  six 
years  old.  It  has  labored  under  some  disadvantages,  one  of  the 
principal  being  the  want  of  a  suitable  permanent  armory  and  drill- 
room.  In  November,  1872,  the  City  Council,  appreciating  the 
character  and  purpose  of  this  military  organization,  and  realizing 
the  great  benefit  that  might  under  certain  contingencies  result  from 
having  such  an  organization  to  sustain  law  and  social  order,  donated 
to  this  Fifth  Eegiment  the  great  rooms  over  the  newly  built  Eich- 
mond  Market.  All  that  the  city  gave  was  the  bare  walls.  The 
Fifth  Eegiment  being  composed  of  generous  men — many  of  them 
men  of  means  and  influence — they  out  of  their  own  pockets  spett 
over  eight  thousand  dollars  to  fit  up  this  new  armory  in  good  style, 
and  they  can  now  boast  of  having  one  of  the  finest  and  most  com- 
plete armories  in  the  United  States.  The  new  armory  was  for- 
mally delivered  over  by  the  city  authorities  to  the  Fifth  Eegiment 
on  Thursday  night,  February  6th,  and  this  was  the  occasion  of  an 
immense  opening  reception,  not  less  than  six  thousand  persons 
being  present.  Addresses  were  delivered  by  Mayor  Yansant,  Go- 
vernor Whyte,  and  Colonel  Jenkins. 


692  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

Mr.  Alexander  Kirkland,  senior  partner  and  original  founder  of 
the  firm  of  Kirkland,  Chase  &  Co.,  died  on  Saturday,  March  1st, 
aged  89  years.  Mr.  Kirkland  was  instrumental  in  establishing  the 
sugar  refineries  whose  business  is  now  so  valuable  to  the  city. 
The  firm  of  Kirkland,  Chase  &  Co.  was,  during  its  existence,  one 
of  the  best-known  and  most  widely  respected  in  the  city,  having  a 
large  trade  with  Porto  Eico  and  Eio  Janeiro,  and  being  intimately 
connected  with  the  business  transactions  of  many  other  large  im- 
porting houses  here  and  in  other  parts  of  the  United  States  and 
the  Canadas. 

On  Wednesday,  the  2l8t  of  May,  the  finance  commissioners  of 
Baltimore  city  ordered  the  payment  of  30  percent.,  the  first  instal- 
ment on  the  city's  subscription  of  $1,000,000  to  the  capital  stock 
of  the  Yalley  Eailroad,  Eobert  Garrett,  Esq.,  president. 

The  Carmelite  Nuns,  whom  we  have  mentioned  before  in  this 
work,  and  who  for  forty-two  years  occupied  the  old  Convent 
on  Aisquith  street,  vacated  that  establishment  and  removed  in 
March  to  the  new  monastery  at  the  corner  of  Biddle  and  Caroline 
streets.  The  Carmelite  community  is  among  the  religious  pioneers 
of  Maryland.  The  Carmelite  order  is  the  oldest  in  the  Church, 
going  back  even  in  its  primitive  state  to  the  period  when  Elias  or 
Elijah  and  his  disciples  worshipped  in  the  retirement  of  Mt.  Carmel, 
where,  in  the  12th  century,  a  monastery  was  founded ;  the  order 
afterwards  migrating  under  its  fifth  general  to  Europe,  to  escape 
the  persecutions  of  the  Saracens.  The  female  branch  of  the  order 
was  founded  in  the  15th  century.  In  the  16th  century  (1562)  St. 
Theresa  and  St.  John  of  the  Cross  set  on  foot  a  reformation  of  the 
order  in  Spain,  and  the  reform  has  spread  everywhere;  the 
Carmelite  Nuns  all  looking  to  St.  Theresa  as  their  mother  and 
foundress,  the  community  in  Baltimore  keeping,  with  some  few 
necessary  exceptions,  the  strict  rule  of  St.  Theresa.  There  are 
some  ninety  convents  of  Carmelite  nuns,  in  each  of  which  the 
number  is  generally  restricted  to  twenty-one.  During  the  18th 
century  an  aunt  of  the  late  Father  Matthews,  of  Washington  city, 
went  from  her  elegant  and  retired  home  in  Charles  county,  Md.,  to 
join  the  order  of  the  Carmelite  Nuns,  at  a  house  of  theirs  in 
Belgium.  Two  sisters  of  the  same  clergyman  afterwards  crossed 
the  sea  to  join  their  aunt  in  her  cloistered  home.  Miss  Brent  also 
joined  them  there,  but  she  died  in  Belgium.  In  1790  the  three 
ladies  mentioned  above,  who  were  then  become  members  of  the 
strict  order  of  Mt.  Carmel,  together  with  another  lady  who  joined 
them  in  England,  came  back  to  their  native  shores,  settled  in 
Charles  county,  and  there  established  a  community.  Their  little 
family  was  by  degrees  augmented  by  accessions  from  some  of  the 
first  families  of  Maryland;  many  pious  ladies,  charmed  with  the 
odor  of  virtue  and  sanctity,  finding  in  this  rising  congregation 
opportunity  for  bidding  adieu  to  the  world  and  all  the  vanities  of 
life,  to  dedicate  their  youth  and  wealth  to  religion.    When  they 


CHEONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  693 

left  their  home  in  the  country  and  came  to  found  a  house  in  Balti- 
more in  1831,  they  numbered  twenty-four  sisters,  with  Eev.  Mother 
Angela  Mudd  as  superioress.  At  one  time  the  Sisters  had  a  very 
respectable  school  for  girls,  which  was  much  frequented  ;  but  this 
mode  of  life  being  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  their  rules,  which  is  to 
be  altogether  retired,  the}^,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  late  Archbishop 
Kenrick,  closed  their  academy.  They  devote  all  their  time  to 
prayer,  meditation,  manual  labor,  pious  reading,  and  the  like, 
praying  not  only  for  themselves  but  for  all,  chiefly  for  those  who 
live  in  the  city  or  place  where  they  reside. 

The  splendid  Church  of  the  Ascension,  Protestant  Episcopalian,- 
a  prominent  ornament  of  the  beautiful  neighborhood  of  Lafayette 
Square,  was  almost  totally  destroyed  by  fire  on  Monday  night, 
May  12th.  The  fire  was  caused  by  the  sexton  smoking  out  a 
wasp's  nest  in  the  roof  over  the  organ  gallery. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Johns  Hopkins 
Hospital,  held  on  the  evening  of  Wednesday,  March  J.2th,  the  fol- 
lowing important  letter  was  received  from  Mr.  Hopkins,  setting 
forth  his  grand  designs  for  the  relief  of  the  indigent  sick  and  the 
orphan.  This  letter  was  received  by  the  citizens  of  Baltimore 
with  intense  gratification.  Of  all  the  monuments  which  grace 
our  city,  none  can  approach  this  monument,  which  is  soon  to  be 
erected  on  such  broad  foundations  and  with  such  munificent  provi- 
sion for  the  relief  of  the  sick  and  the  care  and  shelter  of  the  des- 
titute orphan: 

"  Baltimore,  March  10th,  1873. 

"  To  Francis  T.  King,  President ;  and  John  W.  Grarretf,  Hon.  Geo. 
W.  Dobbin,  Galloway  Cheston,  Thomas  M.  Smith,  Wm.  Hop- 
kins, Richard  M.  Janney,  Joseph  Merrefield,  Francis  White, 
Lewis  N.  Hopkins,  Alan  P.  Smith,  and  Charles  J.  M.  Gwinn, 
Trustees  of  '  The  Johns  Hopkins  Hospital  *  : 

"  Gentlemen : — I  have  given  you  in  your  capacity  of  trustees, 
thirteen  acres  of  land,  situated  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  and 
bounded  by  Wolfe,  Monument,  Broadway,  and  Jefferson  streets, 
upon  which  I  desire  you  to  erect  a  hospital.  It  will  be  necessary 
to  devote  the  present  year  to  the  grading  of  its  surface,  to  its 
proper  drainage,  to  the  laying  out  of  the  grounds,  and  the  most 
careful  and  deliberate  choice  of  a  plan  for  the  erection  and  ar- 
rangement of  the  new  hospital  buildings.  It  is  my  wish  that  the 
plan  thus  chosen  shall  be  one  which  will  permit  symmetrical  addi- 
tions to  the  buildings  which  will  be  first  constructed,  in  order  that 
you  may  ultimately  be  able  to  receive  four  hundred  patients,  and 
that  it  shall  provide  for  an  hospital  which  shall  in  construction 
and  arrangement  compare  favorably  with  any  other  institution  of 
like  character  in  this  country  or  in  Europe.  It  will  therefore  be 
your  duty  to  obtain  the  advice  and  assistance  of  those  at  home  or 
abroad  who  have  achieved  the  greatest  success  in  the  construction 


694  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMOKE. 

and  management  of  hospitals.  I  cannot  press  ttiis  injunction  too 
strongly  upon  you,  because  the  usefulness  of  this  charity  will 
greatly  depend  upon  the  plan  which  you  may  adopt  for  the  con- 
Btruction  and  arrangement  of  the  buildings.  It  is  my  desire  that 
you  should  complete  this  portion  of  your  labor  during  the  current 
year,  and  be  in  readiness  to  commence  the  building  of  the  hos- 
pital in  the  spring  of  1874. 

"  It  will  be  your  duty  hereafter  to  provide  for  the  erection  upon 
other  ground,  of  suitable  buildings  for  the  reception,  maintenance 
and  education  of  orphan  colored  children.  I  direct  you  to  provide 
accommodation  for  three  or  four  hundred  children  of  this  class ;  and 
you  are  also  authorized  to  receive  into  this  asylum,  at  your  discre- 
tion, as  belonging  to  such  class,  colored  children  who  have  lost  one 
parent  only,  and  in  exceptional  cases  to  receive  colored  children 
who  are  not  orphans,  but  may  be  in  such  circumstances  as  to  re- 
quire the  aid  of  the  charity.  I  desire  that  you  shall  apply  the 
yearly  sum  of  twenty  thousand  dollars,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may 
be  necessary,  of  the  revenue  of  the  property  which  you  will  here- 
after receive,  to  the  maintenance  of  the  Orphans'  Home  intended 
for  such  children. 

"  In  order  to  enable  you  to  carry  my  wishes  into  full  effect,  I  will 
now,  and  in  each  succeeding  year  during  my  life  until  the  hospital 
buildings  are  fully  completed  and  in  readiness  to  receive  patients, 

flace  at  your  disposal  the  sum  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars, 
n  addition  to  the  gift  already  made  to  you  of  the  thirteen  acres 
of  land  in  the  city  of  Baltimore  upon  which  the  hospital  will  bo 
built,  I  have  dedicated  to  its  support  and  the  payment  of  the  an- 
nual sum  provided  to  be  paid  for  the  support  of  the  Orphans'  Home, 
Property  which  you  may  safely  estimate  as  worth  to-day  two  mil- 
ons  of  dollars,  and  from  which  your  corporation  will  certainly 
receive  a  yearly  revenue  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand 
dollars,  and  which  time  and  your  diligent  care  will  make  more 
largely  productive.  If  the  Hospital  and  Orphans'  Home  are  not 
built  at  my  death,  it  will  be  your  duty  to  apply  the  income  arising 
from  this  property  to  their  completion.  When  they  are  built,  the 
income  from  the  property  will  suffice  for  their  maintenance.  The 
indigent  sick  of  this  city  and  its  environs,  without  regard  to  sex, 
age,  or  color,  who  require  surgical  or  medical  treatment,  and  who 
can  be  received  into  the  hospital  without  peril  to  the  other  in- 
mates, and  the  poor  of  the  city  and  State,  of  all  races,  who 
are  stricken  down  by  any  casualty,  shall  be  received  into  the 
hospital  without  charge,  for  such  periods^  of  time  and  under 
such  regulations  as  you  may  prescribe.  It  will  be  your  duty 
to  make  such  division  of  the  sexes  and  patients  among  the 
several  wards  of  the  hospital  as  will  best  promote  the  actual 
usefulness  of  the  charity.  You  will  also  provide  for  the  recep- 
tion of  a  limited  number  of  patients  who  are  able  to  make  com- 
pensation for  the  room  and  attention  they  may  require.    The 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  695 

money  received  from  such  persons  will  enable  you  to  appropriate 
a  larger  sum  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferings  of  that  class  which  I 
direct  you  to  admit  free  of  charge,  and  you  will  thus  be  enabled  to 
afford  to  strangers,  and  to  those  of  our  own  people  who  have  no 
friends  or  relatives  to  care  for  them  in  sickness,  and  who  are  not 
objects  of  charity,  the  advantage  of  careful  and  skilful  treatment. 

"  It  will  be  your  especial  duty  to  secure  for  the  service  of  the 
hospital,  surgeons  and  physicians  of  the  highest  character  and  of 
the  greatest  skill.  I  desire  you  to  establish,  in  connection  with 
the  hospital,  a  training  school  for  female  nurses.  This  provision 
will  secure  the  services  of  women  competent  to  care  for  the  sick 
in  the  hospital  wards,  and  will  enable  you  to  benefit  the  whole 
community  by  supplying  it  with  a  class  of  trained  and  experienced 
nurses. 

**I  wish  the  large  grounds  surrounding  the  hospital  buildings  to 
be  properly  enclosed   by  iron  railings,  and  to  be  so  laid  out  and 

Elanted  with  trees  and  flowers  as  to  afford  solace  to  the  sick  and 
e  an  ornament  to  the  section  of  the  city  in  which,  the  grounds  are 
located.  I  desire  that  you  should,  in  due  season,  provide  for  a  site 
and  buildings  of  such  description  and  at  such  distance  from  the 
city  as  your  judgment  shall  approve,  for  the  reception  of  convales- 
cent patients.  You  will  bo  able  in  this  way  to  hasten  the  recovery 
of  the  sick,  and  to  have  always  room  in  the  main  hospital  building 
for  other  sick  persons  requiring  immediate  medical  or  surgical 
treatment.  It  is  my  special  request  that  the  influences  of  religion 
should  be  felt  in  and  impressed  upon  the  whole  management  of 
the  hospital;  but  I  desire,  nevertheless,  that  the  administration  of 
the  charity  shall  be  undisturbed  by  sectarian  influence,  discipline, 
or  control.  In  all  your  arrangements  in  relation  to  this  hospital, 
you  will  bear  constantly  in  mind  that  it  is  my  wish  and  purpose 
that  the  institution  should  ultimately  form  a  part  of  the  medical 
school  of  that  university  for  which  I  have  made  ample  provision 
by  my  will.  I  have  felt  it  to  be  my  duty  to  bring  these  subjects 
to  your  particular  attention,  knowing  that  you  will  conform  to  the 
wishes  which  I  definitely  express.  In  other  particulars  I  leave 
your  board  to  the  exercise  of  its  discretion,  believing  that  your 
good  judgment  and  experience  in  life  will  enable  you  to  make  this 
charity  a  substantial  benefit  to  the  community. 

"I  am  very  respectfully  your  friend, 

"Johns  Hopkins." 

On  Tuesday,  March  18th,  the  following  resolutions  were  offered 
by  Mr.  Kerr  in  the  Second  Branch  of  the  City  Council,  and 
adopted  unanimously  by  both  branches:  "Whereas,  By  the  ap- 
propriation already  made  of  a  large  part  of  his  immense  fortune 
to  provide  the  means  of  relieving  human  suffering  and  of  protect- 
ing those  who  are  helpless  in  our  midst,  and  also  by  his  promised 
munificent  endowment  of  a  free  university  to  be  established  in  the 


696  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

suburbs  of  the  city,  Johns  Hopkins  has  nobly  cpniributed  to  the 
future  welfare  and  happiness  of  our  people,  and  should  receive 
every  evidence  of  public  appreciation  and  gratitude;  therefore, 
Be  it  resolved  by  the  Mayor  and  City  Council  of  Baltimore,  That  the 
practical  and  unostentatious  charity  of  Mr.  Hopluns,  in  thus  dis- 
posing of  the  wealth  which  he  has  accumulated  in  Baltimore 
during  a  life  of  extraordinary  activity,  success  and  usefulness,  for 
the  benefit  of  her  own  people^,  has  not  merely  enrolled  his  name  in 
the  list  of  famous  benefactors  of  mankind,  but  furnishes  the  most 
striking  proof  of  the  sincerity  and  earnestness  of  his  purpose.  Be- 
solved,  That  the  city  of  Baltimore  is  proud  to  record  among  the 
many  distingufshing  facts  of  her  history  this  crowning  act  of  mag- 
nanimity on  the  part  of  one  of  her  own  citizens,  whose  whole 
career  has  materially  contributed  to  her  advancement  and  pros- 
perity, and  whose  name  has  long  been  known  wherever  commer- 
cial enterprise  and  integrity  are  respected.  Besolved,  That  the 
Mayor  be  requested  to  communicate  to  Mr.  Hopkins  a  copy  of 
these  resolution^  neatly  engrossed." 

Gen.  Columbus  O'Donnell,  one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  hon- 
ored citizens  of  Baltimore,  died  on  Sunday,  May  25th. 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  was  formally  opened  in  the  city  of  Baltimore  on 
Thursday  morning,  May  15th,  in  the  Central  Church,  corner  of 
Saratoga  and  Liberty  streets.  About  five  hundred  of  the  commis- 
sioners were  present,  among  them  many  of  the  most  learned  and 
distinguished  men  of  the  Church.  Eev.  Dr.  Smith,  pastor  of  the 
Central  Church,  made  a  short  prayer,  and  then  read  the  hymn  that 
is  so  frequently  sung  upon  such  occasions,  "All  hail  the  power  of 
Jesus'  name."  Eev.  James  Ellis  read  a  portion  of  the  Scriptures, 
and  Eev.  Dr.  Brown,  president  of  Hamilton  college,  led  in  prayer. 
Eev.  Samuel  J.  Niccolls,  D.  D.,  Moderator  of  the  last  General  As- 
eembly,  delivered  the  opening  sermon.  His  theme  was  "The 
Apostles'  Prayer."  Eev.  Howard  Crosby,  D.  D.,  of  New  York, 
was  elected  moderator. 

The  Hebrew  Orphan  Asylum,  situated  on  the  Calverton  Heights, 
was  dedicated  on  Sunday  afternoon,  May  18th,  before  a  large  num- 
ber of  Israelites  of  this  city  with  impressive  ceremonies.  About 
half  past  two  o'clock,  the  choir,  consisting  of  about  sixtj'-five  voices, 
comprising  the  combined  choirs  of  the  synagogues  of  the  city, 
opened  the  services  with  the  singing  of  an  introductory  hymn, 
Prof  Eosewald,  the  leader,  presiding  at  the  organ.  A  fervent 
prayer  was  then  offered  by  Eev.  Dr.  Szold.  A  dedicatory  ode  com- 
posed by  Eev.  A.  Hoffman,  and  put  to  music  by  Prof.  Eosewald, 
was  then  sung  by  the  entire  choir  with  striking  effect.  A  trio  in 
this  piece  was  handsomely  sung  by  Mrs.  Eosewald,  Miss  K.  Ben- 
ner,  and  Miss  Jennie  Putzel.  Mr.  Wm.  S.  Eayner,  who  generously 
presented  to  the  Asylum  the  old  City  Almshouse,  valued  at  $50,000, 
was  then  introduced,  and  delivered  an  eloquent  and  glowing  ad- 
dress. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  697 

The  corner-stone  of  the  new  German  Orphan  Asyhim,  on  Ais- 
quith  street,  opposite  the  Eastern  Female  High  School,  was  laid  on 
Sunday  afternoon,  June  22d,  with  imposing  ceremonies.  A  pro- 
cession, which  preceded  the  ceremony  proper,  was  composed  of 
most,  if  not  all,  of  the  German  lodges  and  societies  in  the  city,  and 
it  is  admitted  to  have  been  one  of  the  finest  and  largest  demon- 
strations of  its  kind  seen  in  this  city  for  along  time.  The  proces- 
sion was  under  the  command  of  chief  marshal  Otto  Duker,  with 
Charles  Seipp  and  H.  Wehr  as  assistants,  and  the  following  staff: 
Adjutant-in-chief  C.  F.  Winter,  George  Strohmeyer,  A.  Prey,  G. 
Eauth,  B.  Stolte,  August  Kiel,  D.  F.  Kahl,  George  Eobinson,  H. 
Mooyer,  C.  Edelmann,  L.  Strassburger,  John  Scharz,  C.  Sauer,  F. 
Everett,  Jacob  Edelmann,  J.  Drechsler,  II.  E.  Valentine,  F.  Plitz, 
E.  Siebert,  F.  Meyer,  H.  Lehr,  J.  Guenther,  S.  Neuhahn,  H.  Best, 
P.  Otto,  F.  Schwear  and  H.  Noss.  The  first  division  was  marshalled 
by  Charles  Blumhardt,  who  was  assisted  by  A.  Beck  and  G.  Sch  werder 
as  adjutants.  The  second  division  was  marshalled  by  Charles 
Schwarzhaupt,  and  Lewis  H.  Eobinson  and  John  Vanderhorst  as 
adjutants.  The  third  division  was  under  the  command  of  H.  Eckes, 
with  H.  Drockenbrot  and  H.  Menger  as  adjutants.  The  fourth  di- 
vision was  under  the  marshalship  of  C.  Lotz,  with  H.  Schuch- 
hardt  and  William  Burkheimer  as  adjutants.  The  fifth  division 
was  under  the  command  of  C.  Khoeff.  The  opening  address  was 
delivered  b}'  Professor  Facius,  the  presider^t  of  the  German  Or- 
phan Asylum.  Governor  Whyte  also  delivered  an  address,  which 
was  received  by  a  perfect  ovation  of  applause. 

Friday  morning,  June  20th,  shortly  after  five  o'clock,  fire  was 
discovered  issuing  from  the  five-story  stone  building  known  as  the 
Mount'Yernon  Cotton  Mill  No.  1,  on  Jones  Falls,  about  two  miles 
from  the  city,  owned  and  worked  by  the  Mount  Vernon  Company, 
of  which  Captain  Wm.  Kennedy  was  president,  and  Mr.  Albert 
Carroll  superintendent.  The  tire  spread  rapidly  through  the  build- 
ing, and  in  a  few  moments  it  was  destro^-ed.  The  loss  of  the 
building,  stock  and  machinery  was  estimated  at  $207,000,  which 
were  insured  for  $185,000. 

In  June,  the  Maryland  Academy  of  Art,  through  Mr.  John  H. 
B.  Latrobe,  the  president,  transfered  all  their  statues,  casts,  &c., 
to  the  Peabody  Institute. 

Mr.  Frederick  Pinckney,  who  had  been  for  many  years  deputy 
State's  Attorney,  and  for  over  thirty  years  identified  with  the 
Criminal  Court  of  Baltimore  city,  died  about  10  o'clock  FiHday 
night,  June  13th,  at  the  country  residence  of  Mr.  John  E.  Owens, 
near  Towsontown,  Baltimore  county.  He  was  the  fifth  son  of  the 
great  lawyer  and  statesman  William  Pinckney,  and  was,  perhaps, 
the  most  learned  man  in  the  State. 

Colonel  Solomon  Hillen,  formerly  Mayor  of  Baltimore,  member 
of  Congress  and  of  the  State  Legislature,  died  suddenly  on  Thurs- 
day, June  26th,  at  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel,  New  York. 


698  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

The  through  Southern  train  on  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac 
railroad,  which  left  Eichmond  Saturday  night,  June  28th,  arrived 
at  Calvert  Station  at  6.45  Sunday  morning.  This  was  the  first 
regular  passenger  train  that  used  the  Potomac  Eailroad  tunnel, 
engine  No.  2,  Jerry  Sweeney  engineer,  pulling  the  train,  with 
Conductor  John  T.  West  in  charge.  The  first  through  train  from 
Washington  for  New  York  passed  through  Baltimore  on  the 
same  night.  The  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Tunnel  is  one  of  the 
greatest  enterprises  of  the  kind  that  has  ever  been  executed. 
With  the  exception  of  the  Hoosac  Tunnel,  it  is  the  longest  on  this 
side  of  the  Atlantic.  The  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Tunnel  is  about 
one  and  a  half  miles  long,  and  although  of  the  most  solid  and  du- 
rable construction,  has  been  built  in  two  years.  The  ground  was 
broken  near  the  intersection  of  Cathedral  street  and  North  avenue 
on  the  first  of  June,  1871 ;  upon  August  9th,  1871,  the  masonry 
was  begun  ;  upon  the  27th  of  the  same  month  the  brickwork  was 
begun  to  be  laid,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  the  work  has 
been  prosecuted  with  marvellous  rapidity.  The  force  employed  in 
the  work  ranged  from  500  to  700  men  at  difi'erent  periods,  com- 
prising stone-cutters,  stone-masons,  bricklayers,  timber-men,  miners, 
rock-men, blacksmiths,  machinists,  carpenters,  and  common  laborers. 
During  the  progress  of  the  work  four  men  were  killed,  each 
of  whom  lost  his  life  by  accident.  Over  one  hundred  thousand 
cubic  yards  of  rock  were  blasted  out.  The  side  walls  are  of  solid 
masonry  of  Cockeysville  marble,  rock  faced,  but  dressed  at  beds 
and  joints.  The  arch  is  built  of  five  rings  of  brick  and  backed  up 
with  rubble  masonry.  At  places  where  the  bottom  was  composed  of 
quicksands  or  yielding  earth  of  any  kind,  an  inverted  arch  was  con- 
structed of  four  rings  of  brick.  About  1,250,000  cubic  feet  of 
masonry  were  used  in  the  construction,  and  15,000,000  brick.  The 
cost  of  the  work  is  thought  to  be  about  $2,300,000.  The  following 
are  the  distances  to  the  bottotn  of  the  excavation.  Above  this 
the  arch  of  the  tunnel  rises  twenty-two  feet  in  height.  The  width 
of  the  tunnel  is  twenty-seven  feet :  John  street,  49  feet ;  Park 
avenue,  52  feet ;  Bolton  street,  50  feet ;  Linden  avenue,  43  feet ; 
Eutaw  street,  42  feet ;  Madison  avenue,  31 J  feet :  Druid  Hill  avenue 
33  feet ;  Division  street,  33  feet ;  Pennsylvania  avenue,  32  feet  j 
Fremont  street,  40  feet;  Eepublican  street,  35  J  feet;  Carey  street, 
32J  feet;  Calhoun  street,  27  feet;  Strieker  street,  21  feet;  Gilmor 
street,  33J  feet.  The  station  at  Fremont  street  is  350  feet  long 
and  82  feet  deep,  and  at  John  street  200  feet  long  and  49  feet  deep. 
The  lengths  are  as  follows :  Eastern  facade  to  open  cut  at  John 
street,  1,148  feet;  open  cut  from  John  to  Oliver  streets,  200  feet; 
John  street  to  Pennsylvania  avenue,  3,625  feet;  Open  cut  from 
Pennsylvania  avenue  to  Fremont  street,  350  feet ;  Fremont  street 
to  Gilmor  street,  2,196  feet ;  Length  of  tunnel  proper,  6,969  feet; 
Length  of  open  cuts,  550  fact;  Length  of  entire  line,  7,519  feet. 
In  addition  to  this  there  is  a  tunnel  of  150  feet  under  the  bed  of 


CHBONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  699 

Fulton  street.  The  eastern  terminus  of  the  tunnel  is  about  67 
feet  above  tide-level ;  it  ascends  with  a  rise  of  1^  feet  to  the  hun- 
dred, up  to  Pennsylvania  avenue  at  which  point  the  grade  changes 
to  10^  inches  the  hundred,  making  the  ascent  from  Northern 
Avenue  to  Pennsylvania  avenue,  nearly  70  feet,  and  the  ascent 
thence  to  the  western  terminus  about  45  feet,  a  total  ascent  of 
115  feet.  The  contractor  and  constructor  of  the  Baltimore  and 
Potomac  tunnel  was  Mr.  Thomas  Eutter  of  New  York,  a  gentle- 
man whose  energy,  skill  and  capacity  have  been  conspicuously  dis- 
played in  many  works  of  the  kind,  and  who  has  acquired  a  fame 
as  a  builder  of  tunnels  which  will  be  still  farther  increased  by  this 
last  great  manifestation  of  his  ability.  The  plans  and  specifications 
were  prepared  by  Mr.  Thomas  Seabrook,  general  manager ;  Mr. 
C.  S.  Emack,  the  chief  engineer,  and  Mr.  H.  H.  Carter,  the  resi- 
dent engineer.  Mr.  Eutter  was  ably  assisted  by  Mr.  John  H.  Moss, 
his  superintendent,  who  took  charge  of  many  of  the  details.  In 
concluding  this  article,  mention  must  not  be  omitted  of  the  railway 
officials  prominently  concerned  in  the  enterprise.  Mr.  J.  D.  Cam- 
eron, president  of  the  Northern  Central,  and  Ex-Governor  Oden 
Bowie,  president  of  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac,  and  Mr.  J.  N. 
Dubarry,  vice-president  of  both  roads,  worked  with  unflagging 
energy  in  carrying  out  their  great  enterprise.  A  large  amount  of 
the  funds  for  the  building  of  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac  tunnel 
came  from  the  subscriptions  of  the  Pennsylvania  Eailroad,  and 
perhaps  it  is  ultimately  due  to  the  sagacity  and  enterprise  of 
JPresident  J.  Edgar  Thompson,  of  the  road,  and  Col.  Thomas  A. 
Scott,  that  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac  tunnel  was  built  at  all. 

In  July  the  Maryland  Bible  Society  purchased  the  lot  of  ground 
on  the  east  side  of  Charles  street,  and  decided  to  erect  a  new- 
building.  The  building  committee  consisted  of  Francis  T.  King, 
Wm.  B.  Canfield,  Isaac  D.  Jones,  Geo.  H.  Pagels,  and  Francis  A. 
Crook. 

Captain  William  Kennedy,  one  of  the  most  highly  respected 
citizens  of  Baltimore  county,  died  at  his  residence  on  Saturday, 
October  4th.  And  on  the  5th  of  August  Mr.  Hugh  Gelston,  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  but  for  very  many  years  settled  in  Baltimore, 
where  he  acquired  a  large  fortune.  Prof  Thomas  D.  Baird,  LL.  D., 
principal  and  professor  of  Mental  and  Moral  Philosophy  in  Balti- 
more City  College,  died,  universally  lamented,  on  Thursday  morning, 
July  10th,  aged  54  years. 

On  Friday,  August  Ist,  Thomas  E.  HoUohan  and  Joshua  Nichol- 
son suffered  the  extreme  penalty  of  the  law  by  hanging  in  the  jail- 
yard  of  this  city,  for  the  murder  of  Mrs.  John  Lampley,  on  the 
night  of  the  2d  of  January  previous*.  They  were  indicted  by  the 
Grand  Jury  of  the  City  Criminal  Court,  then  in  session,  but  upon 
being  arraigned,  removed  their  cases  to  Anne  Arundel  county. 
They  were  tried  at  Annapolis,  at  the  April  term  of  the  Circuit 
Court,  and  were  both  found  guilty  of  murder  in  the  first  degree. 


700  CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

When  the  prosecuting  attorney  was  making  his  closing  argument 
before  the  jury,  HoUohan  made  himself  the  principal  actor  in  a 
scene  which,  for  a  few  minutes,  produced  a  great  panic  in  court. 
He  had  obtained  a  short  iron  spike  in  his  cell,  which  he  put  in  one 
of  his  stockings,  and  this  was  supplemented  with  a  few  pieces  of 
coal.  Having  thus  improvised  a  "slung  shot,"  he  hid  it  in  his 
clothing  so  that  it  was  not  noticed  when  he  was  brought  into 
court.  He  sat  quietly  in  the  prisoner's  dock  until  the  prosecuting 
attorney'-  had  got  into  the  middle  of  the  closing  address  to  the 
jury,  and  then,  when  all  eyes  were  turned  upon  the  orator  and 
away  from  the  prisoner,  he  suddenly  sprang  from  his  place  and 
dealt  Deputy-Marshal  Frey  a  heavy  blow  with  his  slung-shot. 
There  was  a  desperate  struggle  in  the  court-room  for  a  few 
minutes,  at  the  close  of  which  Hollohan,  ghastly  and  bleeding, 
was  forced  into  the  dock  again.  The  prosecuting  attorney,  in- 
terrupted in  the  midst  of  a  brilliant  climax,  was  very  naturally 
indignant,  and  so  were  the  learned  judges,  at  this  wanton  contempt 
for  their  dignity  and  defiance  of  their  authority.  No  further 
argument  was  needed,  and  the  jury  promptly  brought  in  a  verdict 
of  murder  in  the  first  degree. 

On  the  23d  of  August  James  West  (colored)  suffered  the 
extreme  penalty  of  the  law  by  hanging  in  the  jail-yard  of  this  city, 
for  the  murder  of  Anna  Gibson,  a  woman  with  whom  he  had  co- 
habited, having  confessed  the  crime. 

The  first  train  of  cars  passed  through  the  Union  Eailroad 
tunnel  on  Thursday,  July  24th ;  it  was  the  fast  train  from  Washing- 
ton for  New  York. 

On  Friday  morning,  July  25th,  the  most  extensive  and  destruc- 
tive  conflagration  ever  known  in  Baltimore  occurred  near  the  heart 
of  the  city,  and  threatened  at  one  time  to  rival  the  previous  dis- 
asters of  Chicago  and  Boston.  The  fire  broke  out  at  about  10:15 
A.  M.,  in  the  shavings  box  adjoining  the  engine-room  of  the  planing 
mill  and  sash  and  blind  factory  of  Messrs.  Jos.  Thomas  &  Sons,  on 
Park  and  Clay  streets.  The  large  quantity  of  combustible  matter 
in  the  buildings  gave  the  flames  such  strength  and  volume  that 
they  swept  over  the  surrounding  buildings  in  a  very  short  space  of 
time,  and  the  heat  became  so  fierce  that  the  firemen  could  not 
work  in  Park  street.  In  the  meantime,  the  men  who  were 
working  up-stairs  knew  nothing  of  the  fire,  and  were  compelled  to 
jump  from  the  second  and  third  story  windows  to  save  themselves ; 
in  doing  which  several  of  them  received  slight  injuries.  The 
greater  number  of  the  houses  hard-by  had  shingle  roofs,  which  had 
been  so  baked  and  dried  by  the  hot  sun  as  to  be  inflammable  in  the 
highest  degree;  and  under  the  copious  shower  of  blazing  cinders 
that  fell  upon  them,  they  were  soon  smoking  and  blazing.  A 
strong  wind  was  blowing  towards  the  northeast,  and  the  gusty 
flaws  swept  the  flames  many  feet  to  the  surrounding  buildings, 
while  vast  clouds  of  smoke   and  cinders  were   carried  squares 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  701 

beyond.  Flames  would  shoot  up  in  several  places  at  once  from 
buildings  in  close  proximity  to  the  fire,  and  in  a  short  time  there 
were  eighteen  houses  on  fire  on  Park,  Clay,  and  Saratoga  streets. 
Thomas's  factory  was  shaped  like  an  L,  and  the  flames  roaring  with 
uncontrolled  fury  throughout  the  whole  building,  streamed  out 
both  into  Clay  and  Park  streets.  In  a  very  short  time  the  row  of 
houses  on  the  west  side  of  Park,  between  Lexington  and  Clay 
streets,  were  on  fire.  The  buildings  between  Thomas's  mill  and  Clay 
street  caught  fire  on  the  roof,  and  in  a  short  time  so  intense  was 
the  heat  that  a  lot  of  hose  belonging  to  the  fire  department  was 
burned  up.  The  wind  carried  the  flames  away  from  the  buildings 
fronting  on  Lexington  street,  or  else  they  would  have  been  also 
entirely  consumed.  As  it  was,  a  great  number  of  them  had  the 
back  buildings  burned,  and  great  damage  was  inflicted  by  the 
water  which  the  engines  poured  in  from  all  available  points. 

The  flames  soon  leaped  across  Park  street  and  seized  the  ex- 
tensive livery  stables  of  John  D.  Stewart,  No.  Ill  Lexington 
street,  and  extending  to  Clay  street.  In  anticipation  of  this  the 
horses  and  carriages  had  been  taken  out.  The  rear  portion  of  the 
stable  was  soon  wrapped  in  roaring  flames,  sending  up  sparks  and 
cinders  into  the  air  and  spreading  to  the  contiguous  buildings. 
Meanwhile  those  dwelling  in  the  vicinity  were  in  the  greatest  con- 
sternation. All  along  Lexington  street,  from  Park  nearly  up  to 
Howard,  people  were  hastily  dragging  their  furniture  and  clothing 
from  the  houses,  and  the  streets  were  soon  heaped  high  with 
household  goods.  While  the  houses  on  Clay  street,  between  Park 
and  Liberty  streets,  were  in  flames,  the  sight  was  one  that  struck 
terror  to  |jhe  hearts  of  the  stoutest  firemen  attached  to  the  Balti- 
more fire  department.  The  flames,  fed  from  the  material  of  the 
stables,  carpenter  and  paint-shops,  united  and  twisted  into  columns 
of  flame  and  smoke,  mounting  until  nothing  else  could  be  seen 
rolling  along  the  street  and  above  the  hou^e-tops.  Men  of  iron 
nerves  shrank  back  from  the  scorching  blast  which  met  them. 
Women  ran  to  and  fro,  wringing  their  hands  and  moaning  in  hys- 
terical grief  over  the  destruction  of  their  homes.  Men  with 
wagons  and  drays  were  endeavoring  to  force  their  way  to  the 
scene ;  some  were  carrying  away  articles  by  hand,  and  everything 
was  in  uproar  and  confusion.  Just  about  eleven  o'clock  the  bells 
of  St.  Alphonsus  church  began  to  ring,  adding  their  clangor  to  the 
noise,  and  with  the  varied  cries  from  the  restless  mass  of  humanity 
in  the  streets,  the  shrill  whistles  and  hoarse  puffing  of  the  steamers, 
the  shouts  of  the  firemen  and  policemen,  and  with  the  deep  roar  of 
the  flames,  made  up  a  babel  of  noise  that  greatly  intensified  the 
hori*or  of  the  scene.  By  eleven  o'clock  the  flames  had  spread  over 
a  large  area.  Park  street,  between  Lexington  and  Saratoga,  was 
ablaze  for  its  greater  portion.  Clay  street,  from  Park  half  way  up 
to  Howard  street,  was  wrapped  in  flames,  and  the  fire  had  burnt 
through  into  Lexington  street  in  three  separate  places.     Scorched 


702  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMOEE. 

and  blinded  by  tbe  intolerable  beat,  it  was  almost  impossible  for 
tbe  brave  firemen  to  go  into  Park  street  at  all,  and  tbe  flames 
roared  up  with  such  unabated  strength  that  the  panic-stricken 

Eeople  threw  out  furniture  with  reckless  haste,  unnecessarily 
reaking  and  damaging  it. 
The  flames  now  spread  so  rapidly  in  every  direction  that  it  is 
impossible  to  give  an  account  of  the  progress  in  the  order  of  time. 
Upon  Lexington  street  the  First  English  Lutheran  church  was  a 
mass  of  flames,  and  soon  nothing  was  left  of  the  building  but  the 
walls.  The  pastoral  residence  next  door  was  also  greatly  damaged 
by  the  flames.  The  row  of  houses  between  the  church  and  Park 
street  were  on  fire  several  times,  and  were  greatly  damaged.  The 
row  on  the  west  side  of  Park  street,  between  Thomas's  factory  and 
Lexington  street,  seemed  at  one  time  doomed  to  total  destruction, 
but  by  strenuous  efforts  the  firemen  were  enabled  to  check  the 
flames  in  this  direction.  The  east  side  of  Park  street  was  burned 
to  the  ground  from  the  corner  of  Saratoga  street  to  the  building 
on  the  corner  of  Lexington  and  Park  streets.  At  one  time  the 
Mansard  roof  of  this  building  was  all  ablaze,  and  the  flames 
streamed  out  through  the  windows  of  the  two  upper  stories,  but 
the  firemen  were  successful  in  saving  it  from  utter  destruction. 
Meanwhile  the  roof  of  St.  Alphonsus  Catholic  church  took  fire 
several  times,  but  the  flames  were  extinguished  by  men  upon  the 
roof  before  they  could  spread.  Its  tall  spire  and  glittering  cross 
could  hardly  be  seen  at  times  for  the  clouds  of  smoke  that  eddied 
about  it,  and  it  was  momentarily  expected  to  take  fire.  Although 
scorched  and  blistered  by  the  fierce  heat,  it,  however,  escaped. 

At  fifteen  minutes  before  eleven  o'clock  fire  was  dispovered  on 
the  roof  of  the  dwelling  house  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Mul- 
berry and  Park  streets,  and  from  the  fact  that  all  the  steam- 
engines  were  busily  engaged  on  Clay,  Park  and  Saratoga  streets, 
considerable  time  elapsed  before  any  water  could  be  thrown  upon 
the  new  fire  which  had  broken  out  at  the  locality  just  mentioned, 
and  by  the  time  a  steam-engine  could  be  dispatched  to  the  place, 
the  roofs  of  six  houses  were  in  flames  and  threatened  to  extend  to 
Cathedral  street ;  but,  fortunately,  the  flames  were  mastered  after 
a  hard  fight,  and  the  magnificent  dwellings  on  Cathedral  street, 
opposite  the  Cathedral,  saved.  At  the  same  time  a  one-story 
structure,  connected  with  the  Maryland  University,  under  the 
charge  of  Dr.  Dalrymple,  situated  on  Mulberry  street  opposite, 
was  set  on  fire  by  embers  wafted  from  Saratoga  street  and  de- 
stroyed, and  it  was  with  the  greatest  difficulty  that  the  Academy 
of  Art  and  its  costly  models,  &c.,  were  prevented  from  sharing  the 
same  fate.  The  roof  of  the  academy  was  on  fire  so  often  that  the 
greater  portion  of  the  shingles  had  to  be  removed,  and  had  not  a 
large  nuniber  of  gentlemen  formed  an  independent  fire  brigade  and 
battled  with  the  fire  upon  roofs  along  Mulberry  street,  there  is  no 
estimating  when  and  where  the  conflagration  would  have  spent  its 
fury. 


•     CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  703 

All  this  time  the  flames  were  spreading  rapidly  along  the  south 
side  of  Saratoga  street  from  Park  to  Liberty  streets.  The  Central 
Presbyterian  Church  was  not  at  first  considered  to  be  in  very 
great  danger,  as  the  sparks  were  not  carried  in  its  direction,  but 
the  wind  shifting,  it  was  now  evident  that  it  could  hardly  escape 
taking  fire.  At  about  one  o'clock  the  tall  spire  took  fire  in  the 
cornice,  when  a  rapid  effort  was  made  to  remove  the  furniture. 
Soon  after  the  falling  embers  ignited  the  roof,  and  as  soon  as  the 
flames  penetrated  the  interior  of  the  building  they  roared  through 
the  whole  edifice  with  uncontrollable  fury.  The  fine  houses  on 
the  north  side  of  Saratoga  street,  the  residences  of  A.  S.  Abell, 
Johns  Hopkins,  Professor  N.  R.  Smith,  Mrs.  Cummings,  the  old 
"  Wyatt  Mansion  " —  the  parsonage  of  St.  Paul's  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  —  and  other  prominent  citizens,  were  then  in  dan- 
gerous proximity  to  the  flames,  but  owing  to  the  unusual  width  of 
the  street  and  men  stationed  upon  the  roofs  with  fire-extinguishers, 
they  were  saved. 

The  whole  row  on  the  south  side  of  Saratoga  street  between 
Park  and  Liberty  street  was  then  in  flames.  The  large  school 
buildings  of  the  St.  Alphonsus  Church,  extending  through  from 
Saratoga  to  Clay  streets,  were  thoroughly  possessed  by  the  raging 
fire,  and  their  total  destruction  was  evident.  The  square  between 
Saratoga  and  Mulberry  street  is  intersected  with  alleys  built  up 
with  small  houses  occupied  chiefly  by  negroes.  The  roofs  of  these 
houses  were  momentarily  taking  fire,  and  it  was  only  by  the  stren- 
uous exertions  of  a  number  of  policemen  and  some  colored  men, 
who  were  not  quite  unmanned  by  fright,  that  the  flames  were  pre- 
vented from  gaining  headway.  With  the  fires  upon  Mulberry  and 
Saratoga  streets,  the  frightened  denizens  of  the  locality  thought 
themselves  surrounded  with  flames,  and  ran  about  screaming  and 
crying,  throwing  their  furniture  into  the  streets  with  reckless  and 
altogether  unnecessary  haste,  and  giving  vent  to  their  feelings  with 
the  characteristic  gush  and  effusion  of  negroes.  The  scene  was 
terrible,  and  was  enough  to  strike  terror  into  those  whose  dwellings 
were  in  proximity  to  the  fire.  It  seemed  at  one  time  as  if  the 
flames  would  cross  Liberty  street,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  fine 
row  of  houses  between  Liberty  and  Charles  street  began  to  move 
out  with  great  haste.  Valuable  furniture  was  piled  upon  the  pave- 
ments, and  drays  and  wagons  were  removing  it  as  rapidly  as  pos- 
sible. Charles  street  was  blockaded  with  a  long  procession  of 
laden  wagons  carrying  away  the  goods  of  the  frightened  people. 
At  times  there  would  be  a  complete  jam,  and  there  would  be  the,., 
greatest  uproar  and  confusion  before  the  mass  of  vehicles  was  ex- 
tricated. So  intense  was  the  heat  on  Saratoga  street  whilst  the 
people  were  moving  their  household  effects,  that  in  one  case  an 
express  wagon  used  in  removing  some  bedding  took  fire.  It  was 
with  difiiculty  the  horse  was  loosed,  and  then  men  and  boys  rushed 
with  the  wagon  through  the  street  to  the  front  of  a  building,  whose 


704  CHEONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

destruction  was  inevitable, -and  there  let  it  burn  up.  All  along  the 
east  side  of  Liberty  street  the  panic-stricken  people  were  endeav- 
oring to  get  out  such  of  their  furniture  as  they  could  remove,  for 
the  flames  were  encroaching  upon  the  row  of  houses  on  the  west 
Bide,  and  were  leaping  forth  so  ravenously  that  they  were  expected 
to  seize  the  houses  upon. the  east  side  as  well.  The  firemen  worked 
with  the  greatest  energy,  and  by  their  unremitting  toil,  quite  early 
in  the  afternoon  the  area  in  which  the  fire  originated  was  under 
control.  In  fact  the  fire  had  burnt  itself  out.  Park  and  Clay  streets 
being  smoking  ruins.  The  fire  along  Saratoga  street  was  also 
under  control,  and  four  houses  on  the  south  side  near  Howard  street 
were  preserved  intact,  as  well  as  the  house  on  the  southwest  corner 
of  Park  and  Saratoga  streets.  The  others  were  wholly  or  partially 
destroyed.  At  a  later  period  the  row  of  houses  on  the  south  side 
of  Saratoga  street,  extending  from  Park  to  Liberty  street,  were 
brought  under  control,  but  not  until  the  greater  portion  was  in 
shapeless  ruins.  Standing  in  Saratoga  street,  one  could  look  down 
through  tottering  walls  and  isolated  piles  of  brick  almost  to  Lex- 
ington street.  Clay  street  was  so  completely  covered  with  bricks 
that  in  some  places  the  sidewalks  were  uiidistinguishable.  The 
row  of  houses  on  the  north  side  of  Mulberry  street,  between  Park 
and  Cathedral  streets,  was  perhaps  the  last  to  be  extinguished. 

During  the  progress  of  the  fire  the  dome  of  the  Cathedral  ap- 
peared in  the  light  of  a  habitable  globe.  A  number  of  men,  at 
great  personal  risk,  exposed  themselves  on  its  giddy  height,  and 
were  continuous  in  their  efforts  to  prevent  its  taking  fire  with 
water  and  wet  blankets.  The  escape  of  the  Cathedral  from  fire 
was  in  large  part  due  to  the  exertions  of  James  P.  Eock,  Mr. 
Walsh,  Gustavus  Creamy,  Mr.  Stack,  John  Mc:N"ally,  Charles 
Arthur,  Alfred  Eiep,  Sr.,  and  Joseph  Miskelly.  There  were  others 
whose  courage  deserves  equal  praise,  but  whose  names  could  not 
be  ascertained.  There  were  relays  of  volunteers  every  half  hour 
on  the  dome,  which  is  covered  in  part  with  shingles  and  partly 
with  metal. 

The  Central  Presbyterian  Church  was  one  of  the  largest  struc- 
tures in  the  city,  built  of  brick,  with  an  imposing  square  tower, 
large  auditorium,  and  very  lately  brought  into  prominence  among 
members  of  the  denomination  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States, 
as  well  as  foreign  countries,  on  account  of  the  recent  convocation 
within  its  walls  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  the  United  States.  The  church  was  built  in  1855  for 
iits  first  pastor,  Kev.  Stuart  Kobinson.  He  was  minister  up  to 
1857.  Upon  the  resignation  of  his  charge  to  go  to  Louisville,  Ky., 
where  he  is  at  present,  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  E.  Peck,  D.D., 
who  remained  up  to  1859.  Rev.  Dr.  Peck  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Silas  G.  Dunlap,  who  had  charge  of  the  congregation  up  to  1861, 
when  he  was  succeeded  in  his  apostolic  mission  by  Rev.  Joseph  T. 
Smith,  D.D.,  who  was  ordained  early  in  the  year  1862,  and  who  is 


CHRONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  705 

the  present  pastor  of  the  church.  The  elders  under  Eev.  Dr. 
Smith  were  Dr.  James  Mclntire,  Wm.  Boi^gs,  James  Warden, 
Kichard  K.  Cross,  Edward  C.  Small,  and  Wm.  H.  Cole ;  the  dea- 
cons, Wm  S.  Cross,  E.  J.  D.  Cross,  Archibald  McElmole,  Harding 
Longcope,  Theo.  K.  Miller,  Louis  C.  Dietch,  William  Eeynolds, 
E.  H.  Millikin,  and  Henry  G.  Tyson.  The  original  cost  of  the 
church  was  $70,000,  exclusive  of  tLie  organ,  built  in  1863  by  Henry 
Erben  of  New  York,  at  a  cost  of  $2500. 

At  eight  o'clock  P.  M.  the  weary  firemen  ceased  from  their 
labors,  and  went  to  their  quarters.  For  eight  hours  they  fought 
the  flames  with  steady  fortitude,  and  not  a  few  fell  to  the  ground 
overpowered  by  the  heat.  Many  acts  of  heroism  were  quietly 
performed  which  will  go  unrecorded.  Infirm  persons  were  car- 
ried from  burning  buildings,  and  no  doubt  many  lives  were  saved 
by  these  gallant  men;  but  all  their  most  praiseworthy  acts  are 
performed  in  the  regular  line  of  duty,  and  the  outside  world  knows 
nothing  of  them.  "On  the  25th  of  July  they  did  a  most  noble 
day's  work,  especiall}'-  when  the  limited  means  are  considered 
which  they  had  to  use  in  the  accomplishment  of  the  results  as 
illustrated,  and  proves  the  Baltimore  fire  department  equal,  if  not 
superior,  to  any  in  the  world.  This  excellent  department  of  oui 
city  government  was  under  tho  charge  of  a  board  of  fire  commis- 
sioners, consisting  of  John  S.  Hogij:,  Thomas  W.  Campbell,  James 
Logan,  Edwin  L.  Jones,  and  Geo?*ge  F.  Thompson,  with  John  S. 
Hogg  as  president,  and  Thomas  W.  Campbell  as  secretary,  Henry 
Spilman  chief  engineer,  George  W.  Ellender  assistant  engineer, 
John  ^r.  Hennick  assistant  engineer.  The  police  department, 
under  the  charge  of  Marshal  Gray  and  Deputy  Marshal  Frey,  also 
deserve  great  credit  for  the  manner  in  which  they  saved  furniture, 
household  goods,  and  in  some  cases  human  life.  During  the  pro- 
gress of  the  fire  many  of  the  citizens  carried  ice-water,  lemonade, 
and  other  refreshments  to  the  nearly  exhausted  firemen  and  police, 
but  ^les^rs.  Eichard  H.  Snowden  and  Charles  McCoy  deserve 
special  mention. 

General  E.  H.  Carr,  commanding  general  of  the  second  brigade 
M.  N.  G.,  soon  after  the  fire  gained  headway,  issued  the  following 
order:  "  Headquarters  Second  Brigade  M.  N.  G  ,  Baltimore,  July 
25th,  1873.  Special  orders  No.  9.  Col.  Clarence  Peters,  com- 
manding sixth  regiment  infantry  M.  N.  G.,  will  hold  his  command 
in  readiness  to  assist  the  police  commissioners  in  case  they  should 
need  his  services  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  property  from 
depredation.  E.  H.  Carr,  Brevet  Major-Gen eral.  Thomas  J, 
McKaig,  Jr.,  Colonel  and  Chief  of  Staff'." 

In  compliance  with  this  order  Col,  Peters  issued  the  following: 
"Headquarters  Sixth  Eegiment  Infiintry,  M.  N.  G.  Baltimore, 
July  25th,  1873.  General  orders  No.  11.  In  accordance  with 
special  order  No.  9,  headquarters  second  brigade,  this  command 
will  assemble  at  the  armory  on  this  Friday  evening  at  8  o'clock, 
45 


706  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

fully  armed  and  equipped  for  duty.  By  order  Clarence  Peters, 
Colonel  Commanding.  (Official.)  A.  J.  O'Connor,  Acting  Ad- 
jutant." 

In  accordance  with  the  order  a  large  number  of  the  command 
assembled  at  the  armory,  but  it  was  not  found  necessary  to  call 
upon  them  for  assistance,  and  after  remaining  there  until  about  9 
o'clock  they  were  dismissed.  About  fifty-five  policemen  were  on 
duty  during  the  night  in  the  burnt. district,  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
tecting the  property,  and  keeping  persons  from  approaching  too 
near  the  crumbling  walls. 

At  11.50  A.  M.,  when  the  magnitude  of  the  conflagration  was 
fully  anticipated,  a  dispatch  was  promptly  forwarded  to  Washing- 
ton asking  for  help,  as  follows:  "To  the  Chief  Engineer  Wash- 
ington City  Fire  Department :  Send  every  spare  engine  and  car- 
riage here  immediately.  Henry  Spilman,  Chief  Engineer."  This 
message  on  reaching  Washington  city  was  delivered  to  Martin 
Cronin,  chief  of  the  fire  department,  and  in  one  hour's  time  en- 
gines Nos.  2  and  3  fully  equipped,  and  having  with  them  a  com- 
pound pipe,  arrived  at  the  Camden  street  depot,  under  charge  of 
the  chief  of  the  Washington  fire  department,  assisted  by  the  presi- 
dent of  the  board  of  fire  commissioners  and  Commissioner  Joseph 
Williams.  The  distance  from  Washington  to  Baltimore  was  made 
in  thirty-nine  minutes.  Chief  Cronin  at  once  reported  to  Chief 
Spilman  of  the  Baltimore  fire  department,  who  placed  engine  No. 
3  on  Pleasant  street  below  Charles,  and  No.  2  on  Liberty  below 
Lexington  street,  and  they  immediately  commenced  work  on  the 
buildings  near  Liberty  and  Saratoga  streets,  doing  efficient  and 
valuable  service.  The  officers  and  members  of  engine  company 
No.  2,  the  Franklin,  were  Charles  Hurdle,  foreman ;  John  Sinclair, 
Samuel  Dawes,  Samuel  Ricks,  Hugh  Myers,  Philip  Meredith,  Wm. 
Hunt.  The  officers  of  No.  3,  the  Columbian,  were  tlani^C^^^^ 
foreman  ;  Daniel  Barron,  Jasper  Smith,  Michael  Kane,  WaTter  Cox, 
Francis  Lewis,  Conrad  Kaufman,  Lewis  Low  (representative  of 
No.  1  truck  Washington),  John  Fishes,  F.  P.  Blair,  James  Frazier, 
L.  T.  Folansbee  (exempt.)  Each  company  had  their  horses,  hose- 
carriages,  and  900  feet  of  hose.  The  locomotive  which  accom- 
plished the  extraordinary  feat  of  running  forty-two  miles  in  thirty- 
nine  minutes  was  No.  413,  and  was  in  charge  of  Samuel  Buckey, 
engineer.  The  train  consisted  of  three  gondolas  and  one  pas- 
senger coach,  Captain  Wm.  Bines,  conductor,  and  all  in  charge  of 
Col.  Koontz,  agent  for  the  railroad  at  Washington. 

Soon  after  the  news  was  received  in  Philadelphia  that  a  large 
fire  was  raging  in  Baltimore,  the  chief  engineer  of  the  fire  depart- 
ment of  that  city  sent  the  following  dispatch  :  "  H.  Spilman,  chief 
engineer  of  the  Baltimore  fire  department.  I  have  four  full  com- 
panies at  your  service.  Do  you  need  them  ?  Wm.  H.  Johnson." 
The  following  reply  was  received  from  Baltimore :  "  Wm.  H.  John- 
son, chief  engineer  of  the  Philadelphia  fire  department.    Ma'ny 


CHKONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  707 

thanks  for  your  kindness  ;  the  fire  is  under  control ;  no  use  for  more 
engines.  H.  Spilman."  The  Philadelphia,  Wilmington  and  Bal- 
timore Kailroad  gave  notice  that  they  had  made  preparations  for 
the  transportation  of  fire-engines  in  case  they  were  needed.  H. 
F.  Kenney,  of  the  P.  W.  and  B.  E.  K.,  telegraphed  three  times  to 
the  acting  Mayor  Greenfield,  of  Baltimore,  offering  the  use  of  that 
railroad.  He  said  he  could  run  fast  extras  with  engines  and  fire- 
men, if  the  Mayor  of  Baltimore  said  so,  putting  them  in  Baltimore 
in  less  than  two  hours.  Telegrams  from  the  authorities  of  York, 
Harrisburg,  Alexandria,  Martinsburg,  tendering  aid  in  the  way  of 
fire-apparatus,  were  also  received.  Major  Kichards,  of  Washing- 
ton, telegraphed,  tendering  to  Marshal  Gray  the -services  of  a  por- 
tion of  the  Washington  police  force.  The  officers  of  the  Northern 
Central  Eailroad  Company  sent  their  employees  at  the  Bolton 
shops  down  to  the  scene  to  render  assistance,  and  the  employees 
of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad  Company  were  held  in  readi- 
ness at  the  Mount  Clare  shops,  and  would  have  been  sent  if  they 
had  been  needed. 

The  City  Council  met  informally  on  Friday  night,  July  25th, 
in  accordance  with  a  call  from  acting  Mayor  Greenfield  (Mayor 
Joshua  Vansant  on  a  visit  from  the  city),  and  appointed  the  fol- 
lowing committee  to  relieve  those  who  were  made  destitute  by  the 
fire :  Messrs  Seim,  Conn  and  Giff'ord,  of  the  First  Branch,  and 
Messrs.  Sommerlock,  White  and  Ford,  of  the  Second  Branch.  Ees- 
olutions  of  thanks  were  passed  to  those  cities  who  had  tendered 
assistance.  The  following  was  received  from  Mayor  Alexander,  of 
Columbia,  S.  C. 

Columbia,  S.  C,  July  26fA,  1873.  To  his  Honor  the  acting 
Mayor  of  Baltimore : — We  have  heard  of  your  calamity  by  tele- 

fraph  this  morning.    How  can  we  aid  you  ?     The  people  of  Colum- 
ia  will  come  to  the  aid  of  Baltimore  in  any  way  in  their  power. 
Answer.  John  Alexander,  Mayor. 

To  the  above  Mayor  Yansant  (who  had  returned  to  the  city) 
sent  the  following : 

Mayor's  Office,  City  Hall,  Baltimore,  July  26th,  1873,  To 
'  his  Honor  the  Mavor  of  Columbia,  S.  C.  i—Your  telegram  tender- 
ing aid  of  your  noble  people,  on  account  of  our  disaster  of  yesterday, 
is  received,  for  which  you  have  our  grateful  appreciation.  From 
appearances  we  will  not  require  aid  from  our  sister  cities.  I  will 
write  to  you  by  mail.  Joshua  Yansant,  Mayor. 

In  the  official  report  of  Charles  T.  Holloway,  Fire  Inspector,  it 
is  learned  that  113  buildings  were  destroyed,  as  follows :  2  churches, 
3  two-story  and  attic  brick  houses,  64  three-story  brick  houses,  18 
four-story  brick  houses,  1  two-story  frame  house,  1  three-story 
fi»ame  house,  1  one-story  brick  house,  making  in  all  113.  These 
buildings  were  occupied  as  follows ;  Mills,  2  ;  silk  factory,  1 ;  car- 


708  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

penter  shops,  4  ;  stables,  4  ;  carvers,  tobacconists  and  segar  manu- 
iacturers,  3;  tailors,  4;  cabinet-makers,  3 ;  school-houses,  3;  marble 
worker,  1;  painters,  2;  sewing  machine  agency,  1;  dress-makers, 
2;  shoemakers  and  shoe  dealers,  6  ;  machine  shop,  1;  restaurants, 
4;  tin-smith,  1;  grocery,  2;  coal-office,  1;  plumbers  and  gasfiiters, 
2;  housefurnishing,  1;  office,  1;  boarding-houses,  3;  hat  and 
bonnet  factory,  1 ;  hair-dresser,  1 ;  academy  of  art,  1 ;  universitj^, 
1 ;  watchmaker,  1 ;  confectioner,  1 ;  leather  dealer,  1.  These  build- 
ings, with  the  exception  of  17,  were  also  occupied  as  dwellings. 
It  is  estimated  the  loss  will  amount  to  about  $750,000,  within- 
Burancefor  about  one-third  of  the  amount. 

About  half-past  two  o'clock  on  Wednesday  morning,  September 
10th,  a  fire  broke  out  from  the  rear  upper  portion  of  the  HoUiday 
Street  Theatre,  and  rapidly  spreading,  soon  involved  the  entire 
structure.  Soon  after  the  alarm  was  sounded  the  fire-steamers 
began  rushing  to  the  scene ;  but  before  they  could  get  to  work 
upon  the  building,  the  flames  burst  out  and  illuminated  the  whole 
centre  of  the  city,  and  sparks  were  showered  through  the  air  over 
the  buildings  for  many  squares  around.  The  wind  was  blowing 
gently  at  the  time,  in  a  southwesterly  direction,  and  a  most  dis- 
astrous fire  seemed  imminent ;  but  through  well-directed  exertions 
of  the  firemen  and  citizens,  who  rushed  to  the  scene  with  alacrity, 
only  four  buildings  were  burned.  The  roofing  of  the  City  College 
buildings  or  old  "  Assembly  Eooms  "  adjoining,  took  fire  soon  after 
the  flames  burst  from  the  theatre,  and  that  structure  was  soon  in 
flames,  and  came  very  nearly  sharing  the  fate  of  the  theatre.  The 
St.  Nicholas  Hotel,  on  the  north  of  the  theatre,  was  also  on  fire, 
and  a  number  of  buildings  in  the  rear  of  the  burning  structures. 
The  fire  threatened  at  one  time  to  consume  the  best  and  most 
closely-built  part  of  the  business  centre  of  Baltimore. 

The  Hon.  T.  Parkin  Scott,  Chief  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Bench 
of  this  city,  died  on  Monday,  October  13th,  in  the  70th  year  of  his 
age.  He  was  possessed  of  high  abilities  as  a  lawyer,  and  was  much 
respected  for  his  great  probity  of  character. 

Ishmael  Day  died  on  Saturday,  December  28th. 

At  a  quarter  past  two  o'clock  on  Friday  morning,  December 
12th,  the  New  American  Theatre,  known  to  old  residents  as  the- 
Baltimore  Museum,  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Baltimore  and  Cal- 
vert streets,  belonging  to  the  estate  of  the  late  Judge  John  Glenn, 
and  his  son  Mr.  W.  W.  Glenn,  was  discovered  on  fire,  and  in  a  short 
time  was  destroyed.  The  fire  was  first  seen  issuing  from  the 
southwest  corner  of  the  fourth  story  of  the  old  Museum,  and  being 
located  in  the  air  as  it  were,  the  fire  department  had  considerable 
difficulty  in  arianging  hose  so  as  to  have  full  pluy  upon  the  flames. 
Inside  of  thirty  minutes,  however,  the  flames  were  under  complete 
control,  when  all  apprehensions  of  a  disastrous  conflagration  passed 
away.  The  only  plausible  solution  as  to  the  origin  of  the  firejs 
that  it  resulted  irom  carelessness  on  the  part  of  some  of  Mr. 
Howe's  company  connected  with  the  theatre. 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  709 

Johns  Hopkins,  Esq.,  died  on  Wednesday  morning,  December 
24th,  in  the  79th  year  of  his  age.  Mr.  Hopkins  was  born  in  Anne 
Arundel  County,  Maryland,  on  the  19th  day  of  May,  1795.  His 
father  was  Samuel  Hopkins  of  this  county,  and  his  mother  was  Han- 
nah Janney  Hopkins,  of  the  well-known  Tucker-Janney  family,  of 
Loudoun  County,  Virginia.  Samuel  Hopkins  was  descended  from  an 
English  Quaker  family  of  respectability,  and  emigrated  with  five 
brothers  soon  after  the  colonization  of  Maryland.  In  his  boy- 
hood Mr.  Johns  Hopkins  received  a  moderate  education,  and 
worked  upon  his  father's  farm  until  1812.  When  in  his  eight- 
eenth year  he  came  to  Baltimore  to  engage  in  commercial  pursuits. 
He  entered  the  counting-room  of  his  uncle,  Gerald  T.  Hopkins,  a 
well-known  grocery  merchant.  He  displayed  an  extraordinary 
industry  and  energy,  and  in  a  short  time  he  had  mastered  the  de- 
tails of  the  business.  In  1819  Mr.  Hopkins,  in  connection  with 
Benjamin  P.  Moore,  established  the  grocery  house  of  Hopkins  & 
Moore.*  The  young  merchants  had  no  cash  capital,  but  the  repu- 
tation Mr.  Hopkins  had  already  earned  as  a  young  man  of  enter- 
prise, energy  and  honor,  stood  with  the  firm  in  place  of  money. 
This  partnership  was  dissolved  in  1822,  and  Johns  Hopkins  took 
with  him  two  younger  brothers,  and  established  a  business  under 
the  firm  name  of  Hopkins  &  Brothers,  in  a  frame  house  at  the 
corner  of  Pratt  and  HoUingsworth  streets.  The  business  of  the 
firm  was  rapidly  developed,  principally  with  the  Valley  of  Virginia, 
where  the  firm  had  large  family  connections.  After  his  retire- 
ment from  business  life  the  most  remarkable  portion  of  his  career 
commenced.  With  large  means  at  his  disposal,  he  made  judicious 
investments,  which  soon  gave  him  a  leading  place  as  a  capitalist. 
The  Rialto  Building,  on  Second  street,  at  the  corner  of  HoUiday, 
is  a  monument  to  him,  and  immense  warehouses  were  during  his 
life  erected  by  him.  He  was  connected  with  nearly  all  the  great 
enterprises  that  have  marked  the  history  of  Baltimore.  In 
1847  he  became  a  director  in  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad 
Cotnpany,  and  took  an  active  part  in  its  management  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death.  In  1854  he  was  appointed  chairman  of  the 
finance  committee,  which  position  he  always  held.  Prior  to  1857, 
when  the  company  was  embarrassed  by  the  monetary  difficulties 
of  the  country  and  internal  dissensions,  and  was  unable  to  provide 
in  due  season  for  the  heavy  obligations  imposed  upon  it  by  the  ex- 
tension of  the  road,  he  voluntarily  endorsed  the  notes  of  the  com- 
pany, pledging  his  private  fortune  to  its  support,  and  thus  sus- 
tained the  credit  of  the  company  and  insured  the  completion  and 
success  of  the  road.  He  possessed  from  15,000  to  17,000  shares  of 
its  stock,  with  an  actual  market  value  of  $3,000,000.  His  interest 
was  only  exceeded  by  that  held  by  the  State  of  Maryland  and  city 
of  Baltimore.  During  the  panic  in  the  fall  of  1873  he  again  came 
to  the  assistance  of  the  road,  and  furnished  it  with  over  $900,000 
in  cash,  by  which  it  paid  its  interest  in  cash,  while  other  great 


710  CHRONICLES'  OF  BALTIMORE. 

roads  were  paying  in  certified  cheeks  or  in  scrip.     Necessarily  his 
connection  with  various  banks  in  Baltimore  was  very  large,  and  it 
may  be  said  that  he  controlled  them.   His  judgment  was  so  good  and 
his  interests  so  large  as  to  make  his  voice  all-powerful  with  them. 
He  was  for  many  years  president  of  the  Merchants'  Bank,  and  a 
director  in  the  First  National,  in  the  Mechanics',  Central,  National 
Union,  Citizens',  and  the  Farmers  and  Planters'.     He  was  a  large 
Btockholder  in  many  of  the  banks  of  this  city,  as  well  as  in  a 
Dumber  in  Virginia.    All  enterprises  appealed  to  him  for  aid,  and, 
ever  mindful  of  the  prosperity  of  Baltimore,  he  assisted  with  his 
means.     He  was  treasurer  of  the  Eepublic  Life  Insurance  Com- 
pany of  Chicago,  director  of  the  Baltimore  Warehouse  Company, 
director  of  the  Merchants'  Mutual  Marine  Insurance  Company,  a 
large  stockholder  in  the  George's  Creek  Coal  Company  and  in  the 
Merchants*   and  Miners'   Transportation   Company.      The  latter 
company  have  one  of  their  steamers  named  after  him.     On  the  re- 
ceipt of  the  news  of  the  great  panic  of  1873  at  his  office  in  the 
Commercial  Building,  corner  of  Lombard  and  Gay  streets,  he  be- 
came somewhat  excited,  and  he  saw  at  once  the  serious  character 
of  the  financial  trouble,  and  exclaimed,  "  This  is  a  tornado !  "     By 
the  time  the  clearing-house  met  on  the  afternoon  of  the  panic  he 
had   made  up   his  mind  what  to  do,  and  he  gave  some  of  his 
strength  and  confidence  to  each  member  of  that  important  and 
financial  body.     He  said  that  he  could  put  his  shoulder  to  the 
wheel,  that  h«  held  S2,000,000  of  commercial  paper,  and  had  large 
investments,  all  of  which  were  aifected  by  the  unexpected  crisis, 
but  he  would  devote  his  money  and  his  influence  to  avert  the 
panic  from  the  business  community  of  Baltimore.     This  he  was 
able  to  do,  and  he  was  the  only  single  man  that  could  have  done 
it.     He  started  the  next  morning  to  carry  out  his  object,  and 
after  his  money  was  exhausted,  he  loaned  his  name,  which  was  as 
good  as  a  bank-note,  and  in  many  instances  he  charged  nothing 
for  it.     He  thus  prevented  a  panic  like  that  which  swept  New 
York   and   other  cities,   bringing   disaster  to  commerce,  to   i^e- 
chanical  and  all  other  kinds  of  industries. 

Mr.  Hopkins  was  a  Quaker,  without  being  a  professed  member 
of  any  church.  He  dressed  in  the  plainest  fashion ;  was  tall  in 
stature,  with  a  slight  stoop  in  the  shoulders,  with  a  plain  and 
wrinkled  face,  but  a  not  unkindly  eye.  He  was  brief  in  his  con- 
versation, but  to  the  point.  He  was  of  a  quick  mind  and  temper- 
ament, and  when  he  came  to  a  determination  it  was  difficult  to  get 
him  to  change  it.  He  was  honest,  industrious,  generous  and  liberal. 
In  his  will  he  endowed  to  the  amount  of  about  $6,000,000  the  fol- 
lowing institutions ;  A  university  at  Clifton  (his  country  residence), 
with  a  law,  medical,  classical,  and  agricultural  school.  A  free 
hospital  in  the  city  of  Baltimore  for  four  hundred  patients,  com- 
plete in  all  its  appointments  and  departments,  for  the  reception 
and  treatment  of  the  indigent  sick  of  Baltimore  and  its  vicinity, 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  711 

and  in  special  cases  of*  casualty  for  the  people  of  the  State  gene- 
rally, without  respect  to  age,  sex  or  color.  The  hospital  will  form 
a  part  of  the  medical  school  at  Clifton.  A  convalescent  hospital 
in  a  country  neighborhood,  within  easy  reach  of  the  city,  to  which 
patients  from  the  free  hospitals  may  be  removed  as  soon  as  relieved 
of  their  maladies,  and  where  they  may  completely  recruit  their 
strength  and  vigor  before  returning  to  their  customary  labors.  An 
enclosure  of  the  thirteen  acres  of  the  hospital  as  in  part  a  free 
park  to  all  who  choose  to  enter  it ;  a  low  stone  wall  will  surround  it, 
surmounted  by  iron  railings,  and  the  grounds  are  to  be  graded, 
laid  off  into  walks,  and  ornamented  with  trees  and  shrubs  and 
parterres  of  flowers,  with  seats  for  rest,  and  sprinkling  fountains. 
In  connection  with  the  hospital  a  training  school  for  nurses  will  be 
established,  in  accordance  with  the  plans  of  Florence  Nightingale. 
Such  nurses  are  to  be  paid  out  of  the  trust  funds,  and  will  be  per- 
mitted, after  becoming  skilled  in  their  duties,  to  exercise  their  pro- 
fession, wherever  their  services  may  be  engaged,  among  the  gene- 
ral community.  A  home  for  colored  orphans  and  for  colored  chil- 
dren having  but  one  parent,  and  in  exceptional  cases  for  such 
colored  children  not  orphans  as  might  be  in  need  of  charity.  The 
Home  is  to  be  in  Baltimore  County,  and  is  designed  to  accommodate 
about  four  hundred  inmates,  and  to  be  enlarged  when  necessary. 
Messrs.  Lewis  Hopkins,  Galloway  Cheston,  Francis  T.  King  and 
Charles  J.  M.  G-winn  are  his  executors.  His  estate  is  estimated  to 
be  about  $10,000,000. 

The  following  very  prominent  and  worthy  citizens  died  at 
the  dates  given  :  Mr.  Noah  Walker,  Monday,  February  2d ;  Horatio 
L.  Whitridge,  Wednesday,  February  11th;  Hon.  Eobert  Fowler, 
Tuesday,  March  3d ;  Judge  Bolivar  D.  Danels,  Sunday,  March  1st. 

The  harbor  of  Baltimore  penetrates  the  heart  of  the  city,  from 
which  the  ground  rises  slowly  for  distances  varying  from  one 
hundred  to  one  thousand  yards,  then  rapidly  into  successive 
heights,  forming  an  amphitheatre  with  views  from  each  tier  in- 
creasing in  beauty  as  it  ascends,  until  the  city,  the  harbor,  the 
river,  the  bay,  the  surrounding  country,  spreading  out  their  vary- 
ing features,  present  a  scene  of  beauty  seldom  surpassed  by  the 
seats  of  commerce  in  the  old  or  new  world.  Baltimore  is  one  of 
the  best  built  cities  in  the  country.  Its  churches,  libraries,  hotels, 
theatres,  educational  institutions,  including  the  University  of 
Maryland,  a  law  school,  two  schools  of  medicine,  with  infirmaries 
attached,  are  altogether  consistent  with  its  commanding  position 
as  one  of  the  great  centres  of  American  trade  and  commerce.  Its 
system  of  public  schools  is  admitted  to  be  of  the  best.  At  a  cost 
of  $460,000  in  1869,  it  sustained  119  schools,  with  558  teachers  and 
24,000  scholars,  in  all  grades,  from  primary  to  college,  in  houses 
which,  for  convenience  and  healthfulness  of  arrangement,  answer 
the  most  fastidious  requirements.  Its  churches,  embracing  every 
denomination,   number  191,  many  of  them  of  fine  architectural 


712  CHRONICLES   OF  BALTIMORE. 

beanty.  The  buildings  occupied  by  the  United  States  and  State 
and  City  governments  compare  favorably  with  those  of  other 
cities,  and  the  magnificent  new  City  Hall  of  marble  is  scarcely  in- 
ferior to  any  structure  in  the  country,  except  the  Capitol  at  Wash- 
ington, whilst  its  splendid  monuments  of  marble  have  given  it 
the  name  and  compliment  of  the  "Monumental  City."  Nor  have 
pleasure  and  health  been  neglected ;  eleven  parks  purify  the  air 
and  invite  the  people  to  their  shades.  No  park  in  America  vies, 
we  believe,  with  the  hundreds  of  acres  of  woodland  and  lawn,  hill 
and  dale,  of  our  exquisite  "Druid  Hill."  The  cent  contribution  of 
every  citizen  or  sojourner  who  rides  in  our  City  Passenger  rail  cars, 
suffices  to  pay  for  and  support  this  life-giving  lung  of  our  metro- 
polis. The  visions  of  Canton  Company  stock  speculators  of  over 
thirty  years  ago,  though  not  entirely  realized,  are  still  demon- 
strated to  have  been  more  than  "  baseless  fabrics"  by  the  wharves, 
factories,  dwellings,  and  hum  of  business  covering  the  once  vacant 
spaces  at  the  base  of  those  eastern  hills  which  are  now  crested 
with  the  groves  and  avenues  of  Patterson  Park.  There  is  no 
longer  the  stir  of  ship-building  on  Fell's  Point,  but  it  has  only 
changed  quarters  for  the  shores  of  Federal  Hill  and  Locust  Point, 
on  the  southern  side  of  the  basin  and  harbor.  There,  too,  a  fresh 
town  has  sprung  up  on  the  "  Whetstone  Peninsula,"  with  long  lines 
of  paved  streets,  houses,  public  buildings,  quays,  coal-wharves,  and 
extensive  piers  and  fire-proof  warehouses  for  the  European 
steamers  from  Eremen  and  England,  connected  with  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  railroad.  Still  onward  the  city  stretches,  over  the  pen- 
insula to  the  Middle  Branch  and  Fort  McHenry  on  the  south  and 
east,  and  on  the  west  threatens  still  to  include  "  Moale's  Point" 
in  the  city's  limits,  in  spite  of  the  denunciations  of  that  ancestor 
of  the  family  who  in  1729  refused  his  lands  for  the  site  of  the  future 
metropolis.  Northwestwardly  and  westwardly,  northwardly  and 
eastwardly,  the  city  has  run  out  its  streets  and  avenues;  the  forest 
has  been  felled,  the  hills  as  well  as  the  level  grounds  are  now 
covered  with  substantial  improvements,  slowly  but  securely  won 
by  the  patient,  unostentatious  accretions  of- wealth  and  people 
during  the  last  forty  years.  Large  numbers  of  private,  in- 
dividual houses  (not  vast  and  crowded  lodging  houses)  have  been 
built  for  and  are  occupied  by  the  working-classes,  demonstrating 
the  demand  for,  as  well  as  the  recompense  of,  labor  in  our  com- 
munity. The  old  "Howard's  Park"  is  filled  with  residences  and 
public  buildings  of  a  richer  character,  in  substantial  comfort  and 
taste  comparing  favorably  with  the  dwelling  quarters  of  more 
boastful  capitals.  The  observer  of  this  busy  and  beautiful  scene 
from  the  top  of  the  "Washington  Monument,"  in  the  centre  of 
these  luxurious  dwellings,  whence  the  whole  panorama  of  Balti- 
more is  distinctly  visible,  now  beholds  a  magnificent  city  nestling 
under  the  sheltering  slopes  around  the  head-waters  of  the  branches 
of  the  Patapsco,  where  our  ancestors  planted  themselves  so  confi- 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  713 

dently  one  hundred  and  forty-five  years  ago.  From  the  still 
wooded  heights  north  of  the  Northern  Boundar}'  avenue,  to  the 
watere  of  the  basin  and  across  the  peninsula  to  the  Middle  Branch, 
the  space  is  densely  packed,  quite  four  miles  in  width,  with  solid 
improvenlents,  while  from  Canton  and  Fell's  Point  on  the  east,  to 
the  House  of  Eefuge  and  Druid  Hill  Park  on  the  west  and  north- 
west, seven  or  eight  miles  in  length,  the  substantial  buildings  are 
centrally  quite  as  dense,  and  only  scattering  in  parts  of  the  ex- 
treme outskirts. 

"  The  city  of  Baltimore,  though  its  prosperity  suffered  from  the 
civil  war,  still  had  certain  partial  compensations  in  the  increased 
knowledge  obtained  by  our  countrymen  of  its  geographical  im- 
portance, of  the  value  of  Maryland  lands,  streams  and  mines, 
as  well  as  in  the  temporary  depot  trade  in  military  supplies  and 
troop  transportation.  But  the  war  stopped  the  great  trade  of 
Baltimore  with  the  South,  and  broke  the  city's  connection  with 
the  West.  Since  the  conflict  ended  the  revival  of  this  suspended 
prosperity  has  been  steady  and  firm  ;  nor  can  any  one  observe  our 
thronged  streets,  our  crowded  cars,  our  packed  vans,  the  gay 
crowds  of  pleasure-seekers  in  our  parks,  the  wide-awake,  healthy 
alacrity  of  our  people  at  all  times,  the  rows  of  comfortable  houses 
built  and  building  in  every  direction,  without  being  aware  of  Balti- 
more's substantial  growth.  Prior  to  1820  we  were  rich  from 
foreign  and  domestic  trade,  combined  and  nearly  monopolized  in 
Baltimore.  We  are  now  endeavoring  to  re-assert  our  lost  supremacy 
mainly  through  the  continuation  and  increase  of  the  internal  im- 
provement system. 

"  Before  the  days  of  sea-going  and  ocean-crossing  steamers,  it 
was  objected  to  Baltimore  that  it  was  not  a  seaport,  being  at  the 
end  of  two  hundred  miles  of  inland  navigation;  and  it  was  replied 
that  London,  Paris,  Antwerp,  Bremen,  Dresden,  Berlin,  and  Ham- 
burg, the  great  European  trade  cities,  and  Amsterdam,  the  great 
financial  centre  of  the  continent,  were  not  seaports.  But  since  the 
era  of  sea-going  steamers,  the  geographical  fact  is  of  no  appre- 
ciable practical  importance,  the  vehicle  of  transportation  being 
continuous.  And  so  we  return  to  the  great  founders  of  Baltimore, 
in  1729,  that  in  truth  it  is  the  original  and  natural  terminus  of 
internal  American  trade  on  the  Atlantic  seaboard,  indicated  by  the 
geography  of  the  country.  The  canal  and  railway  companies,  in- 
corporated over  fifty  years  ago,  have  been  and  are  still  striving  to 
demonstrate  this.  Their  success  in  sustaining  the  city  amid^  all 
the  rivalries  of  trade,  of  competing  States  and  cities,  amid  the 
disasters  of  war,  with  the  small  capital  of  a  comparatively  small 
State  and  small  city  exclusively,  has  been  marvellous ;  yet 
that  they  have  succeeded  under  all  such  discouragements  and 
disadvantages,  is  proof  of  the  soundness  of  their  basis :  the 
central  and  national  supremacy  of  Baltimore.  It  was  from  Baltimore 
town,  in  colonial  and  ante-revolutionary  days,  that  the  trading  ad- 


714  CHBONICLES   OF   BALTIMORE. 

venturers,  soldiers,  or  pioneers,  set  forth  when  they  went  west- 
ward, wending  their  way  by  Fort  Cumberland  until  they  pene- 
trated the  wilderness,  with  their  long  trains  of  pack-horses, 
(before  the  days  of  wagons)  bearing  luxuries  into  the  forest,  to  be 
exchanged  for  the  peltries  which  were  then  almost  the  only  circu- 
lating medium  of  the  region.  Maryland,  lying  like  a  wedge 
between  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  and  having  in  its  centre 
another  wedge  in  its  magnificent  bay  and  river,  whose  affluents 
penetrated  its  extreme  northwestern  corner,  afforded  the  easiest 
levels  for  a  channel  of  trade  for  passing  the  mountains  and  reach- 
ing the  navigable  waters  of  the  Ohio,  then  almost  the  outer 
boundary  of  civilized  men.  Thus  our  State  became  the  chief  re- 
cognized line  of  travel,  and  our  town  the  chief  depot  between  the 
Atlantic  slopes  and  shores  and  the  valleys  beyond  the  Alleghany 
range.  Historically,  as  well  as  geographically,  Baltimore  is,  there- 
fore, to  be  reckoned  the  earliest  commercial  ally  of  the  West.  It 
was  certainly  so  in  the  days  when  Braddock  and  Washington 
pursued  the  line  we  have  indicated,  towards  Fort  Pitt  or  Fort 
Vu.  Quesne ;  and  also  in  periods  when  the  common  interests  and 
common-sense  of  men  pointed  out  a  trail  for  trade,  independently 
of  all  extraneous  rivalries  or  influences.  It  continued  so,  indeed, 
till  the  opening  of  the  Mississippi  by  steam  navigation,  and  until 
the  establishment  of  the  New  York  Canal. 

"  The  geographical  fact  still  remains — immutable.  All  the  art, 
all  the  ingenuity,  all  the  capital  of  other  States  and  cities,  are  un- 
able to  change  the  surface  of  the  earth,  or  their  relative  situation 
on  it.  They  have  been  unable  to  destroj^  the  great  truth  that  Bal- 
timore is  not  only  the  natural  depot  of  American  continental  trade, 
but  also  the  central  point  of  the  seaboard  Union  in  instantaneous 
intercourse  with  the  national  capital,  and  that  its  great  Western 
railway  is  the  shortest,  directest,  and,  of  course,  most  economical 
communication  between  the  West  and  the  sea.  A  glance  at  any 
skeleton  map  of  the  United  States,  on  which  the  great  railways 
are  truthfully  laid  down,  will  show  this.  It  will  be  seen  that  while 
Boston,  New  York  and  Philadelphia  stretch  out  their  iron  arms 
longingly  to  the  West,  every  grasp  they  make  drags  commodities 
over  a  longer  road,  and  of  course  at  greater  cost. 

"  While  seeking  central  communications  westwardly,  we  have 
not  been  unmindful  that  there  were  northern  lands  and  lakes  and 
mines  which  might  contribute  to  our  and  th«  South's  prosperity 
and  convenience.  Accordingly  we  have  threaded  the  Susquehanna 
with  a  canal  and  a  road,  which  places  Lake  Brie  nearer  to  Balti- 
more than  to  New  York  or  Philadelphia.  Our  communications 
with  the  North  and  East  and  their  connections  are  perfect  through 
the  Philadelphia,  Wilmington  and  Baltimore  Kailroad,  the  Western 
Maryland,  and  through  the  Northern  Central  Eailway,  whose  con- 
necting lines  at  Harrisburg,  Williamsport  and  elsewhere  throw 
into  its  power  the  products,  not  only  of  Western  New  York  and 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  715 

"Western  Pennsylvania,  but  of  the  northwestern  lake  and  prairie 
country  of  our  Union.  By  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad  we 
are  linked  inseparably  with  all  sections,  under  the  alliances  and 
systems  inaugurated  through  the  masterly  administration  of  Pres- 
ident Garrett.  These  roads  and  connections  [together  with  the 
Baltimore  and  Potomac  under  the  able  management  of  President 
ex-Governor  Oden  Bowie]  link  our  city  by  direct  and  regular  in- 
tercourse with  Washington,  Eichmond,  and  the  affiliated  southern 
roads  penetrating  Yirginia,  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina, 
Georgia  and  Louisiana.  Through  Harper's  Ferry  and  Winchester 
we  penetrate  the  Yalley  of  Virginia,  and  will  shortly  make  com- 
plete southern  connections  in  that  direction.  Through  Grafton  wo 
wend  northwardly  to  Wheeling  or  westwardly  to  Parkersburg; 
from  the  latter  striking  straight  forward  to  St.  Louis  and  its  con- 
necting Pacific  Eailroad  ;  and  from  the  latter,  uniting  with  that 
griddle  of  railways  which  checkers  Ohio,  Indiana,  Michigan  and 
Illinois  and  the  far  Northwest.  The  Connellsville  and  Pittsburgh 
connection  with  our  Baltimore  and  Ohio  road  has  opened  a  great 
line  of  travel ;  and  will  continue  to  do  so,  especially  when  the  in- 
dependent Baltimore,  Pittsburgh  and  Chicago  road  is  finished. 
This  line  will  be  the  shortest,  cheapest,  and  most  direct  from  the 
Northwest  to  tide  water.  New  York  has  been  hitherto  held  as 
the  objective  point  of  Chicago  on  the  Atlantic;  but  by  this  line, 
Baltimore,  now  a  first-class  port,  will  be  one  hundred  and  fifty-two 
miles  closer  to  Chicago  than  by  the  average  distances  of  the  exist- 
ing lines  used  to  New  York.  By  the  New  York  Central  road 
from  Chicago  to  New  York,  it  is  185  miles  further  than  from 
Chicago  to  Baltimore  ;  by  the  New  York  and  Erie,  166  miles  ;  and 
by  the  Allentown  route  the  distance  is  104  miles  greater  to  New 
York  than  by  the  new  route  from  Chicago  to  our  city.  From 
Louisville  to  Baltimore  the  distance  through  Cincinnati  is  696 
miles,  or  291  less  than  to  New  York  by  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi 
and  New  York  and  Erie  lines,  and  209  less  than  to  New  York  by 
the  New  York  Central,  and  155  less  than  by  the  Allentown  route 
of  the  Pennsylvania  road.  Through  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi 
road  to  Cincinnati,  and  the  Marietta  and  Cincinnati  road  thence, 
the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad  presents  a  line  210  miles  less  in 
distance  to  Baltimore  from  St.  Louis  than  the  average  distance  by 
the  three  trunk  lines  used  from  St.  Louis  to  New  York.  The  Bal- 
timore and  Ohio  Company  now  controls  and  works,  under  a  perma- 
nent lease,  the  Central  Ohio  road  from  Bellaire  on  the  Ohio  river 
to  Columbus  the  capital  of  the  State ;  and  it  has  also  a  line  which 
extends  from  Newark  on  its  Central  Ohio  division  to  Sandusky  on 
the  lake.  The  new  lines  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  road  in  con- 
nection with  its  Metropolitan  branch  from  the  Point  of  Eocks,  re- 
duce the  distance  from  Pittsburgh  to  Washington  city,  as  compared 
with  the  route  via  Harrisburg,  full  seventy-five  miles. 

"  Shortened  distance  is,  of  course,  a  main  element  of  transpor- 


716  CHRONICLES  OF   BALTIMORE. 

tation  ;  but  facility  for  transfer  and  cheapness  of  handling  are 
not  the  least  of  the  material  advantages  sought  for  in  the  compe- 
titions of  commerce.  The  establishment  of  the  Locust  Point  piers 
and  warehouses  has  shown  the  wisdom  and  foresight  with  which 
our  great  railway  has  been  directed.  This  is,  at  once,  a  depot  on 
deep  water  for  coal,  and  also  a  depot  for  freight  and  passengers, 
reached  without  change  of  cars  from  any  part  of  the  country. 
The  coal  is  delivered  in  the  hold  from  the  original  vehicle  of  trans- 
portation ;  and  the  landed  emigrant  mounts  the  ear  for  his  western 
home  without  delay,  or  a  dollar's  cost  for  the  movement  of  his 
baggage,  or  danger  of  the  impositions  practised  in  other  cities  by 
the  greedy  runners  of  rival  railways. 

"  But  the  main  purpose  of  this  great  Locust  Point  depot  and 
pier  —  650  feet  long  and  100  feet  wide,  covered  with  fire-proof 
warehouses  —  is  the  accommodation  of  the  Clyde-built  steamers 
at  this  marine  terminus  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad.  It 
was  believed  until  within  a  few  years  that  New  York  alone  could 
maintain  lines  of  steamers  to  Europe.  The  trials  made  by  the 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  Company  of  a  small  class  of  these  vessels  in- 
duced more  extensive  experiments.  Accordingly  two  first-class 
steamships,  of  2,500  tons  burthen,  were  built  and  put  on  the  sea 
betw^een  Bremen  and  this  port,  and  in  less  than  a  year  it  was 
found  necessary  to  double  the  line;  and  so  successful  had  the 
attempt  proved,  that  when  the  new  stock  was  off'ered  for  the  addi- 
tional capital  required,  the  astute  merchants  of  Bremen,  who  en- 
tirely comprehended  the  advantages  of  Baltimore,  offered  sub- 
scriptions for  forty  times  the  sum  desired,  so  that  the  apportion- 
ment of  the  stock  made  but  two  and  a  half  per  centum  upon  the 
Bubscri])tions  asked  for.  Another  line  for  Liverpool  is  necessary 
and  organizing.  The  great  ocean  steamers  of  New  York  are  sup- 
plied with  coal  carried  by  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  and 
shipped  from  Baltimore.  The  cost  of  transportation  hence  to 
New  York  is  $2.50  per  ton ;  and  as  our  Baltimore  steamers  in 
their  voyage  hence  to  Bremen  consume  800  tons,  they,  conse- 
quently, save  two  thousand  dollars  on  each  voyage  as  compared  with 
New  York.  Accordingly,  it  is  not  surprising  to  see  that  we  have 
in  addition  to  our  railroad  facilities  and  our  Bremen  or  Liverpool 
steamers  regular  lines  of  steam  packets  to  Norfolk,  Petersburg, 
Richmond,  Va.,  Wilmington,  N.  C,  Charleston,  Savannah,  Key 
West,  Havana,  Galveston,  and  New  Orleans.  We  have  also  most 
BuccesKful  lines  of  steamers  by  canal  and  ocean  to  Philadelphia, 
New  York,  and  Boston,  and  to  all  parts  of  our  own  bay  and  rivers. 
The  old  established  *  Bay  Line '  of  steamers  is  most  important 
and  successful  in  its  connections  with  the  railways  of  the  South, 
thus  feeding  Baltimore  with  large  supplies  of  staples,  and  sending 
back  important  cargoes  of  commodities  purchased  in  our  city. 
Our  northern  railways  are  sufficiently  known,  while  those  in  con- 
nection with  Washington  and  New  York  are  now  especially  es- 


CHROISICLES   OF   BALTIMORE.  717 

teemed  by  the  thousands  who  yearly  use  them,  for  the  ease  and 
security  of  the  transportation. 

"  These  rail  and  water  communications,  with  the  vast  advan- 
tages they  have  by  comparative  cheapness  of  fuel  and  facility  for 
its  reception,  have  certainly  added  largely  since  the  late  war  to 
the  commerce  of  Baltimore.  Two  facts  are  striking.  When  the 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  Eailroad  was  chartered  in  1827,  the  whole 
wealth  of  the  city  is  estimated  to  have  been  scarcely  more  than 
about  seventeen  millions  of  dollars.  The  assessed  value  of  real  and 
personal  estate  for  taxation  in  the  city  in  1870  is  $207,181,550; 
while,  under  the  influence  of  improved  business  connections,  the 
revenue  of  the  railroad  has  increased  from  $300,000  per  month 
to  61,000,000!  The  New  York  importer  of  coffee  sends  his  ship 
to  Baltimore  to  avail  of  its  lower  port  charges  and  superior 
and  economical  facilities  for  transportation.  The  city  has  liberally 
fostered  the  road  by  furnishing  it  riparian  rights  on  deep  water, 
and  hence  the  company  was  enabled  to  build  its  wharf's,  piers,  and 
warehouses,  and  to  furnish  without  cost  to  European  steamers 
those  admirable  advantages  we  have  described,  by  which  sagacious 
course  the  wealth  of  Baltimore  has  been  augmented  bj'  many  mil- 
lions in  the  course  of  the  last  ten  years.  It  has  re-established  not 
only  our  western  internal  trade,  but  effectually  reinitiated  a  lucra- 
tive foreign  commerce,  large  and  varied  importations  being  now 
made  through  Baltimore  for  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  valleys. 

"  Baltimore  is  nearest  the  North,  nearest  the  South,  nearest 
the  West  in  fact,  so  central  on  the  seaboard  as  to  be  nearest  all 
classes  of  industry  and  of  production.  It  is  nearest  the  manufac- 
turer of  the  North,  the  agricultural  producer  of  the  West  and 
South,  the  speculator  and  purchaser  of  Europe  and  the  West  Indies, 
and  of  purchasers  everywhere.  When  our  great  road  shall  be  pro- 
longed to  the  Pacific  Ocean  [which  was  accomplished  in  March, 
1874]  by  the  contemplated  routes,  partially  in  progress,  near  the 
40th  parallel  of  latitude,  it  will  become  the  central  belt  of  North 
America,  the  twin-clasps  of  which  must  be  San  Francisco  and  Bal- 
timore." 

In  drawing  to  the  close  of  this  volume,  by  the  same  pen  ret 
wet  with  what  the  author  and  compiler  has  chronicled  the  latest 
events  of  moment  of  the  passing  year  which  mark  the  city's  life, 
he  asks,  of  a  liberal  and  discriminating  public,  indulgence  and 
allowance  for  the  imperfections  and  shortcomings  in  his  work. 
Through  a  labyrinth  of  difficulties  in  the  laborious  and  wide  field 
of  research  which  such  a  subject  as  he  has  treated  necessarily  em- 
braces, he  has  threaded  his  way  to  the  consummation  of  his  task, 
endeavoring,  at  every  step,  faithfully  to  gather  up  and  bind  to- 
gether, in  form  and  manner  as  appears,  the  sheaves  of  history.  If 
much  has  been  missed  by  the  way,  or  if  rudely  and  clumsily  the 
ground  has  been  gone  over,  after-gleaners,  doubtless,  will  complete 
the  work  which  an  eye,  a  hand  and  a  judgment  less  skilled  than 


718  CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE. 

theirs  may  have  failed  thoroughly  to  accomplish ;  and  whatever 
the  deficiencies  and  defects  in  the  book,  the  author  trusts  that 
some  compensation  for  the  same,  in  the  balance  of  differences,  shall 
have  been  found  in  the  mere  amount  of  historical  information,  old 
and  new,  collected  and  condensed  from  a  thousand  different 
sources,  and  outspread  in  single  and  convenient  shape.  To  many, 
the  numerous  extracts  and  quotations  from  various  writers  will 
have  been  a  reintroduction,  so  to  speak,  to  dear  and  familiar 
friends  —  not  the  less  pleasing,  perhaps,  that  they  are  thus  found 
side  by  side  in  the  same  company  harmonizing  to  a  useful  end. 
Of  the  more  recent  writers  from  whom  the  author  has  freely 
quoted,  none  seem  to  him  to  have  supplied  so  exhaustive  and  so 
fresh  an  account  of  Baltimore  as  Mr.  Brantz  Mayer,  in  his  sketch, 
in  the  late  book  "Baltimore,  historical,  biographical."  But  from 
first  to  last,  one  and  all  who  have  touched  upon  the  subject  have 
furnished  in  greater  or  lesser  degree,  something  of  value ;  and  all 
have  been  culled  from  without  stint,  and  judiciously,  it  is  hoped. 

To  the  reader  who  may  have  gone  over  these  pages,  standing 
if  he  should  to-day  on  the  quay  at  Locust  Point,  or  the  parapet  of 
Fort  McHenry,  looking  forth,  two  pictures  will  arise — one,  in  the 
mind's  eye  before  him  down  the  distant  past,  the  other  visible  to 
the  eye  of  the  body,  looming  up  and  outstretching  in  the  living 
present, — pictures  striking  by  their  contrasts  through  time  and 
change,  and  by  their  intermingled  presence  exciting  varied  emotions 
and  reflections.  In  one  instant,  as  it  were,  the  old  wilderness  is 
here  with  unbroken  wastes  around,  and  untroubled  waters — save 
by  the  birch-canoe.  In  another,  sweeps  the  living  moving  pano- 
rama of  the  life  that  is.  In  one,  the  eye  scans,  afar,  the  faint, 
white  sail  of  Captain  John  Smith  slowly  creeping  up  through  the 
then  wide  unknown,  with  scant,  adventurous  crew— in  another,  it 
beholds  the  giant  ocean  steamer  freighted  with  its  thousand  souls, 
breasting  with  a  new,  a  master-power  the  now  familiar  scene.  In 
one  instant,  looking  over  the  shoulder  of  Captain  Smith,  the  eye 
follows  his  skilled  hand,  outlining  with  extraordinary  precision 
land  and  water,  and  fixing  names  on  that  most  accurate  and  now 
historical  "  mappe,"  the  first  ever  draughted  of  the  region  here- 
about. In  another,  lifting  up,  it  beholds  the  fiery  smoke-stacks 
and  furnaces  of  the  Abbott  and  other  iron-works  in  full  blast  and 
view,  and  the  indented  earth  around  with  its  opening  stores  of  the 
raw  material  which  supply  these  works — recognizing  by  the 
double  glance  both  the  sagacity  of  the  great  explorer  in  naming 
the  now  familiar  Patapsco  "  Bolus,"  as  he  did,  predicting  in  that 
original  and  appropriate  name  the  presence  of  the  precious  metal 
in  its  banks — and  the  proof  of  that  sagacity  and  prediction  in  the 
resonant  hammers,  clinking  picks  and  belching  flues  around. 

Other  figures  in  the  foreground  of  the  past  break  on  the  view, 
following  in  the  wake  of  the  first  fearless  explorer,  and  seeking  the 
head  waters  here — first,  Lord  Baltimore,  the  fortunate  and  favored 


CHRONICLES  OF  BALTIMORE.  719 

founder ;  and  after  him,  in  time  and  slowly  coming  up  from  the 
lowlands  and  the  sea,  scatteringlj,  settler  after  settler,  bringing 
gradually  the  material  for  the  final  foundations  and  corner-stone 
of  the  metropolis  of  the  State.  To  stand  thus,  and  to  thus  gaze 
and  think  down  the  stream  of  time,  this  picture  offset  against  that, 
the  far  and  the  near  seem  one,  the  then  and  the  now  as  yesterday 
and  to-day.  But  yesterday,  so  considering,  it  seems  the  Dove  and 
the  Ark  gave  up  their  burdens  to  the  shore,  and  we  behold  the 
Catholic  Church  standard  planted  at  St.  Mary's.  But  yesterday 
we  suddenly  behold  that  standard  supplanted  under  the  law  by  the 
English  Church  establishment,  and  Papists  taxed  to  keep  them 
from  the  land.  But  yesterday  we  see  the  law  in  force  branding 
the  foreheads  and  boring  holes  in  the  tongues  of  offending  men. 
But  yesterday,  in  the  background  we  behold  groping  their  way, 
people  searching  for  court-house  or  church  by  the  interesting 
means  of  slits  and  notches  in  trees.  But  yesterday,  coming  over 
the  hills,  groaning  and  jogging  through  tortuous  tracks,  wooded 
and  tangled  ways,  we  see  wagons,  hub  deep  in  mud,  laboring  down 
to  the  Eldorado  of  their  wish — this  very  water's  edge — the  only 
outlet  to  the  outside  world.  This,  yesterday  !  To-day,  standing 
where  we  do,  on  parapet  or  pier,  with  all  the  past  and  all  the 
present  here,  the  free  flag  over  head  and  the  iron  rail  at  our  feet — 
are  further  words  at  all  necessary  where  intelligent  suggestion 
will  so  naturally  and  readily  come  in  to  draw  for  itself  the  lights 
and  shadows  and  the  contrasts  of  the  pictures  clearer  ? 

We  have  finished ;  with  all  their  imperfections  these  are  our 
"  Chronicles  of  Baltimore  " — the  result  of  nights  and  days  of  labor 
through  months  and  years.  We  have  endeavored  to  remove  the 
moss  from  the  gravestones  of  "  Ours,"  and  to  any  one  who  will 
follow  us  and  do  better,  we  will  do  all  we  can  to  assist  with  our 
experience  and  kindliest  advice. 


APPENDIX. 


CITY  GOVERNMENT. 

Joshua  Vansant,  Mayor;  Andrew  J.  King,  Clerk  to  Mayor;  John  A.  Robb, 
Register;  S.  T.  Duvall,  Deputy  Regi>*ter  and  Cashier;  J.  Sewell  Thomas,  Clerk 
to  Register;  Samuel  Maccubbin,  Comptroller;  Samuel  S.  Mills,  Jr.,  Clerk  to 
Comptroller;  I.  Nevett  Steele,  City  Counsellor;  Albert  Ritchie,  City  Solicitor; 
Beverley  Diggs,  Mayor's  Detective. 

MEMBERS  OF  CITY  COUNCIL. 

First  j9mncA.— President,  Otis  Keilholtz;  Chief  Clerk,  A.  V.  Milholland ; 
Reading  Clerk,  J.  Frank  Brady  ;  Sergeant  at- Arms,  Jas.  Stanton ;  Page,  Daniel 
Barr.  1st  Ward,  Jas.  T.  Kirby;  2d,  E.  Hergesheimer ;  8d,  Jas.  Logan;  4th, 
C.W.Lewis;  5ih,  Sianley  Hynson;  6th,  John  L.  Baker;  7th,  James  Bond; 
8th,  M.  J.  Owens;  9lh,  Telfair  Marriott;  10th,  W.  T.  Browning;  11th,  Wm. 
Conn;  12lh,  Jos.  S.  Heuisler ;  13th,  Otis  Keilholtz;  14th,  Geo.  U.  Porter ;  15th, 
Thomas  H.  Rice;  16th,  J.  H.  Freeburger;  17th,  John  T.Langrille;  18th,  J.  G. 
Linthicum  ;  19th,  John  T.  Ford ;  20th,  C.  W.  Chancellor. 

Second  Branch  —President,  Henry  Seim ;  Chief  Clerk,  J.  J.  Grindall ;  Assis- 
tant Clerk,  E.  J.  Edwards;  Sergeant-at-Arms,  Jos.  W.  Wallace;  Page,  H.  D. 
Berry.  1st  and  2d  Wards,  Charles  Streeper;  3d  and  4th,  John  K.  Carroll ;  5th 
and  6th,  Henry  M.  Stay  lor;  7th  and  8tli,  George  Rinehart;  9th  and  10th, 
Henry  Seim  ;  llih  and  12ih,  Henry  D.  Loney ;  ISth  and  14ih,  John  S.  Hogg  ; 
15th  and  16th,  Wra  J.  Murray;  17th  and  18th,  Charles  A.  Wheeler;  19th  and 
20th,  George  A.  Kirk, 


Tax  Department.— Cit/ Collector,  James  M.  Anderson;  Deputy,  J.  T.M. 
Barnes;  Cashier,  R.  D.  Ducket. 

Judges  op  Appeal  Tax  Court.— Edward  A.  Gibbs,  William  J.  King, 
Beale  H.  Richardson  ;  Thomas  Gitford,  Cashier;  H.  P.Mowinkle,  Clerk;  D.  A. 
Fenton,  Assistant  Clerk. 

Water  Department.— Water  Engineer,  James  Curran ;  Register,  Wm. 
L.  Sliarretts. 

City  Commissioner,  John  H.  Tegmeyer;  Assistant,  Richard  H.  Johns; 
Clerk,  John  E.  Toole. 


APPENDIX.  721 

Port  Warden,  Daniel  Constantine;  Clerk,  James  H.  McNeal. 

Park  Commissioners. — Joshua  Vansant,  Chairman ;  Thomas  Swann,  John 
H.  B.  Latrobe,  Wm.  E.  Hooper,  James  Webb,  Louis  McLane. 

Building  Committee  of  New  City  Hall.— Joshua  Vansant,  J.  Hall 
Pleasants,  Ichabod  Jean,  Samuel  H.  Adams,  John  W.  Colley ;  Walter  S.  Smith, 
Secretary,  John  J.  Purcell,  Superintendent. 

Health  Department. — Commissioner,  James  A.  Steuart,  M.  D. ;  Assis- 
tant Superintendent,  Alfred  E.  Smyrk;  Physician  to  Marine  Hospital,  J,  S. 
Conrad,  M.  D.;  Secretary,  I.  W.  Mohler;  Clerk,  W.  H.  Bosley. 

Commissioners  for  Opening  Streets. — Isaac  Cox,  James  S.  Morrow, 
John  F.  Piquett ;  R.  F.  Green,  Clerk. 

Police  Organization. — Commissioners,  Wm.  H.  B.  Fusselbaugh,  Presi- 
dent ;  Treasurer,  James  E.  Carr ;  Thos.  S.  Morse ;  Secretary,  Marriott  Boswell ; 
Marshal,  John  T.  Gray ;  Deputy  Marshal,  Jacob  Frey ;  Clerk,  George  Wentz. 

PUBLIC  SCHOOLS. 

CommissioTiers. — President,  John  T.  Morris;  Superintendent,  William  R. 
Creery ;  Assistant  Superintendent,  B.  C.  Reed  ;  Secretary,  H.  M.  Cowles. 

Board  of  Commissioners. — 1st  Ward,  Henry  A.  Creagh ;  2d,  Geo.  L.  Hamel ; 
3d,  John  G.  Dillehunt ;  4th,  Dr.  Thomas  Kelly ;  5th,  William  M.  Ives ;  6th, 
John  F.  Hancock ;  7th,  Robert  H.  Sinclair ;  8th,  John  Johnson  ;  9th,  Alexander 
L.  Spear;  10th,  John  T.  Morris;  11th,  John  P.  Poe;  13th,  T.  J.  Magruder; 
13th,  J.  L.  Lawton;  14th,  G.  S.  Griffith,  Jr.;  15th,  ,Tohn  Ferry;  16th,  William 
R.  Brewer;  17th,  H.  B.  Roemer;  18th,  Christian  Emmerich;  19th,  I.  T.  Stod- 
dard ;  20th,  B.  H.  Hobbs. 

FIRE  DEPARTMENT. 

Board  of  Commissioners.— President,  Thomas  W.  Campbell ;  Commis- 
sioners, William  Wilson,  Jr.,  John  T.  Morris,  James  A.  Bruce,  Samuel  Kirk  ; 
Secretary,  G.  A.  Campbell ;  Inspector,  Charles  T.  HoUoway ;  Chief  Engineer, 
Henry  Spilman ;  Assistant  Engineers,  Geo.  W.  EUender  and  Jno.  M.  Hennick. 


COURTS. 

EIGHTH  JUDICIAL  CIRCUIT.— Baltimore  City. 

The  Supreme  Bench. — Hon.  George  William  Brown,  Chief  Judge.  Hons. 
George  W.  Dobbin,  Henry  F.  Garey,  Campbell  Whyte  Pinkney  and  Robert 
Gilmor,  Jr.,  associates.  The  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Bench  are  assigned  to 
the  following  Courts : 

Superior  Court. — Judge  Dobbin,  with  Judge  Garey  to  assist.  George 
Robinson,  Clerk. 

Court  of  Common  Pleas. — Judge  Garey,  with  Judge  Dobbin  to  assist. 
I.  Freeman  Rasin,  Clerk.  John  M.  Young,  Commissioner  of  Insolvent  Debtors . 
46 


722  APPENDIX. 

Circuit  Court.— Judge  Pinkney,  with  Judge  Garey  to  assist.  James  R. 
Brewer,  Clerk. 

Criminal  Court. — Judge  Gilmor,  with  Judge  Dobbin  to  assist.  William 
F.  McKewen,  Clerk.  Augustus  Albert,  Sheriff.  A.  Leo  Knott,  State's  At- 
torney.   W.  N.  C.  Carr,  Deputy  State's  Attorney. 

City  Court.— Chief  Judge,  George  William  Brown.  Nathaniel  C.  Robert- 
son, Clerk. 

The  Superior  Court,  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  Criminal  and  City  Courts, 
commence  their  terms  on  the  2d  Monday  in  January,  May  and  September. 
The  terms  of  the  Circuit  Court  are  2d  Monday  in  January,  March,  May,  Sep- 
tember and  November ;  and  the  2d  Monday  of  July  shall  be  a  return  day. 

Orphans'  Court. — Hon.  John  A.  Inglis,  Chief  Judge ;  Hons.  George  W. 
Bishop  and  G.  W.  Lindsay,  Associate  Judges.  J.  Harman  Brown,  Register  of 
Wills.  The  Orphans'  Court  is  in  session  every  day,  except  Sundays,  from  11 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  to  1  o'clock,  P.  M. 

THE  UNITED   STATES   COURTS  IN  MARYLAND. 

The  State  of  Maryland  is  in  the  Fourth  Judicial  Circuit,  which  includes 
Virginia,  West  Virginia,  North  and  South  Carolina. 

THE  U.  S.  CIRCUIT  COURT.— "The  Circuit  Court  of  the  United  States 
for  the  Fourth  Circuit  in  and  for  Maryland  District."  Hon.  Hugh  L.  Bond, 
Circuit  Judge,  and  Hon.  Wm.  Fell  Giles,  District  Judge.  Clerk,  Jas.  W.  Chew. 
U.  S.  District  Attorney,  Archibald  Stirling,  Jr.,  Esq.  A.  M.  Rogers,  Assistant. 
U.  S.  Marshal,  Edward  Y.  Goldsborough.  U.  S.  Commissioners,  Isaac  Brooks 
and  R.  Lyon  Rogers,  Esqs. 

Terms  op  Court  are  held  on  the  first  Monday  of  April  and  November. 

THE  U.  S.  DISTRICT  COURT.—"  The  District  Court  of  the  United 
States  for  Maryland  District,"  Hon.  Wm.  Fell  Giles,  District  Judge. 

[The  oflacers  of  this  Court  are  the  same  as  the  ofllcers  of  the  Circuit  Court.] 

Terms  op  Court  are  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  March,  June,  September 
and  December. 


INDEX 


pxei 

Abbott,  Horace 

490,664,718 

Abell,  A.  S 

76,  95. 96. 97,  98,  99, 703 

Abell,  G.  W 99 

Abell.  W.  E 555 

Abrahams  &  Ashcroft  620 

Academy  of  Art 697,  702 

Academy  of  Music —  677 
Academy  of  Science...  395 

Acland,  Major 275 

Acts  of  Assembly 

14, 18, 36,  51,  649,  664 

Port  duties 11 

Seating  lands  in 

Baltimore  Co....    14 
Establishing  Epis- 
copalChurch.&c 

15,  24,  27 
Prohibiting  impor- 
tations from  Pa.    15 
To  compel  the  pub- 
lication of  the 
rates  of  freight    15 
To  mark  the  roads, 

&c , 15 

Creating  Whet- 
stone   Point    a 

town 15 

To  prevent  the  im- 

portation  of 

Irish  Catholics.    16 

To  convey  letters, 

&c.,    by    the 

sheriffs 16 

Establishing  four 

Courts 16 

Punishing  Sabbath 
breakers.drunk- 
ards,  &c 17 


PAOB 

Requiring  persons 
to  produce  annu- 
ally    squirrels' 
scalps,  crows' 
heads,  Ac 18 

To  create  Balti- 
more Town 19,  20 

For  building  St. 
Paul's  Church...    28 

For  laying  out 
Jonas  Town. ...32,  38 

Incorporating 
Jonas  and  Bal- 
timore towns 
into  one  town...    34 

To  prevent  frauds, 
Ac. 36 

To  keep  ladder  to 
extend  to  the 
roof,  &c 37 

Duty  on  bachelors    51 

Establishing  c  o  r  - 
oners,  «fcc.,  fees..    54 

Instructions  to  the 
delegates  to 
Stamp  Act  of 
Congress 57 

Prescribing  quar- 
antine     58 

To  erect  an  Alms- 
house     72 

To  confiscate  Brit- 
ish property 188 

Declaring  La  Fay- 
ette, Ac,  citi- 
zens of  Mary- 
land.   237 

Erection  of  lamps, 
Ac 238 

Inspection  of  salted 
pork,  Ac 243 


PAGB 

Extinguish  fires, 

Ac 246,263 

To  fill  up  the  Basin  280 
To  increase  Balti- 
more   delega- 
tion   489 

To  recognise  the 
Confederate 

States 620 

Relief  of  the  Mass- 
achusetts' sold- 
iers   621 

Adair,  R 40,59.62-70 

Adams 

409,  410,  420, 443,  526,  688 

Adams,  A 510 

Adams  E.  Co 510 

Adams,  Jos 34 

Adams,  J.  Q, 

90,  417,  424,  429,  472 

Adams,  Prest 291 

Adams,  Rev.  C.  C 31 

Adams,  Rev.  G.  F 543 

Adams,  S 125 

Adams,  Wm 49,  479 

Additions  to  the  Town 
11, 32, 34, 36, 38, 49,  54,57,  58, 
72,  189,  201,  202,  286,  :i8l 

Addresses 

199,  200,  203,  206,  207,  211, 
212, 237, 252,  282,  291, 516, 596 

Ades  A  Albert 528 

Aged  Women's  Home  529 
Aged  Women's  Home 
of  the  M.  E.  Church  690 

Aisquith,  Ed 299,  301,347 

Aisquith,  E,  W 517 

Aisquith,  W 

56,  71, 136, 155, 160 

Aitken,  Dr.  A 267 

Albaugh,  J.  W 122,  443 


724 


INDEX 


PAes 

Albers,  Dr 506 

Albert.  A.  J 598,  641,  678 

Albertine,  Miss 526 

Albert  J.  &  Co 496 

Alcock,  J 138 

Alexander 393 

Alexander,  Dr 480 

Alexander,  Jos 521 

Alexander,  M 

51,  53,  54,  56,  130,  159,  169, 
182, 188, 189, 195 

Alexander,  R 

58,  62.  65,  71,  126,  129,  130 
132, 133, 136, 147 
Alexander,  William...  380 

Alexandria 

127, 131,  171,  193,  202 

Allan,  Jno 530 

Allen 471 

Allen.  Capt 533 

Allen,  J.  W 83,  271,  275 

Allen,  M 64 

Allen,  P 90,  94 

Allen,  Rev.  Ethan 31 

Allison,  Rev.  P 

43,  55, 153, 197.  237.  241,  243, 
277,  294 

.  Allen,  Sol 196,  302 

Allen,  Wm 506 

Allen,  Z 210 

Allister,  J 398 

Alms  Houses 75 

403, 460, 529, 696,  hist,  of,  72 

Alnutt,  G.  R.  W 497 

Alricks,  F.  W 627 

Amelung,  J.  P 236 

Ames,  John  E 622 

Amey.Col 347 

Amos 394 

Amphitheatre 514 

Anderson 115,  586 

Anderson,  F 419 

Anderson,  Gen.  J.. 594 

Anderson,  James  E 106 

Anderson,  Miss  A 440 

Anderson,  Mrs.  J.  M...  665 

Andre,  Lieut 351,  380 

Andre,  Major  J 241 

Andrea  &  Franzoni....  295 

Andrews,  Bishop 690 

Andrews,  Dr 210, 396 

Andrews,  R,  S...610,  641.  651 

Angell,  J 81.  82, 83 

Annapolis 

19,48.49,58.70,80,112,126, 
127,  129,  131.  139,  140.  143. 
144.  153.  160,  180.  192,  193, 
202,  209,  213.  215.  279.  304. 
3U5,  463,  524,  007 


PAeB 
Anti-Masonio  Conven- 
tion  458 

Appleby,  John 528 

Appold,  Leo 492 

Appropriation  for  de- 
fence  599,  607 

Arbuthnot,  Admiral...  205 
Arcadian,  French.55,  66, 67 

Armistead,  Maj 

349,  375,  379,  381.  392,  393 

Armstrong,  Gen 382 

Armstrong,  J 380 

Armstrong,  J.  F. 

184,  267,  309 

Arnold,  Gen 173,  241 

Arnold,  G.J 526 

Arnold,  Mrs.  E 630 

Arrests 103 

Arthur,  C 704 

Asbury,  F 

76,  77,  78,  79,  245 
Ascension  Church... 668, 693 

Ashburner,  J 71 

Ashby,  C... 574 

Ashby,  Gen 639 

Ashman,  Geo 27 

Ashton,  Rev 66 

Assassination 508 

Assay er  of  plate 343 

Assembly  Room 

283,  480,  708 

Astor,  J.  J 221 

Athenaeum 

405,  408,  440,  458,  459,  465, 
473, 525 

Atherton 113 

Atkinson,  Rev 515, 534 

Attley,  Wm 380 

Auctions 430 

Audubon,  J.  J 489 

Aumoar,  Chev 209 

Austin,  Dall  &  Co 598 

Anter,  John 37 

Avery 582 

Ax,  C 676 

Aymeriche 670 

Babcock,  John 28 

Bacon 28 

Bacon,  A 189 

Backus,  Rev.  J.  C 

55,  56,  524,  530.  558,  603,  621, 
666,  681,  690 

Bailey 446 

Baileys,  Capt....l64, 169, 177 

Baird,  Rev.  W.  S 105 

Bailey,  Thos 294 

Baird,  T.  D 699 


PAOB 

Baird,  W.  S 106 

Bailey,  Wm 536 

Baker,  C.J 111,627,664 

Baker,  Dr 506 

Baker,  Dr.  S 301 

Baker,  Geo 5I6 

Baker,  Mrs.  C.  J 665 

Baker,  Rev.  F.  A 537, 541 

Baker,  Wm 64 

Balch,  Rev.  Dr 31 

Ball,  J.  W 541 

Ball,  Rob 10 

Ball,  Wm^ 9 

Ballard,  Jno 285 

Ballard,  R 189,  209 

Balloon  ascension,first  235 

Ballou,  Rev.  M 585 

Balls,  &c 194,  230,  415,  417 

Baltzell,  C 184 

Baltimore 

36,147.  48,  59,  69,141, 
153,  163,  185,  208,  209, 
419 
Farms  embraced  in 

its  limits 11 

Improvement   of, 

18,22,23,33,38,711,712, 
713,  714, 715,  716 

Petition  of  the  in- 
habitants to  lay 
off  the  town 19 

Made  a  town,  &c....    20 

College  named  af- 
ter  21,  69,  294 

Original  boundary, 

streets,  <fee 

22.  32,  49,  54,  141 

Inhabited  by  In- 
dians     24 

Jonas  town  added..    34 

Naval  history  of, 
in  1812 354 

Fence  built  around 
it 38 

Market-house  and 
town-hall 47 

Want  to  be  incor- 
porated  196,267 

Inhabitants 

202,289,292,304,419 

Reminiscences  of. ...231 

Government  build- 
ings  260 

Poor  Relief  Asso- 
ciation   260 

Academy 279 

Incorporated  280 

Description  of  in 
1799 288 


INDEX 


725 


PA6B 

Baltimore  Assembly...  230 
Baltimore  Athenseum.  525 

Baltimore  County. 

9,14,20,34,36,38,59,61,62, 
72,  128,  129,  130,  132,  342, 
556,  691 
Balto.  Independent  Co. 

139,  215 
Baltimore,  Lord..9,  275,  718 
Balto.  Life  Insurance 

Company 423 

Baltimore  and   Ohio 

Railroad  Co 

491,  507,  423,  425,  426,  433, 
441,  443,  444,  456,  457,  463, 
471,  472,  479,  525\55&,  5SV 
568,  574,  593,  602,  603,  623, 
630,  667,  eaS,  687,  707,  709, 
714 
Balto.  Orphan  Asylum  541 

Bankard,  Mrs.  J.  J 665 

Banking  Houses 

425,  441,  468,  584 

Banks 

209,  375,  399,  568,  599,  710 

Maryland 

260,  288,  467,  469,  474 

Baltimore 

260,  277,  288,  467 

United  States 

260,  288,  304,  378,  380 

Mechanics 

74,  603.  446,  574,  667 

Union 295,467.568 

Commercial    and 

Farmers' 304 

City 304 

Farmers  and  Mer- 
chants ...304,  443,  467 

Franklin 304,503 

Third  National 689 

Marine 304 

Suspensions 

504,  380,  469,  473,  557, 

584,  346,  491,  500,  502, 

503 

Merchants 

481,379,474,574 

PMrst  National 629 

Citizens 629 

People's 675 

Banks,  Daniel  B 20 

Banks,  Nicholas 11 

Banks,  Gen.  N.  P 

613,  614,  617,  618,  622,  651, 
652,653 

Bankson,  Col 

209,  253,  255,  259 


PAGK 

Banneker 256 

Banning,  H 187 

Baptist  Church 

202, 264, 288, 497,history 

of,  123 

Barbour,  P.  P 402, 439 

Barclay 267 

Barclay,  Rev.  J.  H 46 

Bardstown. 69 

Barker  &  Fisher 687 

Barkley,  H 235 

Barr,  J.  T 430 

Barrett 457 

Barrett.  Captain 397 

Barren,  T 155 

Barrol,  James 377 

Barron,  Capt.  J 143 

Barron,  Com,  J 229 

Barnes,  R 187 

Barnes,  S 89,  91 

Barnetz ~.    45 

Barney,  J 

137,  142,  164,  170,  204,  236, 
250,  253,  260,  272,  341,  349 
355,  357, 3b8,  393 

Barney,  Lieut 428 

Barney,  M 93, 434 

Barney,  Wm.  B 

309,  318,  332 

Barney,  W.  C 93, 170 

Baruitz,  L.  &  D 37 

Barnum,  David,  512, 420, 425 

Barnum,  P.  T 442 

Barnum's  City  Hotel, 
33,  65,  512,  417,  420,  429,  459, 
465,468,586,685 

Barroll,  C 88 

Barron,  D 706 

Barry,  Lieut.  S 248,  391 

Barry,  Maj 351,  409 

Barry,  R 488 

Barry,  R.  C 676 

Bartholomew 113 

Bascomb,  Rev 501 

Bateman 443 

Bates 115 

Bates,  Jas 546 

Batten,  Wm.... 32 

Battles 

85, 133, 137, 138, 142, 143, 164, 

165,  166,  167,  168.  169,  186, 

199,  204,  215,  269,  277,  346, 

392,  423,  543,  638,  639,  637, 

640,  641,  645 

Battle  of  Long  Island..  216 

Battle  Monument, 

23,  232,  403,  470,  379 
Battle  North  Point 346 


PAGB 

Bauer,  F.  E 686 

Baughman,  S 880 

Baum,  Chris 309 

Bausman,  Rev 31 

Baxley,  Dr 506 

Baxter,  J 182 

Baxter,  Wm 51 

Bayard,  Jas.  A 557,  689 

Bay  ley 47.  48 

Bayley,  Bishop 690 

Bayly,  D.T 549 

Bayly,  W 188 

Beach,  T.  J 93,  99 

Beacham 420 

Beall,  J 187 

Beall,  U 315,  382 

Beau,  Thomas 624 

Beanes,  Dr 351 

Bear,  Jno 543 

Beasley,  Rev.  Fred......    30 

Beattie 303 

Beauregard,  Gen 637 

Beaver,  C 184 

Beck,  A 697 

Beck,  Capt.  A 37 

Becker,  Rev.  C.  L 44 

Bedford,  Lieut.-Col 149 

Beeston,  T.  V : 380 

Bell,  C 380 

Bell,  Jno 576,  662,  685 

Bell,  Major.. 342 

Bell,  William 270 

Bellonoy,  Mrs 101 

Belt,  J.S 183 

Belton,  F 340 

Belton,  William 284 

Bend,  Rev.  Jos.  G.  J.... 

30,  277,  287,  291,  292 

Bend,  Wftliam  B 313 

Benjamin,  P 93 

Benner,  Dennison  and 

Company 598 

Benner,  Miss  K 696 

Bennet,  P 66 

Bennet,  W 94 

Bennett 624 

Bennett,  E. 548 

Bennett,  P.  W 75 

Benson , 411 

Benson,  B.  S 98 

Bentalou,  Capt.  P. 
169,  209,  253,  266,  276,  284, 
409,  410,  421 
Bentley,  J.  H....326,  333,  334 

Benton 471 

Benton,  B 560,  566,  568 

Bentzinger,  Col 477,  685 


726 


INDEX 


PAGB 

Berbine 52 

Berg,  Rev 512 

Berger,  Rev 534 

Bernabeau,  Jno.  B 277 

Bernard,  C.  R 687 

Bernard,  Gen 445 

Berry,  Ben 309 

Berry,  J.  S 598.  630,  661 

Berry,  R 286 

Best,  H 697 

Bethel  Meeting  House.    45 

Betts,  Sol 267,  286 

Beulcher,  A 268 

Bevan,  S.  &  Co 598 

Bezyt,  F 506 

Biays,  J  as 309.  342,  347 

Biays,  Jos 281,  282.  284 

Bible  Society 342,  699 

Blddle,  E 182 

Bier,  Gen.  G.  H 677 

Bigelow,  H 313.  333 

Biggart,  D 479 

Bines,  Wm 706 

Binion,  W 506 

Binney 467, 472 

Birney,  Jas.  G 258 

Birkhead,  C 187 

Birckhead,  H 386,  516 

Birkhead,  Sol 167, 447 

Bishop,  Anna 537 

Bishop 121 

Bixler,  D 46 

Black,  Wm 36 

Blackburn 37 

Blackford,  Jno 419 

Black  Hawk 465 

Blackwell,  Lieut 652 

Bladen,  Gov.  Thos 29, 34 

Bladen,  Thos 189 

Blair,  Jno 266 

Blanc 52 

Blanchard 699 

Blanchard,  Wm 439 

Bland,  Judge 398,408 

Bland,  Theo 296,  303,  309 

Blair 278 

Blair.  F.  P 706 

Blennerhasset 301 

Blind  Asylum 675 

Blind  Johnny „..  543 

BUsset 115 

Blomfleld,  John 11 

Blumenthal  «t  Co 10 j 

Blamfield,  F 83 

Blumhardt,  C 697 

Blunt,  Mrs.  E.  K 628 

Bly,P 063 


PAes 
Boardman,  Rev.  H.  C.  682 

Boardman 76 

Boarman,  B 461 

Boehme.Rev.  C 42 

Bogardus,  J 97 

Boggs,  Wm 706 

Bokkelen,  Van 600 

Bohn,  C 309 

Bollman,  H 555 

Bolton,  Rev 530, 541 

Bombardment  of  Fort 

McHenry ..348,  349 

Bombaugh,  Dr.  C  C.106, 687 
Bombaugh  &  Ransom.  106 

Bonaparte,  Jerome 

294,  488,  678 

Bonaparte,  J.  N 678 

Bonaparte  Marriag  ... 

294,  678 

Bonaparte,  N 488,  678 

Bonaparte,  S.  M 653 

Bond,  B 380 

Bond,  Dr 440 

Bond,  E 489 

Bond,  T.  E 475 

Bond,  Dr.  Thomas  E...  301 

Bond,  H.  L 594,  595,  599 

Bond,  J 66 

Bond,  Rev.  T.E 105 

Boniface,  C 443 

Boniface,  G 122 

Bonsai.  L 550 

Boon",  J 506 

Booth,  E.  W. 526 

Booth,  G.W 649 

Booth,  J.  B..121, 123,  443, 541 

Booth,  John  W 526 

Booze,  Thomas 664 

Bordly,  J.  B 51,62 

Boring  for  Coal 380 

Boring,  John 32 

Bose,  William 86,  96,521 

Bosio J21 

Bosserman,  Rev.  A 585 

Boston • 

62,  69,  70,  90,  125,  128,  129, 

130,  131,  133,  140,  255,  268, 

275,  290,  510 

Boston,  J 506 

Boston,  L 506 

Botts,  C 512 

Bouclcault, 121 

Bourdillon,  Reverend 

Benedict 29 

Bourke,  Thomas 271 

Bourne,  G 88 

Bowen,  Capt.  John 247 


PAeK 

Bowen,  A.  J 106 

Bowen,  J 479 

Bowen,  John 183 

Bowen,  Rev 388 

Bowerman,  Col 645,  647 

Bowers,  Mrs.  D.  P 443 

Bowie,  Capt 218 

Bowie,  Oden 517,  699, 715 

Bowie,  R.  W 419 

Bowly,  D 

64, 159,  161, 169, 189,  202, 207 
238,  243,  262,  267 

Boyce,  Jno 244 

Boyce.  R 30 

Boyd,  A 170 

Boyd,  Rev.  A.  H 547 

Boyd,  Bros.  &  Co 598 

Boyd,  Capt 525 

Boyd,  J 

63,  71,  126,  130, 134, 136, 138 
155,255 

Boyer,  M 184 

Boyer,  P..... 184 

Boyle,  Capt.362,  363,  372,  373 

Boyle,  G 555 

Boyle,  H 460 

Boyle,  Lieut.  E 520 

Boy  ley,  John 34 

Bozman 8-9 

Braddock's  defeat 38,  51 

Brady 502,  473 

Brady,  E.  F 507 

Brady,  S 516 

Bradenbaugh,  C 553 

Bradford,  A.  W 

588,  626, 627,  630,  635, 689 

Braiuard,  Rev.  T.  A 547 

Branden,  Rev.... 542 

Brandt,  J 664 

Branson,  Jos 467 

Brantley,  Rev.  W.  T....  124 

Brantz 209 

Bi^shears 551 

Braun,  Rev 533 

Brawner,  H 419 

Breckenridge,  J.  C 

582,  642,  643 
Breckenridge,  R.  J... 93.  469 
Bremen  Steamships. ...  669 

Brenan 506 

Brent,  T.  C 419 

Brereton,  Thomas....33, 163 

Brevet,  John 200 

Brewer,  Judge 525 

Brewer,  J.N 659 

Brewer,  J.  R 101 

Brewerton,  Col 615 


INDEX. 


727 


PAGE 

Brewery 

37,  52,  53.  54,  210,  291,  294,  340 

Brice,  Judge 440 

Brice,  N 277,  467,  514 

Bricks 50,285 

Bridges 

36,  53,  50,  54,  72,  303,  305, 
343,  525,  670,  671,  676 

Bridges.  J.  C 541 

Briggs,  C.  F 531 

Briscoe,  S 309 

Britton,  A 136,  169 

Broaddus,  Rev.  W.  F...  124 

Broadhnrst,  Mrs 115 

Brock,  John 621 

Brockenbrough,  Capt. 

J.  B 650 

Bremen,  J 75 

Brook,  Captain 342 

Brook,  E 463 

Brooke,  C 64 

Brooks,  C 553,  664 

Brooks,  IQ.C 460 

Brougham,  J 442,  444 

Brow,  Col.  Wm 641,  650 

Brown 87, 192,  299,  355 

Brown,  A 

42^,  447,  449,  451,  468 

Brown,  A  &  Sous 

468,  548,  574 

Brown.  B.  G 689 

Brown,  Col..- 640,  641 

Brown,  D 74,  255,  281 

Brown,  E 419 

Brown,  Dr.  J.  H 690 

Brown,  George 

255,  277,  281,  301,  428,  446, 
451,  537,  553,  574 

Brown,  G.  J 309 

Brown,  Geo.  S» 664 

Brown,  Geo.  W 

610,  553,  587,  568,  583,  585, 

594,  598,  599,  602,  603,  609, 
6lf.  617 

Brown,  H 64,65,196 

Brown,  J 

54,  64.  187,  192,  210,  255,  263 
281 

Brown,  Jacob 64 

Brown.  Jas 468,544 

Brown,  J.  &  Co 189 

Brown,  Jno.  A 468 

Brown,  M.  Church. ..675,  681 

Brown,  Maj.  R 649 

Brown,  Mrs.  Geo 617 

Brown,  Mrs.  1 682 

Brown,  Mrs.  J.  H 665 


PAGK 

Brown,  Rev 660,  696 

Brown,  Steuart 267 

Brown.  Wm.  D.. 628, 641, 650 

Brown,  Wm.  H 455 

Brown,  Wm.  H.  &  Bro.  682 
Browne,  Dr.  W.  H...101,  102 

Browning,  W.S 621 

Bruce,  A 419 

Bruce,  J.  R  554 

Bruff,  Jas... 184 

Bruff,  J.  W,  &  Co 598 

Bruff,  W 187 

Bruu,  T 555 

Brune 209 

Brune,  F.  W 510,577 

Brune,  J.  C 

594,  595,  599,  611,  617,  629 
652 

Brush,  Capt 556 

Bryden 230 

Bryerly,  Dr 506 

Buchanan,  Alex 55 

Buchanan,  Andrew 

39,  51,  56,  62,  65.  72, 126, 130 

136,  138,  163,  189,  209,  243, 
259,  2«2 
Buchanan,  Archibald. 

39,  46,  56,  65,  87,  130,  287 

Buchanan,  Com.  F 259 

Buchanan,  Dr.  Geo 

20,  21,  34,  39,  40, 169 
Buchanan,  Greorge 

39, 189,  210.  255,  256,  258,  259 
281 
Buchanan,  Jas 

209,  230,  247,  262,  281,  296, 

300,  303,  314 

Buchanan,  J.  A. 309,  332,  340 

Buchanan,  Jas  A 

376,  3T7,  379,  380 

Buchanan,  J.  M 509 

Buchanan,  T.  A 296 

Buchanan,  Lloyd..39, 47,  51 
Buchanan,  Maj.  R.  C  ... 

618,  519 
Buchanan,  McKean....  259 

Buchanan,  R 71, 182 

Buchanan,  T 419 

Buchanan,  Wm 

39,  52, 126,  128,  130,  134. 136 

138,  148,  163,  164,  168,  169, 
208,  209,  261, 295,  417 

Buchores,  D 184 

Buck,  Jno 346 

Buckler,  Dr.  Thos 567 

Buckler 209 

Buckler,  Dr 506 


PAGK 

Buckley,  Thos 555 

Buckner,  Wm 20 

Bull,  E 100,102 

Bunzie 376,  379 

Buoys 393 

Burland,  R 63 

Burlando,  Rev 630 

Burbonnois 203 

Buren,  Martin  Van 

488,  501,  502 

Burg,  Prof 685 

Burgess,  E 188 

Burgess,  H 53 

Burgess,  J 183 

Burkheimer,  W 697 

Burke,  C 443 

Burke,  D 309,  340 

Burnap,  Rev.  G.  W 

388,  536,  553 

Burneston 7& 

Burneston,  J 380 

Burnett,  Judge 258 

Burnet.  Maj 207 

Burns,  F... 667 

Burns,  J 506 

Burr,  Aaron 301,  418.  472 

Burton 121,  209 

Busey,  Jesse 210 

Butler,  Gen.  B.  F 

104,  580,  611,  612,  615 

Butler,  Gen.  W.  0 527 

Butler,  Lieut. 218,  206 

Button,  R 189 

Buzby,  R 530 

Byard,  P 380 

Byrd,  J.  C 380 

Byrne,  Wm 588 

Cabe,  Rev 658 

Caldwell,  Capt 170 

Caldwell,  J.  H 541 

Calwell,  Jas.  S lOS 

Calhoun 472 

Calhoun,  Jas 

71, 130, 134, 136,  155, 168, 169 

178,  179,  189,  191,  207,  209, 

237,  262,   281,  282,  294,  314, 

332,  377,  382,  414 

California  gold  fever...  632 

Callender 667 

Callow,  Wm 75 

Calloway,  Rev.  C.  M....  668 

Calvert  Hall 69 

Calvert  St.  spring...304,  493 

Canals 

208,  238,  495,  501,  408.  420. 

429,  445,  471,  521 

Cameron,  J.  D 699 


728 


INDEX 


PAGB 

Cameron,  Gen 653,  655 

Camp,  Wm 309 

Campbell,  A 209.  288 

Campbell,  B.  W 534,  548 

Campbell,  J.  M 

553,  576,  652 

Campbell,  T.  W 705 

Camp  meetings 79 

Cauclci,  H 433 

Canfield,  W.  B 541,  699 

Cannon,  Mrs.  L 665 

Canton 75,  238,425,455 

Cape    Henry   and 
Charles,   named 

after 2 

Cappeau,  J 507 

Carey,  J.  L 497 

Carey,  R 138 

Carlisle 45, 52, 165,  497 

Carlile,  Jno 262 

Carmelite  Nuns, 

445,  515,  689,  692 

Carnes,  P 210,  235 

Carwin,  C 49 

Carraichael,  Lieut 614 

Carpenter  «feThompson    93 

Carpenter,  Wm.  H 

90, 108,  621 

Carr 434 

Carr,  Gen.  R.  H 705 

Carr,  Jas ^. 593 

Carr,  Mrs.  R.  H 665 

Carr,  W.  C.N 588 

Carrier  pigeons 98 

Carrere 209,  267 

Carrington,  Col 278 

Carroll,  A 697 

Campbell,  Capt 159,603 

Carroll,  Charles 

14,  16,  18, 19,  21,  22,  36,  49, 

60,  51, 167, 169,  195,  206,  414 

463 

Citrroll.  CofC 

187,  241,  374,  411,  418,  419, 

420,  427,  428,  429,  433,  444, 

447,  440,  459,  460,  463,  514, 

683 

Carroll,  Daniel. 

14, 19,  21, 71, 165, 189,  264 

Carroll,  Ely;  O , 14 

Carroll,  J.  6 423 

Carroll,  Jas 

10,  210,  248,  261,  277,  281 

Carroll,  Rev.  J 

67,  68,  69,  243,  277,  291,  294, 

299, 374,  464,  678 

Carroll,  S.J 664 


PAGB 

Carroll,  Thos.  H 419 

Carrollton  Viaduct.433,  448 

Carroll,  Peter. 10 

Carraway,  Capt 355 

Carruthers,  J 230 

Carson,  Thos.  J 598 

Carson,  R  ...170,  200,  207,  414 

Carson,  Wm.  &  Co 460 

Carter,  E.  F 105,628 

Carter,  H.H 699 

Carey,  J 

209,  255,  260,  266,  281,  282. 
284,  314 

Gary,  J 49 

Cass,  Gen.  L 527,  689 

Cassidy,  P 248,  255 

Cassin,  G.  N 419 

Caspear 647 

Caswell,  R 132 

Cathcart,  R 621 

Cathedral 

65,  69,  299,  399,  397,  203,  501, 

465,  626,  665,  675,  687,  690, 

702,  704 

Catholics 

136,  202,  235,  264,  288,  298, 
374,  386,  433,  465,  501,  529, 
539,  665,  675,  684,  719 
To  prevent  the  im- 
portation and 

growth  of. 16,17 

To  take  the  oath  of 

abjuration,  &c..    17 
End  of  their  rule  in 

Maryland 27 

None  permitted  ;to 

hold  office 27 

Double  tax  on 51 

Religion,  history  of   65 

Caton 

209,  241.  260,  277,  280,  392, 
447,  514 

Cattle  market 267 

Cauly 514 

Causin,  J 547 

Cazanave...; 266 

Celebrations 

50,  147,  170,   190,  197,  202, 

206,  249,  261,  254,  261,  426, 

633 

Celeste,  Madam 121 

Centennial    Anniver- 

versary 431 

Chaille,  P 188 

Chalmers 115 

Chalmers,  Q 71 

Chamberlain,  Rev.  N. 

H 388 


PAGB 

Chance 298 

Chance,  Bishop  J.  J. ...  508 

Chandler,  C.  H 622 

Chandler,  Gen 340 

Chandler,  J.R 538 

Changeur,  Leon 267 

Chamier,  D 40,  50, 147 

Chapman,  Jno.  L  ...633,  660 
CharityOrphan  School  408 
Charles  St.  M.  Church.  511 
Charleston 

62,  76, 186,  207,  211,  213,  265, 
289,  578,  585 

Charlton,  F 279 

Chase,  A 467 

Chase,  Geo : 261 

Chase,  R 39,  49 

Chase,  Sect 629 

Chase,  Thom  ....309,  314,  340 

Chase,  Rev.  Thos 

29,  39,  47,  49,  305 

Chase,  J.  T 

71. 130, 131, 186,  187 
Chase,  Samuel 

29,  241,  246,  249,    256,  262, 

263,  267,  278,  294,  305,  874, 
400,  418,  421,  464 

Chasline,  Jas 188 

Chastellux,  B.  Gen 192 

Chateaubriand 68 

Chatham,  Lord 129 

Chauncey 472 

Cheatham,  Jno 619 

Chesapeake  Bay 

2,  3,  9, 137,  143, 171, 186, 189, 
199,  221 
Name  taken  from..     4 
Lord     Baltimore, 

tour  of 9 

Chesapeake.  Frigate... 

287,  300 
Chesapeake  and  Ohio   ' 

Qanal 429,495 

Chesebrough 628 

Chestnut,  Wm 532,621 

Chester 123 

Chester,  S.  K 443 

Cheston,  J 71 

Cheston,  Jas 489 

Cheston,  G 553,693,711 

Chew,  B .241,  421 

Chew,  Dr 506 

Chew,  M 241,  424 

Chew,  R.  B 641 

Chew,  S 187 

Chicago  relief 687 

Chicago  Zouaves 575 


INDEX. 


729 


PAOK 

Childs,  G.  W 98 

Chinwith,  A 196 

Chipendale 442 

Cholera 460,529 

Christiana  excitement  535 

Christie,  C 40 

Christie,  D 299 

Christie,  J. ..134, 135,  136, 188 

Christie,  Lt.-Col.  Q 134 

Christie,  R 

65, 126,  134, 135,  147, 163 

Christian,  S 359 

Christ's  Chnrch ^ 

43,  44,  54,  287,  495,  503 

Christy's  Minstrels 118 

Church  dedications 

29,  31,  511,  515,  524,  533,  541, 
548,  585.  620,  681,  690 

Cigars  first  used 267 

Cigar  Ship 568 

Cincinnati  Society..279. 411 

City  debt .^...305.  375, 341 

City  Hall 545,  664,668,  672 

Civil  War 585,  586,  587 

Claggett,  H 282 

Claggett,  Lieut 350,  380 

Claggett,  Bishop 30,  381 

Claggett,  Thos 659 

Clarey,  G 606 

Clark,  Capt.  J.  L u^r..  651 

Clark,  Jas .^er.?.  549,  506 

Clark 612 

Clark,  Jno 341 

Clark,  J.  Lyle  &  Co 549 

Clark,  W.  R 593 

Clark  «&  Kellogg 481 

Clarke,  Abraham 9 

Clarke,  J 71,  245 

Clarke,  Jno 599,607 

Clarke,  J.  S 121,  443,  526 

Clarke 117 

Claude,  D 419 

Claude,  Jno 527 

Clay.H 

601,  511,  429,  459,  465,  472, 

539 

Clay land,Dobbin  &  Co.    88 

Claypoole,  Capt 532 

Claxton,  Com.  A 509,  411 

Clearinghouse 568 

Clemm,  Sergt 350,  380 

Clemm,  V 531 

Clemm,  Wm 64,  209,  253 

Cliff 546 

Cliffe,  Geo 497 

Clifton 427 

Clinton,  Gen.  Jas 192 

47 


PAOK 

Clinton,  Sir  H 170, 174 

Clopper,  Capt 135 

Cloud,  C.  F......92,  94,  95, 101 

Cloud  &  Pouder 93 

Cloud,  R.  M 92,  95 

Clymer,  G 154 

Coal,  R 123 

Coale,  Dr.  S 255 

Coale,  E.  J 47, 93,  94,  377 

Coale,  Isaac  <fe  Bro 598 

Coale,  J.  R.  &  Bro 631 

Coale,  Thos 288 

Coale,  W.  R 100, 101 

Coates,  Jno.....; 271,  667 

Coates  &  Glenn 512 

Coberts,J 42 

Coburn,  E 622 

Cochrane,  Admiral 372 

Cockburn,  Admiral 385 

Cocke,  Dr.  Jas 291,  301 

Cockey,  John 82, 136, 155 

Cockey,  Thomas 82 

Coffee,  Capt 506 

Cohen,  1 677,678 

Cohen,  B.  G 471,  480,  513 

Cohen,  Dr 506 

Cohen,  J.  I. .386,  420,  465,  516 

Cohen,  M.  1 121 

Coke,  Rev.  T 78,  79 

Colburn,  Dr 31 

Cole,  Thomas 11, 123,  210 

Cole,  Dr.  W.  H 100 

Cole,  W.  H. 503,705 

Cole,  Thos 280 

Cole&Hewes 92 

Coleman,  J 394 

Colgate,  Thomas 38 

Colgate,  John 38 

Cole's  Harbor 

15, 16,  18,  20,  32,  33,  38,  49, 
206 
Cole's  Harbor,  named 

after 11 

Colgate,  Richard 32,  38 

Collett,  John 9, 11 

Collins,  Dr.  S 510,511 

Collins,  Dr 506 

Collins,  P 506 

Collins,  Wm.  H.459, 533, 585 

Colman,  Rev , 387 

Colonization  Society...  389 

Colored  citizens 678,  681 

Colored  soldiers 603 

Colt,  R.  L 343 

Colton,  Dr 513 

Colvin,  P 78 

Comegys,  Jno 296,  377 


FAGB 

Commerce 

14. 18,  33,  34,  86,  '87,  48,  61, 

126,  137,  210,  238,  243,  262, 

277,  289,  298.  301,  407 

Companies 

208,  276,  295,  300,  303,  386, 

418,  433,  521,  525,  539,  568, 

583,  629, 661,  668 

Coleman 508 

Compton,  Wm 641 

Conaway,  Robt 210 

Cone  &  Norvell 89,  90 

Conestoga  Wagons 405 

Concordia  Society 

631,  660,  669,  685 
Confiscated  property... 

'     188, 189 
Congress  Hall. ..141, 153,  231 

Congi<essional 

114,  122,  128,  130,  138,  135, 

138,  139,  141,-154,  155,  164, 

1G8,  191,  244 

Conn,  D 309 

Conn,  Dan'l 295 

Conn 707 

Connor,  Thos 542 

Conrad 52 

Constable,  C 49 

Constellation,  Frigate. 

283,  287 

Constitution 245,  2*9 

Coulee,  C.  S 641,  650 

Contee 209 

Convents 

497,  499,  444,  515,  689,  692 

Conway,  Capt 603 

Conway,  Mrs.  F.  B 443 

Cook,  Rev.  I.  P 537,  548 

Cook,  I.  &  Co 88 

Cook,  Jno 566 

Cook,  Lieut 438 

Cook,  Major 612,  615 

Cooke 877,496 

Cooke,  G.F 121 

Cooke,  Wm 

295,  296,  303,  314,  379 

Cooksey,R.K 380 

Cooney 593 

Cooper,  Geu.  J 636 

Cooper,  Mrs.  E 529 

Cooper,  P 

490,  450,  425,  453,  455 
Cooper,  T.  A..:..121,  122,  527 

Coopman 209 

Copeland 656, 657,  658,  659 

Copley,  Gov 27 

Corban,  Nicholas 27 


730 


INDEX 


PAOE 

Cornwallis,  Lord ^ 

149,  185,  213,  216,  217,  244, 
248.  252,  265,  514 
Corner    Stone    of 

Cimrches 

466.  513,  534,  537,  542,  543, 

547,  575,  660,  668,  29,  31,  299, 

501,  502,  505,  508,  572,  675, 

678,  681 

Corrie,  Jas 267, 286 

Corrie,  P 567,568 

Corse,  Capt.  J.  De 248 

Corthwait,  J 71, 192 

Corts,  Lieut 218 

Coskery 505 

Cotton  Factories 302, 327 

Coulson,  Capt 247,  266 

Coulter,  Capt.  A 82,  472 

Coulter,  Dr 7l' 

Councilmen,  the  first, 

281,  282 

Counties 337,  345,  419 

Harford 

9,  72,  78,  123,  135,  142, 
163,  239,  419,  526 

Carroll 9 

Anne  Arundel 

9,20,47,65,238,263,305, 
419,  600 

Alleghany 419 

Howard 9,263 

Charles 419,461 

Frederick 

9,  263, 275, 282,  419 

Washington 282, 419 

Kent 50,58,529 

Prince  George's 419 

Cecil 53,  56,  57, 163 

St.  Mary's 419 

Queen  Anne 77 

Montgomery 315,  419 

Talbot 

Worcester 162 

Somerset 162,306,415 

Coursey,  Lieut. 218 

Court  Houses 

9,2^,31,55,56,74,82,126,130 

182,  136,  154,   232,  288,  296 

482,  history  of  59 

Courts 

285,  286,  294,  296,  296,  481 

Courts,  U.  S 260 

Courtenay,  H 

65,  71,  130,  155,  202,  239.  263 
281,282 

Cousy,  J.  B 68 

Cowell,  J ,..  473 


PA6B 

Cox,  C.  C 661 

Cox,  C 380 

Cox,  James 

64,  123,  135, 148,  159,  163, 164 
166, 169,  260 

Cox,  J.  H 380 

Cox,  Miss. 230 

Cox,  M.  B 92 

Cox,  Miss  M 165 

Cox,  Rev , 31,  548 

Cox,  W 706 

Crabb,  R.  J...313,  315,  316,  339 

Craddock,  J 136. 138 

Cradduck.'Dr 71 

Craig,  J 380,  506 

Craig 625 

Craig 99 

Cramplin,  T 188 

Crane,  Captain 642,  644 

Crane,  Rev 31 

Crane,Wm.&Sons 549 

Crawford,  D 187 

Crawford  &  Berry 546 

Crawford,  J 506 

Crawford,  John  L 680 

Crawford,  Rev.  John...  271 

Cravath,  L 70 

Creamer,  D 93 

Creamy,  G 704 

Crenshaw,  D.  &  J 587 

Cresap,  Col.M 275 

Crichton 672 

Criminal  Court.249,  272,  312 

Crise,  John  L 616 

Crittenden 512 

Crittenden.  J.  J 576 

Cromwell,  S 136 

Cromwell,  T 177, 178, 183 

Crook,  F.  A 699 

Crook  &  Duffs 546 

Crook,  Walter,  Jr 495 

Crookshanks,  Chas 263 

Cropps,  M 567,568 

Crosby,  J 49 

Crosby,  Rev 675,696 

Cross,  A.  B 93 

Cross,  R.  R 705 

Cross,  Col.T 520 

Cross,  E.  J.  D 705 

Cross,  R 534 

Cross,  Wm.  S 705 

Crost,  Lieut 166 

Crout 616 

Crow,  J.  T 99 

Croxall,  C 40,  49 

Cruse,  P.  H...92,  208,  236,  679 
Crusius,  P '. 42 


Crutchfield  &  Haas 107 

Culley,  W 506 

Cumberland 273,  304 

Cummins,  Rev 583 

Cummings,  Mrs 703 

Cummings,  Rev 575 

Cunningham,  Capt.  J..  300 

Curlett,  Jno 678 

Curley 230 

Curtis,  F..... 71 

Cushing,  Caleb 

578,  579,  582,  689 

Cushing,  J 585 

Cushing,  Jno 548 

Cushings  &  Bailey 598 

Cushman,  C 121,  443 

Custus,  G.  W.  P. 337,  411 

Cutler.  Jno 270,  281 

Cytmire,  C 39 

Bail 302 

Dailey,  Massey  &  Mau- 

pin 548 

Daily 473 

Dall,  Jas 397 

Dallas,  Geo.  M 512,  689 

Dalrymple,  Dr 702 

Danels,  B.  D 622,  685.  711 

Danglish,  J 136 

Daniel,  Judge 689 

Dargenberg,  J 43 

Darley  &  Son 115 

Darne,  Wm 419 

Dashield 52 

Dashlells.  R.  L 558 

Dauphin  of  France.. 197, 200 

Davenport 121,  443 

Davenport,  Miss 443 

Davey,  A.  W 286 

David 298 

Davidge,  Dr.  J.  B....291,  301 

Davidge.  F 90,  91, 499 

Davidge,  F.  H 469 

Davies,  Mayor. 

516,  519,  523,  558 

Davis,  D 380 

Davis,  H.L 661 

Davis,  H.  W 574,  665,  661 

Davis,  Jeff. 

588,  589,  637,  638 

Davis,  Jno 803 

Davis,  J.  R 497 

Davis,  Jno.  W 

576, 603,  606,  614 

Davis,  M 479 

Davis,  Fhineas 452 

Davis,  Rev.  J 128 

Davis,  R.  W 598 


INDEX 


731 


PAGB 

Dawes,  S 706 

Dawson,  Capt 361 

Day,  Avarila 33 

Day,  G 708 

Deady,  D 189 

Dean,  E 443 

Dean,  Miss  J 443 

Dean,  Wm 627 

Deaver,  J 64,  65, 130 

De  Butts,  Dr.  E 301 

Decatur,  Com 382, 392 

Decatur,  S 557 

Declaration    of    Inde- 
pendence by  Md. ...  144 

Decker,  G 43 

Deems,  Cai)t 456 

Deems,  J.... 537 

Deering,  John 11 

Deetzen.T 669 

Deford,  B 585,  681 

Delaporte 2>9 

Dellvie,  S 533 

Delmitt 33 

Deloughery 502 

Dement,  Capt.W.  P.640, 650 
Democratic  C  o  n  v  e  n- 

tions 

488,  501,  512.  527,  539.  578, 

582,689 

Demondidies,  Master..    27 

Denmead,  A.  &  Bro 98 

Dennis,  S.  P 617 

Denlson,Gen.  A.  W.... 

635,  646,  647 

Dennison,  R.  M 617 

Denny,  J 898 

Denny,  Jno 279 

Dent,  Lieut 218 

Dent,  W 187 

DeSelden 443 

Deshon 340 

Desk,M 380 

Devereux,  Capt 210 

Devereux,  Gen 426 

Devries,  StepliensA 

Tliomas 548,  598 

Dew,  Jas.  C 309 

Dewey,  Rev.  0 389 

Deye,  Capt.  T.  C 

52,  53,  59,  71,  126,  129,  130 

136, 195,  301 

Dick,T 51 

Dickenson,  Col 409 

Dickinson 169.  303 

Dickinson,  D.  S 582 

Dickinson,  M 445 

Dickinson,  Walter 9 


PAGB 

Dickson,  Rev 603,  621 

Dickson,  T 

255,  274,  293,  294,  295,  296 

Dickson,  Gen.  Geo 255 

Didier,  Henry 267,  432 

Dietch,  L.  C 

Diffenderffer,  D 42,  43 

Diffeuderflfer,  M 

42,  42,  44, 165,  170, 188,  254 

Diffenderffer,  P 

42,  43,  44,  309 

Digges,  J 187 

Dike,  Capt 610,  611,  622 

Dillehunt,  Lieut 428 

Dillon,  Count 203 

Dinners,  public 

237,  346,  491,  375.  382,  392, 
415,  424,  508,  661 

Dinwiddle,  Gov 112 

Dinsmore,  W.  B 510 

Directory,  the  first 278 

Disney 504 

Dispensary 292,  386 

Divorce   of   J.   Bona- 
parte, &c 340 

Dix,  J,  F 537 

Dix,  Maj.-Gen 

617,  618,  623,  624.  653,  656 
657,  659 

Dixon 529 

Dixon,  Capt 347 

Doane,  A.  S 525 

Dobbin,  G 85 

Dobbin,  G.  W 

465,  594,  595.  693 

Dobbin,  R.  A 85,  86,  96 

Dobbin,  T 88 

Dobson,  H 184 

Dock  and  drawbridge..  343 

Dodge,  G.  R 516,  615,  617 

Dogan,  E 39 

Doggett,  Rev.  D.  S 105 

Dolan,  Rev.  J 

531,  541,  665,  682 

Donaldson,  A 139 

Donaldson,  Alex 414 

Donaldson,  Dr.  Wm....  301 

Donaldson,  Jas 

283,  305,  309 

Donaldson,  Jas.  L 

351,  380 

Donaldson,  J.  J 510.  511 

Donaldson,  Jos 189 

Donations 408 

Donavan,  R 184 

Donavin,  S.  K 95 

Donelson,  A.  J 550 


PAGB 

Donnell,  Jno 

267,  296,  303 

Donnellan,  F 155 

Donnells 525 

Donnelly 246,  495 

Donnelly,  C 495 

Donovan,  Dr 626 

Dornin,  Com 626 

Dorsey,  Capt.  J.  H., 

52,  53,  56, 188,  189 

Dorsey,  Col 649,  650 

Dorsey,  G 649 

Dorsey,  Jno 191 

Dorsey,  Mrs.  A 665 

Dorsey.  0 381 

Dorsey,  T.  B 299,  301,  303 

Dorsey,  Walter 286 

Dougherty 495 

Dougherty,  C 302 

Dougherty,  C.  M 685 

Dougherty,  D.. 302 

Dougherty,  Rev  J 630 

Douglas,  A 106 

Douglas  <fe  Hallam 112 

Douglas,  S.  A 581 

Douglass,  Cbas 268 

Douglass,  F 661 

Douglass  Institute 661 

Dow,  R 146 

Downes.  S.  D 474 

Doyle 120 

Doyle,  Jas 495 

Doyle,  R 506 

Drakely,  H 599 

Draper,  Wm 70 

Drayton,  Col 416 

Dress 225, 13,  233,  243 

Dresel,  W 678 

Drew,  Mrs.  F 440 

Drexel  &  Co 98 

Dreyer,  Rev.  J.  H 44 

Drill,  J.  M... 667 

Drockenbrot,  H 697 

Druid  Hill  Park 

578,  583,  635 

Drummond.. : 544 

Drummond,  W.  C 122 

Dreyer  &  Lewis .j....  514 

Dry  Tortugas 618 

DuBarry,  J.  N 699 

Dubourg 298 

Ducatel,  Dr 395 

Dudley,  Rev.  T.  U 678 

Duel 262 

Dugan,  Cum'd 

70,  267,  283,  294, 685,  688 
Dukehart,H.F 465 


732 


INDEX 


PAGB 

Dnkehart,  T 341 

Duker,  Otto 697 

Dulaney,  D 189,284,463 

Duneste 209 

Dunbar,  Dr 

497, 500,  506,  592 

Duncan,  Jno..... 619 

Duncan,  Rev.  J.  M 90 

Duncan,  Rev 474 

Dunlap,  Capt 49 

Dunlap,  J 87 

Dunlap,  a  G 701 

Dunmore,  Gov 66 

Dunn,  J 380 

Dunnington,  F : 497 

Dunnington,  W.  A 497 

Durand.R 122 

Durang,  Chas 352 

Durant,  C.  J 659 

Dushaue,  Col 647 

Duvall 641 

Duval,  G 142,  416,  419 

Duvall,  Keigler&Boyd  598 

Duvall, M 596 

Dyer,  E 183 

Eager,  George 413 

Eager,  Ruth 423 

Earle,  R.  T 187 

Early,  Gen.  J,  A 

638,641,651 

Early,S.  S 100 

Earthquake 465 

Easey,  E 92 

Easter,  H.  &  Co 598,  631 

Eastern  Spring 495 

Easton,  J.  B 526 

Eaton,  Bros.  «fe  Co 598 

Eaton,  C.  M 526,  553 

Eaton,  Jeremiah 24,28 

Eberle,  Mrs.  H 440 

Eccleston 298 

Eccleston,  Archbishop 
502,  605,  508,  425,  514,  529, 
535 

Eccleston,  Lt»  Col 279 

Echols,  Gen 643 

Eckes,  H 697 

Eddls,  Wm....59,  69,  140,  230 

Eddy,  Rev 681,  690 

Edelmann,  0 697 

Eden,  Gov.. ..70,  143. 144,  221 

Edes,  Capt.  B 352,  409 

Edgely,  E 183, 181 

Education.  ...14,  213,  277,  294 
Edwards,  Ja8....260, 281,  282 

Edwards,  MaJ 207 

Edwards,  Moses 28 


PAGB 

Edwards,  P 83,84,256 

Edwards,  Rev 548 

Edwards,  Rev.  J 389 

Edwards,  Rev.  J.  E 105 

Edwards,  R.  &  Co 554 

Effigies 301,587 

Egerton,  Gen. ...556,  593,  624 

Egerton  &  Keys 624 

Egerton,  Mrs.    A.   Du 

Bois 665 

Eichelberger,  B 71, 130 

Eichelberger,  J 255 

Eichelberger,  M 209 

Eisenhart,  Jno 665 

Elder,  Mrs.  F.  W.. 665 

Elder,  Rev.  A.  J 461 

Eldridge,  G 506 

Elections 

136,  141,  206,  286,  528,  449, 

650,  558,  565,  570,  583,  611, 

668 

Elkins,  Jno 659 

Ellender,  G.  W 705 

Ellery,  Rev.  W 387 

Ellicott,  A.. ..53,  208,  243,  295 

Ellicott,  B 380 

Ellicott,  Elias 255,  295 

Ellicott,  Evan  T 

289,  467,  477,  479,  664 

Ellicott,  J 

53,  208,  262,  296,  303,  380 

Ellicott,  Jos 53 

Ellicott,  Thos....419,  469,  475 

Elliott,  J.  D 346 

Elliott,  Lieut 543 

Elliott,  Thos 

202,  207,  209,  245,  280,  441, 
447 

Ellis,  Rev.  J 696 

Ellmaker,  Amos 469 

Elssler,  F 121,  502 

Elzey,  Col.  A 637,  638 

Eraack,  Capt 650 

Emack,  C.  S 699 

Embargo 272,  301 

Emery,  C.  J 670 

Emery,  W.  H 519 

Endley,  G 506 

England,  J 39 

English,  Jno 670 

Ensor,  J.,  jr 39 

Episcopal  Church 

15,  43,  63, 112,  202,  288,  302 

History  of 24 

First   Minister  In 
Baltimore 26 


Convention. 


PAGK 

Erben,  H 705 

Ericsson,  Capt 490 

Erie,  sloop  of  war 346 

Erskine 304 

Escapes 

399,  481,  502,  504,  505,  541 

Escavaille,  J.  B 660 

Eschbacb,  Jno.  E 685 

Etting,  Lieut.  R 248,  276 

Etting,  Sol 

262,267,296,303,381,489 

420,  422,  428,  447,  525 

Euleston,  Thos 187 

Eutaw  House 

491,  496,  513,  538,   547,  552 
633,  685 

Evans,  Geo 209 

Evans,  H.  D 95,  196 

Evans,  H.  W 430 

Evans,  J 380 

Evans,  0 246 

Evans,  Wm 279 

Everett 472,  576 

Everhardt,  Sergt. 411 

Eversfleld,  Jno 189 

Ewell,  Gen 638,640,  641 

Ewlng,  J» 183 

Ewing,  T 64,  65,  138 

Ewlng,  Thos 512 

Ewing,  W.  P. 652 

Exchange  Buildings.... 

103,  267.  397,  445,  481,  468, 
475,  508,  517, 537,  550 
Exciting  times 

38,  585,  594, 695, 601, 613,  614, 

622,  625,  627,   630,  632,  634 
Executions 

210,  246,  248,  302,  393,  467, 

479,  510,  520,   542,  568,  621 
629,  630,  699,  700 

Exhibitions 71,  420 

Faber,  Rev.  J.  C....40,  41,  42 

Facius 697 

Factories 260,  302 

Fairs 423,  525,  664,  133 

676 

Fallier,  G 380 

Falling  Stars 466 

Famen,  G 443 

Famen,  Mrs 443 

Fand,  J 90 

Fanger,  F 669 

Farr,  S 479 

Farragut,  Admiral..86,  633 

Favorite  Drinks,  &c 13 

Fawcett,  G.  D 108 

Federal  Hill 

250,  412,  687,  612,  616 


INDEX 


733 


PAOB 

Federal  Soldiers 

588,  612,  614,  615 

Fein,  G 527 

Fell,  Edward 

18,  28,  32,  33,  34,  52,  58,  54, 

56,  58,  203,  243 
Fell,  Wm 

10,  23,  34,  36,  58,  72,  203,  206, 

210,  243 
Fell's  Point 

10,  57,  69,  76,  80,  85, 141,  162, 
190, 192,  250,  288,  335,  500 

Felton,  S.  M 651 

Fennel 115 

Fenton,  Col 416 

Ferguson,  D 506 

Ferguson,  J.  F 398 

Ferguson,  Wm 39,  49 

Fergusson,  Jno 419 

Fernandis,  Lieut 218 

Ferrandiui,  Capt 569 

Fesseuden,  Lieut 428 

Fickey,  F 666 

Fickey,  F.  &  Sons 598 

Field,  Geo.  W 277 

Field,  J.  K 440 

Fifth  Reg't 691 

Filling  up  the  basin....  567 

Fillmore,  M 550,  662  680 

Finances,  &c 

12,189,191,192,196,20^,262, 
295.  304,  346,  491 

Findley,  Hugh 376 

Finlay,  Rev.  J 124 

Fiulay,  T 432 

Fin  ley,  E.  L.409,  489, 425, 463 

Finley,  Jno 379 

Finley,  Johnson  &  Co..    95 

Finnegan,  Gen 644 

Fires 

31,  46,  78,  83,  171,  210,  246, 

279,  286,  340,  496,  £02,  512. 

387,  73,  393,  397,  403,  422, 

410,  460,  467,  473,  474,  5-27, 

533,  546,  547,  551,  676,  682, 
693,  697,  700,  708 
Fire  Alarm  Telegraph 

563,568 
Fire  Companies 

55,  56,  64,  246,  505,  523.  528, 
548,  550,  563, 565,  577,  706 

Flemming,  John 

20,  34,  315,  431 

Fletcher,  Capt.  P 286 

Floods 

43,  50,  244,  251,  492,  506,  389, 
540,  563,  576,  669 


PA6K 

Florence 121 

Flour 189, 196,  246,  277 

Flournoy 580 

Floyd 459 

Flumford,T 47 

Flutting,  T 669 

Foard,  Jos.  R 419 

Forrester,  Wm 271 

Fog 294 

Fogg,  A 53 

Folansbee,  L.  T 706 

Foley,  D.  J. 685 

Foley,  Rev.  J 660 

Foley,  Rev.  T 542,  665 

Folger,  Capt.  F 168 

Fonerden,  A 

63.  255,  259,   262,  266,  281. 
282,  283,  314 

Ford 183,  184,707 

Ford,  C.  E 122 

Ford,  H 183, 167, 184 

Kord,  Lieut.  Col 276 

Ford,  J.  T 95, 122, 123 

Ford's  Opera  House 389 

Ford's    Grand    Opera 

House 687,  6S9 

Foreigners,  arrival  of  ...460 

Foreman,  Dr.  E 500 

Foreman 166 

Forrest,  E 121, 123 

Forsyth 498,689 

Fort  Covington 349 

Fort  McHenry 

9,  103,  105,  138,  142,  272,  288, 
341,  343,  348,  353,  373,  382, 
404,  410,  465,  479,  600,  604, 
608,  613,  614,  617,  618,  620, 
621,  625,  629,  655,  718 


Fortifications 

Forward,  J 

Foster,  Bishop 

Foster,  Rev.  P.  S 

Fottrell,  Edward 

33.  52,  65,  66, 

Fountains 

Fountain  Inn 

189,  206,  230,  248,  251, 
3C6,  308,  316,  375,  415, 

Forward,  Jonathan 

Fowler,  Col 

Fowler,  Robt 

Fowler,  R 

Fox,  H.  S 

Fox,  Jno 

Foy 

Frailey 

Frame  buildings 


615 
419 


188 


279, 
430 

34 
347 
664 
711 
491 
507 
544 

85 
302 


PAGS 

Francis,  Mr 115, 117, 119 

Francis,  Mrs 115 

Franciscus,  Geo 254 

Frank,  S,  &  Co 631 

Franklin,  H 

•     131,  132,  142,  270,  487,  374, 
464,688 

Franklin,  J 51 

Franklin,  T 40 

Franklin  Square 514 

Frasher,  J..... 39 

Frasier,  J 652 

Frayer,  F 641 

B'razer,  Capt.  D 34 

Frazer,J 49 

Frazier,  Capt.  J 516 

Frazier,  D 506 

Frazier,  J 706 

Frazier,  Lieut 353 

Frederick 

41,  89,  170,  209,  248,  596,  656 

Fredet 298 

Freebairn,  F 83,  84 

Freeland,  F 187 

Freeman,  Rev 387 

Freeman,  W.  H 459 

Free  Schools 

387,  397,  408,  422 

Frei,  P 669 

Freidewrich,  A.  &  L 631 

Frelinghuysen,  T 511 

French,  B.  B 525 

French,  B 506 

French,  E 90 

French,  James 189 

French  fleet 189 

Freuch  refugees 266 

French  troops 

192,  202,  203,  204,  206 

Frey 700,  705 

Frick 624 

Frick,  Dr 395 

Frick,  George  P 688 

Frick,  John 377,  395 

Frick,  Miss 665 

Frick,  P 170,  281,  282 

Frick,  Wm 473,549 

Frick,  Wm.  F 678,681 

Fridge,  A 343,  447^ 

Frisby,  R 379 

Front  St.  Theatre 

496,  439,  459,  534,  578, 
582,  630,  667 

Frost,  Wm 189 

Fuller,  Rev.  R 

124,  524,  529,  536,  537,  541, 
548,  547,  548,  681 


734 


INDEX 


PAOB 

Fulton,  A.  K 86 

Fulton,  O.  C 86,  624,  625 

Fulton,  D 309 

Funeral  expenses 52 

Funeral  obsequies 

489,  503,  469,  513,  520,  525, 
529,  533,  539,  553 

Funk,  H 573 

Furlong,  Rev.  H 690 

Furniture,  kind  of. 12 

Gabby,  Wm 419 

Gaither,  Capt.  G.  R 600 

Gaither,  E...313,  315,  316, 318 

Gaither,  H.  C 315,  316 

Gaither,  Wm 

313, 316,  327, 330 
Galbraith,  Capt... 66,  67, 160 

Galbaud,  Gen 266 

Gale,  Geo 260 

Gale,  Dr 313,  318 

Gallagher...515,  412,  122,  535 

Gallatin, 141 

Galloway,  B 163 

Galloway,  M 163 

Gait 336 

Gambis,  Admiral 266 

Gamble,  Lieut 353 

Gambrill,  H 566,  568 

Gamen 442 

Gannon 442 

Gardiner,  C.T 662 

Gardiner,  W.  C 662 

Gardner 539 

Gardner,  Capt 410 

Gardner,  Chas 271 

Gardner,  J 48 

Gardner,  J.  C 509 

Gardner,  Tim 309 

Garey,  Jas.  S 682 

Garland,  H.  M 91 

Garmendia 664 

Garnier 298 

Gamier,  Rev 69 

Garratson,  C 160 

Garratson,  J 160 

Garrett,  Jno.  W 

449,602,661,686,693,715 

Garrett,  Robert,  Jr 692 

Garrett,  Robert  &  Sons 

513,  533,  552 

Garrett,  T 380 

Garrison,  Wm.  L 258 

Garts,  C 71,261 

Garts  «fe  Leypold 236 

Gas .^293,  o86,  681 

Gash,  H 52 

Gassaway,  J 183, 184 


PAOB 

Gatchell,  W.  H..576, 603,  614 

Gatchell,  Y.  L 651 

Gates,  Gen 

173, 186,  214,  219,  261, 265, 275 

Gates,  Mrs.  Gen 138 

Gathro 52 

Gaulden 579 

Gay,  John 27 

Gay,  M.  R 46,  47, 49,  51,56 

Gebhard,  C.  E.  J 507 

Geddes 285,  506 

Geib,  J.  &  Son 44 

Gelston,  H 699 

Gen.  Wayne  Inn 50O,  628 

Gerardin,  Dr.  L.  H 395 

George 549 

Georgetown,  D.  C 

88,  99,  171,  316,  337,  544 

Germain,  Lord  Geo 143 

German,  E 122 

Ger,  Orphan  Asylum...  697 
Ger.  Reformed  Church. 
40,  45,  136,  202,  244,  264,  '2S8, 
343,  512 

Germans 

37,  45,  49,  103,  104,  106 

Gerock,  Rev 45 

Getz,C.  S 442,  687 

Ghequiere J 209,261 

Gibbord,  M.  F..... 101 

Gibson,  A 700 

Gibson,  Jas 187 

Gibson  &  Co 533,  534 

Gibson,  W 

163,  209,  249,  281,  283,  381 

Gifford .528,  578,  707 

Gilder,  Dr 210 

Gildersleeve,  Prof. 101 

Gildert,  J 71 

Giles,  E 210 

Giles,  Jacob 239 

Giles,  Jno 239 

Giles,  Wm.  F....533,  542,  678 

Gill,  C.  L 622 

Gill,  Geo.  M...... 

419,  568,  596,  605,  612 

Gill,  R.  W 417,469,475 

Gill,  S 593 

Gilmor,  Col.  H 650 

Gilmor,  Robert 

44,  62, 115,  170,  201,  260, 261, 

266,  277,  281,  282,  288,  297, 

300,  314,  340,  491,  503,  377, 

381,  395,  418,  528 

Gilpin,  Bailey  &  Canby  554 

Gin,  burned 302 

Gingrass,  V 622 


PA&K 

Gist,  C 283 

Gist,  Christopher 20,  22 

Gist,  C.  H 304 

Gist,  Gen.  M 

64,  130,  136,  138,  139,  152, 

162,  167,  172,   188,  212,  214, 

215,  216,  219,  221,  241,  264, 

279 

Gist,  J 189 

Gist,  Richard 

18,  20,  21,  28,  33 

Gist,  T 136,138 

Gittings,  Jas 

126,  136,  196,  432 
Gittings,  Mrs.  J.  S.......  665 

Gittings,  Thos 210 

Glascock,  Jno 641 

Glass,  Capt 501 

Glass  Manufactory......  236 

Glenn,  Elias 

261,  299,  489.  514 

Glenn,  Judge  J 

481,  489,  431,  442,  476,  477, 
479,  516,  537,  542,  708 

Glenn,  S 506,  440 

Glenn,  W.  W 

103,  443,  616,  675,  708,  110, 
111 

Glover,  Capt 300 

Gobright,  J.  C 95 

Gobright,  W.  H 95, 101 

Goddard,  M.  K.80,  81,  83, 160 

Goddard,  W 

79,80,81,82,83,131,132,157, 

158,  159,  161,  168,  172,  175, 

176,  177,  180, 182 

Godfrey,  J.  Max 

354,  379,  380,  387 

Goey,  W.  D 621 

Goldsborough,  Maj.  W. 

W 640,  641 

Goldsmith 49,  546 

Goldsmith,  Maj.  Sam'l    11 

Goldsmith,  Wm 296 

Goodman,  J.  S 440 

Goodwin,  L 249,  255,  279 

Goodwin,  W 134,210,282 

Gordon,  J 159 

Gordon,  J.  H 659 

Gordon,  Jno.  M 553 

Gordon,  Lieut.  J.  C.373,  383 

Gorman 471 

Gorman,  T.  W 623 

Gorman,  W.  H 641 

Gorsuch,  Charles.  ...9, 10, 18 

Qorsuch,  D 536 

Gorsuch,  E 535,  536 


INDEX 


736 


PAGK 

Qorsuch,  J 536 

Gorsuch,  Jolin 18,  22 

Gorsuch,  Robert...... -.9,  262 

Gorsuch,  Richard 9 

Gorsuch,  W.  G 550 

Gosnell,  Capt 533 

Gough 496 

Goueh,  H.  D..65,  72,  243,  267 

Gough,  P 419 

Gould 52 

Govane,  W 51,  52 

Go-  ett,  Win 155 

Grafflin  &  Hardester...  690 

Graham,  Col 647 

Graham,  D 87 

Graham,  G 382 

Graham,  H 482 

Graham,  Lieut 520 

Graham,  Miss  M.  A 443 

Graham,  Wm.  A 539 

Graham,  W.  H 553 

Grain  Elevator 687 

Grammar,  Rev.  J.  E.... 

668,  675 

Grandehut 52 

Granget,  A 42 

Grant 356 

Grant,  A 244 

Grant,  D..78,  206,211,  261,264 

Grant,  Gen 149,  216 

Grant,  Gen.  U.  S 

632,  643,  646 

Grasse,  Count  de 189 

Grason,  Gov 498 

Grasmuck 45 

Graver,  J.  A 440 

Gray 705,707 

Gray,  Dr 71 

Graybell,  Capt.  P.  ...239,  284 

Graybell,  Jacob 276 

Grayson,  J 122 

Great  Eastern,  Stmr 575 

Greeley,  H 689 

Green 115,302 

Greenfield 707 

Green  «&  Co 510 

Green,  Gen.  D 94 

Green,  J 79 

Green,  M 622 

Green,  N 614 

Greene,  Gen 

166,  167,  186,  195,  197,  207, 
210,  211,  212,  214,  219,  220, 
265,  275,  338 
Greenmount  Cemetery 

499,  628,  652,  660 
Greenway,  E.  M 553 


PAOB 

Gregg,  J 380 

Grenier,  Col 426 

Griest,  Isaac 

57,  125, 130, 131, 136,  138, 169 
253,255 

Griffin,  Gen.  C 646 

Griffith,  B 

54,  56,  58,  63,  123,  125,  130, 
136, 138,  160,  169, 188,  196 

Griffith  &  Cate 546 

Griffith,  G.  S 528 

Griffith,  J 155 

Griffith,  Jno.  J 533 

Griffith,  P 593 

Griffith,  S 346 

Griffith,  T.  W 496 

Grisi 121 

Groor,  Mrs.  E 34 

Grounds    for    State 

House 201 

Grove,  C.  S 621 

Grundy 209 

Grundy,  Felix 498 

Guard,  Rev.T 699 

Guenther,  J 697 

Guest,  Christopher 20 

Guild,  Rev.  E.  C 389 

Guion 428 

Gunboat 620,626 

Gupon,  Jacob 36 

Gutelius,  Rev.  S 512 

Gwinn 49 

Gwinn,  Charles 341 

Gwinn,  E 313 

Gwynn,  C.  J.  M 693,  711 

Gwynn's  Falls 18 

Gwynn,  Lieut 428 

Gwynn,  Wm 

87,  88,  96,  120,  292,  314,  377, 
386,  425 

Habeas  Corpus 612 

Hack,  A 46 

Hackett 121,209 

Hackney,  O.  W 506 

Hadfield,  D. 262 

Hagar 488 

Hagerty,  J 79 

Hail  Storms 430,  664 

Hale,  B 187 

Hale,  P.  M 516 

Hall 201,  402 

Hall,  A .'..40,  63,  71,  210 

Hall,  C V    63 

Hall,  Capt 529 

Hall,  Capt.  J 36 

Hall,  Col 37,  272 

Hall,  Col.  J.  C...183,  219,  423 


pagr 

Hall,  Dr 329 

Hall,  Edward, 33 

Hall,  John .....23,  127,  305 

Hall,  Jno.  E 313,  328,  329 

Hall,  Prof 30 

Hall,  Rev 534 

Hall,  T.  W 

104, 105,  108,  593,  617 

Hall  Wash 377 

Hall,  Wm.  C 279 

Hallam,  L Ill,  114 

Halland,  P 188 

Halleck,  Gen 640 

Hallock,  Capt 159 

Halstead 459 

Hambleton  Bros.  &  Co.  598 

Hamilton,  Alex 274,  688 

Hamilton,  J 183, 184 

Hamilton,  MissH 687 

Hamilton,  Rev.  W 558 

Hamilton,  Wm 20,21,33 

Hammond,  Gen 659 

Hammond,  James 624 

Hammond,  Jno.  20,  254,  305 

Hammond,  B 187 

Hammond,  Rev 499 

Hammond,  Wm 

20,  22,  28,  34,  38,  39,  47,  51, 
65 

Hamner,  J.  G 537 

Hancock,  General. ..643,  661 

Hancock,  J 155, 138,  463 

Hand,  Adjt.- General...  189 

Handy  &  Bansemer 554 

Hann,  A.  N..". 442 

Hansheweg 64 

Hanson 287,  491,  457 

Hanson,  A.  C ; 

312,  313,  315,  316,  317,  318, 

319,  320,  321,  322,  326,  327, 

328,  332,  335,  3;:?9 

Hanson,  John 88 

Hanson,  Jonathan 

16,  33,  70 

Har  Sinai  Verein 533 

Harbaugh,  L 62,81,254 

Harden,  Rev.  Wm 690 

Hardin,  J 640 

Hare,  Col 612 

Hare 393 

Harford  Run 10,  54 

Hargrove 323 

Hargrove,  John 286 

Hargrove,  Rev.  T 377 

Harker 96 

Harker,  J 534 

Harman,  P 479 


736 


IBTDEX 


PAGE 

Harman,  Wm 675 

Harper,  C.  C 468 

Harper,  J 506 

Harper,  Miss 665 

Harper,  R.  G 

241,  295,  306,  351,  375,  378, 

380,  409,  418,  421,  431,  445, 

515 

Harra,  Rev 630 

Harris 22 

Harris,  D 260,  277,  344 

Harris,  G. 419 

Harris,  John 641 

Harris,  J.  M 497,  599 

Harris,  S  &Son 584 

Harris,  Rev.  E.  N 125 

Harris,  Wm 469 

Harrison 428 

Harrison,  B 132 

Harrison,'P 602 

Harrison,  Gen 

491,  502,  503,  683 

Harrison,  L.  &  Co 554 

Harrison,  Mrs.  P 665 

Harrison,  Rev 31 

Harrison,  Thos 

34,  36,  39,  46,  47,  49,  51,  52, 

54,  56,  58.  126,  130,  134, 136, 

206,  235,  238 

Harrison,  Wm 479 

Harrison,  Wm.  G  ...611,  617 

Harryraan,  G 419 

Hart,  J 414 

Hart,  Jacob 262 

Hart,  L. 305 

Hartley,  J..^ 77 

Hartshorn,  Jno 183, 184 

Hartway,  N 39 

Hartwell,  Thomas 82 

Hartwig 45 

Hartz,  J 56 

Harvey,  Admiral 386, 

Harvey,  Capt 35p 

Harwood us 

Harwood,  Jas 459 

Haslet,  Col 149 

Hasson,  J 555 

Hatfield 97 

Haubert,  J 380 

Hawkins 279 

Hawkins,  W 18,  255 

Hawkins,  J.  L 432,  447 

Hawkins,  Thomas 24 

Haxall 209 

Hays,  J 87 

Hay  ward.  Col.  W.  H.... 

550,  583,  600 


PAGE 

Hazlehurst,  H.  R 664 

Haziewood,  Com 164 

Hazzard,  Jno 428 

Healey,  Rev.  J 125 

Health  Officers 267,  274 

Heaps,  Jno 398 

Heath,  Col.  U.  S 473 

Heath,  J „...    56 

Heath,  R.  H 

323,  325,  351,  391,  409,  426, 
469 

Heath,  W.  S 541 

Heathwat 33 

Hebrew  Orphan  Asy- 
lum   696 

Helffenstein,  R.  A 45 

Hefferman,  J 1.36 

Heide,  G 170 

Heine,  A 685 

Heiner,  Rev.  E...45,  512,  530 

Heisher.P 43 

Heister,  Gewde 218 

Hendel,  Rev 43 

Henderson,  A.  F 506 

Henderson,  Jno 506 

Henderson,  Robt,  ...207,  245 

Henfrey,  B 293 

Hennick,  J.  M 705 

Henry 442 

Henry,  J 114 

Henry,  Jno 416 

Henshaw,  Rev. 469 

Herbert 112 

Herbert,  Jas.  R 640,  641 

Hermange,  E.  V 101 

Heron,  M 121 

Herr,  P 43 

Herring 551 

Herring,  H 534 

Herring,  L. 44 

Hessington 283 

Heuisler,  J.  S 685 

Heuisler,  Wm.  J 507 

Hewes,  J,. 132 

Hewitt 22 

Hewitt,  C 79,  82 

Hewitt,  J.  H.  &  Co lOO 

Hibernian  Society..408,  422 

Hickey,  Rev.; 542 

Hickley,  M 506 

Hickman,  Capt 456 

Hickman,  G.  H 94 

Hickman,  W.  H 517 

Hicks: 599 

Hicks,  T.H 

576,  584,  589,  594,  596,  610, 


pAeiE 

His'ginbotham,  R 295 

Higginbotham,  Thos...  300 

Higgins 566 

Higgins,  Asa 599,  627 

Hildt,  Rev.  G 690 

Hill,  Gen.  D.  H 102 

Hill,  J 49 

Hill,  Mrs 439 

Hill,  Rev.  S.  P 124,  529 

Hill,  Wm 641 

Hill,  Wm.  B 667 

Hill,  W.  S 102 

Hillegas,  S 155 

Hillen.Col.  S 

503,  506,  516,  697 

Hillen,  Jno 381 

Hinks,  C.  D 

568,  571,  576,  607,  6i4 

Hindes 583 

Hindes&Wood 622 

Hlndman,  Jacob 340, .346 

Hindman,  Wm 187 

HinkKE.J 600 

Hintze.  Dr 477,  506 

Hitchcock,  P 440 

Hitchcock,  J 91 

Hitchcock,  J.  S 465 

Hobbs,  Thos 264 

Hobby,  W 123 

Hodge,  Rev 548 

Hodgas 30 

Hodges  Bros 598 

Hodges,  Jas 568 

Hodges,  Mrs.  Jas 665 

Hodges  &  Emack 554 

Hodgson 209 

Hoecke 45 

Hoey,  Mrs.  Jno 442,  443 

Hoff. 557 

Hoffman,  8.  0 553 

Hoffman 

328,  392,  419,  428,  655 

Hoffman,  D 313,  381,  409 

Hoffman,  G..;.. 377,  447 

Hoffman  &  Co 95 

Hoffman,  J 43,  44 

Hoffman,  Miss  D 665 

Hoffman,  Miss  L 665 

Hoffman,  Mrs.  8 665 

Hoffman,  P 

63,  74, 139,  202,  282,  303 

Hoffman,  Rev.  A 696 

Hogan,  John 652 

Hoge 581 

Hoge,  Dr 102 

Hogg,  John  8 688,  705 

Hogg,  J.  W 75 


INDEX 


737 


PAGB 

Holland ^ 121 

Holliday,  J.  R 40 

Holliday  St.  Theatre... 

362,  502,  415,  443,  623,  708, 
history  of  115 

Hollins,  Capt 613 

Hollins,  Mayor..5l3, 545.  677 

Hollins  &  McBlair 322 

HoUingsworth,  Jesse... 

57,  76, 125,  202,  238,  243,  259, 
274,  281,  284,  303 
HoUingsworth,  Levi... 

295,  305,  309,  377,  380,  489 
HoUingsworth,  S 

63,  74,  2S8,  266,  271,  379,  414, 
444 
HoUingsworth,  T.  E.... 

63,  260,  281,  282 
HoUingsworth,  Z 

210,  243,  246,  255,  264,  266, 
281,  282,  296 

Hollins,  J 

209,  260,  303,  309.  471,  641 

Hollohan,  T.  R 699 

Holloway,  C.  T 707 

Holmes,  J 261,  263,  267 

Holmes,  R  419 

Homands,  J,  S 94 

Home  of  the  Friendless  585 

Hoofnagle,  G 506 

Hook,  Col 411 

Hooper,  Capt ,..7..T..T'S^ 

Hooper,  M 664 

Hooper,  Rev.  Joseph ...    29 

Hooper,  W.  E 578,  585 

Hoops,  A 183, 184 

Hopkins,  Com 137, 138 

Hopkins,  Elizabeth 11 

Hopkins,  G 

64, 130, 192,  255,  259 

Hopkins,  G.  T 688 

Hopkins,  Janney 709 

Hopkins  Hospital,  «fec.  693 

Hopkins,  Johns 

599,607,693,696,703,709 

Hopkins,  Mrs 530 

Hopkins,  L.  N 693,711 

Hopkins,  G.  T 553,  709 

Hopkins,  S 709 

Hopkins,  Wm 693 

Hopkinson,  F...S06,  418,  421 

Hoppe,  J 432 

Hoppin 97 

Hore,  E 380 

Horn,  A 509 

Horn,  M 509 

Horner,  John 614 

48 


PAei 

Horse  disease 690 

Horticultural  Society.. 

465,538 
Hospital..99, 275, 302, 382, 711 

Hot  weather 669 

Houck,  A 139 

Houck,  D 565 

House  of  Refuge 536,  620 

Houses  erected 538 

Houston,  Gen.  S 516 

Houston,  Jas 259,  299 

Howard,  Cornelius 

57, 168, 423 

Howard,  B 65 

Howard,  B.C 

242,  500,  391,  409,  446,  447, 

473,  513,  617,  688 

Howard,  Chas.., 

576,  603,  604, 614,  677,  688 

Howard,  D 380 

Howard,  Dr.  W 688 

Howard,  Jas 419 

Howard,  J.  E 

63,  30,  168,  183, 184,  201,  209, 
214,  219,  221,  238,  240,  241, 

243,  245,     246,     249,     262,, 
264,  265,  267,  272,  275,  278, 
280,  283,  284,  295,  296,  300, 
305,  340,  376,  377,  381,  387, 
411,  419,  420,  423,  515,  537, 

628,677 
Howard's  Park 

168,  262,  490,  375,  421,  440, 
478 

History  of 239 

Howard,  Capt 347 

Howard,  F.  R  ...617,  628, 109 

Howard,  G 419 

Howard,  Gov.  G 688 

Howard,  J 432,  423 

Howard,  John 12, 136 

Howard,  J.  B 195,  203 

Howard,  J.  E.,  Jr 640 

Howard,  McHenry 639 

Howard,  Mrs.  B.  C 665 

Howard,  Mrs.  Chas.526,  665 

Howard, S.C 515 

Howard,  Wm.  Key 526 

Howard,  W.  G 516 

Howard,  W 428 

Howard  &  Hewitt 526 

Howard  Athenseum....  526 
Howard,  Gen 

157,  164,  165,  167,  173,  174, 
215 

Howe 708 

Howell,  Capt.  Thos 960 


PAOX 

Howell,  D.  C 688 

Howland,  D 280,  393 

Howland  &  Woden......  467 

Howser,  E 659 

Howser,H 556 

Hoye,  Jno 419 

Hubley,  B 184 

Hubley,  C 184 

Hudson,  J 64,  65,  71, 196 

Hughes,  Bishop 508,  539 

Hughes,  B 56 

Hughes,  C 

71,  81,  287,  309,  342,  394 

Hughes,  G.  W 535 

Hughes,  J 89 

Hughes,  Hannah 39,  49 

Hughes,  J 419 

Hughes,  P 632 

Hughes,  S 414 

Hull,  J 43 

Hull,  N.  B 398 

Hulty,  Dr •...    71 

Humane  Association...  294 

Humphreys,  Thos 9 

Humphries,  Col 251 

Hunt,  Jesse 

463,  471,  475,  477,  478,  479, 
524,592 

Hunt,  W 576 

Hunt,  Wm 706 

Hunter,  Jno 299 

Hunter,  Jno.  F 685 

Hunter,  Mrs.  J.  F 665 

Hunter,  R.  M.  T 530 

Hurdle,  C 706 

Hurst 38 

Hurst  &  Co 598 

Hussy,  J 555 

Hutchins,  Dr.  W 536 

Hutchinson,  Capt.  W..  542 

Hutson,  R 516 

Hutton,  Jas 309 

Hutton,  Perry 398 

Hyam,  G 506 

Hyam 531 

Hyde 189 

Hyde,  G 506 

Hyde,  S.  G 493 

Hyde  &  Son 493 

Hyer,T 528 

Hynes,  A 184 

Hynson,  J.  R 570 

Hyrne,  Major 211 

Ice 429 

Illuminations 

375,  521,  633,  415,  684 
Indemnity  Damages...  489 


738 


INDEX 


PAGE 

Indians 

24,  51,  76, 130,  261,  465 
Monacans,  Powha- 
tan, Warrasko- 
yac,  Werowan- 
ces,  Kecough- 
tans.  Paspahe- 
ghes,  Chlckaha- 
niania,  Wea- 
nocks,  Arrow- 
iiatocks,  Appa- 
matucks,  Q,ui- 
yougcohanocks, 
Nandsaraunds, 

Chesapeacks 4 

Youghtanund,  Cat- 
tata  w  om  en, 
Mattapament, 
Moraugtacunds, 
Pamavnkee, 
Rapah  a  n  o  c  k , 
Werawocomoco, 
Nantaughta- 
cund,Chiskiack, 
Wighcocomoco, 
Appamatuck, 
Sekaca  wone,  Ir- 
rohatock,Onaw- 
manlent,  Pata- 
womekes,  Pay- 
ankatanke, 
Tauxenent, 
Mannahoack  s , 
Secowocornoco , 
Potapaeo,  Pa- 
macaeack,  Moy- 
owance,  No- 

cotchtankc. 

Acqul  ntanacksuak, 
Pawtu  xun  t, 
Mattapanien  t, 
Sasquesaha- 
nocks,  Mas  so-  4 
womekes,  Tock- 
whoghes,  Ozin- 
le«,  Kuscarawa- 
ock,Taut8Wlgh- 
cocomico,  Aco- 
hanock,  Acco- 
mack, Chawo- 
nockes,  Mango- 
agH,  Kuscarawa- 

okes 

depredations  of,  ...24, 51 
manners  and  cus- 
toms of 

2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  24,  25,  26 


PAGE 

Indian  Queen  Tavern.   - 
206,  279 

Ing,  J.  H , 624 

Imlay,  R 453 

Inglis,  Rev.  J 

55,  294,  343,  380,  397 

Innoculation 292 

Inns 

49,  52,  48,  53,  71,  132,  170, 
189,  206,  211,  264.  406 

Insolvent  Comm'rs 381 

Insurance 

238,  263,  276,  277,  301,  481, 
360,  393 

Ireland,  E 267 

Ireland,  Rev.  John.. ..30,-52 

Irvine,  B 89 

Islands 2 

Jackson 22 

Jackson,  A.  J.  W 456 

Jackson,  Edward 11 

Jackson,  P.  J 304 

Jackson,  Gen,  Andrew 
90,  396,  417,432,433,459.  465, 
468,  472,  513,  557,  575,  632, 
689 
Jackson.  Gen.  T.  J..638,  639 
Jackson,  Gen,  Conven- 
tion  ^jt 460,473 

Jackson,  J 37,  398 

Jackson,  S 482 

Jackson  Square 513 

Jacobs,  G 184 

Jail ;,.... 

153,  284,  268,  302,  339,  481, 
502,501,506.478,541,575 

James,  Rev.  P 678 

Jamestown 4 

Jamison 566 

Jamison,  Jas .,...309,342 

Jamison,  Joseph 379 

Jamison,  S 526 

Janes,  Bishop 681 

.Tanney,  R.  M 693 

Jansson,  T 37 

Japanese  Ambassa- 
dors   577 

Jarrett,  H.  C 442,  443 

Java  frigate 346 

Jefferson 119,  120,121 

Jefferson,  C 440 

Jefferson,  Joseph 

121, 123,  443,  526 

Jefferson,  Thomas 

258,  292.  498,  420.  557,  688 

Jenifer,  Col 179 

Jenifer,  Dan  of  St.  T....  187 


PAOS 

Jenifer,  Daniel 419 

Jenkins,  A 664 

Jenkins,  C.  T 107 

Jenkins,  Col.  J.  S 691 

Jenkins,  E.  &  Sons 495 

Jenkins,  G 380 

Jenkins.  Hugh 629 

Jenkins,  T.  C 664,  685 

Jenkins,  Wm.... 510,  432 

Jenner,  Dr .- 292 

Jennings,  Dr.  S.  K 500 

Jennings,  T 163 

Jerome,  J.  H.  T 

535.  537,  538,  539 

Jervis  Hospital 616 

Jephson.J 380 

Jessup 544 

Jessup,  Captain 247 

Jessup,  Wm.  &  Chas,... 

262,  286,  296 

Jews 420,  533 

Joachimsen 533 

Johannes 556 

Johns,  Bishop 686 

Johns,  Capt.  A ".  188 

Johns,  Rev 

500,  504,  529,  537,  548,  575 

Johns,  Rev.  Dr 31 

Johnson,  A 630,666 

Johnson,  B,  T 

600,  637,  639,  643,  644 

Johnson,  Col.  R.  M 488 

Johnson,  Dr.  E 255,  261 

Johnson,  E 

282,  295,  303,  305,  306,  308, 

309,  312,  319,  322,  323,  332, 

344,  346,  375,  376,  377,  403, 

440 

Johnson,  Gen.  J.  E..637, 649 

Johnson,  H 39 

Johnson,  Henry 209 

Johnson,  H.E 618 

Johnson,  H.V 581 

Johnson,  J 136,  262 

Johnson,  Lieut.  El 641 

Johnson,  Mrs.  J..... 52 

Johnson,  T 

133,  161,  166,  177,  245,  274, 
276,305 

Johnson,  Rev.  J.  R 585 

Johnson,  Reverdy 

33,  65,  188.  489,  512,  431,  475. 

476,  477,  479,  516,  527.  576, 

585,  676,  681 

.Johnson,  S , 210 

Johnson,  W.  H 706 

Johnson  &  Co 340 


INDEX. 


739 


PAOK 

Johnston 442 

Johnston,  C. 139,  210,  281 

Johnston,  Capt.  J 61,  65 

Johouuot 209,  259,  287 

Joice,  S.  J 628 

Jonas    Town,    Jones's 

Town 32,  34,  36 

Jones,  Capt 142, 168 

Jones,  Col...4ll,  588,  610,  612 

Jones,  David 10 

Jones,  E.  L „..  705 

Jones  Falls 

14,  18,  22,  28,  33,  37,  38,  43, 

50,  53, 54, 62, 77, 141, 188,  232, 

244,  255,  277,  287,  303,  491, 

506,  389,  576,  669,  676 

Named  after 10 

Jones,  Gov 539 

Jones,  Gen.  W 476 

Jones,  J 468 

Jones,  J.  C 479 

Jones,  J.  D ' 699 

Jones,  J.  M 497 

Jones,  John 9 

Jones,  N 5<i,  277 

Jones,  Philip 21,  22 

Jones,  R.  P 527 

Jones,  Rev.  J.  S 682 

Jones,  S.  H 187 

Jones:,  T 

71, 134, 163, 169,  296, 428, 446, 

447 

Jones,  T.  lj,..^„j.,^^ii^^^m 

Jones,  WmTn^ir. 344 

Jones,  Wm.  F 467 

Jones,  W.  G 87,  88,  481 

Joppa 24,  31,  60,  61,  62, 153 

Jordan,  G.  C 443 

Jordan,  H.  C 440 

Jordan,  S 558 

Jordan  &  Rose 631 

Joy,  A 622 

Juce,  Miss  F.  &  E 442 

Judge 302 

Juenger  &  Mueller 107 

Justices 

23,  33,  34,  40,  53,  249,  276, 

304,209 

Justices  of  the  Peace...  417 

Kahl,  D.  P '697 

Kahler  &  Smith 547 

Kalb,  De 219,  403 

Kane,  E.  K 553 

Kane,«George  P 

109, 517, 525, 526, 578, 587, 592, 

593,  603,  605,  606,  610,  612, 

613,  651 


PAGB 

Kane,  Lt.-Col 639 

Kane,  M 706 

Kaufman,  C 706 

Kaylor,  J 506 

Kean,  C 121, 123 

Kean,  E 121 

Keating,  H 334 

Keating,  Geo 283 

Kearney,  Gen.  Jas.  W..  519 

Keenan,Jas 667 

Keene,  L 121,  526 

Keene,  W... 188 

Keenau,  J 622 

Keener,  M...43,  44,  53,  56,  57 
Keeports,  G.  P...196,239,246 
Keeports,  J....49,  51,  186,  262 

Kell,  Thos 314,  381 

Kellot,  Capt 501 

Kelso,  Jas 155 

Kelso,  Jno ..309,  340,  432 

Kelly,  E 64 

Kelly,  Jas 495 

Kelly,  M 516 

Kelly,  M.  J 507,  628,  685 

Kelly,  Piet  &  Co 104,  628 

Kerable,  C 123 

Kemble,F 121 

Kemble,  Gov 689 

Kemble,  Roger 115 

Kemp,  J 506 

Kemp,  Rev.  Dr.  James 
30,  31,  241,  376,  379,  381,  422 

Kenly,  Jno.  R 

517,  518,  519,  523,  525,  613, 

614,  615,  622,  627,  635,  636, 

640,  644,  647,  649,  651,  655 

Kenuard,  S 394 

Kennedy,  A 574,599 

Kennedy,  Capt.  W 

685,  697,  699 

Kennedy,  Hen 313 

Kennedy,  J 305 

Kennedy,  J.*P 

92,117,231,491,499,400,419, 

465,  468,  516,  530,  536,  553, 

679 

Kennedy,  M.  .64,  65, 160, 161 

Kennedy,  P 148,189 

Kennedy,  S 88 

Kennelly,  Thos 268 

Kenney,  F 707 

Kenny,  S.  P 92 

Kenrick,  Bishop 

508,  461,  541,  543,  626 

Kensett  &  Wheeler 549 

Kensey,  Hugh 9 

Kent 400 


PAGE 

Kent,  E 281,292 

Kent,  Jas 271 

Kepler,  A 659 

Keiby,  Jas 691 

Kerby&  Ready 691 

Kerr 695 

Kerr,  C.  J 108 

Kester,  Jno 641 

Key,  F.  S 93, 121,  351,  404 

Key,H.  G.S 419 

Key,  P 187,306 

Keyser,  C.  M 516 

Keyser,  Geo 346 

Khrome,  Com 299 

Kidd,  M 659 

Kiel,  A 697 

Kilgore,  N 659 

Kilgour 113,585 

Kilgour,  C.  J 

313,  315,  316,  327,  328,  330, 
333 

Kilgour,  Robert 315 

Killen,  Rev 534,541 

Kimberly,  C.  W 95 

Kimmel 209 

King,  F.  T 693,699,711 

King,  Jno 516 

King,  S ~.  519 

King,  Wm 568 

King,  W 688 

King,  W.  R 539 

King  William 27 

King  &  Sutton 534 

Kingsbury,  Jas 192 

Kinnemon,  Dr. 506 

Kinsey,  Margaret 10 

Kirk,  T 187 

Kirkland,  A 692 

Kirkland,  Chase  &  Co..  697 

Kirkley,  J.  W 648 

Kirwin,  Capt 613 

Knabe  &  Gaehle 549 

Knabe,  Wm 627 

Knapp,  Rev.  J ,...  124 

Kuapp,  S.  C ' 445 

Knell.. 557 

Knights  of  Pythias 668 

Knights  Templar 685 

Kuip,  F.. 422 

Knoeff,C 697 

Knolton,  Col 152 

Know-Nothings 

543,  550,  558,  565,  570,  576, 
583,662 

Knox 527 

Knox,  Jas 623 

Konecke 209 


740 


INDEX 


PAGB 

Koontz,  CJol 706 

Kossuth,  L 538 

Krebs,  G.W 516 

Krebs,  Rev 653 

Krebs,  Wm 475 

Kreuzer  Bros 107 

Krum 581 

Knghbord,  J 40 

Kugler,  Dr.  B 386 

Kuhn,  Lieut 353 

Kubns,  J.  H 621 

Kurtz,  Rev 

43,  44,  46,  343,  542 

Knstar,  F 669 

Kyle,  A.  B 570 

Kyle,  Geo.  H 570 

Labes 209 

Lachey,  Rev 40 

Ladd,  Jno 622 

Ladd,  L.  C 594,622 

La  Fayette,  Gen 

168,  169,  185,  186,  193,  194, 

195,  236,  409,  410,  469,  521, 

538,688 

Lafayette  Square...,557,  616 

Laffan,  Miss  M 101 

Laffan,  W.  M 100 

Lampley,  J 699 

Lancaster 

41,  43,  44,  52,  53, 56,  507,  535, 

IJance,  R 49 

Lander 283 

Landstreet,  W 107 

Lane,  Jos 582 

Langworthy,  E..81,  243,  294 

Lanier,  Bros.  &  Co 598 

Lanne,  M.  A 189 

Lansdale,  G.  0 517 

Lansdale,  T 183 

Lanzun,  Duke 203 

Lapourelle&Maughlln  546 

Larew,  M 286 

Larrabee 549 

Latll 209 

Latimer,  W.  M 497 

Latrobe,  B.  H.,Sr 378 

Latrobe,  B.  H 454 

Latrobe,  Jno.  H.  B 

499,  510,  423,  453,  454,  459, 

52i,  530,  578,  583,  660,  667, 

668,  681,  685,  697 

Latrobe,  Mrs.  J.  H.  B...  665 

Laughing  Gas 513 

Laurenson,  P 463 

Lavalette,  Gen 203 

Lavers,  J.  W 506 

Law,  Jas.  0 524 


PAGE 

Lawrence,  D 159 

Lawrence,  L 264 

Lawson,  A 

36,  38,  47,  49,  55,  58,  62,  65, 
163,285 

La\^8on,  Mrs 286 

Lawson,  R 282 

LawsoM,  W.  H 622 

Lawyers 431,  71,  210,  688 

Layhole 629 

LaypoU,  J 82 

Lazaretto 292,348 

Leadbetter,  Jno 380 

Leakin,  Rev 31,534 

Leakin,  S.  C 

91,  346,  501, 502,  409,  432,  475 

rear,  Maj.  Wm 520 

Leases 242 

Leavy,  B 155 

Lecorapte,  Jos 506 

Lee,  A 419 

Lee,  Capfc 112 

Lee,  G 425 

Lee,  Gen.  C '. 

53, 143, 144, 173, 174, 175, 176, 
177,  180,  181 
Lee,  Gov.  T.  S 

185,  186,  193,  196,  197,  202, 
273,  274 

Lee,  Jno 419,  210 

Lee,  Josias 442,  584 

Lee,  P.  H 183 

Lee,  R.  E 

338,  627,  642,  643,  646,  649 
Lee,  R.  H 

132,  273,  312,  316,  318,  320, 

321,  327,  328,  332,  333,  336, 

338 

Lee,  Z.  Collins  ..530,  535,  575 

Ledwitz,  Lieut.  Col 149 

Lefevre,  J.  A 621 

Leggett,  Geo 262 

Legrand,  J.  C. 

529,  538,  564,  584,  620 

L'Eole,  frigate 298 

Lehr,  H 697 

Lehr,  R 664 

Leloup,  C.  E 527 

Lemarde,  Jean 392 

Lemmon,  Jacob 196 

Lemmon,  K.123, 165, 188, 210 

Lemmon,  L 63,  71, 123 

Lemmon,  R 488,  521 

Lemmon,  W 346 

Lennox,  W.  T 519 

Lenschow,  C 676 

Lequerra,  Rev 630 


PAGB 

Leslie,  Robt 510,  578 

Lester 303,  352,460 

Letherbury,  P 187 

Letters,     communica- 
tions   

126,  128,  129,  131,  134,  142, 
143,  184,  190,  194,  199,  312, 
552,  602,  609,  610,  611,  617, 
625,  642,  &13,644,  651,695, 707 

Letters,  Geu.  Gist 139 

Jas.  Nicholson 143 

Wm.  Buchanan. 148, 163 

Gen.  Greene 210 

Gen.    Wm.    Small- 
wood 149,166 

Mrs.  Mary  Cox 164 

Capt.  James  Cox. ...  165 

George  Welsh 165 

Howard,  Charles....  604 
,     Col.  John  H.  Stone.  166 

A.  Hamilton 274 

Geo.  Washington... 

250,  170, 191 
T.  H.  Hicks..584,  594,  595 

W.  Goddard 175,176 

Gen.  C.  Lee........l75, 176 

Johns  Hopkins 693 

Col.  E.  Oswald. ..180,  182 
George  W.  Brown... 

594,  595,  599 

Col.  S.  Smith 182,382 

Major-General    R . 

H.  Lee 273 

Capt.  E.  Norwood...  183 
Otho  H.  Williams.. 

197,  274 

Maj.  David  Poe 186 

Gen.  Lafayette 

193;  191, 195 

Charles  Howard 604 

Col.  E.  F.  Jones 610 

John  H.  Dike 611 

Edward  G.  Parker.  611 
Gen.  John  A.  Dix... 

617,  618 

C.  C.  Fulton 624,625 

E.  S.  Sanford 625 

Gen.Jos.E.Johnson  637 
G.  T.  Beauregard....  638 

'  Jefferson  Davis 638 

Gen.  John  C.  Breck- 

enridge 642 

Gen.  U.S.  Grant....  646 
Gen.  G.  K  Warren.  648 
General  Thomas  T. 

Munford 650 

8.  M.  Felton 651 


INDEX 


741 


PAGI 

Y.  L.Gatchell 652 

S.  M.  Bonaparte 652 

Jolm  F.  McJiltou...  653 

J.  Bly 654 

G.  E.  Morgan 654 

Wm.  H.  Seward 651 

Getf.  Jno.R.Kenly.  655 
Milton  Whitney..,.  655 

Simon  Cameron 655 

General  George  B. 

McClellan 656 

R.  M.  Copeland 

656,  657,  658,  659 

J.G.Swift MS 

Leucht,  J 107 

Levely 45,  52,  64,  285 

Levering,  A 63 

levering,  A.  R 309 

Levering,  Capt 347,  379 

levering,  G.  W 622 

Levering 170,392 

Levering,  N 309 

Levy,  E 567,573 

Levy,  N 414,469 

Lewis,  F 706 

Lewis,  Wm. 506 

Leyli,  E.  F 104 

Leypold,  J 170 

Libraries 235,  403,405 

Library  Co..277,  278,  281,  526 

Liggatt,  S 209 

Light-liouses 393 

Lightning....59,  249,  293,  417 

Lilie,  Wm 10 

LunnsLot 57 

Lincoln,  A 

526,  584,  585,  589,  595,  598, 

609,  625,  630,  634,  636,  661, 

662,  110 

Lincoln,  Gen 174, 186 

Lind.E.  G 667 

Lind,  Jenny 534 

Linden  &  Moore 91 

Llndenberger,  G.... 

45,  64,  71,  130,  165,  169,  178 
202,209 

Lindsay 113 

Llnehan,  H 495 

Lindsay,  G.  W 550 

Li  ndsey'sColTee  House  190 

Lineweaver,  Capt 566 

Lingan,  Gen.  Jas.  M.  .. 

313,  316,  327,  329,  331,  337 

Ligon,  Gov 555,  558 

Linthicura,  R 506 

Lipp,  F.  K.  &Co 95 

Lipp,  F 507 


PAGB 

Littig,  P 49 

Little,  P 304,  314, 346 

Littlejohn,  Dr 210,  292 

Litzinger,  Jos 555 

Liverpool  S.  S.  Line ....  661 
Livingston,  Capt.  D....     36 

Lloyd.  R 57 

Lockwood,  R.  M 541 

Loersb,  V 40,  49 

Logan,  James 705 

Loney,  Capt 603 

Loney,  B.  S.  &  W.  A....  554 

Loney,  F.  B.  &  Co 598 

Long,  Col 347,  428 

Long,  Jas 163 

Long,  R 56,262 

Long,  R.  C 

31, 120, 283,  295,  301,  386,  514 
Longacre,  Rev.  A.. ..666,  690 

Longcope,  H 705 

Longfellow 51, 169 

Loral),  Jno 189 

Loring,  Admiral 284 

Loriug,  G.  B 582 

Lorman,  A 687 

Lorman,  Wm 

267,  381,  386,  419,  428,  447, 
467,  469 

Lossing 8 

Lotteries 

49,  56, 202,  254,  400,  i^ 

Lotz 697 

Love,  Martin  &  Co 549 

Low,  L 706 

Low,  N 49 

Lowe,  Gov 

536,  537,  585, 602 

Lowe,  Jas 706 

Lowman,  L 533 

Lowndes 241 

Lowry,Capt 247 

Loudenslager 138 

Loudon  ParkCemetery  543 

Louis  XVI 206 

Loyola  College 540 

Loyalists 147,  162 

Lucas,  C.  Z 509 

Lucas,  Capt 49 

Lucas,  E 467 

Lucas.  Fielding,  510, 377.381 

Lurraan,  Mrs 665 

Lutheran  Church 

40,   43,  45,  46,  202,264,288 
\  503, 702 

I         history  of 45 

Lux,  Capt.  Darby 

34,  35,  36,  37,  38,  39,  48 


PAGlii 

Lux,  Darby 

39,  136, 138,  155 

Lux,  G 131,137,147,238 

Lux,  William 

35,  47,  49,  56,  65.  72,  73,  125, 
126,  129,  130,  136,  146 

Lux,  Wm.  ofE.R 65 

Lyford,W.  G 102 

Lynch 477,  479 

Lynch,  A.  A 617 

Lynch,  C 189 

Lynch,  Jno.....« 209 

Lynch,  Rev 661 

Lynde,  Jno 189 

Lynn,  Adam 29 

Lynn,  Col 331 

Lyon,  Dr 71, 196 

Lyon,  W 39,  46,  47,  49,  56 

Lyons 621 

Lytle 53,  64 

Macauley,  Dr....491,  395, 428 

Maccauley,  P 90 

Maccreery,  Wm.292, 294, 305 

Maccubbin,  N 187 

Maccubbin,  R.  G 659 

Mace,  A 664 

Machin 442 

Mackall,  J 187 

Mackall,  R 309 

Mackenheimer,Col.217,  264 
Mackenzie,  Dr..l55,  275, 302 

Mackie,  E 57,  65, 260 

MackiP,  Spiers  «fe  Co....  189 

Mackintosh,  Jas 251 

Macklin,  W 474 

Macuabb.J 65,66 

Macomb,  Gen 411,  472 

Madison,  James 

88,  90,  310,  489,  379,  401,  458 

Magill,  Dr.  C 654,655 

Magoffin,  J 71 

Magraw  &  Koons 624 

Magruder,  Judge 

510,  512,  463 

Magruder,  J.  R 419 

Magruder,  Taylor  and 

Roberts 598 

Mail  robberies..'593.  398,  399 

Maloney,  F 593 

Manly 576 

Manners  and  Customs. 
12,  13,  37,  59,  201,  222,  233, 
297,406 

Manning  &  Hope ~  460 

Manning,  R.  J 279 

Mansell 230 

Manual  Labor  School..  497 


742 


INDEX. 


PAGK 

Manufactories 169,  402 

Mardeu,  Jesse 627 

Marden,  J.  P. 652 

Marechal 298,  389,  399,  429 

Market  Houses 

46,  56,  79,  235,  236,  263,  267, 
289,  524 

Marine  C.  Society 279 

Mario - 121 

Marstiall,  Ciiief  Justice 

301,  400,  472.  480 

Marriott,  J.  H 380 

Marshal],  Chas 596 

Marsliall,Mr 115 

Marshall,  Mrs 115 

Marshall,  T 480 

Marshek,  J 555 

Martin,  DuBois 409,  410 

Martin,  D 432 

Martin,  Jas 304,  309 

Martin,  J.  E 106 

Martin,  Judge 576 

Martin,  Rev 653 

Marine  Hospital 267,  520 

Markley,  A.  W 621 

Markoe,  F 107 

Marriott,  B 380 

Martin,  A 84,85 

Martin  &  Co 94 

Martin,  L 

163,  188,  245,  255,  286,  299, 

301,  306,  341,  401,  402.  418, 
421,  431,  688 

Maryland 9 

Maryland  Institute 

236,  420,  536,  538.  539,  550, 

652,  553,  564,  577,  582,  603, 
664,  671,  674,  685 
Maryland  Line 

169,  171,  186,  197,  210,  212, 
213,337,  history  of  213 
Maryland,  Sloop  of- 

war 287 

Masey,  J 286 

Masinlielmer,  Jno 189 

Mtislin,  Jas 259 

Masou,  Capt.  W 516 

Mason,  Jno 537 

Mjison,  J.  T 685 

Mason 659 

Masonic  Hall 

354,  666,  685,  686 
Masonic  Order 

284,  STii,  427,  431,  458,  666', 

685 

Lodges,  history  of..  268 

Massey  , 652 


PAOB 

Massey,  Jesse 479 

Matchett,  R.  J 94 

Matthew,  Rev.  T 531 

Mathews,  Roger 23 

Mathias,  Col.  T.  J 685 

Matthews,  A 445 

Matthews,  B 445 

Matthews,  C 122 

Matthews,  E 445 

Matthews,  Dr 330 

Matthews,  Geo..l70, 192,  255 

Matthews,  R.  S 550 

Matthews,  Rev 692 

Matthews,  Thos 196 

Maughlin,  W.  W 75 

Mauldln,  Capt.  B.  F 515 

Maulsby,  J.  D 419 

Maund,  T 91 

Maxey,  Lieut 355 

Maxwell 333,334 

Maxwell,  Col.  J.^ 61 

Maxwell,  Gen 166 

Maxwell,  Jno.  «fc  Co 575 

May,  B 64, 139 

May,  H 617,  665 

Mayer,  Brantz 

460,510,511,525,667,718 

Mayer 209 

Mayer,  C.  F 

509,  431,  459,  471,  527,  537, 
543,629 

Mayer  &  Bro 548 

Mayer,  Rev.  L 44 

Mayhew,  Wm.  E 553 

Mayo,  Dr 652 

Mayors 282,  415,421 

Mayor,   Ac,  qualifica- 
tions  291,303 

McAllister,  Capt 524 

McBride,  H 188 

McCabe 509 

McCabe,  Jno 160, 169 

McCain,  Rev 547, 

McCalr,  Rev.  A 843 

McCandless,  G 64 

McCann,  Jno 593 

McCannon 

74,  78,  255,  281,  282 

McCalmont,  J 183 

McCary,  H 514 

McCarthy,  1> 359 

McCausland , 209 

McCausland,  M 291 

McClellan,  Gen 621,  656 

McClellan,  J 82,169,189 

McClellan,  Wm.  W 526 

McClennahan 65l 


PAGE 

McColgan,  Rev.  E...507,  660 

McCoraas 586,  606 

McComas,  H.  G 380 

McCoraas,  Jas 188 

McConkey  &  Parr 652 

McConnell,  Jno.  C 636 

McCoy,  C 705 

McCrea,  S 88 

McCready 121,  123 

McCubbln,  Z 136,264 

McCulloch,  J.  W.309,380,382 

McCulloch,  J.  H..-;.' 

206,  267,  292,  293,  299,  309 

489,  469 

McCron,  Rev.  J 

46,  564,  579,  634,  667 

McDonald,  A 267,  447 

McDonald,  Geo 630 

McDonald,  M 516 

McDonald,  Wm 

309",  314,  340,  347,  500,  468, 
469,  513 

McDougall,  Jas 75 

McDowell,  Capt 520 

McDowell,     Robinson 

ifeCo 598 

McDuflle 467 

McElderry,  H 516 

McElderry,  Hugh. ..477,  479 

McElderry,  Thos 

266,  267,  283,  295,  296,  299, 
304 

McElmole,  A 705 

McFaden,  J 139,  169,  286 

McFarland,  Rev ..31,  537 

McGee,  Jos.  H.  &  Bro...  620 

McGonnigan 671 

McGowan,  J £47 

McGreevy,  J.  A 607 

McGuire,  Dr 506 

McHenry,  James 

71,  191,  195,  209,  210,  243, 

245,  249,  i53,  254,  262,  266, 

272,  277,  280,  342,  381,  414 

McHenry,  John..63, 134,  419 

Mclntlre,  Dr.  Jas.^. 705 

McJlltou,  J.  F .T. 653 

McJlltou,  J.  N 90,  93.  513 

McKaig,  R.  J 68? 

McKaig,T.  J 705 

McKeany 267 

McKean,  Thos 244,  259 

McKewin,  Jno 479 

McKlm 556 

McKlm,A 

74,  123,  258,  260,  262,  274, 

276,  277,  281,  295,  296,  299, 

302.  303.  114 


INDEX 


743 


PAGB 

McKim,  J 

71,   203,  242,  263,  296,  303, 
387,  447 

McKim,  Isaac — 

496,  377.  378,  381,  392,  419, 
428»  477,  463 

McKim  Free  School 387 

McKim,  John  S 525 

McKim,  R 302,346 

McKim,  R.H 641 

McKim,  Wm 553,585 

McKnew,  W 649 

McLane,  Allan 557 

McLane,  Capt.  A 192 

McLane,  Loui8..409,  453,  557 

McLane,  R.  M 

516.  585,  596,  602 

McLaughlin,  W 

74,  196,  203,  264 

McLure,  J 

63,  159, 188,  238,  414 

McMahon,  A 64,  65 

McMahon,  Jno 593 

McMahon,  John  V.  L... 

511,419,431,447,468,683 

McManus,  Rev.  B.  J 630 

McMechen,  D 

71,  130,  161,  182, 188, 189, 192, 

206.  261,  262,  277.  280,  282, 

283,304 

McMechen,  W 381 

McNally,Capt 501 

McNally,  Jno 704 

McNally,  Wm 474 

McNeil,  Col 650 

McNeil,  W.  G 488 

McPherson,  J 419 

McPherson,  Maj 193, 194 

Maryland  Agricultural 


Society. 


676 


MarylandColonization 

Society 509 

Maryland      Historical 

Society ••' 

39  46,  47,  169,  277,  281,  510, 
526,  552,  665,  680 

Md.  Jockey  Club 681 

Maryland  National 

Guards 668,676 

Maryland   Soldiers  in 

the  Civil  War.. 635 

Meade,  Gen 645 

Meers,  T • 44 

Mechanic  Arts. ..524, 525,  536 

Medical  Society 

255,  291,  301 
Medtart,J 459 


PA6B 

Meeking.  S  550 

Meetings 

64, 125, 128, 133, 189,  262, 277, 
806,  503,  375,  417,  419,  430. 
446,  462,  468,  471,  473,  475. 
478,  515,  516,  521,  524,  527, 
538,  535,  543,  567.  574,  584, 
585.  626,  685 

Meixsell,  H 550 

Menger,H 697 

Mercantile  L.  Ass'n 497 

Mercer,  C.  F 683 

Mercer,  J 51 

Meredith,  J 687, 693 

Meredith,  Jno...491,  381,  431 

Meredith,? 706 

Merrick,  W.  D 419 

Merriken,  J 380 

Merriraac 490 

Messer,  W 471 

Messonier 209 

Merrick,  R.  T 538 

Merryman,  J 

58,  64, 130,  209,  282,  284,  304 
308 

Metcalf 512 

>tetzgers,  Capt 347 

Methodists 

78    202,  230,  245,  255,  264, 
279,288 

Mexican  War,  516,  517,  525 

Meyer,  J.  C.  J 594 

Meyer,  F 40.42,51,697 

Mezick,  Josh 425 

Mickle,  Jno 263 

Micnamara -  ^82 

Middleton 241 

Middleton,  R.  H 506 

Middleton  &  Dorsey 549 

Mifflin,  Gen 151 

Milbourne 1^7 

Miles,  J 184 

Miles,  P.  S 593 

Milholland,  Jas 524 

Military 

136.  1^.  138,  140,  116,  148 
162,  163,  164,  167,  168,  169 
185,  202,  247,  271,  272.  284 
339,  341,  342,  347,  498,  500 
507,  412,  418.  423,  471,  479 
515,  517.  525,  529,  556.  569 
575  587,  594,  600,  603,  635 
668 

Celebrations 50, 132 

Companies,  history 
of 


247 


PAGB 

Arrests 

608,  612,  613,  614,  616,  617 

618,  620,  621,  624,  628,  631 

110,111 

Orders 

616,  617,  626,  630,  705 
Take  possession  of 

612,  615 

Millard,  E.J 419 

Miller,  Capt 356 

Miller,  Cloud  &  Miller,  598 

Miller,  Dr.  J.  H 499,  506 

Miller.  D.H 599,627 

Miller,  E 652 

Miller.  Gen 544 

Miller,  J 82 

Mfller.  P 42 

Midler,  R 377 

Miller,  Rev 515 

Miller,  Robt 267 

Miller,  T.K 705 

Miller,  Wm 494 

Mtllian,  P 286 

Millikiu 122 

Millikin,  B.  H 377 

Millikin,  R.  H 705 

Milliman,  Geo..296,  302,  309 

Millington,  Capt 532 

Millington,  J.  N 456 

Mills 

122.  196,  277,   341,  402,  262 
289,  376 

Mills,  B 659 

Mills,  Jno 527,  621 

Mills,  J.  M 105 

Mills,  Mayhew  &  Co....  598 

Mills  &  Murray 547 

Mills,  Robt S77,378 

Mills,  S.S 520,621 

Mills,  S.  S.  &  Bro 105,  547 

Mills,  Troxall  ife  Co 95 

Milroy,  Gen 638 

Miltenberger,  Gen.. 409,  478 

Minckler,  W 107 

Miskelly,  Joseph 704 

Mitchell,  Col 375 

Mitchell,  Dr 330 

Mitchell,  Geo.  E 340 

Mitchell,  J 506 

Mitchell,  Jas 506 

Mitchell,  Jno 506 

Mitchell,  M 121 

Moale,  J.  C 506 

Moale,  John,  Sr..8, 19, 28,  33 

Moale,  John 

33,46,47,  49,  50,  51,  52,56, 

59    62,  63,  65,  72.   126,  130, 

136, 191,  202,  209,  249,  285 


744 


INDEX 


PAGK 

Moale,  Mrs.  Ellen 419 

Moale's  Point— owner 

of 8 

Moale,  Richard 

33.  65,  76, 126,  130. 131,  243 

Moale,  R.  H 2fJ3 

Moale,  Wra 506 

Mobs 

81,88,104,155,175,  258,309. 

310,  312,  315,  339,  476.  515, 
589,  593,  605,  622 

History  of 76 

Mobley,  Maj.  E.  M 647 

Moflat,  W 669 

Moffitt,  Capt 514 

Monitor >. 490 

Monkur.  Dr.  C.  S 

500,  506,  667 

Monroe 96,  401,  681,  688 

Monroe,  J 90 

Montague,  Lord 268 

Montague,  W.  L ^24 

Montel«fe  Bro 549 

Montgomery,  Gen 214 

Montgomery,  Jas 506 

Montgomery,  Jno..- 

308,  309,  314,  320,  :S24,  332, 
347,  399,  415 

Montgomery,  Maj 556 

Monuments 

391,  534,  561,  634,  660,  375, 
379,500 

Moon,  Capt.  R 364 

Mooney  ^ 246 

Moore,  B.  P 709 

Moore,  Col.  S.  H.  P 

339,  340,  342,  409 

Moore,  Col.  N.  R 291,  382 

Moore,  Col.  S 503 

Moore,  Capt 

169,  190,  247.  249,  259,  271, 
272 

Moore,  Ely 425 

Moore,  J 49 

Moore,  Mtjj 351 

Moore,  P 422 

Moore,  Rev 581 

Moore,  T 71 

Moore,  Thos 641,  659 

Moore,  Wm.  H.64.  70,  76.  5  i 

Mooyer,  H 6!»7 

Moran,  M 474 

MoranvlUe,  Rev.  J.  F...  374 

Morehead,  Col 614 

Moreton 115' 

Morfltt,  H.  M 611,  617 

Morfltt,  T.  C 617 


PAGB 

Morgan 458 

Morgan,  J.  A 641 

Morgan,  J.  E 624 

Morgan,  Gen 220 

Morgan,  G.  E 654 

Morgan,  Jas 565 

Morgan,  Lieut.  T 160 

Morris,  Gen 103 

Morris,  Gen 633 

Morris.  Jno.  B 

482,  489,  409,  410,  427,  428, 

447,  459,  469,  475.  477,  479, 

515,  553,  662 


Morris,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  ... 

Morris,  Mrs.  R 

Morris,  Nancy 

Morris,  R 154, 

Morris,  Rev.  J.  G 46, 

Morris,  Thomas  H 

Morris,  Wm 

Moi-rison,  J 

Morrow,  R 

Morse 98, 514, 

Mosby,  Col 

Moses 

Moses  Small 

Mosher,  Capt 

Mosher,  Col 

120,  295,  296,  301,  302,  i 
340,  403, 

Mosher,  Jas 381, 

Moss,  John  H 

Moubos 

Moulton,  W 

Mount  Clare 50,  162, 

Mountenay's  Neck 

10,  38 

Mowett,  R.  &  Bro 

Mud  House 

Mud  machines 

Mudd,  A 

Muling,  Capt 

Mumma 324,  327,  3SS, 

Munford,  Gen 

Muntross,  Thos 

Murder 392,  565,  f 66, 

Murderer's  Ordeal 

Murdock 

Murdock,  H.  S 

Murdock,  J.  E 

Murdock,  Mrs.  T 

Murdock,  Wm.. 

Murdock,  Wm.  P 

Murdy,  Rev.  R.  W 

Murphy 86,  85,  96, 

Murphy,  Capt.  John.... 
860,363, 


54 
598 
504 
208 
693 
533 
334 
650 
9 
593 
398 
121 
687 
443 
665 

57 
553 
666 
456 


PAGB 

Murphy,  M., 593 

Murphy,  J.  &  Co 92, 685 

Murphy,  P 496 

Murphy,  T.  L 92 

Murphy,  Wm 235,  398 

Murray,  Capt 603 

Murray,  Capt.  A 284 

Murray,  D 

313,  327,  329,  330,  334,  419 

Murray,  H.  M 417 

Murray,  J 419 

Murray  &Wiegand 632 

Musgrave,  Maj. .316,  327,  330 
Museum,  history  of..... 

95, 169,  343,  496, 386, 441, 708 

Myers,  C 144 

Myers,  H 706 

Myers,  J 42,-52,  593 

Myers,  G.N 49,    57 

Myers,  P 51 

Nadal,Rev 529 

Nagle,  J.  E 122 

Nagot.. 298 

Nagot,  Rev.. 68 

National    Commercial 

Convention 686 

National     Republican 

Convention 459 

Naval  Vessels 

86,  87,  141, 142, 137,  168, 170, 

171,  186,  189,  193,  199,  204, 
272,  283,  284,  341,  354,  509 

Neale,  J 499 

Neale,  Jas.  P 507 

Neale,  J.  G 380 

l^eale,  R 380 

Neale,  Rev.  L 69,  389.  445 

Needham,  S.  H 594,  621 

Negro  insurrection 569 

Neil,  Capt 356 

Neill,  Wm 63,  71,  414 

Neilson 209 

Neilson,  Wm 346 

Neilson,  W.  H...105,628,  629 

Nelson,  Dr.  N 536 

Nelson,  Hen 

313,  315,  327,  329 

Nelson,  Jno 

419,  473,  575,  683 

Nelson,  Robt 574 

Neninger 379 

Neuhahn,  S 697 

Neuhaus,  Rev 542 

New  Assembly  Rooms 

537.603,661,685 
Newell,  Rev 94 

ew  Castle 54 


PAex 

Newsboys'  Home 667 

Newcomb,  Lieut 353,381 

New      Jerusalem 

Church 263,  286 

Newsham  &  Co 547 

New  Orleans 62 

Newspapers 

586,  609,  634,  632,  631, 

629,  643,  645,  108,  530, 

79,628 

History  of 79 

Maryland  Gazette.. 
48,  49,  56,  114,  116,  161, 
183,  244,  112 
Maryland  Journal, 

Ac 

79,115,125,157,172,175, 

182, 196,  277 

Balto.  American..,. 

84,  89,  120,  352,  456,  596, 

597,  618,  623,  624,  633, 

625,  670 

The  Sun 95,  624,  634 

Balto.  Bulletin 100 

Evening  News 101 

Sunday  Telegram..  101 
Southern  Magazine  102 
German  Correspon- 

dent...l03,  565,  624,  634 
Baltimore  Wecker, 

104,  601,  634 
Episcopal    Metho- 
dist  105,  106 

Saturday  Night 106 

Federal  Republican 

309,  310,  312,  314,  339 
Baltimore  Gazette. 
108,   616,  617,  623,  624, 
628,  634 

Baltimorean 107 

Enquirer 107 

Newspapers  sup- 
pressed  

616,  617,  621,  628,  629,  631, 
632 

New  York 

44,  57,  62,  69,  76,  86,  90,  92, 

95,  97,  99,  103,  114,  123,  149, 

.  150,  192,  215,  221,  277,  290, 

483,510,409,691 

Nevins,  Rev.  Wm....55,  397 

Niccoll8,  Rev.  S.  J 696 

Nicholas 599 

Nicholas,  Dr.  J.  S...491,  463 

Nicholas,  R.  C 340 

NichoUs,  Col.  R.  Y 344 

Nicholls,  H 2S2 

49 


INDElX 


PAOX 

Nicholls,  Wm 192 

Nichols,  J 230 

Nichols,  Jno.  F 107 

Nichols,  Z 506 

Nicholson 

209,  285,  296,  340,  411 

Nicholson,  B 

71,  126,  130.  136,  158,  159, 
172,  243,  261,  340 
Nicholson,  Capt.  John. 

141, 142,  285 
Nicholson,  Capt.  S.. 141, 350 

Nicholson,  Col 628 

Nicholson,  J 699 

Nicholson,  Com.  Jas.... 
141, 158, 159, 160, 170, 171, 295 

Nicholson,  Jno 632 

Nicholson,  Jos.  H 

306,  308,  309 

Nicholson,  Judge 352 

Niles,H 

88,  89.  309.  456,  459,  480 

Niles.S.A 69 

Niles.  Wm.  0 89,  94 

Nixon,  Rev.  Wm 30 

Non-importation  agree- 
ments  64, 125, 127,  129 

Noel,  S 245 

Norfolk 127,238.  251,  339 

Norris 653 

Norrls.A 419 

Norris,  B.  B 188 

Norris,  Caldwell  &  Co.. .548 

Norris,  C.S 585 

Norris,  G.  W 497 

Norris,  J 184 

Norrte,  J.C 95  101 

Norris,  J.  Saurin 553 

Norris,  Mrs.  R 665 

Norris,  Wm.  H 

475,    576,  584,  585,  430,  602 

Norris  &Bro 554 

Norton,  Capt 501 

North,  Capt.  Robert 

22,  32,  34,  39 

North  Carolina 66 

Northern  Central  Rail- 
road Company 

503,  425,  429,  431,  457,  458, 

545,  587,  594,  596,  603,  604, 

607,  707,  714 

North  Point 

14, 18,  32, 143,  206,  342,  344, 
346 
North    Point   M  o  n  u- 

ment 500,  391 

Norwood,  Capt 183,  184 


745 

PAGS 

Noss,  H 697 

Nowland,  D 316 

Oakley,  Jacob 495 

Oates,  J.  A. 123 

O'Brian,  T 398 

O'Brien,  0 507 

O'Connor,  A.  J 706 

Odd  Fellows, 

490,  508,  457,  575,  618,  660, 
665 

O'Donnell,  C.  0 688 

O'Donnell,  Gen.  C 

503,  425,  475,  578,  599,  607, 
,685,696 

O'Donnell,  Jno '. 

338,  261,  262,  264,  266,  267, 
294 

Ogle,  Gov.  Samuel 32, 36 

Ogleby,  J 255 

Olcott,  Col 630 

Oldfleld,  Miss 115 

Oldham,  E 183,  239 

Old  Town 10, 33 

Oldmixon,  Mrs 115 

Oliver,  Jno 378,  408,  422 

Oliver,  Robt 

209,  288,  310,  428,  444,  447, 
463,  469,  472 

Oliver  Viaduct 444 

Omnibuses 512 

Ontario  frigate 346 

Ord,  Gen 630 

Orem 583 

Orem,  Capt 533 

Orem,  Hopkins  &  Co...  598 

Orendorf  &  Beam 598 

Orndorff 688 

Osborne,  Rev.  J 124 

Osgood,  R.H 425 

Osier,  E.  P 547 

Oswald,  Col.  E 

81, 176, 178, 180, 182,  277 

Otis 241 

Otterbine,  Rev.  P.  W... 

41,  44,  136,  343 

Otto,  P 697 

Owen,  A.  F 537 

Owen,  Capt.  B.  F 515 

Owen,  Dr 329 

Owens,  B.  W 641 

Owens,  Dr.  S 52,  79 

Owens,  J.  E 

121,  123,  442,  443,  526,  697 

Owens,  Rev.  G 558,  628 

Owens,  S 196 

Owings,S....267,  281,  282,  284 
Owings,  Wm 261,  272 


746 


INDEX . 


PAGK 

Paca,  J 51,  53 

Paca,  William 

166,  261,  265,  279,  286 

Packet  Lines 

238,  481,  420,  533 

Page 491 

Pagels,  G.H * 699 

Paine 49 

Paintings 381 

Palnaer,  Dr.  J.  W 

101, 106,  488,  521 
Palmer,  Thos.  &  Co..;...  495 

Pa*lmer,  A 39 

Park  Commissioners...  578 

Parker,  Capt 533 

Parker,  E.  G. 612 

Parker,  E.  L.  &  Co 554 

Parker,  Robert 11 

Parker,  T 343 

Parks,  J 63 

Parr,  D.  P 106 

Parr,  Mrs.  D.  P 665 

Parringtoi),  Capl 532 

Parrish,  E.. 51 

Parron,  T 184 

Partridge,  Jas 377 

Pascault 209,  286 

Passano 623 

Passenger  Railway 

Companies 

568,  569,  582,  621,  668,  670 
678,  681,  688 

Patapsco  river 

8,  9,  14, 18,  19,  20,  24,  32,  34, 
■     37,  53, 137,  208,  297,  named 

after. 8 

Patch,  Wm 591 

Patterson,  A.  B 76 

Patterson,  E...^. 295 

Patterson,  G 155 

Patterson,  Jno 408 

Patterson,  Jos.  W 446 

Patterson,  Miss  E 

488,489,  678 

Patterson,  William 

170,  185,  200,  207,  260,  281, 
288,  295,  340,  378,  381,  394, 
409,  410,  414,  422,  425,  428, 
483,  444,  446,  447,  449,  4G3, 
467,  469,  482 
Patterson  &  Wool  lord..  594 

Patterson's  Park 

842,  422,  816 

Pftttl 121 

Patton,  0 67 

Patton,  M 64 

Patton,  W 87 


PAGE 

Paul,  Capt 533 

Payne,  Jas 555 

Payne,  J.  H 121 

Payne,  Jno.  C 315 

Payne,  Jno.  H 316 

Payne's  Tavern 48 

Paynter,  Davis  &  Co.... 

593,  598 
Payson,  H 

170,  296,314,340,  378,  379,387 

Peabody,  Geo 

491,  552,  666,  676 
Peabody  Institute 

46,  552,  568,  666,  677,  680,  697 

Peace  declared.., 206 

Peake,  Walker  &  Co 94 

Peale 441 

Peale,  E 169 

Peale,  R 173 

Peale,  Rem.  379,  386,899,  343 

Pearce,  Dr 536 

Pease,  C.  C 641 

Pearre,  J.  A 585 

Pearson,  G.  W 620 

Pechin,  W 85,  91,  305,  309 

Pechin  &  Wilmer 88,  278 

Peck,  Rev.  J.  E 704 

Pemberton,  Maj 588 

Penderson,  Capt 361 

Pendleton,  E 132 

Pendleton,  R 184 

Penitentiary... 

73,  295,  305,  339,  387,399, 425 

Pennington,  Capt 603 

Penniman,  G.  C 525 

Pennington,  Josias 

92,  295,  396,  553,  679 

Penrose,  S 659 

Pentz,  S.  J 664 

Perkins,  Capt 131 

Perlne,  D.  M 479,  553 

Perry,  Com 346 

Perry,  Jno 683 

Perry,  Roger 683 

Perry,  Wm 271 

Peterken,  Wm 285 

Peterkin.Wm 521 

Peters,  G.  A 467 

Peters,  Col.  C 705 

Peters  &  Johnson 294 

Peters,  Thos 210 

Peters,  W.  C,  &  Co 94 

Peterson,  Capt 532 

Petherbridge,  E 654 

Petit,  Isaac 550 

Phelan,  Rev 67 

Plielps 369 


PASK 

Phelp?,  Col.  C.  E 647 

Phenix,  T 419 

Philadelphia 

54,  61,  62,  69,  76,  77,  79,  96, 
98,102,114,115,125,126,127, 
128,  130,  132,  137,  148,  153, 
155,  165,  166,  172,  175,  195, 
197,  199,  202,  203,  207,  211, 
221,  245,  258,  259,  261,  264, 
265,  340,  483,  510,  423,  581, 
593,  691,  706 
Philadelphia,  W.  &  B. 

Railroad 

495,  588,  596,  603,  604,  607, 
707,  714 

Philips,  Isaac- 284 

Philips,  J 420 

Philips,  Wendell 258 

Philippe,  Louis 678,  688 

Philips 544 

Philpot,  B 

40,  49,  54,  56,  58,  71,  72 
Philpot,  B.  Jr..39,  48,  49, 138 

Philpott  &  Co 37 

Phoenix  Shot  Tower....  425 
Physicians  ...71, 138,  210,  255 

PlccolominJ 121 

Pickerall,  Thos 11 

Pickering,  Gen 185 

Picket,  J 82 

Pierce,  Gen.  P 539 

Piers,  F 210 

Piet,  J.  B 628 

Pillmore 76 

Pilots  established 245 

•Piggot,  Rev 31,  534 

Piggot,  Thos.  !S 621 

Pike,  Gen 340 

Pinckney,  E.  C 90,  93 

Pindell,  R 183 

Pinckney,  F 697 

Pinckney,  Gen 241,  278 

Pinckney,  J 400 

Pinckney,  William 

90,  241,  299,  305,  400,    431, 
517,  688,  697 

Piper,  James 286 

Pirates 300 

Pitcher,  Rev.  Wra.  H...  690 

Pitts,  C.H 611,617 

Pittsburg 143 

Pius  IX 684 

Place,  Thomas 65,  71 

Placide,  P 109 

Plater,  J.  R 419 

Pleasants,  J.  B 2(57 

Pleasants,  J.  H 078 


INDEX. 


747 


PAGB 

Plowman,  J 

51,  53,  54,  56,  58,  65,  72,  126 

Piuinmer,  Rev 524 

Plunkett,  D 

71,  138,  159,  249,  266,  271 

Poe,  David 

159,  186,  188,  194,  415,  530 

Poe,  E.  A 530 

Poe,  Nelson 91,96 

Poinsett,  J.  R 498,  689 

Poisal,  Rev.  J...105,  106,  541 

Pole 555 

Police  Commissioners. 

676,  603,  604,  605,  606,  607, 
609,  614,  622 

Police  Suspended 613 

Political  Clubs 

549,  550,  571, 108 

Political  Coops 

507,  571,  573 

Politics  of  the  day 434 

Pollard,  Rev.  J 124 

Pohnyer,  F 106 

Polk,  Jas.  K 

512,  516,  529,  557 

Polk,  Wm 416 

Pomp,  Rev.  N 42,  43 

Ponts,  Deux 203 

Pope's  Jubilee 6.S4 

Porter,  D 280,  283,  300 

Porter,  D.  Jr 285 

Porter,  Geo.  U.  Jr...  103,  107 

Porter,  J 82 

Porter,  Lawrence 10 

Porteus,  Bishop 399 

Portheus,  R 64 

Portsmouth 127,193 

Post-Office 

13,  16,  131,  481,  537 

Potomac  Railroad 75 

Potomac  R.  R.  tunnel.  698 

Potts,  R 419 

Potter,  Dr.  N 301 

Potter's  Field 238 

Poulson.A.W 75 

Poultney,  E 425,  430,  475 

l^oultney,  Thomas 277 

Powder  Magazines 

^1,  62,  291 
Powder  mill  explosions 

261,  392,  399,  400,  528 

Powell,  Howell 9 

Powell,  H.  F 107 

Powell,  Thomas 9,  22 

Powhatan 3,4,5,  7 

Potts,  W 209,  264,  424 

Pratt,  Col 615 


PAGK 

Pratt,  E 553 

Pratt,  Gov 628,  677 

Pratt,  J 432 

Prentiss  <fe  Cole 89 

Presbury,  Geo.  G....276,  286 
Presbyterian  Cburch... 
43,46,  65,  93,  202,  238,  248, 
264,  281,  288,  292,  294,  354, 

696, 704,  history  of 54 

Presbyterian    Church 

Assembly 696 

Presentations 392,  649 

Presstman,  B.  C 602 

Presstman,  F 123 

Presstman,  G 

63,71,74,123.255,266 

Presstman,  S 340 

Preston 467,  539 

Preston,  M.  J 101 

Preston,  W.  C 501 

Preston,  Wm.  P 

515,  516,  527,  538,  5^5,  596, 
685 

Prevost,  Brig.  Gen 361 

Prey,  A  697 

Price 22 

Price,  B 183, 184 

Price,  Francis 425 

Price,  H 268 

Price,  Hez 309 

Price,  Maj 152,  183 

Price,  Wm 419 

Priestly,  Jas 291,  294 

Principio  Co 189 

Pringle,  M....71,  200,  230,  288 

Pringle,  M.  U 313 

Pritchard,  M 123 

Privateers 284,  340,  854 

Prize  fight 528 

Processions 

287,  501,  500,  498,  505,  508, 
511,  377,  379,  412,  420,  424, 
426,  431,  456,  459,  469,  513, 
537,  538,  564,  588,  660,  686, 
669,  084, 685 
Proclamation   by   the 

Governor 161 

Prosser,  U 380 

Property  sold 

441,  456,  480,  513,  520,  533, 

545,628 

Protestant  Revolution    26 

Proud,  Jas,  G 475 

Pryor 621 

Pue,  Dr 71 

Pulaski,  Count. 

168, 169,  209.  348 


PAGB 

Pulaski  banner 169 

Pulaski  legion  ..168, 209,  247 

Pulusky,  Mad 538 

Purnell 655,661 

Purvlance,  Jas 294 

Purviance,  Judge  Jno..  547 

Purvlance,  R 

54,  57, 158,  185,  276,  281,  299, 

414,  432 

Purviance,  Rev.  G.D...  513 

Purviance,  S 

54,  57,  72, 126,  128,  129,  130, 

136,   138,  143,  144,  185.  191, 

200,  207,  208,  211,  212,  221. 

237,  238,  213,  414 

Purvis,  Mrs.  J.  F 665 

Putnam,  Gen 151,  214 

Putzel,  Miss  J 696 

Puzenent,  A 507 

Quakers 

192,  202,  275,  288,  history 
of  239 

Quann,  Jno 268 

Quantrils,  Capt 347 

Queen  Anne 60 

Queen  Mary 27 

Queries,  political  and 

military 172 

Quincy 241 

Quinlan,  L.  D 617 

Quynn,  A 188 

Raborg,  C 170 

Raborg,  C.  H 507 

Races 71,  287 

Railroad  accidents 

509,  456,  472,  545 

Railroads 

408,  445,  456,  458,  692 

Raine,  F 103,  107 

Ralne,  S 262 

Raine,  Wm 106 

Ralph,  Rev 30 

Ramsay,  A 506 

Ramsay,  Jas 425,  664 

Ramsey,  Col 

142,  157,   158,  159,  169,209, 
276,  279,  392 

Ramsdell,  Capt 272 

Randall,  A 380,391 

Randall,  Beale 409 

Randall,  Jos.  K 526 

Randall,  W 136 

Randolph  Bros 676 

Randolph,  E 245 

Randolph,  Jno....: 

306,  402,  421,  465,  472 
Randolph,  J.  W 621,  664 


748 


INDEX 


PAGE 

Randolph,  P 132 

Randolph,  Rev 675,  678 

Rankard,  J 422 

Rankin,  Rev 31 

Rapid  sailing 473 

Rapp 104,  676, 107 

Rathel,J 72 

Ratien 209 

Rattoone,  Rev.  Elijah    30 

Rauth.Q 697 

Rawlings,  Capt 556 

Raymond,  D 430 

Raynor,  W.  S 

75,  533,  664,  696 

Read,  J 183,  515 

Read,  Wm.  G 

241,  431,  473,  515 

Reading 42 

Ready  Asylum 690 

Ready,  S 690 

Record  office 62,  489 

Recruiting  for  the  ar- 
my   340 

Red  Men 467,521,650 

Reed,  Rev.  A.  A 543 

Redemptioners 49,  210 

Reed 411 

Reed,  Wm 593 

Reeder,Chas 472,  516 

Reeder,  J 506 

Reese,  A 537 

Reese,  G.  H 563 

Reese,  J 46 

3,  John 247,  409 

Rev.  A.  A 537 

Reform  party 

567,  575,  583, 109,  110 
Register  and  Comptrol- 
ler   283 

Reid,  G 622 

Reid,  Jno.  0 664 

Reigan,  L 606 

Reiley,  W 184 

Relnagle 115,  116 

Reinecker,  Geo 170,  281 

Relman,  H.  &  Son 598 

Reip 652 

Reip,  A 704 

Relp,  E.  H 550 

Reis,  Rev.  E.  J 123,  124 

Relay  House 451,  636 

Rendell,  J 47 

Renshaw,  T.  W 617 

Rents,  mode  of  paying.    11 

Renwlck,  R 618 

Reullng,  Dr.  Q lOl 

Reynolds. 512 


PAGE 

Reynolds,  B 380 

Reynolds,  G 506 

Reynolds,  H.  R.  <Si  J.98,  514 

Reynolds,  Isaac 496 

Reynolds,  Rev 432 

Reynolds,  Wm 705 

Revolutionary  War 125 

Rice 557 

Rice,  Chase  &  Co 598 

Rice,  T.  D 442 

Rich,  Rev 31 

Richard 298 

Richards 707 

Richards,  G 313 

Richards  &  Bro 94 

Richards,  Rev.  L 123,  124 

Richardson,  B.  H 94 

Richardson 59,  189,  628 

Richardson^  J  ...,.^^,^...  380 
Richardson,^JtWge!'l529,  537 

Riche,  Dr 506 

Richings,  P 123 

Richmond 114,  123,  587 

Richmond,  C... 152 

Ricks,  S 706 

Ricketts,  Capt 652 

Riddle 169,  209 

Riddle,  J 71 

Ridgely,  Abraham 259 

Ridgely 22,  261,  279 

Ridgely,  C 

58,J71^72j^  126,  129,  130,  136, 

I957I96,  202,  230,  243,  261, 

267,  272,  280,  285,  440,  447 

Ridgely,  Capt.  C 600 

Ridgely,  Capt.  C.  S 346 

Ridgely,  Capt.  R 520 

Ridgely,  Charles 

28,  36,  39,  54,  56 
Ridgely,  Col.  Nicholas    33 

Ridgely,  Dr.  F 188 

Ridgely,  H 305 

Ridgely,  Jas 606 

Ridgely,  John 

34,  49,  f  6,  59,  70 

Ridgely,  J.  Jr 62 

Ridgely,  J.  L 457,  660 

Ridgely,  N.  G 377 

Ridgely  &  Pringle 414 

Ridgely,  R 

189,  202,  207,  210,  238,  243 

Ridgely,  Wm 138 

Ridley,  M 71,184,185,  188 

Rleman,  Jos.  H.  Jr 107 

Rigdon,  Alex 292 

Rlgdon,  R.  M....565,  566,  568 
Riley 659 


PAGE 

Riley,  Dr 506 

Riley,  Dr.  W 553 

Riley,  H.J 123 

Riley,  L 359 

Riley,  Wm 183 

Ringgold,  J 188,230 

Ringgold,  Maj.  S 

516,  517,  520 

Ringgold,  Thos 67 

Riots 

499.  441,  457,  468,  471,  523, 
524,  528,  548,  5J9,  550,  555, 
558, 565, 570, 586, 588, 600, 627 

Ripley,  Gen 544 

Uisteau,  G 70, 126,  129,  136 

Risteau,  T 37 

Ristori 121 

Ritchie,  Capt.  T 342 

Rltzus,  J.  J 571 

Rivers 3 

Apamatuck,  Q,  u  i  - 
youghcohan- 
ocke,  Mandsa- 
m  u  n  d  ,  Chisa- 
peack,  Chicka- 
h  a  m  a  n  1  a  , 
James  Towne, 

Kecoughton 4 

Pamavnkee,  Pow- 
hatan, Payan- 
katanke,  Top- 
pahanock,  Pat- 
awomeke,  Qul- 
yough,  Tauxe- 
ne  n  t ,  Pawtux- 

ent 5 

Bolus 6,  8 

Sasquesahanocks...  6 
Tockwhogh,  Kapa- 
hanock,  Kusca- 
rawaock.  Tants 
Wlghcocomico, 
Acohan  ock , 

Accomack 7 

Patapsco 8 

Roach,  M 549 

Roads 

125,  245,  262,  263,  280,  282, 
284,  304,  615 

Robach,  G 44 

Robb,  Capt.  Wm 247,  281 

Robb,  Charles  G 343 

Robb,  Jos 627 

Robblns,  Andrew. ..592,  622 

Robberies 

87,  246,  481,  501,  465,  667, 
675,  681,  689 


INDEX . 


749 


PAGE 

Roberts,  Dr 506,  530 

Roberts,  E.  P 90,  91 

Roberts,  W 506 

Robertson,  Miss  A 443 

Robiuson 393 

Robinson,  Alex 64,  209 

Robinson,  Andrew.. 64,  267 
Robinson,  Archibald...  265 

Robinson,  Capt 142 

Robinson,  Capt 604 

Robinson,  D.  A.  C...585,  596 

Robinson,  E 281,  282 

Robinson,  G 76 

Robinson, Gen.  J.  C.  644, 647 

Robinson,  Geo 697 

Robinson,  J 95 

Robinson,  Jonas 28 

Robinson,  Jos 495 

Robinson,  J.  S 553 

Robinson,  L.  H 697 

Robinson,  Rev.  S 704 

Robinson,  Wm 302 

Rochambean,  Count.... 

67, 192, 199,  20?,  203,  204 

Roche 493 

Rock 45 

Rock,Jas.  P 704 

Rodgers,  A.M 400 

Rodgers,Com.J 

346,  349,  392,  400 

Rodman 353 

Rodney,  0.  A 557 

Rogers 514 

Rogers,  B..,56,64,65, 196,  202 

Rogers,  C 65 

Rogers,  Capt 205 

Rogers,  H.  J 497 

Rogers,  H.  0 525 

Rogers,  Jno 

285,  287,  353,  381 

Rogers,  Jno.  H 668 

Rogers,  L.  N 578 

Rogers,  Nich 

39,  49,  70,  237,  243,  249,  253 

262,  264,  282,  283,  284,  403, 

414 

Rogers,  P 

T7,  79, 130,  265,  286,  281 

Rogers,  Rev 690 

Rogers,  Wra 39,  47,  48,  49 

Rogers  «fe  Owens 286 

Romage 3-53 

Rooster 353 

Rosensteel,  G.  N 507 

Rosewald,  J.  H 687,  696 

Rosewald,  Mrs.  J.  H....  697 
},  Dr.  Jno 267 


FAGS 

Ross,  Gen 346,  350,  668 

Ross,  J.  W 664 

Ross,  John 19 

Ross,  J.  F 75 

Ross,  A.... 143,  210 

Roth  rock  &  Peacock...  547 

Rothschilds 240 

Rouch,  De  la 353 

Roundtree,  Capt 456 

Roux,  P 514 

Ruger,  Lieut.-Col 

657,  659,  660 

Rumsey,  B 296 

Rumsey,  Jas 236 

Rushworth,  R 619 

Rusk,  D 158,  160 

Russell 442 

Russell,  T 71,  73,  207,  209 

Russell,  Thos 414 

Russell,  Wm 

43,  71,  209,  249,  261,  262,  272 

Roerback,  G 46 

Russell  <fe  Gilman 414 

Russell  A  Hughes 414 

Rutledgp 241 

Rutter,  Capt.  S 300,  341 

Rutter,  Lieut 353,  354 

Rutter,  T 699 

Rutter,  Thos 

249,  276,  294,  296 

Ryan,  E 244 

Ryan,  W.  H 584 

Ryland,  Wm 286 

Sadler,  Sam'l 209 

Saengerbund 675 

Saintonge 203 

Salmon,  B.  S 659 

Salmon,  G 

63, 189,  249,  260.  264,  274 

Salmon,  J ;..  209 

Salter 353 

Sampson,  Richard 27 

Sancho,  J 256 

Sands,  Lent  &  Co 514 

Sands,  S 

90,  91,  92,  94,  95,  352, 456 

Sanderson,  F 71.  130 

Sanford,  E.  S 510,  625 

Sangston,  G.  E 622 

Sangston,  Q 611,  617 

Sardo,  N 93,  94 

Sargeant,  J .501.  459,  472 

Sauer,  C 697 

Savage,  Jas 343 

Savannah 76,  169,  209 

Savings  Bank 393,  513 

Sawyer,  Jos.  A 507 


PAGB 

Saxton,  D 507 

Schaeffer,  F 282 

Schaeffer,  F.  B 617 

Schaeffer,  H 71, 169 

Scharf,  T.  G 75,  628,  629 

Scharz,  Jno 697 

Scheb,  Rev.  H 564 

Schenck,  Maj.  Gen 

626,  627,  628 

Schenck,  Rev 575,  603 

Schley,  J 313 

Schmidt,  Jno 107 

Schnauffer,  C.  H 104 

Schools , 

243,  294,  374,  422,  430,  440 

Scott,  CoJ.  T.  A 699 

Scott,  E 259,  294 

Scott,  Geo 628 

Scott,  Gus 274 

Scott,  J 230,  286,  293 

Scott,  Judge  Jno 

303,  304,  332,  341 

Scott,  Maj.  Gen 

375,  416,  472,  539,  599,  602, 
612 

Scott,  Judge  Jno 402 

Scott,  J.  R 443 

Bcott,  Mrs.  T.  P 665 

Scott,  Rev.  H.  R 107 

Scott,  T.  P 

516,  587,  611,  617,  685,  708 

Scott,  W 545 

Schroeder 209 

Schroeder,  Kev 31 

Schroeder,  Wm 313 

Schuebert,  Thos 669 

Schuchardt,  H 697 

Schuetzen  Ass'n,  W.  B.  685 

Schumacher,  A 678,685 

Screw  Dock 425 

Schwarzhaupt,  C 697 

Schwartz,  Rev 542 

Schwear,  F 697 

Schwerder,  G 697 

Seabrook,  T 699 

Sears,  Geo 288 

Secession  meeting 587 

Secession  movement... 

584,  587,  599,  601 
"Secret  Correspondence  651 

Seekamp 209 

Sefton 442 

Seim 707 

Seipp,  C 697 

Seizure  of  arms,  &c 

594,  612 
Segler.F 46 


750 


PAGB 

...  419 


...  553 
...  11 
...  46 
.39,  49 
...  521 


Semmes,  G 

Sergeant,  Rev 

529,  543,  603,  628,  504 

Seney.J 261,272,^9,285 

Seward,  Gov 654.6^ 

Sewell,  Chas 235 

Sewell,  C.  S 419 

Sewell,  Rev.  C 67 

Shaeffer.B 170,282 

Shuflfer,F.L 664 

Shauks,  D t>^ 

Sharpe,  Gov.  H ..••••  ^^ 

Shaw,Dr.Johu 291,  301 

Shaw,  Mrs 

Shaw,  W.C 

Sheekie,  Roger. 
Sheib,  Rev.  H... 

Shephard,  J 

Sheppard,  W... 

Sheppard  Asylum 553 

Sheppard,  P 209 

Sheppard.  Thos 309,  409 

Shepperd.  M :>84,  5.53 

Sheredine,  W 187 

Slieredine,  Thomas 

23,  28,  32,  34,  38,  47.  51 

Sheriffs 

23,  33,  34,  40,  53,  16,  69,  147, 
239.  249,  262.  276,  292,  304 

Shermandine,  S 1T7, 183 

Shibey 209.260 

Shields,  D 64, 123 

Shields,! 123 

Shlnplasters 491,  495 

Shipley,  W 420 

^  2lCm"m"262,"*420."  473, 
532.  587,  37, 112 
33 


INDEX. 

PAGK 

Shoemaker,  S.M... .510,  664 
Shot  To wers.... .405^^14^7  ' 

Shrim,  Jno / 247 

Shriver,  Gen....656,  658,  659 
Swriver,  M J^ 

!.""...    51 
1' 170 

529,  556,  565,  566 


4/ii 


Shughart,  M 

Shule,  J 

Shultze,  J. 
Shutt,  Col 

Siebert,  E 697 

Siep,  Rev 542 

Sigel,Gen.F 104 

Signal  House ^«;J 

Sim.  Jos 187 

Simkins,  E ;•  ^77 

Simmons,  A.  H 


.95,  98 


Simmons,  Capt 199 

Simpson,  Rev 543 

Simpson.  W ^4 


Sinclair,  J. 


706 


Parad  and  Gaily 

Swan 34 

Elizabeth 34 

Three  Friends 36 

Frederick 36 

Baltimore 37,  48 

Francis  and  Eliza- 
beth     37 

Philip  and  Charles    48 

Jjord  Camden 64,65 

Fowey 14^ 

Duke  of  Lelnster...  210 

Pallas 238 

Goliath 216 

London  Packet 300 

William  Bingham.  300 

Othello 300 

City  of  Kingston....  495 

John  Gilpin 473 

C.  H.  Rogers 520 


Sinclair,  Mrs 413 

Sinn ^l 

Sintorn ^^ 

Sisters  of  Charity.  ...461, 462 
Sisters  of  Providence...  441 

Sitler,  A 170 

Skerrett,C 209 

Skillman,  Chas 467 

Skinner,  J.  S 

91,  92,  94,  351,  419,  456 

Slatter,  Rev 41 

Slavery 77,255.440 

Slavery,  Anti-Society..  255 

Slaymaker.Capt.  J 158 

Sleigh,  T 38,47 

Slemmer,  Capt 533 

Slemmer,  Capt  L 652 

Slicer,  Rev.H...534,628.690 
Slingluff,  0.  D.  &  son...  f  98 

Sly,  J 51,53,54 

small,  E.C 705 

Smallwood,  Gen 

138,  144,   162,  164,  166. 168, 

183,  184,  193,  214,  215, 241, 

265,  279,  497 

Small,  Gen.  Jno 588 

Small,  J..354, 378. 421, 422, 432 

small,  W.F 429,432 

Smith 303,580 

Smith,  A.  H 187 

Smith,  A.  L. 183 

Smith,  A.  P 693 

smith,  C 40.43,49,51,82 

Smith,  Capt.  John...8.  9, 718 
Explores   Chesa- 
peake Bay 1.  24 


/PAGE 
Describes  Virginia 
temperature; 
boundary   extra- 
ordinary; first 

settled  by 2 

First  white  man 
near  Baltimore...     8 

Smith,  Capt 532 

Smith,  D 266 

Smith,  D.  A 74,  378 

Smith,  Dr 329,506 

smith,  F.  H 440 

Smith.  G.  B 92,  94,  465 

Smith,  Gen.  Sara 

32,  138,  144,  160,  164,  172, 
179,  180,  181,  182,  183,  2l)0, 
204,  207,  212,  214,  221,  241, 
248,  260.  261,  262,  264,  272, 
273,  281,  284,  292,  294,  295, 
304,  341,  343,  344,  489,  497. 
^6,  379.  381,  382,  409,  410, 
420,  456,  469,  478,  479,  665 

Smith,  Jas 183 

Smith,  J 52,  706 

Smith,  J.  A 65, 158 

smith,  J0b.._........g..j^..3^^ 

Smith,  Jno 

56,  58,  64,  65,  79,  126,   130, 
136,  138,  195,  237,  414 


smith,  Jno.  S^..^^..^^^^^g 

Smith,  Jos 309 

Smith,  Jacob 461 

Smith,  Mrs.  S.  W 665 

smith,  Mrs.  W.  P 665 

Smith,  N 

63,  138, 158,  160,  414 

Smith,  N.R 422,703 

Smith,  R 

71,  82,  182,  210,  253,  260.  262, 

266,  280,  292.  296,  298,  305, 

343.  508,  378,  469 

Smith,  Rev 696,704 

Smith,  Rev.  J.  S.529, 547, 621 

Smith,  S.W 553 

Smith,  T 506 

Smith,  Thorowgood 

115,  204,  253,  260.  304 

Smith,  T.  M 693 

smith,  T.N 493 

Smith,  T.W 107 

Smith.  Wm . 

4! ,  51,  53,  54,  55,  57,  58,  62, 
63.  65,  71,  72,  12  i.  m,  m, 
136.  168,  189,  191,  202,  204, 
208,  211,  212,  250.  260.  264, 
267,  281,  414 


INDEX. 


751 


PA0B 

Smitb,  Wm.  P 553 

Smith,  W.  P 678,  689 

Smith.  Campbell 261 

Smith  &  Curlett 672 

Smoot,  Jno 188 

Smyth.  Dr 275,  292,  302 

Smyth,  W.C 83 

Snetheu,  Rev 431 

Snowden.DeW 610 

Snowden,  R.  H 705 

Snowden,  Samnel 631 

Snowdeu.Thos 419 

Snodgrass,  Sherwood 

&  Co 94 

Snyder,  H 506 

Snyder,  Jno 188, 510 

Societies 

182,  213,  255,  2/9,  291,  292. 
303;  374,  382,  386,  397,  418 

Society,  State  of. 12 

Soissonnois 203 

Sol  ler,  John 40 

SoUers.  T...  .126, 136,  184,  210 

Solomon,  Isaac 209 

Solomon,  S.  V 482 

Somervel,  J 71, 148 

Sommerlocb 707 

Sommerville,  H.  V 459 

Sons  of  Liberty,  organ- 
ised     58 

Sons  and  Daughters  of 

America 682 

Sontag 121 

Soule,  Bishop 511 

Soup  Houses 563 

Southard 472 

Southern  Relief  Fair. .  664 

Sower  &  Hewes 299 

Spalding,  Rev.  M.  J 

92,  630,  660,  665,  675, 685, 687 

Spangler,  Capt 347 

Sparks,  Rev.  Jared.387,  88S 

Sparrow 80 

Spavin,  A 506 

Spaulding,  R 687 

Spear,  Wm 

54,56,58,  126,  130,  131,  178, 
202,  208,  212 

Speck,  H 63 

Speddy,  J 506 

Speed,  Capt 533 

Speed,  J.  J 419 

Spence,  Capt.  R.  T. 

346,  354,  419,  421 

Spence,  C 556 

Spencer,  E 101 

Spencer,  Jas 479 


PAGE 

Spencer,  M 598 

Sperry,  Wm 526 

Sperry,  Gallup  &  Rog- 
ers     94 

Spilcker,  C.  W 495 

Spilman,  H 705,  706 

Spillman,  H.  S 537 

Spoon,  Rev 310 

Sprigg,  Gov 419 

Sprigg,  Jos 188 

Sprigg,  Jos 683 

Sprigg,  Otho 313,  316 

Sprigg,  S 419 

Spurrier,  E 183 

Spurrier,  G.  D 517,  602 

Squires,  Capt 142 

Stack,  Jno 704 

Stafford,  Capt.  W.  S.362,  363 

Stage  Coaches 71,  202 

Stamp  Act    Nullifica- 
tion     59 

Stanbury,  J.  J 372 

Stansbury,  Chas. 346 

Stansbnry,  Gen.  Tobias 
E..27.  28,  272,  299,  4i9,  531 

Stansbury,  J.  B 432 

Stansbury,  Jno  E 

516,  531,  533 

Stanton,  Col 647 

Stanton,  E.  M 629 

Starck 209 

Stark,  Gen 173 

Star  Spangled  Banner. 
86,  90,  93,  121,  137,  236,  352, 
404 
State  Loans.  184, 185, 187,  491 
Steamboat  Elxplosions 

417,  505,  514 

Steamboats 

236,  340,  500,  410,  429,  614 
Steam  Fire  Engines.... 

548, 563,  682,  706 

Steamships 

465,  495,  664,  669,  716 

Steel,  Jno 262 

Steele,  I.  Nevitt 

509,681 

Steiger,  Andrew 

40,  43,  44,  50,  53,  58,  72, 161 

Steiger's  Meadow 62 

Steinbach,  G.  P 676 

Stellmann,  Hinrichs  & 

Co 682 

Stenhouse,  Dr 71 

Stenson,  W 170 

Stenson,  Wm 66 

Stephens,  Jno 295,  568 


PAGB 

Sterling,  Jas. 139 

Sterns,  J.  0 525 

Sterrett,  A 285 

Sterrett,  Capt 

164, 169,  202,  300 
Sterrett,  Col.  Joseph.... 

323,  325,  347,  375 

Sterrett,  D 262 

Sterret,  J 

53,  54,  56,  64,  168,  171,  202, 
207,  210,  211,  230,  246 

Sterrett,  L 340 

Sterrett,  Samuel 

199,  210,  218,  243,  254,  258, 

259,  261,  262,  266,  30O,  314, 

323 

Stetson,  Capt 532 

Steuben,  Baron 186,  564 

Steuart,  CoL  G.  H 

637,  638,  640,  641 

Steuart,  Gen.  G.  H 

391,  409,  411,  418,  457,  463, 
500,  516,  569,  616,  668,  683 

Steuart,  R 71 

Stevens 546 

Stevens,  D 506 

Stevens,  D.  C 622 

Stevens,  Gov 411 

Stevenson,  H 

50,  54, 148, 163, 182, 189,  239, 
276 

Stevenson,  J 

49,  50,  51,  70, 71,  136 

Stevenson,  Sater 377 

Stevenson,  Wm 187 

Stewart 

302,  304,  346,  354,  376,  377, 
432,  447,  556 

Stewart,  A 209 

Stewart,  David 

71, 158, 159,  2S1,  i'88,  516 

Stewart,  Dr.  Ja.s 292 

Stewart,  Jas 

515,  517,  518,  523 

Stewart,  J.  D 701 

Stewart,  R 

71,  82, 170,  292,  296,  299 

Stewart.  Rev 534 

Stewart,  S 169, 414 

Stewart,  Thos 185 

Stewart,  Wm 

295,  296,  314,  378,  418.  428 

Stewart  &  Salmon 414 

Sticher,  H 42 

Stiles,  G Si>9,  381,  397,  409 

Stinson,  C.  B 622 

Stirling,  A 585 


752 


INDEX. 


PAOX 

Stirling,  Lord 

149,  168,  167,  215,  216,  217, 
218 

Stockett,  Henry 9 

Stockett,  Thos 9 

Stockton  &  Stokes. 492 

Stodder,  W.  D 

189,  246,  262,  264,  271,  272 
283 

Stodder,  Jas 281 

Stokes,  Humptirey  W.    33 

Stolte,  B 697 

Stone,  Capt.W 137 

Stone,  Col.  J.  H 

152,  166, 168,  266,  272,  279 

Stone,  J 419 

Stone,  Ttios 187 

Stonebraker,  G 46 

Stonestreet,  N 419 

Story 400,  472 

Stouffer 209 

Stranwitch,  H 49 

Strassburger,  L 697 

Strawbridge,  B 76 

Strebeck,  G 49 

Streeter,  S.  F 510,  511 

Streeter  &  Skinner 96 

Streets 

201, 208,  263,   285,  286,  288, 
292,297,381,397 

Strieker,  Gen 

163,  209,  247.  248,  262,  272, 
281,  286,  317,  818,  319,  320, 
321,  322,  323,  824,  825.  326, 
332,  344,  347,  375,  379,  381, 
411,  418 

Stringfellow,  Rev 31 

Stripple.... 506 

Strohmeyer,  G 697 

Stryker,  Rev.  A.  P 668 

Stuffed  Paddy 397 

Stull,  Jno 188 

Stump,  Jno 262 

Stump,  Judge 576 

Saint  AlphonsuH  R.  C. 

Church 605 

St.  Clair,  Gen 174,  261 

St.  Clair,  L 442 

St.  John's  Church 69 

St.  Mary's  Industrial 

School 665 

St.  Mary's  Semi  nary... 

68, 69,  298,  677 
Steamer  St.  Nicholas 

captured 613 

St.  Patrick's  Church.... 

65,  69, 531,  682 


PAGB 

St.  Patrick's  B.  Society  374 
St.  Paul's  P.  E.  Church 
24,34,41,43,48,53,231,305, 
488 
St.  Peter's  P.  E.  Church 

29,  50,  55,  66,  67,  69,  294 
St.  Peter's  R.  C.  Church 

507,  508 

St.  Thomas'  Parish 34 

St.  Vincent's  R.  Catho- 
lic Church 502 

Subscription  to  build  a 
fence  round  the 

town 39 

To  build  a  market 

46,56 
To   build  a  Court- 

House 62 

To    put    an    arch 
under  the  Court- 

House 63 

For   the    relief   of 

Boston 131 

For  public  defence 

140, 146 
For  the  relief  of  the 

army 185, 187 

For  the  relief  of  the 

French  refugees..  266 
Foraidof  thepoor..  285 
To  finish  Fort  Mc- 

Henry 287 

Sugar  Refineries 236,  440 

Suicide 392 

Sullivan,  Gen 

166, 167, 174,  214 

Sullivan,  P.  J 83 

Sullivan,  Y 528 

Sumner,  J.  S ; 497 

Sumwalt,  J.  B 621 

Sunday-schools..55,  245,  386 

Sunderland,  Rev.  B 547 

Sunderlin,  Rev.  G.  W..  125 

Sutton,  Capt 506 

Swain,  M 82 

Swain,  W.  M 95,  98,  525 

Swan,  Jno 

188,  209,  248,  253,  272,  281, 
400 

Swan,  R 419 

Swann,  Thos 

453,  527,  549.  553,  564,  565, 
566,  575,  576,  578,  583 

Sweeny,  J 698 

Sweet,  J.  F 622 

Swift,  Gen 429 

Swift,  J.  Q 843,  384 


PA0B 

Swindell,  Wm 627 

Swope,  Rev 31,  41,  548 

Szold,  Rev 696 

Tagart,  S.  H 535 

Tage,  H 669 

Tagert,  Wm 516 

Talleyrand 688 

Tammany  Club 302 

Taney,  R.  B 

S31,  489,  431,  471,  472,  536, 

547,  241,  401,  612,  631,  688, 

689 

Taneyhill,  Lieut 525 

Tappan,  Lewis 758 

Tar  and  Feathering 

272,  302,335 

Tarleton,  Col 220 

Tarr,  E.  S 123,  503 

Tasker  &  Carroll's  Fur- 
nace  , 18 

Taylor 528 

Taylor,  A 442 

Taylor,  C.  A 594 

Taylor,  Capt 355 

Taylor^  F.  S.  T) 433 

Taylor,  Gen. 515,  518,  533,  575 

Taylor,  Dr.  W 50 

Taylor,  John 9,188 

Taylor,  Jos 236 

Taylor,  Jos.  &  Son 495 

Taylor,  Lem 

309,  314,  332,  336,  377 

Taylor,  W 92,  93 

Taylor,  W.  W 447 

Taylor,  Wm 645 

Taylor,  Wm.  and  Jno.. 

Tayleure,  C.  W 

95,  123,443,574 

Tayman 551 

Taxes , 

285,  297,  302,  304,  345,  375, 
53,  51,  16,  15,  18,  72 

Teackle,  St.  Geo 530 

Teeth  transplanted 224 

Telegraph 99,  512,  525,  528 

Telegrapli  dispatch  .514,  618 
Temperance  society....  440 

Templeman,  Jno 419 

Tenant,  Thos 

267,378,381,447,513 

Tenney,  A.  G 92 

Terry,  John 27 

Tessier 298 

Tessier,  Rev.  J 69 

Thanksgiving  days 195 

Thayre,  Maj 181 

Theatres 112,  614 


INDEX. 


753 


PAOB 

Reminiscences  of 117 

Theobold,  Dr 506 

Thomas,  Capt 150 

Thomas,  Col.  Z. 613 

Thomas,  Col 466 

Thomas.  Dr.  A 330 

Thomas,  D.  L 440 

Thomas,  Evan 416. 452 

Thomas,  E .-. 123,238 

Thomas,  G 640 

Thomas,  Gov.  P.  F.  534,  549 

Thomas,  H.  S 520 

Thomas,  Jno. 419 

Thomas,  J.  H 

331,  475,  611,  617,  677,  678 

Thomas,  Maj.  John 27 

Thomas,  Mrs.  J.  H 665 

Thomas,  P.  E 

428,  430,  444,  446,  447,  449 
451,620 

Thomas,  Thomas 32 

Thomas  &  Son 70© 

Thomsen,  L ;.  497 

Thomson,  C 251 

Thompson 404,  624 

Thompson,  Capt.  H.247,  267 

Thompson,  G.  F 705 

Thompson,  H...378,  381,  469 

Thompson,  H 65 

Thompson,  Jno.313,  327, 331 

Thompson,  J.  E 699 

Thompson,  Lieut 428 

Thompson,  Sec 245 

Thompson,  S.T 503 

Thompson  &  Walker...  278 

Thornburgh,  Jos 

259,  267,  284 

Thornton,  E 267 

Tibbert,  Jos 189 

Tibbs,  Rev.  Wm 27,  29 

Tide- Water  Canal... 501 

Tiernan,  Luke 

267,  282,  309,  340,  389,  425, 
447,  459 

Tiffany,  G.  P 553 

Tiffany,  H.  &  Co 598 

Tiffany,  0 106 

Tiffany,  O.  C 526 

Tiiden,  Capt 479 

Tilghman,  Jas 163,  209 

Tilghman,  Col 19 

Tilghman,  E 57,  209 

Tilghman,  M 

139, 152, 187,  209,  423 

Tilghman,  Tench 

209,237,244,279 
Tillotson,  Rev.  B.  M....  585 
50 


PAex 

Tillzard 113 

Timber  Neck 12 

Tinus 480 

Tinges,  J 165 

Tobacco 13 

Tobacco  Houses 

38,  54,  294,  393,  394 

Tobin,  T.  W 103 

Todd,  D 580 

Todd,  James 11 

Todd's  Range 11,18 

Todd,  Thomas 32 

Toepkin,  J 286 

Tolley,  Thomas 20 

Tolley,  Walter 

51,  71, 126, 129,  130,  136,  206 
Toll-gates  established..  245 

Tolpehocken 41 

Toole,  Jno.  E 507 

Tors,  John 158 

Torrence,  C 170 

Torsch,  J.  W 95,  649 

Toward,  J 37 

Towns,  Ac,  names  pre- 
served     10 

Town  Commissioner... 

20,  32,  34,  36,  40,  46,  49,  56, 
202 

Town  Expenses 254 

Townsend,  J 

49,  255,  258,  259,  260,  294 

Townsend,  Jos 381 

Townsend,  R.  H 553 

Towson,  E 

123, 136,  301,  230,  391 

Towson,  Nathan 

340,  346,  375,  543 

Towson,  T 376,  377 

Trapnall,  Rev 529 

Travelling,  mode  of....    13 

Travers,  W.  H 568,  621 

Travers,  Wm.  R 526 

Treadway,  Jno 262 

Treason  law 621 

Tree,E 121 

Trials 82,  90,  339,  481,  509 

Trimble,  J.  R....525,  602,  604 

Trimble,  Lieut 428 

Trimble,  Wm...255,  281,  282 

Trippe 681 

Trippe,  Capt.  A.  C 404 

Troldenier,  Rev 43,  44 

Troop,  Dr 210 

Trotlen 22 

Truxton,  Capt.  Thos.... 

2a3,  286 
Tschudy,  N 42,  43,  44 


PAes 

Tschudy,  W 42 

Tuck,  Capt.  Jos 34 

Tucker,  J.  R 646 

Tumbleson,  Wm 506 

TurnbullBros 102 

TurnbulJ,  G 157,  159 

TurnbuU,  Jno 598 

TurnbullA  Murdoch...  102 
Turnbull,  Slade  &  Co...  598 

Turner,  H.  F 516 

Turner  Hall 60O 

Tuttle 100,102 

Tuttle,  Rev 31 

Tyler,  D.  B 622 

Tyler,  Gen 628 

Tyler,  G.  H 664 

Tyler,  Jno 512 

Tyler,  Nat 107 

Tyler,  Nat.  Convention  512 

Tyler,  Wm 419 

Type  Foundry 299 

Tyson 556 

Tyson,  Elisha 

209,  255,  262,  292,  415 

Tyson,  H 621 

Tyson,  H.  G 705 

Tyson,  J.  W 688 

Tyson,  Jesse 259, 664 

Tyson,  N 667 

Tyson,  P.  T 396 

Tyson,  Thos 715 

Twiggs,  Gen 618 

Twining,  N 183,  202 

Twinnal  &  Qeroack 64 

Uhler,  E 64 

Uhler,  P 46 

Uhlhorn,  Rev.  J 46 

Umbrellas  first  used....    71 

Union  Convention 576 

Union  meetings 

533,584 

Union  National  Con- 
vention  630 

Union  Protestant  In- 
firmary  548,  558 

Union  R.  R.  tunnel 

687,700 

Union  Square 525 

Unitarian  Church,  his- 
tory of 387 

Upjohn 31 

Upton,  Fred 624 

Usher,  Thos 71 

Valette.  Gen 204,  206 

Vallandigham,  C.  L 683 

Valley  Railroad 692 

Vanbibber,  A 

178, 179,  212,  2W 


754 


INDEX 


PAGX 

Vanbibber,  J 

57, 126,  131, 134,  209, 245 

Van  Buren,  M 

460,  472,  549,  689 

Vandenhoff. 121 

Vanderhorst,  J 697 

Vandeventer,  MaJ 411 

Vanhorne,  G.  P 202 

Vftnsant,  J 

516,  524,  533,   536,   564, 
585,660,691,707 

Vansant,  Mrs.  J 665 

Vanstaphorst  &  Co 262 

Van  Nostrand 623 

Varle,  Chas 283 

Vasseur,  La 410 

Veasy,  Capt 218,266 

Vessels  launched  ...283,  287 

Vlckers,  Capt.  J 506 

Victory,  Jos 507 

Vinkle,  C 467 

Vintner,  C 529 

Vlomenil,  Baron 203 

Virginia  described 2 

Von  Kapff. 209,  577 

Von  Kapff  and  Ans- 

pach , 286 

Voeckler,  Capt 669 

Voucher 266 

Wadsworth,  Col 

341,  344,  382 

Wagner,  A 312,  315,  316 

Wagner,  G 394 

Wagner,  J 506 

Wagner,  Jacob 88 

Wagner,  J.  V 121 

Wagner,  L 506,  624 

Wagon  train 620 

Walcot 442 

Wales,  Wra loo 

Walker,  Dr.  Geo 

20,  21,  22,  28,  32,  33,  35 

Walker,  James 20 

Walker,  J.  E 441 

Walker,  J.  W 621 

Walker,  N 7U' 

Walker,  Noah 586 

Walker,  8 230 

Wall,  Miss 113 

Wall,  Mr 113 

Wall,  Mrs 118 

Wallace,  Gen.L.629,631,  632 

Wallack,  H 121,  123 

Wallack,  J.  W...448,  880,  681 

Wallsner,  Rev.  G 42 

Wams,S.  T 

101,  636,  571,  676,  685,  596, 
611,  617,  678,  104 


TABIC 

Wallis,  U.... 467 

Wall-paper,  first  used..  261 

Walmsley ,  Rev.  C 68 

Walsh 28,704 

Walsh,  J 71 

Walsh,  R 66, 71 

Walsh,  Robt 254 

Walsh,  T.  Y 457, 512,  516 

"Waltemyer,  Capt 655 

Waltenberg,  Col 612 

Walter,  R.  &  Co 598 

Walters,  E 653 

Walters,  Jos 479 

Walters,  Wm.  T 678 

Walters,  Wm.  T.  &  Co.  653 

Walton,  G 154 

Wambersie,  E.  C 664 

War-meeting 516 

War  of  1812...306, 309, 354, 382 

Ward,  Col 19, 150 

Ward,  J 554 

Ward,F.X..592,  593,  637,  685 

Warden,  Jas 705 

Wards,  division  of. 280 

Ware,  Lieut.  Col 

149, 152 

Ware,  Rev.  J.  P.  W 389 

Warfield,  Chas.  A 264 

Warfield,  Dr.  C.  A 330 

Warfield,  H.  M 611,  617 

Warfield,  P 

313,  315,  316,  327,  328, 
330,  339 

Warner,  Capt 556 

Warfield,  R.  E 107 

Warner,  Geo 

139,  309,  340,  381,  430,  447 

Warner,  Thos 343 

Warrell,  Mr 115 

Warrell,  Mrs 115 

Warren,  Admiral 

340,  358,  372 

Warren,  Dr.  E 101 

Warren,  Gen.  G.  K 

644,  646,  648 

Warren,  Jos 269 

Warren,  Wm.... 120, 121,  527 

Warren,  W.  H 378 

Warrington,  T.  J 623 

Washington  City 

8,  89,  631,  706 

Washington,  G.  C 419 

Washington,  Gen. 

made  dictator  ...138,  156 
Washington's  mon  u- 
ment 298,875,  433,  667 


PASB 

Washington,  G.... 

132,  133,  149,  150, 

151 

162, 

165,  166,  167,  168, 

169 

170, 

172,  173,  175,  177, 

179 

182, 

185,  189,  190,  191, 

192 

195, 

200,  210,  211,  214, 

215 

218, 

219,  220,  244,  248, 

250, 

251, 

254,  25-3,  261,  262, 

264 

266, 

273,  278,  282,  283. 

284, 

287, 

-  306,  483,  496,  392, 

459, 

667, 
687 

Watchman  Jno... 

.  505 

Waters,  C.  E.  &  Cc 

> 

.  631 

Waters,  H 

.  139 

Water  supply 

245,  263,  292 

,29.^ 

),303 

Watkings,  Francis 

.    27 

Watkins,  Gen 



.  525 

Watkins,  W.  W.... 



.  664 

Watson,  Jno 



471 

Watson,  Wm.  H... 

516,  517 

,518 

,520 

Watts 

442 

Watts,  Capt 

532 

Waugh,  Bishop 



511 

Wayman.  Bishop.. 



661 

Wayne,  Gen 

164, 165, 168 

,214 

,262 

W^5i  vn  p  Tn  (\  er ft 

689 

Ways  W 

880 

Weatherburn,  J 

.139 

189 

H% 

RPR 

Weaver,  Jno.  H 

.623 

682 

Webb 76,  T7 

422 

Webb   C      

443 

Webb  Ellen 

514 

Webb  G.  W 

.507 

685 

Webb  Jno 

248 

Webb,Jos 

9m 

Webster 

f\W 

Webster,  Daniel.... 

501,  508,  512,  467, 

472 

Webster.  E.  H 

.584 

661 

Webster,  Lieut 

.353,  381 

Weems,  Capt.  M.  L 

614 

Wehr,  H 

697 

Welshampel,  J.  F.. 

93 

Welch,  Jno 

618 

Weld,  Rev.  C.  R 

389 

Weld, Thos 

6» 

Wells 57,76,168, 

169 

Wells,  Capt.  C 

168 

Wells,  Charles 

..28, 189 

Wells,  D 

380 

Wells    and    McComas 

Monument. 

664 

INDEX. 


755 


FAes 

Welsh,  G 155, 159, 166 

Welsh,  Baker  and  Car- 
penter  Ill 

Welsh,  R 160 

Welsh,  Taylor  &  Car- 
penter  Ill 

Weltner,  L 184 

Wentz,  S.  H 667 

Wershler. 45 

Wesley,  J 75 

West,  Jas „ 700 

West,  J.  T 698 

West,  Rev.  Wm 

29,  30,  43,  243 

West,Wm 209 

Western 442 

Westminster,  Marquis 

of. 240 

Weston,  Jno 262 

Weston,  J.  A 556 

Wethered,  Chas 602 

Wethered,  Jno 596 

Weyl.Rev.  C 542 

Whalley,  Capt 199 

Wharves 

38,  52.  53,  56,  57,  62,  201,  208, 
238,  267 

Whatcoat,  R 79 

Wheat,  E 628 

Wheatley 527 

Wheatley,  Phillis 256 

Wheelbarrow  law 295 

Wheeler 298 

Whetstone  Point 

9, 10,  15,  188,  287,  288 

Whig  Conventions 

500,  511,  539,  550 

Whig  Club 155 

Whig  Society. 468 

Whisky  Insurrection.. 

247,  273,  456 

Whitcroft 169 

Whitlock,  Mr 115 

White 316,  505,  707 

White,  Capt.  J 338 

White,  F 693 

White,  J.  C 340,  492 

White,  John  C 314 

White,  Rev.  C.  J 92,  104 

White,  Rev.  W.  W 153 

White,  Thos 189 

Whitefield,  G 76 

Whitehead,  Rev.  Jas...    30 

Whitehurst,  J.  H 535 

Whiteley,  Stone  &  Co..  598 
Whites,  Buck  &.  Hed- 
rick 460 


PAGE 

Whitfield,  Bishop  Jas. 

461,  465,  472 

Whiting,  J 652 

Whitlock,  Mrs 115 

Whitney,  A.  0 594,  622 

Whitney,  M 655 

Whitridge,  Dr., 506 

Whitridge,H.  L 711 

Whitson,  D.  E 621 

Whittingham,  Bishop. 

31,  513,  515,  537,  548 

Whittington  J 230 

Whyte,  Gov.  W.  P...691,  697 

Wickliffe,  C  A 508 

Wiegand,  D 664 

Wiegel,  Capt. 631 

Wiesenfeld  &  Co 

598,624,631 

Wiesenthal,  Dr.  A 

255,  279 
Wiesenthal,  Dr.  C.  P... 

45.  71,  138,  210,  254 

Wiest,  C 495 

Wiest,  Jno 493 

Wight,  Geo.  L 497 

Wight,  O.  B 497 

Wight,  Wm.  J 516 

Wigman,  H 94 

Wignell 115,  116 

Wildey  Monument.634,  660 
Wildey,  Thos....618,  619,  620 

Wilkinson 359,  442 

Wilkinson,  Jos 259 

Wilkinson  &  Smith 279 

Wilkinson,  W 136 

Willaurney,  Admiral..  299 

Willey,  Capt 477 

Willey,  Jos 490 

Willlams.76.278, 120, 526,  539 

Williams,  B 442,  4i3,  678 

Williams,  Ben 286 

Williams,  C 170 

Williams,  Capt.  L..  183, 184 

Williams,  G 394 

Williams,  G.  M 612 

Williams,  Jas 309,  377 

Williams,  Jos 170,  706 

Williams,  Miss  S.  M....  678 

Williams,  Mrs.  S 55 

Williams,  N 

305, 309,  346, 482, 387, 459, 51 6 

Williams,  N.  F 377 

Williams,  O.H 

183,  184,  197,  209,  210,  211. 

214,  215,  220,  221,  241,  249, 

260,  261,  275,  279 

Williams,  Rev 432 


PAex 
Williams,  Rev.  J.  W. 

M 124,  543,  547,  548 

Williams  &  Rothlitt. ...    36 

Williams,  Wm 279 

Williamson,  C 187 

Williamson,  D 71 

Williamson,  D.  and  G.  395 

Willis,  H IS 

Wills,  J 90, 106,  440 

Wilson,  Capt.  Michael.    33 

Wilmer,  J.  L 187 

Wilmer,  Rev 263 

Wilmington 54, 89 

Wilson 323 

Wilson,  Capt. 396,  520 

Wilson,  Col - 645,  647 

Wilson,  D.  S 553 

Wilson,  H 

64, 188. 192, 195,  203,  209,  255 

Wilson,  Jas 

292,  309,  447,  506,  537 

Wilson,  Jn^..T......... 135 

WilsonTJoBn  W 627 

Wilson  R 482 

Wilson,  Rev 653,  654 

Wilson,  Rev.  F 

125,511,518,603 

Wilson  S 

209,  245,  261,  263,  266 

Wilson,  T 88,89 

Wilson,  Thos 521 

Wilson,  Wm 

64,  71,  255,  281,  2S5,  309,  314 

Wilson,  Wm.  &  Son 537 

Winans,  Ross.... 

428,  449,  453,  611,  612,  617 
Winans,  Mrs.  Thos..  563,585 

Winans,  T 480, 568,  617 

Winchester,  D 298,  377 

Winchester,  Geo 

313,  327,  381,  408,  429,  432, 
445 

Winchester,  J 

82,  276, 280,  286,  299 

Winchester,  Wm 

261,  280,  295 

Winckler 106 

Winder 241,  376,397,  667 

Winder,  Gen.  C 639 

Winder,  Gen.  W.  H 

340,  346,  348,  377,  381,  402, 
415^  431 

Winder,  Jno 187 

Wind  Storms 

65, 251, 495, 506, 417, 429,  480, 

549,  632 

Winston 497 


756 


INDEX 


PAex 

Winter,  C-  F 697 

Winter,  J.  B 662 

Winters 184,  235.  691 

Winters,  E 64 

Wlnthrop 241,  689 

Wlrt,Wm 

241,  400,  403,  430,  456.  458, 
472,  547,  680.  688 

Wl8e,C.  B 644 

Wise,  H.  A :.501,  668 

Wolf,  J 380.  405 

Wolf,  M 516 

Wood,  Bishop 630 

Wood,  J 49 

Wood,  J.  H 106 

Wood,  Wm 120 

Woodbury,  L 448,  472 

Wooden,  Wm 641 

Woods,  Wm 286 

Woodside,  J.  D 433 

Woodville,  Capt 603 

Woodward,  J 76 

Woodward,  Wm 568 

Woodyear,  E.G.  .309, 409. 410 
Wool,  Gen.. 621.  624,  627,  610 

Wooley,  A.  K 509 

Woolford 176 

Woolley,  Col 631 

Woolsey,  G 71, 130 

Worrell 322 

Worth,  Gen 544 


PAOK 

Worthlngton,  B.  B 187 

Worthington,  Jessop  & 

Cheston 341 

Worthington.  Dr.  Jno.  267 

Worthington,  N 187 

Worthington,  N.  B 91 

Worthington,  S.  130, 195, 203 

Worthington,  Thos 264 

Worthington,  W.  G.  D.  304 

Wright.  B 184 

Wright,  M.  S 610 

Wright,  R 76 

Wright,  R.  C 549 

Wright,  Silas 512 

Wright,  W.  D.  H.  C 553 

Wunderman  &  Co 107 

Wyatt,  Rev.  Wm 

30,  31,  499,  387,  426,  513,  703 
Wyatt,  Rev.  Thos.  J....    31 

Wyck,  Van 209,  230 

Wyer,  Rev.  H.  0 124 

Wyman,  Byrd  &  Co 598 

Wynell 112 

Wythe,  G 420 

Yancey,  Wm.  L 516,  582 

Yandt,  Z 87 

Yates,  George n 

Yates,  Jno 641 

Yates,  Thos 201,  267 

Yeager,  Jno 506 

Yeakle,  M.  M 541 


PAGK 

Yelsser,  E 

63,  71,  202,  209,  255,  260,  231 

Yeilott.  Coleman 

515,  535,  584,  617 

Yeilott,  J 

168,  245,  260,  266,  272,  281, 
288 

Yellow  Fever 

267,  274,  285,  394,  397 

Yeo,  John 26 

Yeo,  Rev.  Jno 26 

Yerger,  Col.  E.  M....100,  539 

York 

41,  43,  165,  265,  330,  347,  509, 

525 

Yorktown...l92,  200,  203,  338 

Young  Catholic  F,  S....  507 

Young,  H 

139,  158, 159, 171,  414 

Young,  J 94, 103,  169 

Young,  Jno 506 

Young  Men's  Conven- 
tion   460 

Young,  Wm.40, 139, 155,  209 

Young,  Wm.  H 575 

Y.  M,  C.  A 541,  682 

Zacharie 209 

Zeigler,  Geo 442 

Zollickoffer 209 

Zorah,  H 42 


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